The kingdoms of Laos : six hundred years of history

Describes the changes in society over 600 years as Lan Xang was gradually dismembered and became a French colony. Most importantly, it shows the essence of the Lao and why, despite all that has happened, they possess their own social and cultural values that mark them as distinctive. Cover The Kingdoms of Laos Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Foreword Preface Illustrations Genealogical Tables Maps 1 Where the Lao World Began: Prehistory-1299 The Tai discover their individuality The Tai Way of Life The Future Lands of the Tai The Indian Legacy Siva, Creator and Destroyer The great empire of Funan The Empires of Champa and Chenla The New Year Sacrifice at Wat Phu Dvaravati: The City of Gates The Tai and the Chinese Administrations The Creation of Nanchao The Tai of Nanchao The Tai Movement South Dien Bien Phu: The Valley of Angels The Legend of Khun Boulom The Mongol Invasion The Tai Brotherhood 2 Laos: The Paradise of Riches: 1300-1373 The City of Flame Trees The Birth of Lan Xang At the Court of Angkor Annam Accepts Fa Ngum Chao Fa Ngum Crowned King of Lan Xang The Conquest of Vientiane Fa Ngum takes a Census The Prabang comes to Lan Xang 3 Through Chaos to a New Order: 1373-1520 Mystery: One Mystery: Two The Reign of Sam Sen Thai Deadly Feuds The Coronation of Sam Sen Thai The New Order Chao Lan Kham Deng: the last years of peace Maha Devi: the Years of Blood The Ill-fated Kings (1428-1440) The White Elephant and War with Annam Peace Returns 4 Pride brings Disaster: 1520-1550 Chao Phothisarath ascends the throne The Proscription of Spirit Worship The Move to Vientiane Tabinshwehti unites Burma attacks Tai world First break in Lan Xang and Ayudhyan relations Palace Revolt in Lan Na Princess Chiraprapha becomes Regent Chao Setthathirath crowned King of Lan Na Burmese march on Ayudhya The Story of the Emerald Buddha The Death of Chao Phothisarath 5 Wars and Invasions: 1550-1571 Chao Setthathirath tricked by his Mandarins Bayinnaung becomes King of Burma Setthathirath learns from Burmese military tactics Vientiane becomes capital of Lan Xang Setthathirath asks for Nang Thep Kasatti's hand Burmese troops enter Vientiane White Elephants provide an excuse for Bayinnaung The First Burmese capture of Ayudhya Lan Na becomes a Burmese Vassal Lan Xang and Siam attack Phitsanulok The Second Burmese Invasion The Second Capture of Ayudhya and of Vientiane The mysterious death of King Setthathirath 6 Seventy years of Anarchy: 1571-1637 Civil War The Coronation of Sen Soulintha Third Burmese Capture of Vientiane Tha Heua becomes a vassal king of Burma The Return of Sen Soulintha Anarchy before Chao Nokeo Koumane returns Muong Phoueune and Lan Xang Chao Nokeo re-opens the war with Ayudhya Phra Vorapita becomes Regent The Sack of Pegu Escape of the Lao Hostages Chao Thammikarath brings peace 7 A New Golden Age: 1637-1698 The First Europeans The Splendour of the Court The King's Graciousness The Pearl of Tran Ninh Alliance with the Sipsong Panna The Death of Souligna Vongsa The Flight of Princess Sumangala In Search of a new kingdom The Beginnings of modern Champasak The Overthrow of the Muong Chan 8 The End of Lan Xang: 1698-1791 Lan Xang is divided Vientiane demands Muong Phoueune pay tribute Trouble from the South Chao Ong Kham the new King of Luang Prabang Chao Inthasom declares himself king Luang Prabang sends Mission to China The Champasak Dynasty Siribunyasarn: Vientiane's new King A fresh Burmese Invasion The capture of Luang Prabang Three Burmese Armies march on Ayudhya General Taksin rebuilds Siam The Return of Chao Suriyawon King Siribunyasarn faces a Revolt King Sayakoummane enlarges his Capital King Taksin loses his patience with King Siribunyasarn Luang Prabang joins Siam in attack on Vientiane Luang Prabang and Vientiane become Siamese vassals Siamese agree to Chao Anourouth becoming King Vengeance leads to Destruction of the two Kingdoms 9 The rise of Nationalism: 1791 to 1829 The Rebuilding of the Kingdom of Vientiane Chao Anou and Rama II: a special relationship Vientiane Warned Custom of taking the robe on the death of a sovereing monarch Chao Anou plans war against Siam Order of Battle for the three Lao Armies Chao Anou leaves Vientiane for the battle The Maha Oupahat deceives Chao Anou The plight of the displaced Lao families The first Battles The Siamese enter Vientiane General Ratchasuphawadi depopulates Vientiane Departure of the Siamese Army Chao Anou returns to negotiate Chao Anou flees .from the Siamese for the second time The capture of Chao Anou 10 Siamese Dominance: 1829-1894 A new Outlook Xieng Khouang rebels against the Vietnamese The Three Siamese Administrative Regions Dynastic disputes Chao Soukhaseum acknowledged king The last Luang Prabang Mission to China Sipsong Chau Tai and King Tiantharath The Ho Pirates and northern Laos The Search for Xanadu The return of the Prabang Auguste Pavie The 1885 Provisional Franco-Siamese Convention Deo Van Tri's Retaliation Death of Chao Souvanna Phomma and the escape of the King The Beginning of the French Pacification 11 An Overview of Champasak History Queen Phao and her lover The Champasak Dynasty King Sayakoummane: the Creator of a Nation The King applies Buddhist Principles King Sayakoummane makes Enemies Siam punishes Chao Sayakoummane Chao O and Chao In exceed their Powers A Magician starts a Revolt King Fay Na opposes the Siamese The Crystal Buddha taken to Bangkok Chao Phommanoy: a troubled Reign Saket Ngong and the Lao Theung Rebellion Chao Nho: a vassal of Bangkok The Champasak Dynasty returns to the Throne Bangkok tightens its grip King Mongkut's Reforms and his new Colonial policy Champasak becomes a French Protectorate The Highlands of southern Laos The Kha Rebellions Champasak ceases to be a kingdom 12 An Overview of Xieng Khouang History The Descendants of Khun Boulom Muong Phoueune refuses Tribute to Lan Xang Muong Phoueune is surrounded by Enemies The Two Royal Brothers: Chao Ong Lo and Chao Ong Bun The Attempted Renaissance of Muong Phoueune Chao Somphou is released Chao Noi ascends the Throne The capture of King Anou The Arrest and Execution of Chao Noi Bangkok plans the Annexation of Xieng Khouang Vietnam tries to assimilate Xieng Khouang Xieng Khouang seeks the return of the Dynasty Revolt against the Vietnamese Rule The Hill People flee from southern China The Arrival of the Hmong The Invasions by the Ho Pirates The French look to Xieng Khouang The Siamese Armies attack the Ho in the north Chao Khanti is tricked into visiting Bangkok Xieng Khouang comes under French protection 13 Re-united A French Protectorate: 1895-1905 The Vietnamese Migration The British in Burma The French Consulate becomes a Legation Siamese fear of France's expansion The Paknam Incident The French Blockade and the new Stipulations The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1893 The East Bank becomes French The Muong Sing Commission Pavie's last visit to Luang Prabang Treaties and Conventions Champasak incorporated into Laos Appendix 1 The Kings of Lan Xang Variant Dates with Sources Appendix 2 Glossary Appendix 3 Bibliography Index