Early Thai culture
As a lowland people, the Thais have historically lived in the valley areas of northern Chinese mainland, Southeast Asia and Southwest China. They set up small settlements there and engaged in subsistence agriculture based on rice cultivation, supplemented by fishing and collecting forest products. In the early days of Thai history, they domesticated animals: they used buffaloes for farming and eating, and pigs and poultry for food. Women are endowed with a relatively high social status and can inherit property. Thai people believe in animism; They believe that the soul can be kind or evil, and it needs to be appeased through sacrifices and special ceremonies.
What is the basic unit of Thai political organization? A village ruled by a dynasty or hereditary leader or Lord. During the Millennium of 1st, m? The Anglian system enabled the Thais to leave their original homes, and by the 8th century, they had spread to most parts of the northern part of the Southeast Asian continent. In the 1 1 century, they began to infiltrate into the present Thailand, and in the middle of the next century, they established a small principality there.
Khmer rouge civilization
As the Thais entered the Southeast Asian continent, they came into contact with the Mon-Khmer speakers who lived in the region for a long time. In the early 1 century, Indian businessmen who traveled to China brought the beliefs and practices of Hinduism and Buddhism to some of them. Among them are the Monks in Myanmar, who are the earliest people in Southeast Asia who believe in Buddhism. Between the 6th and 9th centuries, the Mongols established several small Buddhist kingdoms in present-day southern Myanmar and central Thailand. Starting from the Komba series and Lop Buli (lopburi), which are located in central and western Thailand, they extended their influence eastward, crossed the Hora Plateau, extended to Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai) in the north, and extended to Laos in the northeast. These Mongolian kingdoms are collectively called de Varava. De Varava's period is famous for its artworks, especially its Buddhist sculptures and sacrificial images made of terracotta or plaster.
As the Thais moved south into the Southeast Asian continent, they also met the Khmer in Cambodia. Between the 9th century and13rd century, Khmer rulers expanded their territory from Angkor, their capital, and established an empire, which was ruled by Jayavarman VII in its heyday? About 1220) extends to about half of modern Thailand. When the kingdom of Meng was mainly Buddhism, what about Khmer civilization? Its highest expression is found in Angkor's large temple complex. Deeply influenced by Indian thought and practice. The contact between Thai people and Khmer people has led to many Hindu elements entering Thai culture, especially in royal ceremonies or classical dance and literature. Today, many of these elements can still be found in modern Thai culture.
By the beginning of the13rd century, the Thais began to exert pressure on the Mongols and the Khmer Empire. The Thai people settled in the entire Chao Phraya River basin, and the ruler of Artest was established in the Nakong Temple in the south of Malay Peninsula, the Principality of Tammara. A new form of Buddhism through Luokong Temple? Therav？ Da? From Sri Lanka to Southeast Asia. Therav？ Buddhism was not only brought by monks to the areas ruled by the Monks and Khmer, but also to the emerging new Thai kingdom. The first Thai kingdom in the history of Thailand, Suhothai and Lan Na, was Therav? Great Buddhist.
Sukhothai and Lana
Sukhothai Kingdom, located in the upper reaches of Chao Phraya River, was founded in the middle of13rd century, when a local Thai ruler led an uprising against Khmer rule at the outpost of Khmer Empire. In the first two reigns, Sukhothai was only a small local power. In his third ruler, Ram Hanhan (about 1279? However, Sukhothai's influence extended to Luokong Temple in the south, to Myanmar in the west and to Luang Prabang in Laos in the northeast. Not all these territories were conquered by force: many became vassals or tributaries of Sukhothai, which was based on ties of kinship or personal loyalty and was linked with them in a loose alliance.
