Jayavarman VI

Who was Jayavarman VI?

Jayavarman VI was king of the Khmer Empire from about 1080 to 1107 AD.

During the reigns of Udayadityavarman II and Harshavarman III there were some internal rebellions and an unsuccessful war with Champa. Maybe the last one continued to reign in Angkor during a revolt which finally brought to power the following official King, Jayavarman VI, probably a vassal prince.

Coming from Phimai area, in Mun River Valley, he appears as an usurper and the founder of a new dynasty, the Mahidharapura, from the name of his family's ancestral home. In inscriptions at the beginning of his reign, he claimed to be a descendant of the mythical couple of princess Sage Kambu Swayambhuva and his sister Mera, rather than having real ancestors of royal lineage.

Jayavarman VI was probably engaged for several years in strife against those who remained loyal to the legitimate line of Harshavarman III and his heirs, however he's generally given credit for the construction of Phimai temple. He was succeeded by his elder brother, Dharanindravarman I, and received as posthumous name Paramakaivalyapada.