The Khmer Empire 800 - 1400.
The Khmer empire was a powerful state in South East Asia that lasted from 802 CE to 1431 CE. At its peak, the Khmer empire covered much of modern day Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and southern Vietnam. The capital of the Khmer empire was the city of Angkor, located on the Tonle Sap in the west of what is now Cambodia.
The city of Angkor’s original name was Yashodharapura (“Glory-bearing city”), and at the time it was the biggest city in the world, covering an area of a thousand square kilometres, close to that of modern Los Angeles in the USA. Its population was approximately one million.
The Khmers practiced Hinduism mostly, but Buddhism as well, along with a mix of animist and traditional cults. They were great builders, filling the landscape with monumental temples, huge reservoirs (called baray) and canals, and laying an extensive road network with permanent bridges - the main highways are 800 km long. The temple of Angkor Wat, is a microcosm of the Hindu universe and is the world’s largest religious complex - covering 200 hectares
Geography of the Khmer Empire
Geography and environmental factors helped Khmers to become one of the wealthiest and powerful empires in history.
To do: Create a document that examines the environmental factors that influenced the development of the Khmer Empire.
"The Customs of Cambodia". Zhou Daguan. 1296-97 CE
"In general crops can be harvested three or four times a year… For six months the land had no rain at all… The high water mark around the Freshwater Seas (Tonle Sap Lake) can reach some 70 or 80 feet (21 or 24 metres), completely submerging even very tall trees except for the tips. Families living by the shore all move to the far side of the hills".
Climate - include a climate graph for Siem Reap Cambodia and describe the weather pattern known as the Monsoon.
Mekong River - Include a map of the Mekong River. Describe the benefits (trade and fishing) of the river for the Khmer people.
The Tonle Sap - Include a map of the Tonle Sap and the capital Angkor.
How did the fisheries in the Tonle Sap support the Angkor empire?
Why is the Tonle Sap such a rich fishery?
Farming - Use a map of the 'barays'' to describe the irrigation methods the people of Angkor used to increase the quantity of rice grown.
Extra: Use photos of the Angkor temple bas relief friezes to describe daily life in the Khmer culture.
Google image search: Angkor bas relief frieze
1. Angkor fieldwork
The Angkor complex was the largest pre-industrial urban center in the world, spanning over 1,000 square kilometers. Its sophisticated water management system included massive reservoirs (barays), intricate canals, and moats that captured monsoon rains. The West Baray alone, still partially functioning today, measures 8 kilometers by 2.1 kilometers.
Angkor's temple complex was designed around a Hindu-Buddhist cosmology. Temples represented Mount Meru, the cosmic center, while the surrounding moats symbolized mythical oceans. The complex included temples for worship, rice fields for sustenance, and residential areas, creating a sacred geography that merged the spiritual with the importance of farming and the fisheries of the Tonle Sap.
We are going to do some history fieldwork at the Angkor site using Google Maps satellite images and street view.
Getting started: Go to the Angkor site in Cambodia
Tips for measuring distances on Google Maps.
Right-click on your starting point.
Choose Measure distance at the bottom of the pop up menu.
Click anywhere on the map to create a path to measure.
Part 1. How big was the city of Angkor?
What is the total length of the walls surrounding the Angkor Wat complex?
What is the width of the canal surrounding the Angkor Wat complex?
What is the area of the Angkor Thom complex (north of Angkor Wat)?
What is the distance from the gates of Angkor Wat to the Tonle Sap?
Part 2. Angkor satellite analysis
Describe the main land use around the Angkor complex.
Use screen shots to identify and annotate evidence of canals and Barays (man made lakes) in the landscape.
Part 3. Streetview at Angkor Wat
The Google guy can be found in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. You can drop her on the map for a street view. Simply hit ESC when you are ready to put her somewhere else.
Click here to go to the bridge entrance to Angkor Wat.
Drop the Google guy on the bridge in front of Angkor Wat, describe what you can see.
Now drop her on the 'Terrace of Honour' in front of the Wat. Looking back along the walkway describe the impression it may have made on people approaching from the gate.
Now head north to the 'Terrace of the Elephants', what do you think was the purpose of this site?
Go slightly north to the 'Terrace of the Leper King', take screen shots of some of the bas-relief and describe what is being depicted.
Go to the North Gate and describe the fortifications at this site.
Would Angkor Wat have been easy to defend?
Extra: Take a tour of the temples of Angkor - Angkor temple tour with Google street view
2. Sources - Angkor
Much of what we know about the Angkor empire comes from the records of Chinese travellers and traders who visited the Angkor empire.
Zhou Daguan, a Chinese diplomat, visited Angkor from 1296 to 1297. His work, "The Customs of Cambodia," offers a rare glimpse into the Khmer Empire's daily life, culture, and architecture. He described grand temples, bustling markets, and the sophisticated irrigation system. Zhou's observations on social customs, religious practices, and the roles of women provide invaluable historical insights. His account remains one of the few contemporary records of Angkor, making it a crucial source for historians studying the period.
Sources Analysis Answer Guide
Hints and tips for a successful source analysis:
Quote often and begin your response with name of the author, not the Source number. Put the source number in brackets at the end of the quote/paraphrasing.
