Chronology of Cambodian History, Pre-Angkor Era

The Kingdom of Funan and Chenla (First to Eighth Century AD)

Not much is known about Cambodia (Khmer) prior to the first century A.D.  From the first century, Cambodia is known mostly through the Chinese imperial records and a few inscriptions.  According to the Chinese records, the Kingdom of Funan, considered the first Indianized state in the region, founded around the first century A.D. Funan is a Chinese word which mean Phnom (mountain) in Cambodian. The exact location of the Kingdom and its size is unclear, but it presumably occupied a broad area of mainland Southeast Asia, stretching across what is today southern Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and southern Vietnam. The Funanese were prosperous traders. Situated at the crossroads of all the great sea trading routes, Funan unquestionably traded with Rome, India, and China. The kingdom was visited by Kang Tai and Zhu Ying, envoys of the Wu emperor (222-252) of Liang Dynasty. During it existence, Funan had sent numerous embassies to Chinese Imperial court, and conducted numerous trade missions between the two countries. The last trade missions were reported during the Tang dynasty.

By the end of the sixth century, however, Funan disappeared and Chenla emerged into history, according to the Chinese historical record, the Kingdom of Chenla sent an embassy to the Chinese Imperial court in 616 or 617. The record mentioned "Chenla was originally a vassal of Funan…..Sitrasena attacked Funan and subdued it."

YEAR

205 A.D.

Fan Shih-Man (ca.205-225) rules Funan; according to Chinese dynastic history - The Liang-shu - relates that Fan Shih-Man "attacked and conquered the neighboring kingdoms.  All recognized themselves his vassals.  He took the title of Great King of Funan. Then he had great ships built and crossing the immense sea he attacked more than ten kingdoms, including…Tun-hsun.  He extended his territory 5000 or 6000 li (1250 or 1500 miles). Then he wished to subdue the country of Chin-lin (Golden Frontier). But he fell ill." (1)

225

Fan Chin-Sheng is chosen to succeed his ailing father Fan Shih-Man, the King of Funan.  Chin-Sheng is killed by a usurper Chan, son of Fan Shih-Man's sister. (Fan) Chan proclaims himself king of Funan.

240

Fan Hsun king of Funan?.

243

The first embassy from Funan arrives in the Chinese Imperial court, with some musicians and Funan's produces as tribute to the Chinese Emperor.

268

King of Funan Fan Hsun sends an embassy carrying tribute to the court of Chin Emperor.

270

Fan Hsiung comes to the throne of Lin-yi (Champa).

285

King Fan Hsun sends an embassy carrying tribute to the court of Chin Emperor.

286

Another Funan embassy is sends with tributes to the court of Chin Emperor.

287

Funan sends an embassy to the Chinese Imperial Court to offer tribute.

400

Sanskrit is becoming established as the literary language of India and the Hindu epics are written down in it.

431

King Fan Yang Mai II of Champa, who is engaging in a war with the Chinese Governor of Chiao-chou (Tonkin), asks aid of the King of Funan and is refused.

435

Srutavarman king of Chenla; he is said to rule Chenla from 435 AD to 495 AD. (The year is approximated by scholars)

478

Jayavarman (r. c. 478 - d. 514) ascends the throne of Funan. (According to the Chinese dynastic histories, Jayavarman of the Kaundinya dynasty is reigning in 478 until his death in 514, therefore, it seems Jayavarman ascends the throne before 478.)

A Funan trade mission returning from southern China is raided by the Chams of Linyi.

484

King of Funan sends a Buddhist monk, Nagasena, to Chinese court.

491

King of Lin-yi (Champa) Fan Tang is recognized by Chinese emperor Wu-Ti, who granted him the title of 'General Pacifier of the south, Commander-in-Chief of the military affairs of the seashore, King of Lin-yi.' Fan Tang, son of King Jayavarman, fled from Funan after a revolt and seized the throne of Lin-yi.  Jayavarman asks the Chinese emperor to drive his renegade son Fan Tang from the throne of Champa and be punished; the emperor politely replies and refers the request to an imperial tribunal for consideration, which never realizes.

