Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Naval Battle
The next panel has some of the best-carved reliefs. The scenes depict a naval battle
between the Khmers and the Chams (the latter with head coverings), and everyday life
around Tonlé Sap lake, where the battle was fought. Look for images of people picking
lice from each other's hair, of hunters and, towards the western end of the panel, a woman
giving birth.
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The Chams Vanquished
In the next panel, scenes from daily life continue and the battle shifts to the shore, where
the Chams are soundly thrashed. Scenes include two people playing chess, a cockfight and
women selling fish in the market. The scenes of meals being prepared and served are in
celebration of the Khmer victory.
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Military Procession
The last section of the south gallery, depicting a military procession, is unfinished, as is
the panel showing elephants being led down from the mountains. Brahmans have been
chased up two trees by tigers.
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Civil War
This panel depicts scenes that some scholars maintain is a civil war. Groups of people,
some armed, confront each other, and the violence escalates until elephants and warriors
join the melee.
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The All-Seeing King
The fighting continues on a smaller scale in the next panel. An antelope is being swal-
lowed by a gargantuan fish; among the smaller fish is a prawn, under which an inscription
proclaims that the king will seek out those in hiding.
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Victory Parade
This panel depicts a procession that includes the king (carrying a bow). Presumably it is a
celebration of his victory.
The Circus Comes to Town
At the western corner of the northern wall is a Khmer circus. A strongman holds three
dwarfs, and a man on his back is spinning a wheel with his feet; above is a group of
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