JAYAVARMAN II

'Jayavarman II' was the founder of the Khmer Empire, reigning from 802 AD to 850 AD. According to an inscription, he lived as a prince at the court of Sailendra dynasty in Java, the island that is part of present-day (Indonesia). Whether he was there as a prisoner or for his education (or both) has not yet been established. He was probably influenced by the refined art and culture of Javan Sailendra, including adopting the concept of divine Dewa-Raja (God-King) which was prominent in the Sailendra dynasty. In 802 he return to Cambodia and declared himself the God-King Jayavarman II and declared full independence from Java. This record has given rise to speculation that Cambodia might have been the dependant vassal of Java for some years before the reign of Jayavarman II.
He is probably identical with a king called 'Jayavarman Ibis', mentioned in inscriptions of the years 770 and 781 A. D.
The account that Jayavarman II came from Java is found in the Sdok Kak Thom inscription, dated 8th February 1053. The same inscription mentions the installation of the cult of the kamrateng jagat ta rāja or devarāja or God-King, a protective deity of the whole kingdom. His accession to the throne was dated during the reign of Rajendravarman II to the year 791/92 A. D., and during the 11th century to the year 802/03. Both dates are ahistorical because they are not mentioned in inscriptions of Indravarman I and Yaśovarman I (late 9th century). After him, the throne was held by his son Jayavarman III and two other kings of the family into which he had married. He was consecrated along with these two kings and their wives in the temple of Preah Ko, built by Indravarman I (inaugurated Monday 25th January 880 A.D.).