Chenla
Quick Summary
Chenla was an ancient state in Indochina that succeeded Funan. Its history is somewhat unclear, with Chinese sources suggesting it comprised at least two kingdoms: "Water Chenla" and "Land Chenla." Water Chenla was centered in the Mekong River delta, similar to Funan, and likely engaged in foreign trade. Land Chenla, however, was more inland and focused on intensive agriculture. Both kingdoms experienced significant Indian influence, evident in Sanskrit inscriptions and the worship of Hindu deities like Shiva. This period, roughly from the 7th to 9th centuries, saw numerous small kingdoms and the development of unique art and architecture blending Indian and local styles.12
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Southeast Asian artsCambodian kingdoms of Funan and Chenla: 1st–9th century…century ce the kingdom called Chenla was established in the upper-middle reaches of the Mekong River, in what is now Laos. The kings who ruled in Chenla were descended from the kings of Funan and took over much of the Funan domain. It seems that disastrous floods finally ruined Funan,…
Read More…century ce the kingdom called Chenla was established in the upper-middle reaches of the Mekong River, in what is now Laos. The kings who ruled in Chenla were descended from the kings of Funan and took over much of the Funan domain. It seems that disastrous floods finally ruined Funan,…
Read More- Southeast Asian arts1st–10th century
…was called by the Chinese Chenla. This joint Funan-Chenla tradition produced some of the world’s most magnificent stone cult images. Though Buddhist icons are known, these images principally represent Hindu deities including Vishnu, his incarnation Krishna, Shiva, and a combined Shiva-Vishnu figure called Harihara. The images were housed in wooden…
Read More…was called by the Chinese Chenla. This joint Funan-Chenla tradition produced some of the world’s most magnificent stone cult images. Though Buddhist icons are known, these images principally represent Hindu deities including Vishnu, his incarnation Krishna, Shiva, and a combined Shiva-Vishnu figure called Harihara. The images were housed in wooden…
Read More - Southeast Asian artsArt of the northern capital: 4th–11th century
…is reminiscent both of late Chenla art (see above Cambodia and Vietnam) and of Indonesian decoration, especially during the 11th-century return. Other figures are more emphatic in style, with the defined cubic volumes of Melanesian sculpture. It is thus probable that artists trained in the sophisticated Cambodian tradition worked for…
Read More…is reminiscent both of late Chenla art (see above Cambodia and Vietnam) and of Indonesian decoration, especially during the 11th-century return. Other figures are more emphatic in style, with the defined cubic volumes of Melanesian sculpture. It is thus probable that artists trained in the sophisticated Cambodian tradition worked for…
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