Chenla: Map & History
Chenla or Zhenla is the Chinese designation for the vassal of the kingdom of Funan preceding the Khmer Empire that existed from around the late 6th to the early 9th century in Indochina.
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Chenla or Zhenla is the Chinese designation for the vassal of the kingdom of Funan preceding the Khmer Empire that existed from around the late 6th to the early 9th century in Indochina. This period of Cambodian history is known by historians as the Pre-Angkor period.
Modern Countries Once Part of Chenla
At its mapped extent, Chenla covered territory in 4 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Cambodia555–717 CE · nearly all
- Vietnam555–717 CE · a large part
- Laos555–717 CE · a large part
- Thailand555–717 CE · a small part
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Chenla's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Chenla in Depth
History
According to the foundation myth recorded in the Baksei Chamkrong inscription, dated AD 947, "the origin of the kings of Cambodia goes back to the union of the hermit Kambu Swayambhuva, an eponymic ancestor of the Kambujas, with the celestial nymph Mera, who was given to him by Śiva." The king Srutavarman, the first monarch of Chenla, was born of this couple, who was followed by his son, king Sreshthavarman. This king gave his name to Sreshthapura, believed to be Vat Phou.
The origins of Chenla's aristocracy, whom author Michael Vickery called the "Dângrêk Chieftains", are obscure.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Chenla (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Chenla: Key Facts
| Capital | Sambor Prei Kuk |
|---|---|
| Official language | Sanskrit |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Form of government | absolute monarchy |
| Founded | 550 CE |
| Dissolved | 706 CE |
Facts from Wikidata Q1057118 (CC0).
Chenla Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Chenla appears, with the other states of the time.
Chenla Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 427,021 km² in 714 CE.
Chenla: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Chenla exist?
Chenla is dated to 555 CE – 717 CE, in the Early Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of Chenla?
The capital of Chenla was Shrestapura, Isanapura, Sambhupura.
How large was Chenla at its peak?
At its peak in 714 AD Chenla covered about 427,021 km².
Other Sovereign Realms
Early Middle Ages • Capital: Constantinople
Classical Antiquity • Capital: Pataliputra, Ujjain
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Early Middle Ages • Capital: Chang'an