Cambodia History

HISTORY OF KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

The Khmer Empire Nation was born from at lease 5600 years ago, (within 3600 years before Christian Era), After our verification from all of the official documents, The Khmer Nation has at lease 2000 years experiences of war success story, The Khmer Nation has at lease 100 years of diplomatic success story, and at lease 2000 years of prosperity, shining culture, shining civilization, and shining history from year 500 B.C. before Christian Era to year 1500 A.D. of our era now, base on these historical success stories, the foreign country that would like to invade Cambodia today is seem not an easy action, they will be destroyed back by Khmer People and Khmer soldiers have a lot experience of war in the field.

The ancestors of the Cambodians, the Mon and the Khmer peoples, moved into South East Asia before the Christian era, probably from the north, arriving before their present neighbors—the Vietnamese, Lao, and Thai. Indian cultural borrowings transformed the early kingdom of Cambodia, providing a writing system, architectural styles, religions (Hinduism and Buddhism), the concept of the god-king (deva-raja), and a highly stratified class system.

The Funan Kingdom, believed to have started around the first century BC, is the first known kingdom of Cambodia. The kingdom was strongly influenced by Indian culture by shaping the culture, art and political system. An alphabetical system, religions and architectural styles were also Indian contributions to the Funan Kingdom. There is archeological evidence of a commercial society in the Mekong Delta that prospered from the 1st to 6th centuries. Returning from abroad, a Khmer prince declared himself the ruler of a new kingdom during the 9th century. Known as Jayavarman II, he started a cult that honored Shiva, a Hindu god, as a devaraja (god-king) which then linked the king to Shiva.

He also began the great achievements in architecture and sculpture while his successors built an immense irrigation system around Angkor.. His successors (26 from the early 9th to the early 15th century), built a tremendous number of temples - of which there are over a thousand sites and stone inscriptions (on temple walls).

By the 12th century, Cambodia had spread into other areas, now known as Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia (the peninsula). There is actually still evidence of Khmer inhabitance in Thailand and Laos to this day.

The 13th and 14th centuries were not as successful for Cambodia, some believe it was due to the increased power of (and wars with) Thai kingdoms that had at one time paid homage to Angkor. Others believe it was due to the induction of Theravada Buddhism, which was totally contrary to the Cambodian societal structure at that time. After this time historical records are rather sketchy at best regarding Cambodia and it is considered the "Dark Ages" of Cambodian history.

Cambodia was ravaged by Vietnamese and Thai invasions and wars up until the 19th century, when new dynasties in these countries fought over control of Cambodia. The war, that began in the 1830's almost destroyed Cambodia. King Norodom signed a treaty that enabled the French to be a protectorate, thus effectively stopping the Viet-Thai war within. For the next 90 years, France in essence ruled over Cambodia.

Although officially they were just advisors, it was known that the French had final say on all topics of interest. Although the French built roadways and made other improvements regarding trade and transportation, they sadly neglected the Cambodian educational system, which is still not effective to this day.

In 1953, Cambodia managed to gain their independence in spite of World War II and the First Indochina War. Their independence was obtained through the political savvy of King Sihanouk. Wanting to be released from the pressures of the monarchy, Sihanouk abdicated the throne and became a full time politician.

Cambodia have the “ Angkor Wat Heritage” at Siem Reap and Phnom Penh Capital city – the city retains its traditional Khmer and colonial charm. French villas along tree- lined boulevards remind the visitor that the city was once considered the gem of Southeast Asia. Nowadays Phnom Penh city has self develop and change political have a triggered an economic boom of sorts, with new hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclub springing up around the city.

For more information please check " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Empire "