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Khmer architecture was a unique style of building, which culminated in the creation of some of the greatest religious monuments the world has ever known. Like many other aspects of their culture, the Cambodians inherited Indian methods of architecture and then absorbed them into their own architectural style. Once the Indian influence on the kingdom was no longer significant, by the seventh to eighth centuries AD, Khmer architecture began to develop independently. It flourished under ambitious kings who ruled an empire rich in manpower and wealth. Both these factors were essential in bringing about the larger building projects undertaken at Angkor in the 11th and 12th centurie.
The Hindu religion played a vital part in the development of the Khmer temple. This religion became established in Cambodia by the second or third century and temples were built to honor Hindu gods.