Chenla

Chenla, also known as Zhenla, was a powerful kingdom that flourished in Southeast Asia between the 6th and 9th centuries. Its heartland was located in what is now Cambodia, with its influence extending into parts of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Chenla emerged as a successor state to the Funan kingdom, gradually asserting its dominance over the region.

The kingdom is believed to have been established by a ruler named Jayavarman, possibly a member of the Funanese aristocracy. Early Chenla was likely a confederation of smaller polities, which eventually coalesced into a unified state. Like Funan, Chenla was heavily influenced by Indian culture, adopting Sanskrit as its court language and embracing Hinduism and later Buddhism. Archaeological evidence, including stone inscriptions and temple ruins, provides valuable insights into Chenla's society, religion, and political structure.

Chenla is often divided into two periods: Old Chenla and High Chenla. Old Chenla, from the 6th to the mid-8th century, saw the gradual consolidation of power. High Chenla, from the mid-8th century until its decline, marked the peak of its territorial extent and cultural achievements. During this period, Chenla experienced internal strife and fragmentation, which eventually led to its subdivision and eventual conquest by the Khmer Empire, founded by Jayavarman II in the early 9th century. Chenla's legacy is significant as it laid the groundwork for the subsequent grandeur of the Khmer Empire.