Process of Indianisation in Khmer Empire and their Impact
It is noteworthy that the Khmers seemed to have willingly accepted Indianization. One likely explanation of the Khmer’s acceptance of Indianization was that the rulers found Hinduism a useful tool in governance that helps to increase their dominance over local groups as well as improve their contacts with other cultures. According to the Cambridge History of Southeast Asia, “Early Khmer leaders learned to justify their authority by placing it in a universal context of devotion that could fully absorb the religious aspirations and compel the loyalty of their followers.”
Through cultural diffusion, borrowing and adaptation, Indianisation resulted in the Khmer Empire adopting Indian religious and political traditions and practices. The Khmers juxtaposed prehistoric animistic cultures with those of newly adopted Hinduism, the coexistence of which continues among villagers to this day. The development of a coherent model of political, social, religious integration resulting from political consolidations in Indian attracted the Southeast Asian rulers.
What Indianisation brought to the Khmer Empire:
Through cultural diffusion, borrowing and adaptation, Indianisation resulted in the Khmer Empire adopting Indian religious and political traditions and practices. The Khmers juxtaposed prehistoric animistic cultures with those of newly adopted Hinduism, the coexistence of which continues among villagers to this day. The development of a coherent model of political, social, religious integration resulting from political consolidations in Indian attracted the Southeast Asian rulers.
What Indianisation brought to the Khmer Empire:
- The rich and complex Hindu religion, its mythology, cosmology and rituals – in particular Shiva and Vishnu
- The Sanskrit language, the vehicle of Hinduism. The source of many loan words in Khmer.
- The Hindu temple complex. A brick and stone architectural tradition, inspired by Gupta prototypes
- Sculptures and metal works representing gods, kings and Buddha
- Political practices associated with the Khmer court and the state
- Lifestyle and culture to the society