Battle of Tonlé Sap
The Battle of Tonlé Sap was a conflict between Champa and the Khmer Empire in 1177.
History
The 12th century was a time of conflict and brutal power struggles. Under Suryavarman II, the Khmer Empire united internally, and the largest temple of Angkor, Angkor Wat, dedicated to the god Vishnu, was built over a period of 37 years. In the east, Suryavarman's campaigns against Champa and An Nam were unsuccessful, though he did sack Vijaya in 1145 and deposed Jaya Indravarman III. The Khmers occupied Vijaya until 1149, when they were driven out by Jaya Harivarman I. Suryavarman II sent a mission to the Chola dynasty of south India and presented a precious stone to the Chola emperor Kulothunga Chola I in 1114.Another period followed in which kings reigned briefly and were violently overthrown by their successors. Finally in 1177, the capital of Angkor was raided and looted in a naval battle on the Tonlé Sap lake by a Cham fleet under Po Klong Garai, king of Panduranga, during which the king of Angkor, Tribhuvanadityavarman, was killed.
Po Klong Garai established a new king of Champa, with the title of Jaya Indravarman IV.
Between 1177 and 1181, when he was in his mid 50s, Jayavarman VII came to historical prominence by leading a Khmer army to oust the Cham invaders, which included a naval battle depicted on the walls of Bayon and Banteay Chmar. Returning to the capital, he found it in disorder. He put an end to the disputes between warring factions, and in 1181, he was crowned king.