Ramkhamhaeng is not only famous for expanding the territory under Sukhothai's control, but also for leaving an extraordinary stone carving, which is considered by most scholars as the earliest example of Thai writing. It was written in 1292, and used Khmer characters adapted to Thai pronunciation and intonation, depicting the prosperity, active trade and benevolent monarchy of Sukhothai Kingdom. According to the inscription, the state imposes a moderate tax on its citizens, treats all citizens (including non-Thais) equally, and provides justice for all. Sukhothai period (1mid-3rd century to1mid-5th century) is also famous for its sculptures and pottery. Elegant bronze sculptures of Buddha, especially those showing his walking posture, are typical of that period, while celadon made in Sukhothai and nearby Sawanhalo is exported to the whole of Southeast Asia.
Sukhothai was not the only Thailand in Southeast Asia during this period. In the middle of13rd century, in today's northern Thailand, Atai ruler Manglai (ruled by 1259? 13 17; From Chiang Mai's 1292 to Chiang Mai's 13 17), it conquered Haripunjaya, the ancient kingdom of Meng, and established a new capital in Chiang Mai. In Mungley and his successor Lana? With Chiang Mai as its capital? Not only has it become powerful, but it has also become the center of AIDS transmission? Buddhism spread to Dai people in northeastern Myanmar, southern China and northern Laos. In Tilokaracha (rule 144 1? 87), Lanna is famous for his Buddhist scholarship and literature. In the16th century, Lancang was conquered by Myanmar and merged into the Burmese empire. Subsequently, Ayuthia and the Central Thai (Siam) countries in Bangkok challenged Myanmar's control over the region, but it was not until the19th century that Lanna was completely under the rule of Siam.
During the big city period, 135 1? 1767
Maps/stills: Ayudhya Kingdom,1mid-5th century.
* Kingdom of Ayudhya,1mid-5th century.
However, Sukhothai has only been an independent kingdom for about 200 years, and its successor is Dacheng? Located on the fertile paddy plain in the Chao Phraya River basin, about 55 miles north of today's Bangkok? It lasted for more than 400 years. During the Ayutthaya period, the Thais consolidated their leading position in the central and northern Thailand and most of the southern peninsula. Because many of Ayutthaya's neighbors call this country? Siam? Or something similar, the Thais in Ayutthaya are called Siamese.
Dacheng was originally a small city kingdom on the northwest edge of the powerful Khmer Empire. However, in less than a century, the Thai kings successfully repelled the Khmer people and looted their great capital Angkor in 143 1. However, during the whole Ayutthaya period, wars against neighboring countries still occurred from time to time. 1438, the greatly weakened Sukhothai became a province of Ayutthaya. However, Lanna is still not controlled by Ayutthaya, although it was later influenced by the Myanmar government.
When Siamese conquered Angkor, they brought many Khmer prisoners back to Ayutthaya. Some people used to be officials or craftsmen of the Khmer royal court. From them, the Ruhr people in Ayutthaya adopted many Hindu practices followed by Khmer people, including the concept that the ruler is God-king (Dewar? ja)。 The king gained the power of life and death over all the people. Only royalty can see his face. People can only address him in the special language of the royal family, while those who talk to the king call themselves? The dust under your majesty's feet. ?
The power of rulers is strengthened not only by symbols and ideological concepts drawn from Khmer-Hindu belief in the God King, but also by centralization of political power. Trailok (ruling 1448? 88) Created a country whose rulers stood at the center of a series of concentric circles. Like that m? In the Anglo-Saxon system, the outer circle was ruled by hereditary lords or dynasties. However, the inner circle is managed by officials appointed by the king, so these people are bureaucratic rather than hereditary to some extent.
The kings of Ayutthaya also promulgated formal civil and criminal laws, based on the ancient Indian legal system called Damocla. At the same time, a formal and highly complicated hierarchical system assigns different numbers of units (called sakdi na) to each person to indicate a person's position in society. At the bottom of the scale, a slave is worth 5 units; The rank of freemen is 25 or above, and the legal heirs are allocated no less than 100000 units.
Most people in the Ayutthaya era were farmers, either freemen or slaves. The latter includes prisoners of war, slaves and debtors. Freemen must work for the local representative of the king for six months every year, pay taxes and provide military service as required. An intricate sponsorship system extends to the whole society, and customers provide services to their sponsors in exchange for their protection. Big city is a sparsely populated society, and the continuous demand for manpower helps to protect customers from excessive demand; If the requirements of the sponsors become too heavy, freemen can move at any time and take new land as a last resort.
Although Brahmanism was introduced into the court ceremony, the mixture of animism and superstition is full of religious practice in all walks of life. Great Buddhism was deeply rooted in Siam during Ayutthaya period. Buddhist monasteries have played an important role in society, forming the focus of rural life, providing education for young men and providing a channel for those who choose to continue to become monks.
Maps/stills: Ayudhya Kingdom,1mid-5th century.
* Kingdom of Ayudhya,1mid-5th century.
In its heyday, the big city was one of the richest and most international cities at that time. Although it is located inland, it is easy to be approached by ocean-going ships sailing along the Chao Phraya River and has become a prosperous international trade center. It was during this period that European businessmen and travelers first came to Siam. After the Portuguese conquered Malacca (Malacca) in the Malay Peninsula, they arrived in Siam as early as 15 1 1. In the17th century, merchants and missionaries from Holland, England, Spain and France followed closely. The King of the Great City allowed China, Indian, Persian and European businessmen to settle here; They hired Japanese samurai and allowed western missionaries to preach in Ayutthaya. In addition to extensive trade with China, Southeast Asia and India, the rulers of big cities also pay tribute to the China court every three years, set up Buddhist missions in Sri Lanka, and send envoys overseas as far away as Europe. King Nalai (rule 1656? 88) initiated a series of diplomatic exchanges between Ayutthaya and the French court of Versailles, and even appointed a Greek adventurer Constantine falcon as the chief minister. However, in the end, Europeans became too keen to convert the Buddhist Siamese into Christianity. In 1688, Siamese expelled the French from a yutthaya and closed the door to the west in the following 150 years.
However, the main threat to Ayutthaya's sovereignty is not from Europe, but from Myanmar. 1569, an army from Dongwu state of Myanmar occupied Ayutthaya and destroyed several miles of Fiona Fang. By Naresuan (rule 1590? 1605), ayutthaya regained its independence. However, the conflict with Myanmar continued, and in the middle of18th century, the Burmese army once again occupied the big city. This time, the city was not recovered. After the city was looted in 1767, the king and members of the royal family were deported to Myanmar with thousands of prisoners. All the records of Ayutthaya were burned and works of art were destroyed.
Twombly and the Early Bangkok Period
With Taksin coming to power, a new era has begun in Thai history. Taksin is a military commander with superb skills and extraordinary personality charm. He successfully repelled the Burmese and seized power. 1767, T. Aksin established his new capital in Tunbuli (Tun Li Wu), located on the other side of Chao Phraya River, which is now Bangkok. The new location is more difficult to get close to the Burmese army than Ayutthaya, and it is an ideal place for maritime trade and commerce. Taking advantage of Siam's established trade relations with China, Taksin encouraged China businessmen and craftsmen to take advantage of the economic opportunities offered by the location of his new capital. A large number of China people have permanently settled in Siam, where they participate in commerce and trade? Plus the tax revenue provided by these activities? Helped restore the country's devastated economy.
Taksin not only recovered the territory that belonged to Ayutthaya Empire before, but also set out to extend the control of Siam to new areas. His army annexed parts of northeastern Cambodia and went upstream along the Mekong River to Vientiane, Laos today. In the south, they conquered the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, while in the north, they drove the Burmese out of the old northern Thai kingdom Lanna.
However, within a few years of seizing power, Taksin showed serious signs of mental instability and was overthrown in 1782. His former military commander succeeded him, and his official name was Zhao Piye (? Great Lord? ) Chakri. As Rama I (rule 1782? 1809), he became the first king of Chakri (or Chakri) dynasty, which was still in power.
The Early King Chakri and the Revived Siam
One of Rama I's first actions was to move his capital across the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok, which was then a small village. By the middle of the19th century, Bangkok had become a city with a population of about 400,000, which was caused by the influx of China people into Siam in recent years. In addition to settling in Bangkok, China people have also established trade settlements inland, some of which have developed into small towns. As a result, China people gained control over domestic and foreign trade.
In the early days of Chakri's rule, Myanmar had been harassing Siam. 1785, it launched a large-scale invasion of this country, only to be defeated after experiencing great difficulties. Other smaller attacks followed. It was not until A.D. 1820 that the British invasion of Myanmar forced the Burmese to turn their attention to the country, and Siam was able to relax its vigilance on its western border. In East Rama I and later Jessadabodindra (rule 1824? 5 1) reduced Khmer territory to vassal status, while in southern Jessadabodindra, Siam strengthened its control over the tributary countries of Malay Peninsula. Jessadabodindra also suppressed a large-scale uprising in northern Laos led by the young Lao ruler Vien Chen (Vientiane). 1827, Siam army razed and plundered Vientiane; Thousands of Laos were captured and deported to central Siam.
The early king Chakri tried to restore the cultural heritage of the big city. The new temples and palaces were built in the same style, even using the same bricks to decorate the big city. Rama I rebuilt the court ceremony, promulgated a comprehensive code and authoritative Buddhist literature, and helped to revive the Sangha by arranging knowledgeable and devout monks to hold leadership positions in the Buddhist hierarchy. The early days of Bangkok were also a great period of literary prosperity. Ramakian, the Thai version of Indian epic R? m？ Huh? Romance of the Three Kingdoms was written as a poem during the reign of Rama I, and the popular novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms in China was translated into Thai. Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (rule 1809? 24), an accomplished poet, is a famous art patron; Sunthon Phu, the greatest poet in Thailand, wrote some of his most famous works during the reign of Buddha Loetla Nabhalai.
In the early19th century, the influence of the West on the Southeast Asian continent was also increasing, and the pressure of the West on Siam was also increasing. 1824 When Britain declared war on Myanmar, Jessadabodindra was worried that the British might also attack Siam. He then agreed to sign the Bernie Treaty (1826), which stipulated the conditions for trade between the two countries.
Monkou and Siam's Opening to the West
After the First Opium War, with Britain's advance to Myanmar and Malaya and the opening of several ports in China, Siam's demand for free trade and diplomatic representation accelerated. 42). 1855 Queen Victoria sent Sir John John Bowring as her personal envoy to Siam to push for the end of all trade restrictions and the right to set up a British consulate in Bangkok, as well as the establishment of a separate court to try cases involving British subjects (extraterritoriality). The resulting Pauling Treaty (1855), in which Siam agreed to these requirements, was soon followed by similar treaties with other major European powers and the United States. Although these treaties kept Siam in a complete political union, they seriously weakened the country's sovereignty and independence.
Siam's opening to world trade and the development of cash economy have brought great changes to this country. The Pauling Treaty deprived the Siamese government of a large number of tariffs, which was one of its main traditional sources of income, forcing it to increase taxes. Rice and other cash crops are planted in most areas of the Chao Phraya River basin to supply the world market, and the demand for transporting goods from inland to Bangkok ports has led to the development of canal system and marketing network.
In the years after the signing of the Pauling Treaty, the influence of foreign forces in Siam also increased. King Monkut (Rama IV; Ruling 185 1? 68) Appointed several western advisers and assistants to his court, including Anna Leonowings, an English woman, who became the mentor of his children. She later published her romantic and inaccurate description of the court in Monkut. Foreigners began to live in Bangkok for a long time. Missionaries, though largely unsuccessful in converting Siamese to Christianity, established the first batch of western medical facilities, secular schools and printing presses in this country. Monkut was very interested in the new western ideas that became popular.