Mongkut
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_of_Siam_Signature_(English).svg)
Mongkut (pronunciation: [moŋkùt] ) or Rama IV (born October 18, 1804 in Bangkok , Thailand , † October 18, 1868 there ) was king of Siam , today's Thailand , from 1851 to 1868 . He gave himself the name Phra Chom Klao , spoken: [pʰráʔ ʨɔːm klâw] , which is also used in Thailand ( Thai : พระบาท สมเด็จ พระจอมเกล้า เจ้า อยู่ หัว ).
Before his accession to the throne, Mongkut was a Buddhist monk and founded the Thammayut order . Even later he dealt with religions, science and history. Mongkut's rule is seen in many accounts of Thai history as the beginning of the country's modernization. He signed a number of important treaties with western states, including the Bowring Treaty with Great Britain in 1855 . Official German-Thai relations also began during his term of office .
Life
childhood
Prince Mongkut was the grandson of the founder of the Chakri dynasty Phra Phutthayotfa ( Rama I ) and the son of King Phra Phutthaloetla ( Rama II ) and his main wife Queen Sri Suriyendra. The royal couple's first son had died giving birth in 1801. Prince Mongkut was five years old when his father was crowned king in 1809. After his death, Prince Mongkut should have been heir to the throne according to the succession. His influential half-brother Chetsadabodin, 16 years his senior, was preferred by the throne council and crowned king. He went as Rama III. or Phra Nang Klao in the history books. Therefore, Prince Mongkut decided to become a monk.
It is probable that the old king appointed Chetsadabodin as his successor before his death and initiated the monk ordination of Mongkut in order to prevent intrigues or even a civil war over the succession to the throne. The much more mature Chetsadabodin, who is more experienced in state affairs and better networked with politically influential circles, would have emerged victorious in any case from such a conflict.
The time as a Buddhist monk
At the age of 20, Prince Mongkut was ordained a monk (monk name: Vajirañāṇo ) at Wat Samorai (literally "monastery with the anchor stones", today: Wat Rachathiwat ) , as tradition required . When he passed the final examination of the Pali language with distinction after 3 years of study , he was appointed head of the Pali examination board by the king. In extensive pilgrimages he visited the ancient capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai , where he King Ramkhamhaeng been signed and dated to the year 1292 stone stele "no. 1 ”, which is considered to be the oldest document in Thai script . However, their authenticity is now controversial. In Nakhon Pathom he discovered the jungle overgrown Phra Pathom Chedi . He got to know the whole country “from below”, so to speak. Later, after being appointed abbot of Wat Bowonniwet , he founded the Thammayut order . During his time as a monastery he learned Latin and English and dealt intensively with European science (especially astronomy ) and culture. Among his interlocutors were z. B. the French Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pallegoix and the Protestant American missionaries Caswell and Bradley. In this context, this commentary on Christianity comes from Prince Mongkut: “What you teach people to do is admirable. But what you teach them to believe is foolish. "
Coronation as King of Siam
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When King Rama III. In 1851, Prince Mongkut died, he was recalled from his office as abbot and on May 15 at 7:30 a.m. he was crowned King of Siam in a grandiose ceremony as Phrabat Somdet Phra Chom Klao Chaoyuhua ( Thai พระบาท สมเด็จ พระจอมเกล้า เจ้า อยู่ หัว ) . He ascended the throne as a man who knew both his own country and abroad well.
The politics of Rama IV.
Rama IV continued an old tradition from Ayutthaya by appointing his younger brother Chuta Mani as Uparat (roughly: "Second King"), who as King Pinklao was responsible for the defense and the military.
Educational policy
Rama IV had a school set up in the palace for the children of the courtiers and his numerous offspring. Students were encouraged to learn the English language. From 1862 to 1867 they were tutored by the British Anna Leonowens .
In 1855 he founded the first printing house in the palace , which produced the Government Gazette .
Economic policy
To stabilize the economy, Mongkut concluded trade agreements with England , the USA , Denmark and France and had the Royal Mint built. The strong expansion of the trade volume, especially between Siam and England, created the demand for workers in the capital, Bangkok grew strongly and had to move around canals and streets (including the Thanon Silom and the Thanon Charoen Krung - the first paved street in Siam) be expanded. At the beginning of the 19th century, China was still the empire's most important trading partner. After the weakening of the Middle Kingdom as a result of the Opium Wars, England replaced it.
Foreign policy
King Mongkut (Rama IV.) Successfully continued the swing policy towards the colonial powers that had been tried and tested since King Narai and was thus able to maintain Siam's independence. Mongkut behaved more confidently towards China than his predecessors and tried to avoid the impression that Siam was its vassal. He knew better than the other monarchs in Southeast Asia what worldview Europe had and that paying tribute to China would be of no use to his empire.
Rama IV as an author and scientist
Cultural history
Like his predecessors, Rama IV also wrote books himself, mainly on the history and customs of the country, but also on the legend of the Emerald Buddha , who found his place in Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok. He also introduced copyright law in Siam.
astronomy
His love for science indirectly brought him death: he had calculated the solar eclipse of August 18, 1868 , in the orbit of the umbra at Prachuap Khiri Khan ( 99.7 ° E, 11.45 ° N ) had an observation post built and invited many scientists and dignitaries such as the Governor of Singapore , Sir Henry Orde . The solar eclipse took place exactly as the king had calculated it. However, the place was in a swamp area full of swarms of mosquitoes , so that the king became infected with malaria , on which he died on October 18, 1868, his 64th birthday in Bangkok.
His eldest son Chulalongkorn , who took the ruler's name Phrabat Somdet Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua, was appointed as his successor .
See also
Individual evidence
- ^ Norman G. Owen: The Emergence Of Modern Southeast Asia. A New History. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu 2005, p. 95.
- ↑ Wyatt: Thailand. 2003, p. 151.
- ↑ Grabowsky: Brief History of Thailand. 2010, p. 32.
- ↑ James Robert Chamberlain: The Ram Khamhaeng Controversy. Collected papers. The Siam Society, 1991
- ^ Barend Jan Terwiel : The Ram Khamhaeng Inscription. The fake that did not come true. Yellow Earth 5 series, Ostasien-Verlag, Gossenberg 2010.
- ↑ Manuel Sarkisyanz: The cultures of continental Southeast Asia. Cambodia, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaya. Academic Publishing Society Athenaion, 1979, p. 95
- ↑ Stuart-Fox (2003), p. 119
- ↑ see: Article by Mahidol University (in English)
literature
- Martin Stuart-Fox : A Short History of China and Southeast Asia. Tribute, trade and influence . Allen Unwin, Crows Nest (Australia), 2003. ISBN 1-86448-954-5 .
- Legends about Somdet Toh , by Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Stories about the relationship and incidents with his former monastery guide Somdej Tho .
Web links
- Literature by and about Rama IV. In the catalog of the German National Library
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Mongkut |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Rama IV .; Chao Fah Mongkut (name as prince); Phra Chom Klao Chaoyuhua (name as king) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | King of Siam (1851–1868) |
| DATE OF BIRTH | October 18, 1804 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Bangkok , Thailand |
| DATE OF DEATH | October 18, 1868 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Bangkok , Thailand |