Latest / The Khmer Empire: The Lost Civilization Behind Angkor Wat — Fexingo History
Lopburi and the Khmer Frontier: Suryavarman I's Northern Expansion
More than a century before Angkor Wat rose from the jungle, King Suryavarman I pushed the Khmer Empire's reach deep into what is now central Thailand. This episode traces his campaign to conquer the Mon kingdom of Lavo (modern Lopburi) around 1010 CE, using the Tak inscription as our primary source. We explore how Suryavarman I, a usurper with no royal blood, leveraged alliances, marriage, and strategic temple building to legitimize his rule. We also discuss the Lavo inscription of 1022-25, which records the king's dedication of a Buddha footprint in the heart of Mon territory—a…
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