History
Khmer monarchs
Khmer monarchs (ព្រះមហាក្សត្រខ្មែរ) are the kings who held the throne in the lands of the Khmer, from Funan to the present kingdom. From 1177 to 1181 Angkor was under Cham occupation.[1] The line is traced in five periods: Funan, Chenla, the Angkor period, the centuries after Angkor and the modern kingdom.[2][1] Dates before the 15th century come from inscriptions and Chinese records, and where sources give different years or family ties, both are shown.[2][1]
- Funanto about 55011 entries
- Chenla6th to 8th century5 entries
- Angkor802 to 143127 entries
- After Angkor1431 to 179417 entries
- Modern kingdomfrom 17949 entries
Funan, to about 550
Rulers named in Chinese records. Vickery holds that its people were probably Khmer-speaking; Austronesian and mixed views also exist.
| Monarch | Reign | Time scale |
|---|---|---|
| Kaundinya I (Hun-tian; Preah Thaong) Known from legend | ||
| Fan Shiman (Pham Su Man) | Vu 2022: 220 to 225 | |
| Fan Jinsheng (Pham Kim Sinh)Son of Fan Shiman (Vu 2022) | Vu 2022: 3rd century | |
| Fan Zhan (Pham Chien) | Vu 2022: 230 to 243 | |
| Pham Truong 范長Son of Pham Su Man (Vu 2022) | Vu 2022: 243 to 250 | |
| Pham Tam 范尋 | Vu 2022: 250 to 287 | |
| Funan, 287 to 357: no ruler named (Vu 2022) | ||
| Truc Chien Dan 竺旃檀 (Candana) | Vu 2022: from 357 | |
| Funan, 357 to 420: no ruler named (Vu 2022) | ||
| Kieu Tran Nhu 僑陳如 (Kaundinya II) | Vu 2022: 420 to 434Gaudes 1993: 4th century | |
| Sri Indravarman 持梨陀跋摩 | Vu 2022: 434 to 440 | |
| Funan, 440 to 484: no monarch on the list | ||
| Kaundinya Jayavarman (Jayavarman of Funan) | Vu 2022: 484 to 514 | |
| Rudravarman (Funan) | Vu 2022: 514 to 550 | |
Chenla, 6th to 8th century
Chenla is the Chinese name for the successor kingdoms; whether it was one kingdom is questioned.
| Monarch | Reign | Time scale |
|---|---|---|
| Bhavavarman I | Glaize 1944: 598Heng and Lavy 2018: about 550 to 600 | |
| Mahendravarman (Chitrasena)Brother (Glaize 1944) or cousin (Kuoch 1976) | Glaize 1944: about 600 to 615Kuoch 1976: about 600 | |
| Isanavarman ISon of preceding (Glaize 1944; Kuoch 1976) | Glaize 1944: about 615 to 635Heng and Lavy 2018: about 616 to 637 | |
| Bhavavarman II | Glaize 1944: 639 | |
| Jayavarman ISon of Bhavavarman II (Kuoch 1976) | Glaize 1944: before 665 to after 681 | |
| Chenla, 8th century: Land and Water Chenla, no ruler named (Kuoch 1976) | ||
Angkor: the Khmer Empire, 802 to 1431
The Khmer Empire is the Angkor period, from 802 to 1431.
