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Lan Xang

East Asia & PacificHeartland today: Laos

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Lao kingdom founded by Fa Ngum in 1353, first at Luang Prabang and from the 16th century at Vientiane. It faced Burmese invasions in the 16th century, peaked under Souligna Vongsa, then divided into rival kingdoms after 1694.

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Key events

  1. Fa Ngum takes power at Muang Sua with Khmer backing and founds Lan Xang, "land of a million elephants"Disputed

    EBSCO dates the start of Fa Ngum's conquests to 1350 and his takeover from his grandfather to 1353.

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  2. – King Setthathirat moves the capital from Luang Prabang to VientianeDisputed

    Wikipedia gives 1560 for the move; EBSCO's article on Vientiane gives 1563.

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  3. Burmese forces under Bayinnaung take Vientiane in 1565 but fail to hold Laos, which they conquer in 1575

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  4. – Souligna Vongsa rules Lan Xang at its height, until his death in 1694

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  5. – After Souligna Vongsa's death Lan Xang breaks into rival kingdoms at Luang Prabang, Vientiane and ChampasakDisputed

    EBSCO says the kingdom split into warring states after 1694. Wikipedia dates Luang Prabang and Vientiane to 1707 and Champasak to 1713.

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