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Angkor's Post-Angkor Period: The Khmer Empire's Forgotten Century
Season 2
Episode 88
Published 2 months ago
Description
After the fall of Angkor in 1431, the Khmer Empire didn't simply vanish. This episode explores the often-overlooked post-Angkor period, from the move of the capital to Phnom Penh under King Ponhea Yat to the struggles of later Khmer kings like Ang Chan I and Satha I. We discuss the continued Theravada Buddhist traditions, the rise of the Cham and Vietnamese as regional players, and the gradual transformation of Khmer identity. Drawing on the writings of Portuguese visitors like Diogo do Couto and the royal chronicles, we trace how the Khmer people adapted, maintained their culture, and eventually re-emerged in the modern era. This is a story of resilience, not just collapse.