The Ancients The Khmer Empire: Angkor Wat
45 snips
Nov 30, 2025 
William Dalrymple, a historian and author known for his expertise in South Asian history, joins Tristan Hughes to unravel the rich tapestry of Indian influence on Southeast Asia. They discuss the decline of Roman-India trade that redirected merchants to the region, and the rise of powerful Indian trading guilds. Dalrymple highlights the cultural transmission of Hinduism and Buddhism, culminating in the majestic Angkor Wat. He details its architectural marvels, including its bas-reliefs telling epic tales and the strategic significance of Khmer civilization in history.
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Guest Praises The Podcast
- William Dalrymple listens to The Ancients on repeat while driving the motorways in Britain.
- He calls it his favourite history podcast and enjoys looping episodes during drives.
Srivijaya And The Khmer Rivalry
- By the 9th century two rival regional powers emerged: maritime Srivijaya (Buddhist) and mainland Khmer (Hindu).
- The Khmer built larger Hindu monuments than contemporary India and controlled vast inland territories.
Founding Jayavarman II And Hydraulic State
- Jayavarman II founded the Angkor dynasty, possibly after time in Java, introducing step-pyramid architecture.
- Those early monuments and later hydraulic works enabled the Khmer to support huge urban populations.