| Monarch | Reign | Time scale |
|---|---|---|
| Jayavarman II | Glaize 1944: about 802 to 850Chevance et al. 2019: 8th to early 9th century | |
| Jayavarman IIISon of preceding (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 854 to 877Vickery 1985: 834 to 877Nhim: 834 to 877 | |
| Indravarman INephew of Jayavarman II (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 877 to 889Nhim: 877 to 889 | |
| Yasovarman ISon of preceding (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: about 889 to 910 | |
| Harshavarman ISon of Yasovarman (Vickery 1985) | Glaize 1944: before 910 to after 922 | |
| Isanavarman IISon of Yasovarman (Vickery 1985); brother of Harshavarman I (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 925 | |
| Jayavarman IVBrother-in-law of Yasovarman I (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 921 to 940 | |
| Harshavarman IISon of preceding (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 942 to 944Vickery 1985: 942 to 944 | |
| Rajendravarman (II)Son-in-law of Jayavarman IV (Glaize 1944); half brother of Harshavarman (Pre Rup inscription) | Glaize 1944: 944 to 968 | |
| Jayavarman VSon of preceding (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 968 to 1001Vickery 1985: 968 to 1001Goodall 2022: from 968 | |
| Udayadityavarman INephew of preceding (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 1001 to 1002 | |
| Jayaviravarman Rival claim | Glaize 1944: 1002 to 1010 | |
| Suryavarman I Rival claim | Glaize 1944: 1002 to 1049 | |
| Udayadityavarman IIYounger nephew of preceding (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 1049 to 1066 | |
| Harshavarman IIIBrother of preceding (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 1066 to 1080 | |
| Jayavarman VI | Glaize 1944: 1080 to 1107 | |
| Dharanindravarman IBrother of preceding (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 1107 to 1112 | |
| Suryavarman IIYounger nephew of preceding (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 1113 to 1145 (queried) | |
| Dharanindravarman IIYounger nephew of Jayavarman VI (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: about 1150 | |
| Yasovarman IIParent of preceding (Glaize 1944); genealogy unknown (Sharrock 2009) | Glaize 1944: about 1160 | |
| Tribhuvanadityavarman | Glaize 1944: 1165 to 1177Roche 2020: 1149 to 1167 or 1177 | |
| Cham occupation | Glaize 1944: 1177 to 1181 | |
| Jayavarman VIISon of Dharanindravarman II (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: about 1181 to 1210Sharrock 2009: from 1182Roche 2020: about 1181 or 1182 to 1220Vickery 2005: 1181 to 1220 (queried)National Museum of Cambodia: from 1181 | |
| Indravarman IISon of preceding (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: before 1210 to 1243Ishizawa via Angkor Database: 1220 to 1243 | |
| Jayavarman VIII | Glaize 1944: 1243 to 1295Ishizawa via Angkor Database: 1243 to 1295Sharrock 2009: 1270 to 1295 | |
| Indravarman III (Srindravarman)Related to preceding (Glaize 1944) | Glaize 1944: 1295 to 1307Polkinghorne, Pottier and Fischer 2013: 1295 to 1307Angkor National Museum, K.754: accession in 1296 | |
| Indrajayavarman (Srindrajayavarman) | Glaize 1944: 1307 to 1327 | |
| Jayavarman IX (Jayavarman Paramesvara) | Glaize 1944: 1327 |
After Angkor: Chaktomuk, Longvek, Oudong, 1431 to 1794
| Monarch | Reign | Time scale |
|---|---|---|
| Ponhea Yat (Paramaraja I) | Nhim: 1373 to 1433Nhim, chronicle reading: until 1463 | |
