Chenla Period

Chenla Period
From the 6th century Funan's importance as a port declined, and Cambodia's population gradually concentrated along Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers (as is the case today). The move may be related to the development of wet-rice agriculture. From the 6th to the 8th centuries Cambodia was probably a collection of competing kingdoms, ruled by autocratic kings who legitimised their absolute rule through hierarchical social concepts borrowed from India.
   This period is generally referred to as the Chenla. Again, as is the case with Funan, it is a Chinese term and there is little to support the idea that the Chenla was a unified kingdom that held sway over all Cambodia. Indeed, the Chinese themselves referred to the 'water Chenla' and the 'land Chenla', the former probably located in the Mekong Delta, the latter in the upper reaches of the Mekong River.
   Still, the people of Cambodia were known at least to the Chinese, and gradually the region was becoming more cohesive. Before long the fractured kingdoms of Cambodia would merge to become the greatest kingdom of South-East Asia.

Share this

Cyam Async