495

Sreshthvarman is the King of Chenla; he is said to rule Chenla from 495 AD to 530 AD. (The year is approximated by scholars)

502

King Jayavarman sends an embassy to the Chinese imperial court with a coral image of Buddha as tribute; in return, the Chinese emperor grants Jayavarman the title of "General of the Pacified South, King of Funan".

503

Mandrasena, one of two Buddhist monks sent by King Jayavarman, arrives in the Chinese court; he is sent to translate Buddhist texts for Emperor Wu.

511

King Jayavarman's embassy arrives in the Chinese Imperial court, with products of Funan as tribute.

514

An embassy sent by King Jayavarman arrives at the Chinese Imperial Court.

Rudravarman (r. 514 -?) ascends the throne of Funan after the death of King Jayavarman I. Rudravarman, son of a concubine, kills his younger brother, who is the son of the legitimate queen of Jayavarman and the legitimate heir to the throne, and makes himself king.

517

King Rudravarman sends an embassy to the Chinese Imperial Court.

519

Funan embassy arrives in the Chinese Court, with a goo-lick image in Indian sandalwood, leaves of the po tree, pearls, circuma, storax, and other perfumes as tribute.

520

An embassy sent by the Funanese King arrives in the Chinese Imperial Court to offer tribute.

527

P'an-p'an, a former vassal of Funan, sends an embassy to Chinese Imperial Court to pay tribute.

530

Funan embassy arrives in the Chinese Imperial Court, offering tribute.  P'an-p'an, a former vassal of Funan, also sends an embassy to Chinese Imperial Court to pay tribute.

Rudravarman is the King of Chenla; he is said to rule Chenla from about 530 AD to 550/560 AD. (The year is approximated by scholars)

532

P'an-p'an, a former vassal of Funan, sends an embassy to Chinese Court to pay tribute.

535

Funan's embassy arrives in the Chinese Imperial Court, offering tribute.

539

An embassy from Funan arrives in the Chinese Imperial Court with a live rhinoceros as tribute.

550

Bhavavarman is King of Chenla; he is said to rule Chenla from about 550/560 AD to 590 AD. (The year is approximated by scholars).

568

An embassy sent by King Bhavavarman of Chenla arrives in Chinese Imperial court to offer tribute.

590

Mahendravarman (r. c. 590 - 610), King of Chenla.

607

A Chinese Imperial embassy is sent to Ch'ih-t'u (red earth) to establish tributary connection with the state of that region.  Ch'ih-t'u, is describes by a Chinese envoy, as locate more than one hundred days of navigation from China, and the inhabitants are of the same race as Funan and their houses and furniture resembled those of Chenla.

608

T'o-ho-lo (Dvaravati), a former vassal of Funan, sends an embassy to the Chinese Imperial Court.

611

Isanavarman I (r. c. 611/616 - 635), "Protégé of the Master Siva" called Isanasena by the Chinese becomes king of Chenla, succeeding his father - King Mahendravarman.

616

King of Chenla sends an embassy to Chinese Imperial Court to offer tribute.

617

An embassy is sent by King of Chenla to Chinese Imperial Court to offer tribute.

620

Inscription of Prasat Toc attributes to the reign of Isanavarman I.

624

Inscription of Prasat Bayang attributes to the reign of Isanavarman I.

625

T'san-pan, a former vassal of Funan, sends an embassy to the Chinese Imperial Court.

626

Inscription of Vat Chakret attributes to the reign of Isanavarman I.

627

Inscription of Sambor-Prei Kuk attributes to the reign of Isanavarman I.

T'and dynasty history indicates that in 627 AD or shortly afterward, Isanavarman conquers Funan and annexes its territory.

628

Inscription of Kdei Ang Chumnik attributes to the reign of Isanavarman I.

635

Bhavavarman II (r. c. 635/639 - 656).

638

Sang Kao, a former vassal of Funan, and several neighboring small states send embassies to Chinese Imperial court to offer tributes.

644

T'o-yuan, a Mon settlement and a form vassal of Funan, sends an embassy to Chinese Imperial Court to offer tributes.

