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The Revolt That Toppled Angkor: A New Look at 1431
Season 3
Episode 127
Published 1 month, 1 week ago
Description
In 1431, the Khmer capital Yasodharapura fell to the Siamese kingdom of Ayutthaya. But the city wasn't conquered—it was betrayed from within. This episode explores the little-known role of Khmer nobles who defected to Ayutthaya, offering a fresh perspective on Angkor's collapse. We examine the political fractures caused by King Ponhea Yat's attempts to centralize power, the rivalry between the royal Devanagari and provincial clans like the Vanak, and the pivotal battle at the Rope Bridge over the Siem Reap River. Drawing on the Ming shi lu and Cambodian chronicles, we piece together how internal rebellion, not just external invasion, brought down one of Southeast Asia's greatest empires.