 | This article's factual accuracy is disputed. (May 2015) |
ឦសានបុរៈ | |
  Isanapura Location in Cambodia | |
| Location | Kampong Thom, Cambodia |
|---|---|
| Region | Southeast Asia |
| Coordinates | 12°52′16″N 105°02′35″E / 12.871°N 105.043°E |
| History | |
| Builder | Isanavarman I |
| Founded | 618 AD |
| Abandoned | late 9th century AD |
| Periods | Middle Ages |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | restored and ruined |
| Public access | Yes |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Sambor Prei Kuk |
Isanapura (Khmer: ឦសានបុរៈ), also known as Sambhupura (Khmer: សម្ភុបុរៈ) or Sambor of St'ung Sen,[1] was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Chenla. It is located in what is now Kampong Thom Province in Cambodia. The city was founded in about 618 at Leek Sambor Kuk by King Isanavarman I.[2] According to Paul Pelliot, Sambhupura was the capital of Land Chenla (Upper Chenla).[3]
Today, the site of old Isanapura contains the ruins of 150 temples and buildings, which are a few centuries older than that of the Khmer Empire around Angkor Wat. During the Vietnam War, some of these temples were completely destroyed by US bombers.[citation needed] Further damage was done by vandals, dealers in old relics, and the Khmer Rouge. Many temples have been overgrown by the jungle.
- ^ Walker, George B. (1955). Angkor Empire. Signet Press. p. 116. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ Chatterjee, Bijan Raj (1964). Indian cultural influence in Cambodia. University of Calcutta. p. 25. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ Sharan, Mahesh Kumar (2003). Studies In Sanskrit Inscriptions Of Ancient Cambodia. Abhinav Publications. p. 31. ISBN 978-81-7017-006-8.