1. Somdetch Brhat-Anya Fa Ladhuraniya Sri Sadhana Kanayudha Maharaja Brhat Rajadharana Sri Chudhana Negara, better known as Fa Ngum, established the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang in 1353.
11 Facts About Fa Ngum
1. 2.
Phraya Fa Ngum, son of the exiled Phi Fa, grandson of Phraya Khamphong, and great-grandson of the exiled Phraya Lang, was born in 1316.
3.
Fa Ngum was raised by the religious scholar Maha Pasaman Chao.
4.
Fa Ngoum or Fa Ngum was born in Muang Sua, a Lao principality located on the site of present-day Luang Prabang, and founded the Lan Xang Hom Khao kingdom in Laos in 1353.
5.
Fa Ngum subsequently married a Khmer princess Princess Keo Kengkanya.
6.
Fa Ngum further legitimized his rule by enshrining the Prabang Buddha image as the spiritual protector of the kingdom in Viang Chan Viang Kham.
7.
Fa Ngum is credited with introducing Khmer culture and Singhalese Buddhism to the region.
8.
Fa Ngum conquered western Nghe An as well as the valleys between Red River and Black River in Vietnam and modern day Isan in Thailand.
9.
Fa Ngum fought a battle against his uncle near Xiang Dong Xiang Thong and won, becoming the undisputed master of the land, which he named Lan Xang and in keeping with his Khmer wife's wishes, made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.
10.
Fa Ngum was named after the 1376 census, which concluded that he ruled over 300,000 Tais living in Laos; samsen means, literally, 300,000.
11.
Fa Ngum set up a new administrative system based on the existing muang, nominating governors to each that lasted until it was abolished by the Communist government in 1975.