After Khmerization published the article "A Brief History of Phnom Penh", Khmerization received the following corrections from Mr. Bora Touch, a Sydney-based lawyer who is quite proficient in the Khmer history. Below is his email to Khmerization:
Sir,
Sir,
Thank you. Very interesting, however, it is incorrect to state that the city was founded 575 years ago. Phnom Penh was a city or at least a significant centre of the Khmer even before the so-called Angkor. This is evident by the fact that a pre-Angkorian stone temple built before Angkor and temple is still there now located in Wat Unalaum complex. The area near Choeung EK ("killing fields") outside Phnom Penh was a pre-Angkorian centre.
The Chedey (stupa) of Wat Phnom was depicted on maps of the Japanese and East Indies Company from 16th and 17th centuries. asshes, which is not correct either.
The Chedey (stupa) of Wat Phnom was depicted on maps of the Japanese and East Indies Company from 16th and 17th centuries. asshes, which is not correct either.
Bora Touch
First, Khmerization would like to thank Mr. Bora Touch for his corrections. The information in the article was sourced from the Phnom Penh Municipality website and other sources which indicated that the old nun named Daun Penh built the hill (Phnom) then constructed the wat (temple) on it in 1372, hence the name Phnom Penh was born. The place or the village where present Phnom Penh City is situated might have been settled or populated before Angkorian period, but the name "Phnom Penh" was not created yet. The name "Phnom Penh" was only born in 1372 when Daun (Grandma) Penh built the phnom and the wat there. As a matter of fact, there is a general view that Phnom Penh as we know it today, was born in 1372. The Phnom Penh Municipality just announced a few weeks ago that it is in the process of organising a very big celebration to mark the 575th year of the birth of Phnom Penh as we know it. You are right in your historical facts, but the name "Phnom Penh" did not exist yet at that time. Thanks for your insight.
I wish to also thank you, Mr. Bora Touch, for your information to Prof. Milton Orsborne below which I thought is very, very useful for those who are interested in the history of Wat Phnom.
Dear Milton:
Just a quick note.
You would probably have seen the Wat Phnom Inscription erected by King Sisowath in 1917, attached.
Because of the presence of laterite blocks (without cement support) used for the Chedey's foundation and base (as the laterite use for temple construction in the Khmer empire appears to have ceased in about 16th century if not before (correct me if I am wrong), it makes sense to think the Chedey (stupa) was not a product of late 19 century or earlier 20 century. According to the inscription, the Chedey was erected in 1467, a year after King Ponhea Yat's death, by the King's first son, Nareay Reachea, to keep his ashes. The Chedey clearly appears on Dutch 1/20,000 scale maps of 1600s. The Phnom/hill was built during Angkor period before King Yat moved in there.
Laterite also was used as a part of the pre-Angkor temple's base in Wat Unalaum, Phnom Penh
Since laterite mining and use was a unique skill/art of the Khmer in S.E.A mainland, the claim by Beth Gosling (1986) that the Tai tribal group built those Sukothai lateritte temples may be problematic.
Phnom Penh's original official name was Krong Chaktomuk Mongkul Sakal Kampuchea Thipadey Sereythor Bovor Indrapath Borey Rath Reach Seima Moha Nokor. Did "Krong Phnom Penh" officially become the state capital by the Arrette of 4 December 1901.?
Just a quick note.
You would probably have seen the Wat Phnom Inscription erected by King Sisowath in 1917, attached.
Because of the presence of laterite blocks (without cement support) used for the Chedey's foundation and base (as the laterite use for temple construction in the Khmer empire appears to have ceased in about 16th century if not before (correct me if I am wrong), it makes sense to think the Chedey (stupa) was not a product of late 19 century or earlier 20 century. According to the inscription, the Chedey was erected in 1467, a year after King Ponhea Yat's death, by the King's first son, Nareay Reachea, to keep his ashes. The Chedey clearly appears on Dutch 1/20,000 scale maps of 1600s. The Phnom/hill was built during Angkor period before King Yat moved in there.
Laterite also was used as a part of the pre-Angkor temple's base in Wat Unalaum, Phnom Penh
Since laterite mining and use was a unique skill/art of the Khmer in S.E.A mainland, the claim by Beth Gosling (1986) that the Tai tribal group built those Sukothai lateritte temples may be problematic.
Phnom Penh's original official name was Krong Chaktomuk Mongkul Sakal Kampuchea Thipadey Sereythor Bovor Indrapath Borey Rath Reach Seima Moha Nokor. Did "Krong Phnom Penh" officially become the state capital by the Arrette of 4 December 1901.?
Hope to see you at your Phnom Penh talk on 20/10/'07
Yours, Bora
2 comments:
Thank you Dr.Bora Touch for your sceintific analysis on the history of Wat Phnom and Phnom Penh. I think we should start our research on the history of Wat Phnom based on the artifacts remain such as architecture material and style and inscriptions or Dutch archiev rather than based on the legendary without specifict date. I do agree with you that the vicinity of present day Phnom Penh was a large community since the pre-Angkorian period or even since the prehistoric period. The circular earthwork located at Cheang Ek would dated to the Iron Age period. Then the temple behind Unalom Pagoda and inscriptions at Wat Botumvadei would attest the pre Angkorian period.
The date 1467 would be the date of construction of artificial mount with stupa on its top at Wat Phnom by a King's son (a real man) rather than by Daun Penh, a Grandma in the legend.
I hope to see you some day in Cambodia.
Sytha Pheng
farchaeo
Good historic facts and analysis from both of you.
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