Water Chenla: Map & History
Chenla or Zhenla is the Chinese designation for the vassal of the kingdom of Funan preceding the Khmer Empire that existed from around the late 6th to the early 9th century in Indochina.
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Chenla or Zhenla is the Chinese designation for the vassal of the kingdom of Funan preceding the Khmer Empire that existed from around the late 6th to the early 9th century in Indochina. This period of Cambodian history is known by historians as the Pre-Angkor period.
Modern Countries Once Part of Water Chenla
At its mapped extent, Water Chenla covered territory in 3 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Water Chenla's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Water Chenla in Depth
History
According to the foundation myth recorded in the Baksei Chamkrong inscription, dated AD 947, "the origin of the kings of Cambodia goes back to the union of the hermit Kambu Swayambhuva, an eponymic ancestor of the Kambujas, with the celestial nymph Mera, who was given to him by Śiva." The king Srutavarman, the first monarch of Chenla, was born of this couple, who was followed by his son, king Sreshthavarman. This king gave his name to Sreshthapura, believed to be Vat Phou.
The origins of Chenla's aristocracy, whom author Michael Vickery called the "Dângrêk Chieftains", are obscure.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Chenla (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Water Chenla: Key Facts
| Capital | Sambor Prei Kuk |
|---|---|
| Official language | Sanskrit |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Form of government | absolute monarchy |
| Founded | 550 CE |
| Dissolved | 706 CE |
Facts from Wikidata Q1057118 (CC0).
Water Chenla Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Water Chenla appears, with the other states of the time.
Water Chenla Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 243,130 km² in 758 CE.
Water Chenla: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Water Chenla exist?
Water Chenla is dated to 718 CE – 805 CE, in the Early Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of Water Chenla?
The capital of Water Chenla was Shrestapura, Isanapura, Sambhupura.
How large was Water Chenla at its peak?
At its peak in 758 AD Water Chenla covered about 243,130 km².
Other Sovereign Realms
Early Middle Ages • Capital: Constantinople
Classical Antiquity • Capital: Pataliputra, Ujjain
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Early Middle Ages • Capital: Chang'an