risE of the Angkor Empire by yash dhotre
1) The adoption of Indian Brahmins or scholars
While many experts have contested the possibilities of the Angkor empires rise to power and have not yet concluded the finals strategies used to assemble this empire, but we know for sure that that the ancient Khmer kings adopted a successful monarchy system of Indian civilization. The Khmer kings were able to rule over the empire with divine rule and absolute power. This enhanced the kings to mobilize large manpower to serve in its military force to defend the nation as well as to invade the neighbors. In addition, the kings could maintain their extensive trading system which was the prime factor of its successful economy with their Khmer laborers and foreign slaves.
Moreover, the kings surrounded themselves with the wise men or the "learned" Khmer Brahmins as their counselors. The Brahmins were known to have acquire vast knowledge which were inherited from father to sons or taught only within the family. These learned Brahmins help the kings to run an efficient administration of the country, and that resulted in the growth of the civilization.
2) Strategic Location
Well-chosen strategic location of the Angkor empire by its founder Jayavarman II reduced attacks by its potential enemies which enabled its existence for over 6 centuries.
The Angkor was situated in the North of Tonle Sap Lake, and the only possible way for invaders to bring in a large enough troop to fight against the Angkor is by sailing upstream from the Mekong River. Geographically, the Angkor was protected by rugged thick forests from all sides. There were no well-developed roads, and the land access with large military force could turn out into a tragedy. The troops and weapons had to be delivered in a long line which could not support one another in case of being attack. A good example is the Persian invasion to the Greeks during the 4th and 5th B.C. Greece for instance was protected by high mountains. Although the Persian was far more superior and much more in number, it could hardly win over the Greeks.
When the enemies intended to attack the Angkor, they have to sail up from the Mekong River only to meet with the strong tides of the Angkor empires rivers and lakes. The enemy's battle ships moved slower thus became an easier target of being attacked and sunk. Throughout the history of over 600 years, Angkor lost only one major naval battle on Tonle Sap Lake to Champa in approximately 1171.
3) Mastery over Water Control
The geographical location of the Angkor Empire itself faces two extreme seasons, the heavy rainfall during Monsoon and the dry period during the off-Monsoon season. Numerous large potholes,moats and ponds helped significantly to prevent floods over the farmland during the heavy rainfall in Monsoon and to conserve water storage for use during the dry season. The efficient and successful water supply system of the ancient Khmer enabled the empire to gain crops two to three times a year which led to high productivity and strong economy of the Angkor Empire.
While many experts have contested the possibilities of the Angkor empires rise to power and have not yet concluded the finals strategies used to assemble this empire, but we know for sure that that the ancient Khmer kings adopted a successful monarchy system of Indian civilization. The Khmer kings were able to rule over the empire with divine rule and absolute power. This enhanced the kings to mobilize large manpower to serve in its military force to defend the nation as well as to invade the neighbors. In addition, the kings could maintain their extensive trading system which was the prime factor of its successful economy with their Khmer laborers and foreign slaves.
Moreover, the kings surrounded themselves with the wise men or the "learned" Khmer Brahmins as their counselors. The Brahmins were known to have acquire vast knowledge which were inherited from father to sons or taught only within the family. These learned Brahmins help the kings to run an efficient administration of the country, and that resulted in the growth of the civilization.
2) Strategic Location
Well-chosen strategic location of the Angkor empire by its founder Jayavarman II reduced attacks by its potential enemies which enabled its existence for over 6 centuries.
The Angkor was situated in the North of Tonle Sap Lake, and the only possible way for invaders to bring in a large enough troop to fight against the Angkor is by sailing upstream from the Mekong River. Geographically, the Angkor was protected by rugged thick forests from all sides. There were no well-developed roads, and the land access with large military force could turn out into a tragedy. The troops and weapons had to be delivered in a long line which could not support one another in case of being attack. A good example is the Persian invasion to the Greeks during the 4th and 5th B.C. Greece for instance was protected by high mountains. Although the Persian was far more superior and much more in number, it could hardly win over the Greeks.
When the enemies intended to attack the Angkor, they have to sail up from the Mekong River only to meet with the strong tides of the Angkor empires rivers and lakes. The enemy's battle ships moved slower thus became an easier target of being attacked and sunk. Throughout the history of over 600 years, Angkor lost only one major naval battle on Tonle Sap Lake to Champa in approximately 1171.
3) Mastery over Water Control
The geographical location of the Angkor Empire itself faces two extreme seasons, the heavy rainfall during Monsoon and the dry period during the off-Monsoon season. Numerous large potholes,moats and ponds helped significantly to prevent floods over the farmland during the heavy rainfall in Monsoon and to conserve water storage for use during the dry season. The efficient and successful water supply system of the ancient Khmer enabled the empire to gain crops two to three times a year which led to high productivity and strong economy of the Angkor Empire.