The Sailendra Kings Who Ruled Angkor

Before the great Khmer kings like Suryavarman II and Jayavarman VII, Angkor was briefly ruled by a foreign dynasty — the Sailendras of Java. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how a Javanese Buddhist empire came to dominate the Khmer heartland in the 9th century, the shadowy figure of Jayavarman II who founded Angkor, and the violent power struggles that followed his death. We trace the Sailendras from their origins in central Java, their conquest of the Khmer capital, and their sudden expulsion by a young prince who would become Jayavarman II. Along the way, we decode the mysterious K. 235 inscription, revisit the legend of the 'mountain king,' and ask why the Sailendras' rule left so few traces in the archaeological record. It's a story of maritime empires, religious rivalry, and the deep connections between mainland and island Southeast Asia — a missing chapter in Angkor's rise. #Sailendra #JayavarmanII #Angkor #KhmerEmpire #Java #Borobudur #K235 #ShailendraDynasty #Srivijaya #Chenla #Hariharalaya #IndravarmanI #Buddhism #Hinduism #SoutheastAsianHistory #KhmerArchaeology #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo