Jayavarman VII: The Builder King of Angkor

This episode focuses on Jayavarman VII, the most prolific builder of the Khmer Empire, who ascended the throne in 1181 after decades of Champa occupation. We explore his dramatic early life as a prince exiled to Champa, his military campaigns reclaiming Angkor, and his transformation into a Mahayana Buddhist monarch. Key sites from his reign include the walled city of Angkor Thom, the Bayon temple with its serene faces, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, and the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng. We also discuss his massive public works: the Indratataka baray, the 102 hospitals (arogyasala), and the 121 rest houses along the empire's roads. His radical shift from Hindu devaraja cult to Buddhist kingship created a lasting legacy and influenced Angkor's identity for centuries. #JayavarmanVII #KhmerEmpire #AngkorThom #Bayon #TaProhm #PreahKhan #MahayanaBuddhism #ChampaOccupation #Arogyasala #Baray #AngkorWat #SoutheastAsia #KingBuilder #PhnomBakheng #Indratataka #Devaraja #History #FexingoHistory #JayavarmanII #SuryavarmanII Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo