73 the castle town. Local war elephant armies were posted at the five major regional bases, and elite troops including Siamese mercenaries were assigned to Lopburi, a strategic Khmer point in the west, and in the Phimai region, a base of the Khmer people in northeast Thailand. The dynasty promoted the religious charisma of the Divine King, while skillful governance by high-ranking business officials and maintenance of security and peace by the enforcement of legal order, continued. Clues to Clarify the Angkor Dynasty As religious art, sculptures close to reliefs and other inspired works left behind within the temples of each Angkor archaeological site, are rated highly by the world on account of their perfected standards and originality. Hence, it may perhaps be said that research on the Angkor dynasty commenced with art history and iconography. On studying art history, and specially the period when the archaeological sites were erected, reflecting over the annals is effective as a decisive factor for identifying the age. For instance, all who in truth set eyes upon the world-amazing “Mona Lisa of the East,” namely the “Goddess Statue” of Banteay Srei; or the “Angry Goddess Durga” of Prasat Sambor Prei Kuk that resembles Venus de Milo; or the handsome “God Vishnu” that was unearthed at the old city of Phnom Da, or others, are sure to be gripped by the fact of their encountering world-class sculptural art. These statues are based on the sensitivity of the Khmer people, they are backed up by sculptures, reliefs, and bodily adornments, they are endowed with an originality that is unrivaled, and they have received high praise as works of art. They are replete with a vividness that only outstanding art can attain, and everyone will be fascinated by the amazing power of modeling, that approaches the peaks of beauty while seeking simplicity. Nevertheless though until the 1930s, hardly anything was known with regard to the society and economy of the Angkor dynasty. Around 160 years had elapsed
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