| Narai Raja (Narayana Raja I) | Nhim: 1433 to 1437 | |
| Sri Raja Rival claim | Nhim: 1437 to 1476 | |
| Sri Soriyodai Rival claim | Nhim: 1438 to 1478 | |
| DhammarajaSon of Ponhea Yat (Nhim) | Nhim: 1468 to 1504 | |
| Sri SugandhapadSon of Dhammaraja (Nhim) | Nhim: 1504 to 1512 | |
| Stec Kan | Nhim: 1512 to 1525 | |
| Ang Chan I (Paramaraja II)Brother of Sri Sugandhapad (Nhim) | Nhim: 1516 to 1566 | |
| Barom Reachea I (Paramaraja III)Son of Ang Chan I (Nhim) | Nhim 2020: 1566 to 1576Nhim 2020, chronicle reading: 1566 to 1579 | |
| Satha I (Paramaraja IV)Son of Barom Reachea I (Nhim); also called grandson of Ang Chan (Nhim) | Nhim 2020: 1576 to 1594 | |
| Ram Joeng Brai (Ram I) | Nhim: 1594 to 1596 | |
| Banya Nur (Ram II)Son of Ram Joeng Brai (Nhim) | Nhim: 1596 to 1597 | |
| Banya Tan (Paramaraja V)Son of Satha I (Nhim) | Nhim: 1597 to 1599 | |
| Banya An (Paramaraja VI)Uncle of Banya Tan (Nhim) | Nhim: 1599 to 1600 | |
| Banya Nom (Kae Hva I)Son of Satha I (Nhim) | Nhim: 1600 to 1602 | |
| Sri Suriyopor | Nhim: 1602 to 1619 | |
| Chey Chettha II (Jayajettha II)Son of Sri Suriyopor (Nhim) | Nhim: 1619 to 1627Tran Nam Tien 2013: 1618 to 1628 | |
| Oudong, 1628 to 1794: order of kings unconfirmed | ||
| No monarch on the list | 1628 to 1794 | |
Modern kingdom, from 1794
| Monarch | Reign | Time scale |
|---|---|---|
| Ang Eng | Theam 1981: crowned 1794; short reign in the mid-1790s | |
| Ang Chan II | Theam 1981: 1806 to 1835 | |
| No monarch on the list | 1835 to 1841 | |
| Ang DuongSon of Ang Eng (Theam 1981) | Gunn 2012: 1841 to 1860 | |
| Norodom I | Gunn 2012: 1860 to 1904Gunn 2012, second passage: 1859 to 1904Theam 1981: from 1864AEFEK 2021: 1860 to 1904 | |
| SisowathYounger half-brother (AEFEK 2021) | AEFEK 2021: 1904 to 1927Gunn 2012: 1904 to 1927 | |
| Sisowath Monivongស៊ីសុវត្ថិ មុនីវង្សSisowath's son (Humazur) | Humazur: 1927 to 1941Gunn 2012: 1927 to 1941 | |
| Norodom Sihanouk | Gunn 2012, first reign: 1941 to 1955FRUS NIE 1955: until 2 March 1955Gunn 2012, second reign: 1993 to 2004 | |
| Norodom Suramarit | FRUS 1958 to 1960: until April 1960Beyond Angkor: 1955 to 1960 | |
| 1960 to 1970 | FRUS 1958 to 1960: from April 1960Gunn 2012: until March 1970 | |
| 1970 to 1993 | Gunn 2012: 1970 to 1993 | |
| Norodom SihamoniSon of Sihanouk (Gunn 2012) | Gunn 2012: from 2004Cambodia Daily: from October 2004Beyond Angkor: from 2004 |
Sources and references
- AEFEK 2021: Association d'échanges et de formation pour les études khmères, Les premiers pas du roi Norodom Sihanouk en France : retour sur une double légitimation royale par deux régimes français, Bulletin no. 24 (December 2021).
- Angkor National Museum, K.754: Angkor National Museum, Inscription of Kok Svay Chek K.754 (July 25, 2025).
- Beyond Angkor: Beyond Angkor, Monarchy of Cambodia (undated).
- Cambodia Daily: Yun Samean, Throne Council Selects Sihamoni to be the Next King, The Cambodia Daily (October 15, 2004).
- Chevance et al. 2019: Jean-Baptiste Chevance, Damian Evans, Nina Hofer, Sakada Sakhoeun and Ratha Chhean, Mahendraparvata: an early Angkor-period capital defined through airborne laser scanning at Phnom Kulen, Antiquity 93 (2019).
- FRUS NIE 1955 and FRUS 1958 to 1960: Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State, Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955 to 1957, volume XXI, document 217 (National Intelligence Estimate, August 16, 1955), and Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958 to 1960, volume XVI, list of persons.
