Dark Age of Cambodia - 1431–1863
The term "Dark
ages of Cambodia", also the "Middle Period refers to the historical era from the
early 15th century to 1863, the beginning of the French Protectorate of
Cambodia. Reliable sources - particularly for the 15th and 16th century - are
very rare. A conclusive explanation that relates to concrete events manifesting
the decline of the Khmer Empire has
not yet been produced. However,
most modern historians consent that several distinct and gradual changes of
religious, dynastic, administrative and military nature, environmental problems
and ecological imbalance coincided
with shifts of power in Indochina and must all be taken into account to make an
interpretation. In recent
years focus has notably shifted towards studies on climate changes,
human–environment interactions and the ecological consequences
Epigraphy in
temples, ends in the third decade of the fourteenth, and does not resume until
the mid-16th century. Recording of the Royal Chronology discontinues
with King Jayavarman IX Parameshwara (or Jayavarma-Paramesvara) - there exists
not a single contemporary record of even a king’s name for over 200 years.
Construction of monumental temple architecture had come to a standstill after Jayavarman VIIth reign.
According to author Michael Vickery there only
exist external sources for Cambodia’s 15th century, the Chinese Ming Shilu
annals and the earliest Royal Chronicle of Ayutthaya. Wang Shi-zhen (王世貞), a Chinese scholar of the
16th century, remarked: "The official historians are unrestrained and are
skilful at concealing the truth; but the memorials and statutes they record and
the documents they copy cannot be discarded
The
central reference point for the entire 15th century is a Siamese intervention of some undisclosed
nature at the capital Yasodharapura (Angkor Thom) around the year 1431.
Historians relate the event to the shift of Cambodia's political centre southward
to the region of Phnom Penh, Longvek and later Oudong.
"As Siam became Cambodia’s primary nemesis after the demise of
Angkor, it put an end to the pattern of ambivalent sovereignty that Cambodia’s
imperial experiment on its western frontier had so effectively prolonged
Sources
for the 16th century are more numerous. The kingdom is centered at the Mekong,
prospering as an integral part of the Asianmaritime trade network, via which the first contact with European explorers and adventurers does occur. as the first contact with European
explorers and adventurers does occur. Wars with the Siamese result in loss of
territory and eventually the conquest of the capital Longvek in 1594. The
Vietnamese on their "Southward March" reach Prei Nokor/Saigon at the
Mekong Delta in the 17th century. This event initiates the slow process of
Cambodia losing access to the seas and independent marine trade.
Siamese and
Vietnamese dominance intensified during the 17th and 18th century, resulting in
frequent displacements of the seat of power as the Khmer royal authority
decreased to the state of a vassal. In the early 19th century with dynasties in
Vietnam and Siam firmly established, Cambodia was placed under joint
suzerainty, having lost its national sovereignty. British agent John Crawfurd states:
"...the King of that ancient Kingdom is ready to throw himself under the
protection of any European nation..." To save Cambodia from being
incorporated into Vietnam and Siam, King Ang Duong agreed to colonial France's offers of
protection, which took effect with King NorodomProhmbarirak signing
and officially recognizing the French protectorate on 11 August 1863
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