Icanapura/Sambaur-Prei-Kuk Inscription: The Transfer of Power from Funan (Nokor Phnom) to Chenla

Fig 1-3 : Chrey Temple or Ficus Shrine, Sambaur-Prei-Kuk. North groups (M.T 1994)

Fig. 1-2 : Srey Krupleak temple (N 10) with the Ka 612/K. 151 inscription (M.T 1996)

By Dr. Michel Tranet

PHNOM PENH, 6 May 2012 (Cambodia Herald) - Icanapura/Sambaur-Prei-Kuk Inscription: The Transfer of Power from Funan (Nokor Phnom) to Chenla. Read The Origin of the Thai and Lao people.

Not far from a group of Robang-Romeas/Srey krupleak temples, there were 14 brick temples constructed from the 6th to the 11th century.
The sacred Srey krupleak temple complex (except temple K10) was built in honour of Visnu under the name Kabelveasotevak. This also includes the two cities adjacent to those groups of temples. Therefore, according to the Sanskrit inscription, the two groups of temples were located near Icanapura which was constructed from after the late 6th century.
The inscription also states that the Visnu statue and the two cities near this cemetery were built by Narasinha gumbha of Indrapura.

Fig 1-3 : Chrey Temple or Ficus Shrine, Sambaur-Prei-Kuk. North groups (M.T 1994)
Narasinha gumbha was a high-ranking official who was loyal to the three kings who ruled the country:
Bhavavarman 1, Mahendravarman Citrasena and Icanavarman 1.
The contents on the inscription contribute to the understanding that all the above events took place before the reign of Icanavarman 1 (615-637AD), who was the son of Mahendravarman Citrasena (his name translates as ‘Protecting God’).
With regards to this king, Mr Adhemar Leclere states that the word Sri Icanavarman 1 means ‘King protecting the Northeast’. This king claimed he was the partner of the Universe/God and the partner of Visnu, God of glory, God of the three kings and the ruler of the three pre-Angkorian cities.  It seemed that Cakranapura, Amogharapura, and Bhimapura (Bhimayapura) were defeated, but were allowed to rule the country as long as those kings were subservient to him. This king was the emperor just like previous kings. He expanded his Kingdom throughout Funan territory. As mentioned above, the king had a city named after him which was Icanapura.

Fig 1-3 : Inscription K.149 at Chrey temple (M.T)
However, according to the analysis of the contents on inscription of Chrey Temple K 149, we discovered that the change of government from the ruling of the country by Funan (Nokor Phnom) to Chenla in the reign of the king Viravarman 1 was done without significant problem as was previously assumed.
The inscription on the main door of Chrey temple (N.18) also states this as well as the presence of the three Khmer kings Bhavavarman 1, Mahendravarman Citrasena and Icanavarman 1. The inscription begins with greetings to the king in the transitional period between Funan (Nokor Phnom) and Chenla.
This showed the influence of Chenla’s power came gradually after victory over Funan (Nokor Phnom) without bloodshed or cruelty as was the case in the war between Cambodia and Siam in the late 13th century. According to the inscription, the war between Chenla and Funan (Nokor Phnom) was only waged between the siblings for the purpose of power and the throne.

Fig. 1-2 : Srey Krupleak temple (N 10) with the Ka 612/K. 151 inscription (M.T 1996)
The political situation described above was during the transitional period between Funan (Nokor Phnom) and Chenla as confirmed by inscription K.151 at Srey Krupleak Temple, and inscription K.149 at Chrey or Ficus Temple, part of Sambaur-Prei-Kuk Temple in the North. Thus, the victory of Bhavavarman 1 over other provinces on highland regions was not an act of invasive aggressive as Mr Claude Jacques has stated, but rather only a war to reunite the nation.
Moreover, the contents of the Ang Chumnit inscription also described the presence of up to 5 Khmer kings including king Rudravarman, Bhavavarman 1, Mahendravarman Citrasena, Jayavarman 1 and Icanavarman 1. This showed that the transfer of central power from Funan (Nokor Phnom) to Chenla was made on the same territory that was previously part of Funan without war or cruel battle. Therefore, the use of the word “raid”, “expedition militaire” or “incursion” was not appropriate for the Khmer political context. (Dr. Michel Tranet)