2. Investigate the truth
In the difficult situation of her husband, Amara thought hard and diligently to serve him, including food and comfortable accommodation. Amara gave her husband strength and advice by carefully considering the problems, so that her husband's loyalty, honesty, and integrity would be maintained without any hesitation or hesitation in his duties. Amara always supported her husband, making him more affectionate and nurturing, not showing any weakness that would make it clear that the work of saving King Vitehara was at a standstill.
At dawn the next day, after eating a sumptuous meal prepared by Amra and beautifully adorned, the king gave a signal to the sage Seksombandit to come to him to investigate the true state of the Chola palace, to find out the whereabouts of the Chola family, and to find out the true plan of the Chola king to give his daughter to King Vitehara.
The king gave various methods to the sly Sarika who guarded the doors of the palace of the Chola king and Queen Mahesinanda Devi. Sarika herself was also a clever and loyal animal to her master, not easily answered by anyone, and did not easily learn the secrets of the king of the kingdom. Anyone who wanted to harm the Chola king could not escape Sarika's eyes even for a moment. Now, Seksombandit is a spy from Mithila. Can he spy on the Chola king and tell the king?
3. Seksombandit's love test for Sarika
When he arrived at the Chola king's palace, where Sarika was staying, Seksom sang a beautiful song that attracted Sarika. Seksom flew around showing off Sarika's body, making Sarika unable to control herself and called Seksom to ask about her journey to the center of the earth. Seksom praised Sarika's beauty, saying that she had soft wings and a beak that was as beautiful as a woman with a beautiful face. Sarika continued to question Seksom about her past. Seksom lied and said that he came from the noble city of Srei Preah Mahanakor, a servant of King Siriraj. He was generous in solving the problems of animals with a pure heart.
So he had the opportunity to follow the beautiful Sarika now. Sarika did not stop asking about the history of the wife and children of Sek Sombandit.
Sek Sombandit continued that his wife was quickly snatched as food when his master went to the park. The separation from his wife made him sad, unable to sleep, unable to eat, and his eyes were filled with tears. Seeing this sadness, his master advised the presence of Sarika of the Panchal kingdom in the temple of King Cholni that if Sarika was willing to befriend Preah Seriraj, he would present the traditional blessing of the marriage to him. Sarika said, "How can we live together in peace and harmony if we are of different lineages? If we dare to violate it, we will surely be criticized." Sekso replied with an analogy from the story of King Pasu, the king of the gods who took Jamgavathi without fear of being criticized, and Vachamaharushi who took Kannari Ratanavathi willingly gave up his priesthood and became a householder, living together happily until death, without anyone saying anything. The important thing is to be honest and friendly with each other.
Sarika listened to Sekso's charm and softened her heart without saying anything. Taking this opportunity, Sekso asked about the intention of the Cholani king to give his daughter to King Vitehara and the location of the royal family in Panchala, where the Brahmin Kevadda lived. Sarika told him about the evil intention of the Cholani king to use the royal daughter to lure King Vitehara and the king of Mahosa to kill him. And the king told him without hesitation about the whereabouts of those whom the scholar wanted to know. The scholar was delighted to praise the beauty of the queen, who pleased the heart of Sarika, who was worthy of being the queen of King Vitehara. She had a figure as bright as the stars in the sky, her face was radiant with a beautiful smile, her black hair spread out like the wings of a peacock, with one end raised like the tip of a crow's beak, her hair was curved like the tips of a crow's beak, and her eyes were black. If she were to be born like a child of a monkey, she would have teeth that were very close, her clothes were all ready, she would have a beautiful face, she would have a round face, The king's body was like a golden lotus, with a round waist and a smooth, round body, with a golden body, with a round, As if I could escape from suffering, if I did not see you, you would not be alive. I would not see your face in the world as usual anymore.
When they arrived in the kingdom of Mithila, the sage Somabandit flew to the shoulder of the monk Mahosa, who was sitting alone in the deserted temple. The sage told all the secrets that Sarika had written down and told the monk Mahosa without any hesitation. The monk Mahosa thought about Sarika's merits, saying that the work that had been done to achieve good results and the world was peaceful was due to the valuable contribution of the true information that Sarika had given through the sage Somabandit.
4. The strategy of the monk Mahosa to save the king of Vitehara and the great path of the world
At that time, the monk Mahosa thought that if he could not save his master now, others would criticize him as a wise man. After considering, the Lord Buddha prepared important strategies to solve the problem.Having prepared his face carefully, the king went to fetch the perfume from the beautiful incense burner that Amara had prepared for her husband. Having dressed, the king went to the palace of King Viteharacha and told him that he would go to Panchal Borei first to arrange the royal residence to be worthy of the status of a noble king and to negotiate with King Chola to provide hospitality and arrange a solemn, lavish and extremely honorable coronation ceremony in the Panchal Palace. King Vitheharaja paid the same attention to Mahasatha as before, including the perfect arrangement of the wedding ceremony between him and the Chola princess. He was very happy and all the resentment he had towards Mahasatha disappeared. He gave Mahasatha great authority to order the officials and the army to use the royal property as needed to arrange the wedding ceremony in the future. At the same time, he gave Mahasatha royal authority to be the great ambassador to negotiate and resolve the matter with the Chola king in the most complete way. Mahasatha was very excited and promised to King Rataharaja that he would solve all the problems for the king without any bad consequences.

