Final answer:
The Indian influence shaped the religious and cultural practices of the Khmer people, with Hinduism and Buddhism playing significant roles. Later in its history, the Khmer people were heavily influenced by the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot, which dramatically altered Cambodian society. The Khmer people adapted these influences to fit local conditions, demonstrating their agency in shaping their civilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The people who had a huge influence on the Khmer people were primarily the Indians, who introduced Hinduism and Buddhism to the Khmer Empire. The Khmer Empire, which existed from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries in today's Cambodia, saw Angkor Wat as its political and religious center, featuring an extensive complex of temples. The Khmer kings were often seen as incarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu, a belief that underscored the strong Indian cultural and religious influence.
Later on, the Khmer Rouge, under the leadership of Pol Pot, significantly influenced the Khmer people during the 20th century as they attempted to transform Cambodia into a communist state. This movement had a lasting effect on Cambodian society, leaving a legacy that the nation continues to address. Pol Pot's admiration for Mao Zedong and the policies of China's Great Cultural Revolution were key influences in his totalitarian regime.
The historical and cultural identity of the Khmer people is a composite of indigenous practices and foreign influences, particularly from India, but the civilizations of Southeast Asia were not merely passive recipients of these influences. Over time, these cultural practices, including religion and the caste system, were adapted to conform to local needs and realities, as was the case within the confines of the Angkor Wat temple complex.