The western edge of the Vietnamese highlands from the Sedang country of Đắk Glei to the Mnong hills, where the Khmer eastern road from Angkor reaches the Sê San and Srêpốk basins and the Cham-allied plateau begins.
Anyone marching from Angkor to Vijaya overland comes through the Kon Tum and Pleiku basins and down the An Khê pass (board). The Khmer are at war with Champa on and off from 1190 (the English Wikipedia gives campaigns in 1190, 1192, 1194 to 1195 and from 1198; the campaign board gives 1193 and 1194 and none since) and the war is running in 1200, but no source places an army in these hills. The Bahnar, Sedang, Jarai, Rade and Mnong who live here sell to whichever side is buying and are not ruled by either (board).
We draw a belt because a war of this kind needs a crossing zone, not because any raid is dated.
What it holds
- The Jarai and Rade plateaux, the Bahnar and Sedang basins, the Mnong hills
- The tracks to the An Khê pass, the Ayun and the M'Drak road
Allies and rivals
Raiders and war parties: Khmer from the west over the crest; Cham from the east by the An Khê and M'Drak roads. The hill peoples take captives, sell eaglewood and ivory to both, and hold the roads. Khmer anchor: the forward base at Preah Khan of Kompong Svay (Bakan) on the Khmer sheet. Cham anchors: Vijaya and the Con valley.
How things stand that morning
The war is in progress; no battle in these hills is dated. The campaign board says Jayavarman VII has not tried since 1194. Not pinned.
Threats
- A Khmer column through the Jarai country to the Con valley
- Hill peoples' raids on the plateau edge
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 1203On Dhanapatigrama and a Khmer army take Vijaya; Champa becomes a Khmer province until about 1220 (English Wikipedia and the campaign board).Depends on: The Khmer back the uncle. Stopped by: A Khmer defeat or a peace.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The war is attested; the route is inferred; no army or raid is located by any source we read.
On the map: The strip follows modern border districts; the real zone was a few valleys wide at best and ran on across the crest into Cambodia (for the Khmer sheet).
Sources and studies
- Champa, English Wikipedia (read)
- Jayavarman VII, English Wikipedia (read)
- Champa, French Wikipedia (read; follows Vickery's reading)
- OMNIA board notes for the Vietnam and Champa area (a lead, not a source)
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.