Fa Ngum

Infobox Monarch
name =Fa Ngum
title =King of Lan Xang


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reign =1353 - 1373
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full name =Somdetch Brhat-Anya Fa Ladhuraniya Sri Sadhana Kanayudha Maharaja Brhat Rajadharana Sri Chudhana Negara
predecessor =None
successor =Samsenethai
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date of birth =1316
place of birth =Muang Sua
date of death =1393
place of death =Nan
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Somdetch Brhat-Anya Fa Ladhuraniya Sri Sadhana Kanayudha Maharaja Brhat Rajadharana Sri Chudhana Negara better known as Fa Ngum (1316 – 1393, born in Muang Sua, died in Nan) established the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang in 1354.

Early life

Fa Ngum was a grandson of Souvanna Khamphong, ruler of Xieng Dong Xieng Thong and descendant of Khun Lo. As a child he was exiled to the court of Angkor along with his father where he eventually married a Khmer Princess. It is believed that his father was sent to Angkor due to his seduction of a concubine tied to Souvanna Khamphong.He married a daughter of the Khmer king.

King of Lan Xang

Between 1350-1351 historical sources [http://www.aseanfocus.com/publications/history_laos.html] indicate that Fa Ngum was able to raise an army of an estimated 10,000 soldiers which would travel with him from Angkor into areas now covered by present Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

He conquered Nghe An and Vinh as well as the Red and Black River valleys in Vietnam and modern day Isan in Thailand. In 1352-1354, he conquered Muang Sing, Muang Huom, Xieng Hung, Pak Ou and Pak Beng. In 1353, he conquers Vietiane, Xieng Khuang and then Luang Phrabang. He fought the ultimate battle against his uncle near Xieng Dong Xieng Thong and won, becoming the undisputed master of the land, which he named Lan Xang and makes Theravada Buddhism the state religion. In 1373, the royals and notables of his own court exiled him. His son Un Heuan (often called Samsenethai) then ascended to the throne of Lan Xang.

ee also

* Lan Xang
* Angkor