KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA |
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EARLY HISTORY
The earliest recorded
history of Cambodia starts with the Funan dynasty. The
Kingdom of Funan situated in what is known today as
the southern province of Takeo between (sixth
century to seventh century). This dynasty gave way to the
powerful Angkor Empire that established the Khmer Kingdom, as we know it today.
Angkor is the
capital of the Khmer Empire between 9th century to the
mid-15th century in what is now Cambodia. The name is
also used in reference to the empire itself.
The Angkorian Empire was the
largest pre-industrial urban center in the world.
The Angkorian dynasty is believed to have
come from India. The dynasty reigned spanned over 650
years, and their empire covered much of South East Asia.
Their territory stretched from Myanmar, which lies east,
to the South China Sea and further north, right up to
also China.
Khmer Kings,
built the most ornate and extensive temples
known to mankind. The most successful of the Angkorean kings were Jaya Varman II, Yasor Varman I, Surya VarmanII, and Jaya Varman VII.
Their
legacy is not as a military conqueror, but rather as a
spiritual leader and builder.
Following the abandonment of Angkor, Cambodia's capital
population migrated south to Long Vek, then further to
Ou Dong, and eventually to Phnom Penh. The destruction
of the mighty Angkorian capital also caused a decline,
adaptation, and eventual replaced by Hinduism. Theravada Buddhism became the national religion.
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In 1863, King
Norodom signed a Protectorate treaty with France, which
put Cambodia under the French rule for the next 90
years. After the death of King Norodom in 1904, King
Sisowath, was crowned king of Cambodia (1904-1927).
However, the throne returned to the Norodom bloodline
with the following coronation of King Norodom Sihanouk
in 1941.
Angkorean Empire
Chronology
In 1945, the Japanese ousted the French. Cambodian was
granted its independence in 1953, marked the end of 90
years of French protectorate rule. In 1959, King Norodom
Sihanouk abdicated the throne, turning the position of
Kingship over to his father, Norodom
Soramarith (1955-1960). Prince Norodom Sihanouk became
the Head of Sangkum Reas Niyoum.
From 1950
through to 1970, Cambodia was the Jewel of
Asia. On March 18th,
1970, General Lon Nol, overthrew Prince Norodom Sihanouk.
Lon Nol was overthrown by the Khmer
Rouge, headed by Pol Pot on the 17th of April 1975.
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