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.
