During its peak in the 11th-13th centuries, the Khmer Empire was the hegemon of Southeast Asia, controlling modern-day Cambodia + Central/Northeast Thailand + Southern Laos + parts of Southern Vietnam. Most neighboring states like Champa (Central Vietnam), the Dai kingdoms (pre-Sukhothai Thai forces), and the Mon states were under Khmer military and diplomatic pressure.
By the 12th century, Angkor was one of the largest urban centers on Earth, later revealed to be the biggest urban complex by area in the pre-industrial world. Conservative estimates put the Angkor metropolitan population at 700k–900k, with aggressive estimates over 1 million, far surpassing Paris and London at the time and even rivaling Constantinople.
The Khmer Empire’s architectural prowess is considered the culmination of the most advanced engineering and artistry in the world at the time. It wasn't just about building big; the key was combining precise mathematical calculation, geological understanding, and organic integration with massive hydraulic facilities. Even today, its foundation techniques (using a ‘sandwich’ structure) and precise stonework assembly (without mortar) allowed it to survive a millennium on swampy ground without collapsing.
The core of the Angkor civilization was its super-large hydraulic system, which historically ranks alongside Rome, the Song Dynasty, and the Nile civilization as one of the largest pre-modern hydro-agricultural systems. They built massive artificial reservoirs called ‘Barays’ to store rainwater during the wet season and use it for irrigation during the dry season. Thanks to this sophisticated system, they could harvest rice up to three times a year, and this abundance of food resources was the engine that sustained their large-scale construction projects and massive population.
The Khmer Empire was heavily influenced by Indian culture but reinterpreted it in its own unique way. Hinduism (worshipping Shiva, Vishnu) was initially dominant, but later they incorporated Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, showing a unique religious fusion. Khmer script, art styles, and governing philosophy profoundly influenced surrounding nations, like the Ayutthaya Kingdom in Thailand.
Khmer military strength was the driving force behind its dominance over most of mainland Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century. Their military prestige is summed up by combining 'ancient tanks'—war elephants (equipped with ballistae)—advanced siege weaponry, and an organized infantry system. They also utilized the geographical advantages of Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River to maintain a powerful navy. They even once repelled the Mongol armies of the mighty Yuan Dynasty.
However, starting in the late 14th century and into the early 15th, decades of severe drought followed by major floods repeatedly occurred. The sophisticated but oversized Angkor canal system was paralyzed, the agricultural production base completely collapsed, resources were depleted, and the royal power crumbled. Seizing this moment, the Ayutthaya Kingdom (modern Thailand) directly pressured the fading Khmer, occupying and looting the capital of Angkor in 1431. The capital was moved closer to Phnom Penh, and Angkor was abandoned to the jungle and slowly forgotten.
Now the country is such a total scrub/pushover that it can’t even properly respond when some Thai ultra-nationalists openly spread historical distortion and mess things up...
"Angkor Wat is dope, but the current country is apparently a scam magnet."
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