Yaśodharapura

Yashodharapura (Khmer: យសោធរបុរៈ; Khmer pronunciation: [jeaʔ sao tʰeaʔ reaʔ boʔ raʔ];^[1] Sanskrit: यशोधरपुर "Yashodharapura"), also known as Angkor (Khmer: អង្គរ), was the capital of the Khmer Empire for most of its history. It was established by King Yashovarman I in the late 9th century and centred on the temple of Phnom Bakheng.^{[2]: 103 [3]: 64}

Yashodharapura

យសោធរបុរៈ
Satellite image and map of Yashodharapura
Yashodharapura Location in Cambodia
Alternative name	Angkor
Location	Siem Reap, Cambodia
Region	Southeast Asia
Coordinates	13°24′45″N 103°52′0″E
Type	Archaeological site
History
Builder	Yasovarman I
Founded	late 9th century AD
Abandoned	1431 AD
Periods	Post-classical
Site notes
Condition	Restored and ruined
Public access	Yes
Architecture
Architectural styles	Bakheng, Pre Rup, Banteay Srei, Khleang, Baphuon, Angkor Wat, Bayon and post Bayon

Yashodharapura was referred to in the inscriptions as Phnom Kandal (Central Mountain). Phnom Bakheng was constructed just before the foundation of Yashodharapura due to Yashovarman's belief that the mountain was among the holiest of places to worship the Hindu deities. Yashodharapura was linked to an earlier capital, Hariharalaya, by a causeway. The urban complex included the East Baray or Yashodharatataka.^{[3]: 64–65}

The succeeding capitals built in the area were called Yashodharapura. One of those is Angkor Thom, centred on the Bayon temple by King Jayavarman VII (1181-1218AD).

In 1352, King U Thong (also known as Ramathibodi I of the Ayutthaya Kingdom) laid siege to it. The Ayutthaya were successful the next year in capturing the city, placing one of their princes on the throne. In 1357 the Khmer regained it.^[2]: 236 Angkor Thom was raided and abandoned in the 15th century by King Borommarachathirat II of Ayutthaya.^[4]

References

1. Headley, Robert K.; Chim, Rath; Soeum, Ok. 1997. Cambodian-English Dictionary. Dunwoody Press. University of Michigan. ISBN 9780931745782. http://sealang.net/khmer/dictionary.htm
2. Coedès, George (1968). Walter F. Vella (ed.). The Indianized States of Southeast Asia. trans.Susan Brown Cowing. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0368-1.
3. Higham, C., 2001, The Civilization of Angkor, London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ISBN 9781842125847
4. Donald Richie (23 September 2007). "Yasodharapura, revived in literature". The Asian Bookshelf. The Japan Times. Retrieved 4 May 2013.

External links

• Beyond Angkor – Graphical maps of all the historical sites relating to Yaśodharapura