Jayavarman VII: The Builder King of Angkor

The Khmer Empire: The Lost Civilization Behind Angkor Wat — Fexingo History · Apr 25, 2026 · 6m · transcript

This episode focuses on Jayavarman VII, the most prolific builder of the Khmer Empire, who ascended the throne in 1181 after decades of Champa occupation. We explore his dramatic early life as a prince exiled to Champa, his military campaigns reclaiming Angkor, and his transformation into a Mahayana Buddhist monarch. Key sites from his reign include the walled city of Angkor Thom, the Bayon temple with its serene faces, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, and the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng. We also discuss his massive public works: the Indratataka baray, the 102 hospitals (arogyasala), and the 121…