- Gaudes 1993: Rüdiger Gaudes, Kaundinya, Preah Thaong, and the Nagi Soma: Some Aspects of a Cambodian Legend, Asian Folklore Studies 52 (1993).
- Glaize 1944: Maurice Glaize, Angkor: A Guide to the Angkor Monuments (1944), chronology table.
- Goodall 2022: Dominic Goodall, A Glimpse of Classical Saiddhāntika Theology in a Cambodian Epigraph: A Fresh Edition and Translation of the Sanskrit Śaiva Hymn K. 570 of Banteay Srei, in Essays in Honour of Raffaele Torella (Unior Press, 2022).
- Gunn 2012: Geoffrey Gunn, The Passing of Sihanouk: Monarchic Manipulation and the Search for Autonomy in the Kingdom of Cambodia, The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus 10(50) (December 9, 2012).
- Heng and Lavy 2018: Piphal Heng and Paul Lavy, Pre-Angkorian cities: Ishanapura and Mahendraparvata, in Angkor: Exploring Cambodia's Sacred City (Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore, 2018).
- Humazur: Université Côte d'Azur, Sisowath Monivong, roi du Cambodge, Humazur, Photothèque ASEMI authority record (undated).
- Ishizawa via Angkor Database: Yoshiaki Ishizawa, Angkor Buddhist Treasures from Banteay Kdei (NHK Publishing, 2007), book record on Angkor Database.
- Kuoch 1976: Haksrea Kuoch, Survey of the Southern Provinces of Cambodia in the Pre-Angkor Era (MPhil thesis, School of Oriental and African Studies, 1976), as quoted on Angkor Database.
- National Museum of Cambodia: National Museum of Cambodia, Jayavaraman VII, collection object page (undated).
- Nhim (undated paper) and Nhim 2020: Nhim Sotheavin, Factors that Led to the Change of the Khmer Capitals from the 15th to 17th century, Renaissance Culturelle du Cambodge 29 (Institute of Asian Culture, Sophia University); and Nhim Sotheavin, Considerations Regarding the Fall of Longvek, UDAYA, Journal of Khmer Studies 15 (2020). A "chronicle reading" is the date Nhim takes from the royal chronicle he abbreviates VJ (Preah Reach Pongsavadar Maha Khsat Khmer Krong Kampuchea Thipadei, published 1934).
- Polkinghorne, Pottier and Fischer 2013: Martin Polkinghorne, Christophe Pottier and Christian Fischer, One Buddha Can Hide Another, Journal Asiatique 301:2 (2013).
- Roche 2020: Louise Roche, Le sanctuaire de Banteay Samrae à Angkor : une fondation bouddhique du règne de Tribhuvanādityavarman, Arts Asiatiques 75 (2020).
- Sharrock 2009: Peter D. Sharrock, Garuda, Vajrapani and Religious Change in Jayavarman VII's Angkor, Journal of Southeast Asian Studies 40(1) (February 2009).
- Theam 1981: Bun Srun Theam, Cambodia in the Mid-Nineteenth Century: A Quest for Survival, 1840-1863 (MA thesis, Australian National University, 1981).
- Tran Nam Tien 2013: Trần Nam Tiến, Vai trò của chúa Nguyễn đối với công cuộc khai phá và bảo vệ xứ Mô Xoài thế kỷ XVII, Tạp chí Khoa học Xã hội 2(174) (2013), in Vietnamese.
- Vickery 1985: Michael Vickery, The Reign of Sūryavarman I and Royal Factionalism at Angkor, Journal of Southeast Asian Studies 16(2) (1985).
- Vickery 2005: Michael Vickery, Champa Revised, Asia Research Institute Working Paper no. 37, National University of Singapore (March 2005).
- Vu 2022: Minh Giang Vu, FUNAN (Phu Nam) from a new perspective, VMOST Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 64(3) (2022).