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Cambodian Epigraphy Workshop: the stele K. 1297

A blogpost by Louise Roche

The unpublished Cambodian inscription K. 1297, engraved in Sanskrit on a two-sided stela, provides rich information about political and religious life in Cambodia in the  12th century. The stela was purchased by a collector at the Hôtel Drouot in Paris by a collector before 2011, and the work of publishing the inscription was entrusted to Arlo Griffiths.

Photo of the stele

In order to push  the study of this document towards a conclusion, a dedicated workshop was organized as part of the DHARMA project in collaboration with Brice Vincent (EFEO-CASE) and Louise Roche (EFEO-EPHE/PSL-CASE) at the EFEO center in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from January 20th to 26th 2020.

This text, issued by king Tribhuvanādityavarman (1149/50-ca. 1177 CE), begins with an invocation to the Buddhist deity Vajrasattva and the four bodies of the Buddha. The inscription mainly evokes one of the great Angkorian religious sites, the Buddhist temple of Vaṅśārāma (“Bamboo Grove”), known nowadays as the Preah Khan of Kompong Svay, located in the current province of Preah Vihear, at the eastern end of the eastern Angkorian road.

Ruins of the former Vaṅśārāma: the Preah Khan of Kompong Svay

This text mentions also a Buddhist fire house (vauddhavahniśilāgṛha) at Yaśodharapura (Angkor), placed  at the western end of the road that heads East from Angkor.

From west to east, this workshop was therefore an opportunity to combine text readings and field visits and to confront textual sources and material culture.

Brice Vincent, Louise Roche and Arlo Griffiths in front of the suspected ‘Buddhist fire house in stone’ at Angkor

 


OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
argr (May 6, 2020). Cambodian Epigraphy Workshop: the stele K. 1297. DHARMA project ERC n° 809994. Retrieved November 13, 2025 from https://doi.org/10.58079/nkf6


10 Responses

  1. Bill Vistarini says:

    Grateful for an update on translation of K.1297.
    Thank you for all work on this significant stele.

  2. Emmanuel Francis says:

    From Louise Rochee:
    You can look at the works of Mitch Hendrickson, for instance
    – his Phd: https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/6135
    – or this article in Udaya 9, 2008: http://www.yosothor.org/uploads/images/Udaya/UDAYA_ISSUES/Udaya_09/04_Mitch%20Hendrickson_UDAYA09.pdf

  3. Joshua says:

    Hello, Louise,

    Do you now if the the translation of K. 1297 has been published yet? I’m working on a history of Cambodia told through its art, and an inscription for Tribhuvanādityavarman’s reign might be of use for the tumultuous and historically tortuous period between S-2 and J-7.

    Yours,

    Josh

    • Emmanuel Francis says:

      Dear Josh,
      Thank you for your interest. This inscription does indeed shed valuable light on this period.
      The translation is unfortunately not yet published and it will still take a while.
      Yours,
      Louise

    • Hi. I am writing the research of historical book in Khmer about Preah Khan of Kampong Svay. I would like to know the suspected fire house. What is it? Where?

  4. Bill Vistarini says:

    Good afternoon,
    Thank you for your response. Is it possible for me to be notified when translation is completed.
    An irrelevant query: I am trying to access a copy of Julia Esteve’s thesis. It seems to be unavailable electronically. Do you know of any accessible sources.
    Thank you and best wishes,
    Bill

    • Julia says:

      Hi Bill, This is Julia Esteve. I can give you a pdf of my thesis if you give me your email address.
      Best,
      Julia

      • Dr Bill Vistarini says:

        Dear Julia,
        Apologies for the delay in replying. My email address: billtamvista@bigpond.com
        Is there any more news on K.1297?
        I have just finished Louise Roche’s illuminating piece on Banteay Samrae which, again, refers to this inscription.
        Encore un fois, je vous remercie,
        Bill

  5. Arlo Griffiths says:

    Dear Dr. Vistarini! Unfortunately not yet… The project is inching forward ever so slowly, and it will still take a while. Thanks for your interest.

  6. Dr Bill Vistarini says:

    Good afternoon,
    Has a translation of K1297 been published yet? I would be grateful for your advice.
    Thank you and best wishes,
    Bill

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