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The Arts Of War Khmer Tamra Pichey Sangkream kampuchea- Cambodia

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The military parade of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Preah Mahasath Khmer Cambodia

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The art of war Techoyot (Khmer)

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The suffering of my people is my suffering.King Jayavarman VII

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 Key Points

• The Khmer Empire, also known as the Angkor Empire, was a major Southeast Asian empire centered in modern-day Cambodia, lasting from 802 to 1431 CE, with its peak in the 11th–13th centuries.
• It was known for its monumental architecture, including Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious structure, and advanced water management systems.
• Research suggests climate change, with droughts and floods, played a significant role in its decline, alongside internal conflicts and foreign invasions.
• The evidence leans toward a combination of factors, including religious shifts and ecological breakdown, contributing to its fall in 1431.

Formation and Rise

The Khmer Empire began in 802 CE when Jayavarman II declared himself chakravartin (universal ruler), marking Kambuja's independence. It grew out of the Chenla civilization and reached its height under rulers like Suryavarman II, who built Angkor Wat, and Jayavarman VII, who expanded the empire and constructed Angkor Thom. At its peak, it covered much of modern Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and southern Vietnam, with a population of about 1 million in Angkor Thom.

Peak Achievements

The empire was renowned for its architecture, including temples like Angkor Wat (Khmer Empire) and Bayon, and its hydraulic systems, such as barays and canals, supporting three rice harvests annually. It was culturally influenced by Indian traditions, with Hinduism and later Buddhism shaping its society.

Decline and Fall

The decline started in the 14th century, with Angkor falling to the Siamese Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1431. Research suggests climate change, with decades-long droughts and intense monsoons, damaged water systems and agriculture, as detailed in a 2010 study (Climate as a contributing factor in the demise of Angkor, Cambodia). Other factors included religious shifts to Theravada Buddhism, internal power struggles, and foreign invasions.

Unexpected Detail: Climate's Role

An unexpected detail is how climate variability, linked to El Niño events, likely exacerbated the empire's vulnerabilities, a finding from recent tree ring studies, adding a modern environmental perspective to its historical decline.

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Survey Note: Comprehensive Analysis of the Khmer Empire

The Khmer Empire, also referred to as the Angkor Empire, represents a significant chapter in Southeast Asian history, flourishing from 802 to 1431 CE. Centered in what is now northern Cambodia, it emerged from the earlier Chenla civilization and reached its zenith between the 11th and 13th centuries. This survey note provides a detailed examination of its formation, peak achievements, decline, and legacy, drawing from a range of historical and recent scholarly sources to ensure a comprehensive understanding.

Historical Context and Formation

The empire's foundation is conventionally dated to 802 CE, when Jayavarman II declared himself chakravartin (universal ruler) in the Phnom Kulen mountains, possibly breaking ties with Java or the Srivijaya kingdom (Khmer Empire). This act marked the beginning of Kambuja, known to its inhabitants as such, and set the stage for its expansion. Early capitals included Indrapura and Hariharalaya (modern Roluos, 9 miles/15 km southeast of Siem Reap), before Yasovarman I moved the capital to Angkor (Yashodharapura) around 890 CE (Khmer empire). The empire succeeded earlier polities like Funan (1st–6th century CE) and Chenla (6th–early 9th century), with its rulers claiming descent from these traditions.

Territorial Extent and Peak

At its height, particularly under Jayavarman VII (1181–c. 1220 CE), the Khmer Empire covered approximately 1,263,322 square kilometers, ruling or vassalizing parts of modern Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and southern Vietnam (Khmer Empire). Angkor, the capital during this period, was one of the largest pre-industrial urban complexes, spanning 1,000 square kilometers with an estimated population of 1 million (Khmer Empire). This period saw extensive infrastructure development, including roads and canals connecting the sprawling city, which included hundreds of temples.

Key Rulers and Achievements

Several rulers left lasting legacies:

• Jayavarman II (802–835 CE): Established the empire, taking the title chakravartin and initiating the devaraja (god-king) concept.
• Indravarman I (877–c. 890 CE): Built Bakong, the first stone temple, and expanded water management systems (Khmer empire).
• Yasovarman I (c. 890–c. 910 CE): Moved the capital to Angkor, constructing Bakheng and further developing the hydraulic city.
• Suryavarman I (c. 1004–1050 CE): Extended the empire westward, increasing cities from 20 to 50 and building Preah Vihear.
• Suryavarman II (c. 1113–c. 1150 CE): Expanded to Burmese Pagan and the Gulf of Thailand, famously commissioning Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure (200 hectares), which took about 30 years to build (Khmer Empire).
• Jayavarman VII (1181–c. 1220 CE): Reached the empire's zenith, building Angkor Thom, the Bayon temple, over 100 hospitals, and more than 100 rest houses, showcasing a welfare state approach (Khmer empire).

