Huynh De Citadel Cham Temples Binh Dinh Vietnam

The Huynh De Citadel Cham Temples in Binh Dinh Province are deeply rooted in the ancient Indianized civilization of Champa, a kingdom that flourished along the central and southern coastal regions of present-day Vietnam from the 2nd to the 17th century CE . The Cham people, of Malayo-Polynesian origin, adopted and adapted Indian cultural influences, particularly Hinduism, which became the predominant state religion, shaping their art, architecture, and societal structures for centuries [9]. This cultural continuum, spanning millennia, saw the establishment of numerous Hindu temples dedicated primarily to Shiva, reflecting a profound and continuous engagement with Indian spiritual traditions [9]. The Champa Kingdom was initially a decentralized entity comprising several states, including Vijaya, which would later become a pivotal center . Archaeological findings at the Thanh Cha excavation site, within the broader Vijaya region, reveal a foundational layer of a square-structured shrine dating back to between the 4th and 10th centuries, covering an area of 64.78 square meters . This early period marks the initial phases of Indianization, where Indian religious and political ideologies were strongly integrated into existing Cham social structures . While the capital of Champa shifted over time, Vijaya, near modern-day Quy Nhon in Binh Dinh Province, emerged as a significant political and cultural hub, serving as the Cham capital for approximately five centuries, from the late 10th century until 1471 CE [6]. However, scholarly research suggests that Vijaya's prominence as a major political center truly solidified in the 12th century, with earlier regional political activity centered at sites like the An Thanh Citadel (Thanh Cha) [6]. The period around 1050 CE, as indicated by the site's 'Year Built' designation, falls within a dynamic era of Cham history. The 11th to 15th centuries witnessed significant construction and expansion, as evidenced by the second and third architectural layers at Thanh Cha, covering 289.59 square meters and featuring advanced foundation-strengthening techniques . King Śrī Harivarman, who reigned from 1074 to 1081 CE, played a crucial role in the reconstruction and restoration of the Champa state following periods of conflict with Đại Việt . His reign saw the revitalization of numerous temples, including significant structures at Mỹ Sơn, a related Cham sanctuary, where temples like B1, B6, C1, C3, D2, E4, and E7 underwent restoration and rebuilding . This era also marked an evolution in Cham temple architecture, with the development of taller towers and an increased integration of sandstone with traditional brick construction, alongside more elaborate decorative arts . Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries, the Huynh De Citadel area, particularly the Cha Ban Citadel, saw the construction of prominent temples such as the Canh Tien Tower, dated to the early 12th to early 13th century, exemplifying the Thap Mam art style [6]. Other notable constructions from this period include the Duong Long Towers (12th century), Banh It Towers (12th-13th centuries), Phu Loc Tower (early 12th century), and Thap Doi Towers (12th-13th century) . Archaeological excavations within the Cha Ban Citadel have unearthed a wealth of artifacts, including 471 items from an ancient well in 1997, comprising Chinese, Vietnamese, and Cham ceramics dating from the 13th to 15th centuries [6]. Large stone sculptures, such as the 2.5-meter-high Dvarapalas at Nhan Son Pagoda and monumental stone elephants (2 meters tall for the male, 1.7 meters for the female), attest to the sophisticated artistic traditions of the Thap Mam style, many of which continue to be revered by local communities [6]. The Champa Kingdom faced continuous external pressures, particularly from the Đại Việt to the north and the Khmer Empire to the west . The Cha Ban Citadel, a large military structure with ramparts extending over two kilometers on its southern side, played a critical defensive role against these threats [6]. Despite periods of conflict and political upheaval, the Cham people consistently maintained their distinct cultural identity, deeply rooted in Indian traditions, often rejecting Chinese cultural assimilation . The ultimate decline of Vijaya as the capital occurred in 1471 CE, when it was conquered and razed by King Le Thanh Tong of Đại Việt, marking a significant shift in the region's political landscape [6] . However, the cultural and architectural legacy of the Champa Kingdom, with its profound Indian influences, continues to be preserved and studied through ongoing archaeological research and conservation efforts, ensuring its place in the long, unbroken cultural continuum of Indian civilization .