The Siege of Yasodharapura: Chola and Khmer in 1025

In 1025, the Chola emperor Rajendra Chola launched a massive naval raid across the Bay of Bengal, striking the maritime empire of Srivijaya and, according to a Tamil inscription at Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung, likely reaching the Khmer capital of Yasodharapura. This episode explores the geopolitical context of this forgotten conflict—how Khmer king Suryavarman I navigated alliances with the Cholas and the Tambralinga kingdom, and how a single stone inscription hints at a military confrontation that reshaped Southeast Asia. Lucas and Luna discuss the evidence from the Phanom Rung inscription, the role of the Kaveri River navy, and the long shadow of the Chola raid on Angkor's development. They also examine the diplomatic aftermath: Suryavarman's construction of the Phanom Rung temple complex as a gesture of reconciliation and a symbol of Khmer sovereignty. #KhmerEmpire #CholaDynasty #RajendraChola #SuryavarmanI #PhanomRung #Yasodharapura #BayOfBengal #Srivijaya #Tambralinga #NavalWarfare #Kaveri #Angkor #TamilInscriptions #1025 #SoutheastAsianHistory #MedievalIndia #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo