The Khmer Empire of Angkor (9th–15th) (802 – 1432 A.D): The generally accepted dates for the Angkor period are (802-1432). It began when King Jayavarman II returned from the court in Java in the year 790 AD. According to, the Sdok Kak Thom inscription, dating from the middle of the 11th century, some two hundred years after his reign. It says that he spent some time at the court of Buddhist Shailendra Dynasty in Indonesia before returning to Khmer. According to Arab merchant, the King of Shailendra Dynasty staged a surprise attack on the Khmer by approaching the capital from the river and the Great Lake. The young Khmer King was beheaded and the Khmer became a vassal state of Java. So it could be that Jayavarman II was taken to Indonesia as a prisoner at that time.

He repatriated to Khmer was to reject Javanese control over the Southern lands of Khmer. He asserted his control and power through military campaigns to extend the area of histerritorial jurisdiction and to consolidate small principalities before establishing a capital of Indra-Pura. He then moved his base three more times. The reasons are for the better source of food. One of the locations was Kutisvara (Banteay-kdei temple),Hari-Hara-laya, Amarendrapura (Ak Yum Temple to-day) and the last capital was Mahendraparvata, Kulen Mountain today, 53 kilometers north-east of Siem Reap. The inscriptions say Jayavarman II proclaimed himself “World Emperor” in 802 AD. He unified the Khmer state, the declaration of its independence from Indonesia, and the beginning of Angkor period. At that time, Jayavarman II established a new religious belief, the Devaraja (God-King) cult. Soon afterwards he moved the capital back to Hari-Haralaya (Rolous-today) where he ruled until his death in the year 850. The successive kings after king Jayavarman II continued to unify and expand the Khmer Empire. The inscriptions give the name of 39 Kings from Angkor period. Seven of these, selected for worthy achievements and the mark they left on Khmer civilization.

 Angkor Area Map