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Súryavarman I (1001-1050)

An inscription found at the Preah Khan temple at Kampong Svay mentions, ‘He took the kingdom for himself amidst a crowd of other kings’.

He had the civil servants’ oath and his achievements engraved on the doors of the Royal Palace entrance avilion. The same inscription also mentions the completion of the Phimean Akas temple amd the Royal Palace entrance door, as well as the costruction (left unfinished) of Takeo temple.

The king also commissiioned a great number of hildings in the provinces. He can be credited with the construction of Phnom Chisor temple in Takeo province, parts of Preah Vihear temple, Preah Khan at Kampong Svay, as well as Vat Baset, Phnom Thom, Snoeung and Ek Phnom temples. Súryavarman I and his family contined to practice Devarája cult.

This king might have been open to Buddhism. He was named Preah Nirvánapada after his death.
Phnom Chisor temple, view from the southeast

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