646

Inscription of Phu Huu. (No mention of Jayavarman I but scholar dated back to his reign)

647

T'o-yuan, a Mon settlement and a form vassal of Funan, sends an embassy to Chinese Imperial Court to offer tributes.

648

Inscription of Basat. (Mention Jayavarman I)

653

Prakasadharma, grandson of king Isanavarman, ascends the throne of Champa under the name of Vikrantavarman.

655

Inscription of Prasat Preah Theat. (No mention of Jayavarman I but scholar dated back to his reign)

657

Inscription of Tuol Kok Preah or Kompong Rusei, mention Jayavarman I, "Conqueror of the circle of his enemies."

664

Inscription of Vat Prei Vier I, mentions Jayavarman I, "Victorious is the King Sri Jayavarman…to whom the fickle goddess of fortune, Lakshmi, is firmly attached…skillful in the task of protecting the world, he is proclaimed by sages to be the thousand-eyed god (Indra) in person."

667

Inscription of Vat Prei Vier II, not mentioning Jayavarman I but scholar dated back to his reign.  Yet the inscription of Kdei Ang Chumnik II, mentions Jayavarman I, "the glorious lion of kings, the victorious Jayavarman."

Jayavarman I appoints his court physician, Simhadatta, Governor of his old home city of Adhayapura, about eleven kilometers south of Ba Phnom.

673

Inscription of Tuol Preah Theat. (Mention Jayavarman I)

674

Inscription of Preah Kuha Luong. (Mention Jayavarman I)

676

Inscription of Vat Barai. (No mention of Jayavarman I but scholar dated back to his reign)

681

Inscription of Tuo An Tnot. (No mention of Jayavarman I but scholar dated back to his reign)

685

Inscription of Phum Komrieng. (No mention of Jayavarman I but scholar dated back to his reign)

693

Inscription of Tuol Tramung. (No mention of Jayavarman I but scholar dated back to his reign)

717

The first embassy from Upper/land Chenla (Chinese called Wen Tan) arrives in the Chinese Imperial Court to offer tribute.

722

Upper/land Chenla joins in a war against the Chinese governor of Chiao-chou. The war is waged when a native chief of Nghe-an revolts against the Chinese court; he is aided by the Chams and Khmer forces from upper/land Chenla; he defeats the Chinese forces and proclaims himself Hei-ti (Black Emperor).

750

Kolofong, King of Nan Chao, invades Chinese territory and takes several cities; several Chinese armies sent against him are defeated; the Crown Prince of upper/land Chenla accompanying the Chinese force is also defeated.

Embassy from Chenla (? Upper or lower Chenla) arrives in the Chinese Imperial Court to offer tribute.

751

Java is taken over by a Buddhist dynasty of Sumatran origin and Buddhism becomes the official religion.

753

The Crown Prince of Wen Tan (Chenla) comes to the Chinese Court with a suite of twenty-six relatives and is received with great honor and given the title of "Protector Firm and Persevering."

767

Raiders from Java attack Chenla.

771

An envoy of king of Upper/land Chenla arrives at the Chinese court.  According to Chinese record, "the Viceroy of Upper Chenla, named Pho Mi, comes to the Court with his wife and offers a tribute of eleven trained elephants. This Pho Mi is given the grade of second president, inspector of the palace, and is given also the surname of Pin Han (guest of the Emperor)".

774

Javanese attacks and sacks Champa; according to an inscription of Po Nagar II, "ferocious, pitiless, dark-colored people of other countries, whose food was more horrible than that of vampires…came in ship, sacked the temple of Po Nagar and carried off the golden Mukhalinga and other spoils."  The Javanese also raid Chenla.

787

Javanese attack Champa and burn the temple of Siva near Virapura (Champa capital).

790

Jayavarman II, founder of the Angkor dynasty, returns from exile in Java. [Read about the account of his exile and return]

799

Chenla envoy arrives at the Chinese court and receives Chinese title.  This is the last known embassy which appears at the Chinese Imperial Court.

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(1) The Ancient Khmer Empire by Lawrence Palmer Briggs. Volume 41, Part I, 1951.