Indradevi

Indradevi (floruit 1181), was a queen of the Khmer Empire through her marriage to king Jayavarman VII (r. 1181-1219). Reportedly, she influenced affairs of state through her spouse, particularly in favor of Buddhism. She was also active as a poet, and as a professor.

Indradevi was the sister of the first spouse of Jayavarman, Jayarajadevi. Before her brother-in-law became a king, he was often absent, and Indradevi, who was a Buddhist, comforted her sister with the teachings of Buddhism. When Jayavarman VII succeeded to the throne, queen Jayarajadevi was praised for donating all her property to the poor. She died soon after, however, and the king remarried Indradevi. Queen Indradevi was described as intelligent and cultivated, and her spouse apparently allowed her influence upon state affairs. He also appointed her professor of three temple schools, were she regularly educated female students. She was praised for her knowledge in sanskrit.

Indradevi composed poems about the reign of Jayavarman VII.

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