| Abstract: |
Angkorian monuments symbolised the Khmer empire across much of mainland Southeast Asia between the 9th and 15th centuries. Temple rituals, economies, and social relations were deeply intertwined with populations that supported them. How the Angkorian temple economy worked is the focus of this chapter: that is, relations between a temple’s resources and its socio-political relations with communities, elites, and the state. Drawing from selected epigraphic data, this chapter focuses on three points. The first is that Angkorian temples were locales for conspicuous displays of wealth and public demonstrations of loyalty; they also served as loci for conflict resolution. The second is that Angkorian elites employed the temple economy, through ancestor worship, to secure property rights for their kin groups. Finally, this chapter emphasises the inextricable link between the Angkorian temple and state economies. Temple economies had some autonomy, but Angkorian rulers utilised temple economy administration to contain rebellion and secure alliances and loyalty. Top-down administrative management of Angkorian temple economies encouraged agrarian expansion and ensured that much of the empire was continuously cultivated.
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