Isanavarman I

Isanavarman I
King of Chenla
Reign616–637
PredecessorMahendravarman I
SuccessorBhavavarman II
Died637 (2024-11-10UTC08:07:15)
Issue· Jayavarman I
· Sri Sarvani (female)
Names
Īśānavarman
FatherMahendravarman I

Īśānavarman (Khmer: ឦសានវរ្ម័នទី១, Īsānavarman, Iśânasena) or Yīshēnàxiāndài (Chinese: 伊奢那先代) was a king of the kingdom of Chenla in 7th century, which would later become the Khmer Empire. He was the son of, and successor to Mahendravarman.[1]: 69 [2]: 294 

The name Isanavarman was derived from the word Siva. King Isanavarman was also called Protégé of the Master Siva.[3]

After Mahendravarman's death, Isanavarman took Isanapura as his capital. The Sambor Prei Kuk historical complex has been identified as Isanapura, the 7th century capital of Chenla.[4]

The main temples at Sambor Prei Kuk are said to have been founded by King Isanavarman I.

The Book of Sui, compiled in 636, states that at the beginning of the 7th century, Zhēnlà was ruled by one Yīshēnàxiāndài (Īśānavarman) (伊奢那先代). Inscription at Prasat Toc, Prasat Bayang, Vat Chakret, Kdei Ang Chumnik and Sambor Prei Kuk is attributed to the reign of Isanavarman I. The latest inscription attributed to him has been dated to 627 (549 Saka), while the only dated inscription attributed to his successor, Bhavavarman II, is of 639.[5]

Ma Duanlin described King Ishanavarman's "sumptuous court" at Ishanapura, with the king wearing a crown of gold with precious stones, pearl pendants, and attended by five great ministers.[1]: 74–76  Inscriptions to his reign may be found at Kdei Ang (AD 667), Roban Romas, Kuk Prah Kot, Wat Chakret, and Wat Po. The claimed authority over Tamrapura, Cakrankapura, Amoghapura and Bhimapura. Besides the future King Bhavavarman II, a second son, Shivadatta, was governor of Jyesthapura.[6]: 36–39 

An inscription dating from the reign of Isanarvarman I, translated, reads: “The great King Isanavarman is full of glory and bravery. He is the King of Kings, who rules over Suvarnabhumi until the sea [Samudra-paryanta Suvarṇabhūmi], which is the border, while the kings in the neighbouring states honour his order to their heads”.[7] Dr Vong Sotheara, of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, claimed that the inscription would “prove that Suvarnabhumi was the Khmer Empire.”

  1. ^ a b Coedès, George (1968). Walter F. Vella (ed.). The Indianized States of Southeast Asia. trans.Susan Brown Cowing. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0368-1.
  2. ^ Higham, C., 2014, Early Mainland Southeast Asia, Bangkok: River Books Co., Ltd., ISBN 9786167339443
  3. ^ Kenneth T. So. "Preah Khan Reach and The Genealogy of Khmer Kings" (PDF). Cambosastra. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  4. ^ “Coedès‟ Histories of Cambodia”.page 11.
  5. ^ BEFEO 1904.page 693.
  6. ^ Higham, C., 2001, The Civilization of Angkor, London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ISBN 9781842125847
  7. ^ "Rinith Taing, "Was Cambodia home to Asia's ancient 'Land of Gold'?", The Phnom Penh Post, 5 January, 2018". Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2024.