EG: ‘Lamb shows two examples of the importance of religion in Ancient Greece. ....' (Source 1)
Always use full sentences and include the question in your answer
Use the mark scheme to guide your answer.
Two marks means you need to make two clear points.
Three marks means you need to make three clear points.
For example:
This is supported by Jones who states that 'History students would be more popular at parties if they used this method.' (Source 3)
Source 1. A Record of Cambodia: The Land and its People. Zhou Daguan. 1297
Official buildings and homes of the aristocracy, including the Royal Palace, face the east. The dwellings of the senior officials are large and spacious in style, the homes of the common people only use thatch for their roofs. Although the sizes of their homes vary according to how wealthy they are they do not dare emulate the styles of the great houses.
Questions
Use evidence from the source to compare the homes of the aristocracy and senior officials with the common people. (2)
How can historians check the facts in Mr Daguan's account? (2)
Source 2. A Record of Cambodia: The Land and its People. Zhou Daguan. 1297
'In the center of the capital is a gold tower... flanked by twenty stone towers...a li (500m) north of the gold tower there is a bronze tower, an exquisite sight. The palace lies north, there are many wonderful places there, but I could not see them. Carved or painted Buddhas decorate all the immense columns and lintels. The roofs are impressive too. Open corridors and long colonnades, arranged in harmonious patterns, stretch away on all sides. According to legend, Lu Ban built it in a single night.
Question
Is the Source a primary or a secondary source? Explain how you came to your answer.(2)
Use evidence from the source to describe the scale of the Angkor palace complex. (2)
Source 3. Buddhist statues. Angkor complex. Cambodia
Questions
How does the information in Source 2 support the information in Source 3? (2)
Source 4. A Record of Cambodia: The Land and its People. Zhou Daguan. 1297
'In front of the palace there are twelve small stone towers. When two men dispute over some unknown matter, each of the contestants is forced to sit in one of them while the relatives stand watch at the base. After three or four days, he who is wrong shows it by suffering some illness - ulcers, or catarrh, or malignant fever - while the other remains in perfect health. Thus right or wrong is determined by what is called divine judgment.’
Questions
Use information from the source to explain how disputes were settled in Khmer society. (2)
Source 5: A Record of Cambodia: The Land and its People. Zhou Daguan. 1297
‘For six months the land has rain, for six months no rain at all. In general, crops can be harvested three or four times a year, all four seasons are like our fifth and sixth months with days that know no frost or snow. There are very many fish... all of them coming from the Freshwater Sea.'
Question
Use evidence from the source to describe food production at Angkor
Use your own research to name of the weather pattern that Zhou is describing? (1)
Explain how this seasonal pattern partly explains the importance of Angkor's 'water control system'? (2)
Buddha statues. Angkor complex
3. Interview for a King
The King of Angkor. A job interview
To do: Interview candidates for the recently vacated job of King of Angkor, King of the World.
You will have four people on the panel representing the four groups in Angkor society.
What types of questions would each group would ask the potential King?
The King - a job description
As King you will need to rule the Khmer Empire with complete authority.
At the moment you will be called Kings, we are thinking of changing the title to something more modern, like Emperor.
To become an King you have to be born into the monarchy
As King / Emperor you will be worshipped as if you were chosen by and sent from the gods.
You will be considered the re-incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva
The Interview Panel: Representatives from the following groups.
Nobles and Priests
Artisans
Traders and Fisherman
Peasants
Nobles and Priests
They were the second in charge, only answerable to the King.
Responsible for communicating the Kings instructions to the ordinary people.
Also helped the King with the big decisions he had to make.
They owned land and those who lived on their land provided them with food and labour.
Nobles and officials ran the empire and lived relatively easy lives.
Artisans (Craftsmen)
Artisans produced goods such as clothing and handcrafted goods.
Stonemasons and builders
Potters, artists and carpenters
Traders and fisherman
Traded at markets and with surrounding regions
Provided fresh and dried fish
Imported goods from India and China
Peasants
Worked as farmers on land owned by the nobles
Part of the food they grew was given to the nobles and king.
Also provided labour and military service
Task: Khmer empire travel guide
Create a Khmer Empire travel guide
Task brief:
A group of Middle School St John’s Grammar students will soon be going on a field trip to Cambodia and neighboring countries. As part of the itinerary they will be visiting Angkor Wat and other key places linked to the Khmer Empire. The students are keen to find out about the history of this region before they go. Your task is to produce for these students a visual guide which they can take with them.
Task instructions:
Use your classwork and research to create an informative and visually appealing Khmer travel guide
Your guide should cover the following aspects of the Khmer Empire.
The time period when the Khmer Empire existed
The location of the Khmer empire (include a map)
The structure of Khmer society
Daily life in the Khmer empire including how homes were designed
Main religions of the Khmer Empire
Main achievements of the Khmer Empire, i.e. road building, water management, temple building
Reasons for the fall of the Khmer Empire
Angkor Wat temple and the role of UNESCO
The importance of being a responsible tourist
(You should also include a bibliography)
Word count: Approximately 600 words and/or 5 minutes duration
Submission: via this task on Canvas
