Isanapura

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Isanapura
Native Nameឥសានបុរៈ
Alternative nameIshanapura, Ishnapura
BA#C0605082
SizeLarge
ConditionRuin
TypeAncient City
Location
Part ofBhavapura, Sambor Prei Kuk Group
VillageSambor, O Krou Kae
CommuneSambor
DistrictPrasat Sambor
ProvinceKampong Thom
CountryCambodia
Coordinates12.86641, 105.04028
History
Founded7th Century
BuilderIsanavarman I, Bhavavarman II
Art StyleSambor Prei Kuk
MaterialLaterite, Brick
ReligionHindu
DeityVarious
UNESCO Inscription2017



201 Pr Yeay Poan 13.jpg
5.00
(2 votes)


Site Size & Condition: Ancient City Isanapura (ឥសានបុរៈ - Pronounced: Ee-san-a-pura)

Isanapura is the name given to the 7th-century Chenla capital, founded by Isanavarman I, and corresponding to the present-day site of Sambor Prei Kuk. The king is recorded as being the son of Mahendravarman, and nephew of Bhavavarman I, both of whom ruled from their earlier capital Bhavapura, considered by most scholars to have been the same site as - or in the vicinity of - Isanapura.

The exact relationship between the 2 cities is not currently known but after succeeding his 2 highly prestigious and successful relatives there seems no reason to believe that Isanapura was anything other than a make-over of the existing city. (Nor, to our knowledge, is there any conclusive epigraphic or archaeological evidence to conclude otherwise.) Isanavarman - also a highly prestigious and powerful monarch - doesn't however seem to have been able to resist the ego-boost of a name change.

The overall site of Sambor Prei Kuk is a sprawling and complex site, covering a large area and housing some 120 shrines, (although many today are ruined), and assigning certain sections to certain cities is a highly complicated task. What is thought to have been the main urban area is located to the west of O Krou Kae Village where partial remains of a 2km square outer moat and embankment are visible. Numerous smaller, as well as medium, moated sites found in that area perhaps represent district temples within the city while the principal religious monuments lie some distance to the east, outside of the ancient walls. (The main baray lies further east again.) Between these 2 areas, west and south of O Krae Kou, is a large concentration of undatable, ruined foundations and brick mounds and whether these correspond to Bhavapura or Isanapura sites, (or both), is still unknown.

It is significant that a number of later inscriptions (e.g. Rajendravarman II period) prove the site was still occupied although by the 10th-century it seems to have been referred to by its older name, Bhavapura. (Wat Mohar is also a possible Jayavarman VII-era arogyasala or dharmasala site.) Clues to serious problems with the city's main reservoir (Sambor Prei Kuk Baray) and a complete lack of any 11th and 12th-century sites implies the site became something of a neglected backwater during this period.

In conclusion, our opinion is that the earlier site of Bhavapura was possibly located north and west of Prasat Sambor and was incorporated into Isanapura during the early 7th-century. The name however doesn't seem to have stuck and the Bhavapura referred to in later periods is to all intents and purposes probably the same site as Isanapura.

Please note that the majority of listings for Prasat Sambor District could be considered part of, or associated with, the site of Isanapura, therefore our 'nearby sites' noted below are just a small selection (lying within a 1km radius) of the 122 total potential sites.


Map Location

Image Gallery

  • Prasat Yeay Poan

    Prasat Yeay Poan

  • Prasat Yeay Poan

    Prasat Yeay Poan

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Historic Archive

A collection of historic photographs, artist sketches, maps etc. (Please ensure that anything you do upload is free of copyright and/or you have permission from the original photographer/artist/author to share)

Nearby Sites

External Links

Links to additional resources such as articles, websites, videos etc.

References


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