Jyeṣṭhāryā of Sambhupura facts for kids

Jyestha, also known as Jyeṣṭhāryā, was a powerful queen who ruled a kingdom called Sambhupura Chenla in Cambodia during the 9th century. She was part of a special family where women held important leadership roles.

Queen Jyestha's Reign

Jyestha was a queen regnant, which means she ruled in her own right, not just as a king's wife. She was the daughter of Queen Jayendrabhā of Sambhupura and King Jayavarman II, who ruled from 780 to 824 CE.

Family and Succession

Jyestha's family had a history of strong female rulers. She inherited her throne from her mother, Queen Jayendrabhā. Her mother, in turn, had inherited the throne from her own mother, Queen Nrpendradevi. This shows a unique tradition of queens leading the kingdom of Sambhupura.

Jyestha also had a half-brother, Jayavarman III, whose mother was Dharanindradevi. It seems Jyestha ruled alongside her father, King Jayavarman II, for some time.

Uniting Cambodia

After Queen Jyestha's rule ended, her half-brother, Jayavarman III, became king. He helped to unite different parts of Cambodia, bringing them under one rule. This was an important step in the history of the region.

A Lasting Legacy

Queen Jyestha was so important that even after her death, people remembered her with great respect. In 895 CE, a special record mentioned her as "the lady Jyestha," showing that her property and influence continued. This suggests she was honored as part of a special tradition, almost like a hero.

In the 9th century, the capital of the united Cambodian kingdom moved to a new city called Angkor Wat, built by King Yaśovarman I. After this time, there are no records of other women ruling as monarchs in Cambodia for a long time. Queen Jyestha may have been the last female ruler in Cambodia until Queen Tey in the 17th century.