The Royal Concubine Who Defied Angkor's Court

In the late 12th century, amidst the chaos following the Cham invasion of 1177, a woman named Indradevi rose to become queen of the Khmer Empire under Jayavarman VII. But her story is far more than a royal marriage. Indradevi was a scholar, a poet, and a Buddhist teacher who challenged the male-dominated devaraja cult. This episode explores the life of Indradevi through the inscriptions she left behind, particularly at the temple of Ta Prohm, where she is named as a professor of Buddhist philosophy. We examine her role in shaping Jayavarman VII's massive building program, including the arogyasala hospitals and the Bayon. We also discuss the Sanskrit inscription of Ta Prohm, the longest in Khmer history, and what it reveals about royal women's power. How did Indradevi navigate the treacherous politics of Angkor's court? What was her relationship with Jayavarman VII's previous queen, Jayarajadevi? And why did she choose to be remembered as a teacher rather than a queen? Join Lucas and Luna as they uncover the story of one of Angkor's most extraordinary voices. #KhmerEmpire #Indradevi #JayavarmanVII #TaProhm #SanskritInscription #Arogyasala #Bayon #Jayarajadevi #Devaraja #MahayanaBuddhism #Angkor #Queens #WomenInHistory #12thCentury #SoutheastAsia #BuddhistStudies #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo