Vijayendralakshmi was an important royal figure who lived during the 11th and 12th centuries CE in the Khmer Empire, the powerful Cambodian kingdom that built the famous Angkor Wat temple complex. She was born in Amalakasthala to a noble family – her brother Nrpendradhipativarman served as the head of the Khmer army and likely aided King Jayavarman VI in his rise to power.
Vijayendralakshmi first married the yuvaraja (crown prince) of Mahidharapura before wedding King Jayavarman VI after he ascended the throne in 1080 CE. Contemporary inscriptions describe her as exceptionally beautiful, eloquent, and beloved, with her name meaning “receptacle of riches, beauty, eloquence and affection.” When Jayavarman VI died in 1107 CE, he bequeathed Vijayendralakshmi to his successor King Dharanindravarman I, making her the only woman in Khmer history to have married three kings successively.
As queen, Vijayendralakshmi held significant influence. Inscriptions note that due to the favor of Jayavarman VI and the yuvaraja, she was granted control of her birthplace Amalakasthala. Her brother also rose to prominence, described as the “favorite of Jayavarmadeva” in his role as the army chief and brother-in-law of the yuvaraja.
While more of Vijayendralakshmi’s life remains to be uncovered, the historical record makes clear she was a highly impactful figure who navigated the upper echelons of Khmer imperial politics for decades. Her story provides a glimpse into the important roles elite women could play in medieval Southeast Asian kingdoms like the Khmer Empire. As the realm’s unrivaled center of power and culture in the 11th-12th centuries, Vijayendralakshmi’s influence at the Khmer court was likely far-reaching during a key period in the empire’s history.
Note: Featured photo is generated by AI