The empire's infrastructure included monumental temples, huge reservoirs (barays), and canals, with main highways stretching 800 km and featuring bridges (Khmer Empire). These systems supported three rice harvests per year, contributing to its prosperity and power.

Cultural and Religious Influences

The Khmer Empire was heavily influenced by Indian customs, with Hinduism (particularly Vaishnavism and Shaivism) dominating early periods, reflected in temple dedications to Vishnu and Shiva. Over time, Buddhism, especially Mahayana and later Theravada, gained prominence, particularly under Jayavarman VII, who was a devout Buddhist (Khmer empire). Animist and traditional cults also persisted, and the society was festive, with activities like wrestling, horse races, cock fights, music, and dances, with commerce often conducted by women (Khmer Empire).

Decline and Fall

The decline of the Khmer Empire began in the 14th century, culminating in the fall of Angkor to the Siamese Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1431 CE. Historians have proposed multiple factors, and recent research suggests a complex interplay of environmental, political, and social elements:

• Religious Shifts: The mass conversion to Theravada Buddhism, particularly from the 13th century, may have undermined the devaraja concept, affecting royal authority and reducing the need for monumental temple construction (Khmer Empire). This shift is believed to have encouraged a more individualistic attitude, potentially weakening state cohesion.
• Internal Power Struggles: Succession disputes were common, with 11 of 27 rulers lacking legitimate claims, leading to rebellions by ambitious nobles (Khmer Empire). This internal fracturing weakened the empire's stability, especially during periods of royal transition.
• Foreign Invasions: Conflicts with neighboring powers, such as the Cham (central Vietnam) and Vietnamese, were significant. The Cham looted Angkor in 1177 CE, and the rise of the Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya, founded in 1351, led to multiple invasions, with the final sack in 1431 CE (Khmer Empire). Tai armies also raided Angkor in the mid-13th century, further straining resources.
• Ecological Breakdown: Recent studies, notably a 2010 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Climate as a contributing factor in the demise of Angkor, Cambodia), highlight the role of climate change. Decades-long droughts interspersed with intense monsoons in the 14th and 15th centuries, linked to the "Little Ice Age" and El Niño events, damaged the empire's hydraulic systems. These climatic shifts reduced agricultural productivity, with droughts shrinking water supplies for drinking and irrigation, while heavy rains caused flooding and erosion, washing sediment into barays (The decline of the Khmer Empire). Previously, the empire supported three rice harvests per year, but declining harvests weakened its economic base.
• Other Factors: Over-extension of construction efforts, particularly under Jayavarman VII, may have depleted resources and goodwill, as temple building and inscriptions dwindled after his death (Khmer Empire). Deforestation for farmland, possible plagues like bubonic plague, smallpox, or malaria by the 14th century, and environmental degradation further contributed to the decline (Khmer Empire).

After 1431, the capital moved to Lovek near Phnom Penh, and the Khmer state became a minor Tai vassal, marking the end of its imperial dominance (Khmer empire).

Legacy and Modern Relevance

The Khmer Empire's legacy is most visible in its monumental architecture, with Angkor Wat remaining one of the world's largest religious complexes, attracting 2 million visitors annually (Changing Climate May Have Led to Angkor's Downfall). Its temples, such as Bayon and Banteay Srei, showcase intricate art and engineering, influencing Southeast Asian culture and politics. The empire's hydraulic systems and urban planning are studied for their sophistication, and recent climate studies provide insights into how environmental factors can impact civilizations, offering lessons for modern climate vulnerability (Civilizations and Climate Vulnerability: The Khmer Empire).

Comparative Analysis

To illustrate the complexity of the decline, consider the following table comparing key factors:

Factor	Description	Impact on Decline
Climate Change	Decades-long droughts and intense monsoons, linked to El Niño, damaged water systems	High, reduced agriculture and water supply
Religious Shift	Conversion to Theravada Buddhism undermined devaraja concept	Moderate, affected royal authority
Internal Conflicts	Succession disputes and noble rebellions	High, weakened central control
Foreign Invasions	Thai and Cham invasions, culminating in Ayutthaya's sack in 1431	High, direct military threat
Ecological Breakdown	Deforestation, erosion, and possible plagues	Moderate, strained resources and health

This table highlights the multifaceted nature of the decline, with climate change emerging as a significant, recently emphasized factor.

Conclusion

The Khmer Empire's history is a testament to human ingenuity and vulnerability, with its rise marked by monumental achievements and its fall influenced by a combination of environmental, political, and social factors. Recent research, particularly on climate change, adds a modern lens to understanding its demise, underscoring the importance of sustainable practices in the face of environmental challenges.

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Key Citations

• Khmer Empire history overview Wikipedia
• Khmer Empire detailed history World History Encyclopedia
• Khmer Empire comprehensive Britannica
• Climate as a contributing factor in the demise of Angkor, Cambodia PNAS study
• The decline of the Khmer Empire detailed analysis National Library of Australia
• Changing Climate May Have Led to Angkor's Downfall Smithsonian article
• Civilizations and Climate Vulnerability: The Khmer Empire educational resource

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The Khmer Empire

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