The Women of Angkor: Power and Devotion Under Jayavarman VII

This episode explores the overlooked role of women in the Khmer Empire, focusing on the reign of Jayavarman VII in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. We examine Queen Indradevi, a scholar and queen who composed inscriptions and championed education, and her sister Jayarajadevi, the king's first wife who inspired hospitals and rest houses. Using inscriptions from Ta Prohm and Preah Khan, we uncover how royal women wielded influence through religion, public works, and political alliances. We also discuss the temple dancers (devadasis) and the everyday lives of women in Angkorian society, drawing on the Chinese emissary Zhou Daguan's observations. This episode fills a gap left by previous episodes focused on kings and battles, offering a fresh perspective on gender and power in medieval Southeast Asia. #KhmerEmpire #JayavarmanVII #Indradevi #AngkorWat #TaProhm #PreahKhan #ZhouDaguan #Queen #WomenInHistory #Devadasi #MahayanaBuddhism #SoutheastAsia #FexingoHistory #History #Angkor #Cambodia #12thCentury #GenderHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo