History & Society In-Depth

Module 11: History & Society In-Depth To truly understand a country, you must understand its story. This module provides a brief but essential overview of the major periods in Cambodian history and the key aspects of its modern society. This context is vital for deeper, more meaningful communication. Pronunciation Engine Status: Initializing... Lesson 11.1: The Pre-Angkorian Period: Funan and Chenla Long before the famous temples of Angkor were built, Cambodia was home to powerful early kingdoms. The first major state, known as Funan (1st-6th centuries), was a prosperous maritime trading power heavily influenced by Indian culture. This "Indianization" introduced concepts of kingship, writing systems (the precursor to modern Khmer script), and two major religions: Hinduism and Buddhism. Later, the inland kingdom of Chenla (6th-8th centuries) rose to prominence, conquering Funan. It was during the Chenla period that the first major stone temples were built and a distinc…