Chenla (), known as
Zhenla (
真腊) in
Chinese and
Chân Lạp in
Vietnamese (which is the Sino-Vietnamese pronunciation of 真腊), was an early
Khmer kingdom.
At first a
vassal state to
Funan (circa AD 550), over the next 60 years it achieved its independence and eventually conquered all of Funan, absorbing its people and culture. The weakening of the Funan state at this time can largely be explained by distant events: the collapse of the
Roman Empire and subsequently trade routes between the Mediterranean and China.
In 613,
Isanapura became the first capital of the new empire. Chenla later divided into northern and southern states, known as "Chenla of the Land" and "Chenla of the Sea," respectively. The
Champassak province of modern-day
Laos was the center of the northern part, while the territory of the
Mekong Delta and the coast belonged to the southern part. Several smaller states broke off from Northern and Southern Chenla in 715, further weakening the region.
History
Khmers, who are believed to be vassals of Funan had reached the
Mekong River from the northern
Chao Phraya River via the
Mun River Valley. Chenla, their first independent state developed out of Funan, absorbing Funanese influence.
Ancient Chinese records mention two kings,
Shrutavarman and
Shreshthavarman who ruled at the capital
Shreshthapura located in modern day southern Laos. The immense influence on the identity of Cambodia to come was wrought by the Khmer Kingdom of
Bhavapura, in the modern day Cambodian city of
Kompong Thom. Its legacy was its most important sovereign,
Ishanavarman who completely conquered the kingdom of Funan during 612-628. He chose his new capital at the
Sambor Prei Kuk, naming it Ishanapura.
After the death of
Jayavarman I in 681, turmoil came upon the kingdom and at the start of the 8th century, the kingdom broke up into many principalities.
Pushkaraksha, the ruler of
Shambhupura announced himself as king of the entire
Kambuja. Chinese chronicles proclaim that in the 8th century, Chenla was split into land Chenla and water Chenla. During this time,
Shambhuvarman son of Pushkaraksha controlled most of water Chenla until the 8th century which the
Malayans and
Javanese dominated over many Khmer principalities.
Rulers
See also
Sources
- The Treasures of Angkor. ISBN 88-544-0117-X
Category:802 disestablishmentsCategory:States and territories established in 550Category:Former countries in Southeast AsiaCategory:Former monarchies of AsiaCategory:History of CambodiaCategory:Former countries in history of Vietnamde:Chenlako:진랍he:צ'נלהmr:चेन्लाnl:Chenlaja:真臘no:Chenlakm:កម្ពុជាសម័យអាណាចក្រចេនឡាpl:Czenlaru:Ченлаsv:Chenlavi:Chân Lạpzh:真腊
