Van Mong Shui (Suryavarman II) "The Peter the Great of Southeast Asia"
Suryavarman II was crowned in 1113 in a pompous ceremony. He noticed that his country was falling apart and believed that he needed to change it. He wanted to leave the country to see East Asia. He took his advisors with him so he wouldn't have to go alone. First, he journeyed to Dai Viet and stayed there for about two years. He saw the architecture and went to the Temple of Literature which is the first university of Vietnam. He then visited the Emperor Ly Nhan Tong and was received very warmly. Suryavarman II wished to increase trade with Vietnam and to change and reform the Khmer Empire. Suryavarman asked for educators and bureaucrats to migrate from Vietnam to the Khmer Empire to educate the citizens there. He also asked for 100,000 Vietnamese to migrate to Cambodia. He wanted support from the Vietnamese king to tighten his power. Ly Nhan Tong warmly agreed at his proposals. He then went to Song Dynasty China in which he visited the city of Kaifeng and saw the beautiful architecture there. He stayed with upper-class families and was exposed to beautiful art. He studied urban planning and canal building because he wanted to improve the city of Angchiu (Angkor). He persuaded the workers to come to the Khmer Empire. He also wore new clothes at that time. He also saw the beautiful Iron Pagoda in which he was inspired to build his new temple called the Angchiu Won. He also studied Confucianism as well and believed that it would be good for his country. And finally, he visited Emperor Huizong and was received a warm welcome by the Imperial Court. Suryavarman wished to restore diplomatic relations with China. He also said that he was a patron of Chinese culture as well and believed that it was superior, though he wanted to keep the Indian gods. Emperor Huizong gave Suryavarman a new name which was Van Mong Shui and Suryavarman accepted. Van Mong Shui requested to import porcelain plates, art, furniture, clothes, and other things pertaining to Chinese culture to Cambodia and sought to increase free trade with China. Emperor Huizong was granted 10,000 workers abd 5,000 soldiers to support Van Mong Shui. Van Mong Shui was very happy that day and came home to Cambodia a very happy man.
Any questions, comments, and ideas are welcome. Stay tuned for the Van Lang Shui's picture tomorrow!
Suryavarman II was crowned in 1113 in a pompous ceremony. He noticed that his country was falling apart and believed that he needed to change it. He wanted to leave the country to see East Asia. He took his advisors with him so he wouldn't have to go alone. First, he journeyed to Dai Viet and stayed there for about two years. He saw the architecture and went to the Temple of Literature which is the first university of Vietnam. He then visited the Emperor Ly Nhan Tong and was received very warmly. Suryavarman II wished to increase trade with Vietnam and to change and reform the Khmer Empire. Suryavarman asked for educators and bureaucrats to migrate from Vietnam to the Khmer Empire to educate the citizens there. He also asked for 100,000 Vietnamese to migrate to Cambodia. He wanted support from the Vietnamese king to tighten his power. Ly Nhan Tong warmly agreed at his proposals. He then went to Song Dynasty China in which he visited the city of Kaifeng and saw the beautiful architecture there. He stayed with upper-class families and was exposed to beautiful art. He studied urban planning and canal building because he wanted to improve the city of Angchiu (Angkor). He persuaded the workers to come to the Khmer Empire. He also wore new clothes at that time. He also saw the beautiful Iron Pagoda in which he was inspired to build his new temple called the Angchiu Won. He also studied Confucianism as well and believed that it would be good for his country. And finally, he visited Emperor Huizong and was received a warm welcome by the Imperial Court. Suryavarman wished to restore diplomatic relations with China. He also said that he was a patron of Chinese culture as well and believed that it was superior, though he wanted to keep the Indian gods. Emperor Huizong gave Suryavarman a new name which was Van Mong Shui and Suryavarman accepted. Van Mong Shui requested to import porcelain plates, art, furniture, clothes, and other things pertaining to Chinese culture to Cambodia and sought to increase free trade with China. Emperor Huizong was granted 10,000 workers abd 5,000 soldiers to support Van Mong Shui. Van Mong Shui was very happy that day and came home to Cambodia a very happy man.
Any questions, comments, and ideas are welcome. Stay tuned for the Van Lang Shui's picture tomorrow!
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