Angkor and the Chola Navy: A Forgotten Raid

When we think of Angkor's enemies, the Cham and the Ayutthaya usually come to mind. But in the 11th century, a far more distant power struck the Khmer coast: the Chola Empire of South India. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a little-known raid that sent shockwaves through Southeast Asia. We follow the Chola king Rajendra Chola's naval expedition against the Srivijaya Empire—and his lesser-known attack on the Khmer port of Tambralinga. We examine the evidence from Tamil inscriptions, Khmer chronicles, and Chinese records, and ask why the Cholas came, what they took, and why this story was nearly forgotten. Along the way, we discuss the maritime Silk Road, the rivalry between the Khmer and Srivijaya, and the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean in the 11th century. This episode sheds light on a crucial but overlooked moment in Angkor's long history of foreign contact. #Angkor #CholaEmpire #RajendraChola #Srivijaya #Tambralinga #NavalRaid #IndianOceanTrade #KhmerHistory #MedievalSoutheastAsia #TamilInscriptions #MaritimeHistory #11thCentury #SilkRoadOfTheSea #Archaeology #ForgottenHistory #Cambodia #India #FexingoHistory #AngkorWat #KhmerEmpire Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo