Jayavarman VII

Jayavarman VII (c. 1122–1218) was the most powerful king of the Khmer Empire. A son of Dharanindravarman II, he was already past fifty when the Chams sacked Angkor in 1177; he drove out the invaders and was crowned in 1181. His armies took the Cham capital Vijaya in 1190 and annexed Champa in 1203.

The first Khmer king devoted to Buddhism, he followed Mahayana; his queen Jayarajadevi and her sister Indradevi, whom he later married, are thought to have shaped his faith. He built Angkor Thom, the Bayon, Ta Prohm and Preah Khan, and founded 102 hospitals and 121 rest houses. His son Indravarman II succeeded him.