The Khmers and Angkor

Abstract

The disappearance of the empire of Funan in the middle of the sixth century came, according to the Chinese account, through the rebellion of a feudatory state named Chenla. The History of the Sui describes the occurrence thus: ‘the kingdom of Chenla is on the south-west of Lin-yi. It was originally a vassal kingdom of Funan. The family name of the king was Ch’a-li and his personal name Che-to-sseu-na. His predecessors had gradually increased the power of the country. Che-to-sseu-na attacked Funan and conquered it.’ Lin-yi is, of course, Champa, Ch’a-li stands for Kshatriya, and Che-to-sseu-na for Chitrasena. No explanation of the name ‘Chenla’ has yet been found; it cannot be related to any Sanskrit or Khmer word.