Lan Xang

Lan Xang was a state in Thailand and Laos (Southeast Asia) that lasted from 1353 to 1707 CE, about 354 years. Its people spoke Kra-Dai languages (Thai, Lao, Shan, Zhuang).

Fa Ngum founded the Kingdom of a Million Elephants with Khmer backing in 1353. It peaked under Setthathirath and Sourigna Vongsa and split into rival kingdoms after a succession dispute in 1707.

See Lan Xang on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

1353 to 1707 CE

Duration

354 years

Type

State

Region

Thailand and Laos, Southeast Asia

Language family

Kra-Dai

Capital

Luang Prabang, then Vientiane

Became

• Kingdom of Luang Phrabang 1707 to 1893 CE
• Kingdom of Vientiane 1707 to 1828 CE
• Kingdom of Champasak 1713 to 1904 CE

Events in Southeast Asia during its time

• 1405 Zheng He's fleets reach Malacca
• 1431 Ayutthaya sacks Angkor
• 1471 Dai Viet conquers Vijaya
• 1511 Portuguese capture Malacca
• 1521 Magellan killed at Mactan
• 1565 Manila galleon route opens
• 1619 Batavia founded

Neighbours in Southeast Asia

• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE
• Ayutthaya Kingdom 1351 to 1767 CE
• Majapahit Empire c. 1293 to 1527 CE
• Malacca Sultanate c. 1400 to 1511 CE
• Champa c. 192 to 1832 CE
• Bruneian Sultanate c. 1368 to 1888 CE
• Sultanate of Sulu c. 1405 to 1915 CE
• Lan Na 1292 to 1775 CE
• Aceh Sultanate 1496 to 1903 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
• Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE, North and West Africa
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Europe
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Middle East
• Portuguese Empire 1415 to 1999 CE, Europe
• Kingdom of Kongo c. 1390 to 1914 CE, Central and Southern Africa

Questions