And what way was the Khmer empire influenced by India?
The Khmer Empire was influenced by India in several ways, including:
1. Religion: The Khmer Empire adopted and adapted Indian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Hinduism had a significant influence on Khmer art, architecture, and religious practices, while Buddhism became the dominant religion in the empire.
2. Architecture: Indian architectural styles and techniques, such as the use of brick and stone construction, elaborate carvings, and temple and palace design, influenced Khmer architecture. The most famous example of this influence is the Angkor Wat temple complex, which bears similarities to Indian temple architecture.
3. Language and writing: The Khmer Empire adopted the Indian writing system of Sanskrit and Pallava script, which influenced the development of the Khmer script.
4. Trade and cultural exchange: The Khmer Empire had extensive trade and cultural exchange with India, which resulted in the sharing of ideas, customs, and technologies between the two regions.
Overall, India's influence on the Khmer Empire was significant and helped shape its religion, architecture, language, and culture.