Angkor Wat and the Tamil Inscription of K. 1136

In this episode, Lucas and Luna examine the lesser-known Tamil inscription K. 1136 found at Angkor Wat, dating to the 12th century. They explore how a Vaishnavite Tamil merchant named Virakuda from the Chola Empire left his mark on the temple complex, revealing deep connections between Tamil Nadu and Angkor. The inscription mentions a gift of a Vishnu image to the temple, tied to the cult of the devaraja. The hosts discuss the maritime trade routes, the role of the Tamil merchant guilds known as the 'Five Hundred Lords of Ayyavole', and what this stone record tells us about Angkor as a cosmopolitan hub. They also touch on the decline of Chola influence and how this inscription reshapes our understanding of Angkor Wat's early history beyond its Khmer builders. #AngkorWat #TamilInscription #K1136 #Virakuda #CholaEmpire #SuryavarmanII #Vaishnavism #Devaraja #Ayyavole #MaritimeTrade #IndianOcean #Paramavishnuloka #KhmerHistory #SoutheastAsia #History #FexingoHistory #TamilMerchants #Inscription Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo