Page 5 - Microsoft Word - Lao History IR, year 1.doc

Internat ional Relations Year 1

BEFORE YOU READ 2
Can you answer these questions before you read the text?

1) Who was the first ruler of the Kingdom of Lan Xang?

2) Which King moved the capital city from Luang Prabang to Vientiane?

3) Which famous symbol of Laos was built in 1566?

4) Which Lao ruler built Wat Sisaket?

READING TEXT

Read and listen to the text below.
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Lan Xang to the 19 century

1. Lao history from 1353 to the end of the nineteenth century is a story of periods of growth
and stability followed by periods of decline and disunity. The first period of growth and
stability came with the famous King Fa Ngum, who unified the land into the “kingdom of a
million elephants”, or Lan Xang. After Fa Ngum’s death, his son, Samsenthai became king for
43 years. When Samsenthai died in 1417, the Kingdom of Lan Xang became weak and
experienced war and division for a century.

2. The next period of growth and stability came with King Photisarat from 1520, followed by his
son Sethathirat, who became King in 1548. Sethathirat moved the capital from Luang
Prabang to Vientiane in 1560 and built the famous That Luang Stupa, which became the
symbol of the Lan Xang Kingdom. After Sethathirat’s death, Lan Xang again fell into disunity
and decline.

3. Sourigna Vongsa became king in 1637 and brought a new period of growth and stability. This
period became known as Lan Xang’s ‘golden age’ because the kingdom expanded its
territories and influence and became a leader in arts and architecture in the region. At its
height, the territories of Lan Xang went as far north as Sipsong Panna in modern- day China
and as far south as Stung Treng in modern- day Cambodia.

4. After the death of Souringa Vongsa, Lan Xang became divided into three parts. Between
1763 – 1769, Burmese armies took over Luang Prabang. Then Champasak fell to the Siamese.
The Siamese made Chao Anouvong King of Vientiane. He was a popular King and built Wat
Sisaket in 1818. Chao Anouvong rebelled against Siam and as a result the Siamese destroyed
the city of Vientiane in 1829. The majority of the population was taken across the Mekong
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river to Siam and the city was deserted for most of the 19 century.

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