This is a timeline of Cambodian history, comprising important legal and territorial changes and political events in Cambodia and its predecessor states. To read about the background to these events, see History of Cambodia. See also the list of kings of Cambodia.
The walled city of Angkor Borei in Takéo province is Cambodia's first known city, with archaeological excavations unearthing moats, reservoirs, brick monuments, and glass beads that were traded in from the Near East and India.
1st–8th centuries
Century
Date
Event
1st–6th
Funan period – early state-like polities in delta and coastal regions, trading contact with India and China, "Indianisation" of Khmer society begins.
7th–8th
Chenla period – shift in trade patterns causes decline of Funan, emergence of large kingdoms in inland area, Indianisation continues.
7th
Isanavarman I of the Chenla Kingdom expanded Khmer influence to the Chao Phraya valley through his campaigns around the 7th century.
Dvaravati cities that fell under Khmer hegemony became Lavo.
Jayavarman VIII was allowed to abdicate after being deposed by his son-in-law Indravarman III (Srindravarman), the first king to make Theravada Buddhism the state religion.
14th century
Year
Date
Event
1351
The Siamese Ayutthaya Kingdom laid siege to Angkor for a year and a half, then invaded and conquered it, leaving an Ayutthayan prince to rule.
1357
King Suryavong led the Khmer army in retaking Angkor from the Siamese.
King Sattha requested protection from the Spanish governor of the Philippines against the Thai.
1594
The Thai captured the Cambodian capital, Longvek, and installed a military governor there.
1595
Sattha died in Laos
1597
Spanish adventurers install a son of King Sattha on the throne.
1599
The Spanish in Cambodia were massacred by Malay warlords.
17th century
Note that names vary considerably from source to source, as do dates.
Year
Date
Event
1602
King Suriyopear (nephew of Sattha) installed with help of Ayutthaya.
c.1616
Nguyen Phuoc Nguyen, king of Hue, approaches Suriyopear to form a military alliance directed at their enemies Ayutthaya (for Suriyopear) and the Trinh dynasty of Hanoi (for Nguyen).
1618
Suriyopear abdicates, enters a monastery (dies next year). His son Chey Chettha II becomes king.
1623
According to the Chronicles and popular Cambodian belief, in this year King Chettha II allowed Vietnamese refugees from the Trịnh–Nguyễn Civil War to settle in the Khmer sea port of Prey Nokor. Professional scholars do not believe this happened.
1628
Death of Chettha II; followed as king by his son Ponhea Tu, while his younger brother Outhei takes the title Ubhayoraj, or senior king.
1632
Ponhea Tu killed after rebelling against the Ubhayoraj. Followed by his younger half-brother Ponhea Nur
1640
Death of Ponhea Nur in suspicious circumstances. Followed by Padumaraja I, son of Outhei.
1642
Murder of Padumaraja and Outhei by Ramadhipadi, son of Chettha II. Ramadhipati converts to Islam and takes the name Ibrahim.
1658–59
Two sons of Outhei rebel against Ramadhipati/Ibrahim and call on Vietnamese help. First Vietnamese intervention in Cambodia, four more in the course of the century. Ramadhipati/Ibrahim captured and removed to Hue, where he dies. Ang Sur, son of Outhei, becomes king.
1690
The Mekong Delta region of Cambodia (from Prey Nokor to Psar Dek and Moat Chrouk) was officially annexed by Vietnam.
1698
An emissary arrived in Prey Nokor to establish Vietnamese administration over the expatriate population.