Angkor Wat

Bas-reliefs
Southern gallery, West part

Historical Gallery of Suryavarman II

Unlike of other bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat this 94 meter long military procession of Suryavarman II, who built Angkor Wat, depicts the real life of the time. Starting from the west corner the bas-relief depicts the ministers, princes and princesses on the elephants, whose rank is determined by the number of umbrellas around them. Suryavarman II and his army is here also.

Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan visited Angkor century and a half later wrote in his notes: "The ministers and princes all on elephants far from their countless red umbrellas can be seen. ... Behind them rides the king last standing on back of his elephant and keep the exquisite sword. "

The bas-relief starts at the left by two rows. At the top - the Royal Society and the King on the standing on a mountain Shivapada throne and stands out by its size and gilding which covered it in earlier times. At the bottom - a procession of women of the palace.

Suryavarman II surrounded by umbrellas and fans gives audience. He is depicted larger than the other figures according to his status. The procession of court ladies is on the bottom row.

Military leaders, the rank of which, as already mentioned, determined by the number of umbrellas surrounding them can be identified by 28 little inscriptions engraved around them. They are standing on the elephants with coiled or a hanging trunks are at the head of their armies and surrounding the King.

Suryavarman II depicted the 12th from left the highest one with a conical mukuta (crown) with a diadem surrounded by 15 umbrellas. He is armed with a sort of long-handled knife that Cambodians are still used today.

Military leaders are concluding of entourage of King

A little further the parade loses its military character to give way to splendid religious procession with the Brahmins with hairs assembled in tuft and ringing the small bells. Here can also be seen Radzhahotara or royal sacrificial priest are carried in palanquin little behind of the ark with sacred flame and parade of musicians, porters and jesters.

The parade ends at the right edge depicting the Siamese while they was been allies with Khmers in the bell-shaped dresses and feathers in her hair looks like Pacific nations soldiers and for a long time erroneously taken for barbarians.