Sri Indraditya

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Sri Indraditya (also Si Inthratit and other modifications; Thai : พ่อขุน ศรี อินทรา ทิต ย์ ) is considered to be the founder of the Phra Ruang dynasty of the Sukhothai kingdom . He ruled between 1238 and around 1270 .

He was initially governor of the city-state ( Mueang ) Mueang Bang Yang in the far west of the former Kingdom of the Khmer , located in what is now the northern central region of Thailand , and called himself Khun Bang Klang Thao (Hao for short). Together with the governor of Mueang Rat (possibly today's Lom Sak ), Pho Khun Pha Mueang , he shook off the rule of the Khmer over the territory they administered by simply not paying taxes anymore and declaring themselves independent. This was possible because the Khmer had immersed themselves in major architectural activities at the time, which severely impaired their readiness and ability to defend themselves.

Khun Bang Klang Thao was then declared King of the New Kingdom and named Sri Indraditya. The people were impressed by his skill and courage, which is why he was nicknamed Phra Ruang (Glorious Prince). This name was given to all the kings of Sukhothai, so this first Thai dynasty is also called the Phra Ruang dynasty.

King Sri Indraditya and his queen, Nang Suang, had three sons. The eldest died at a young age, the second was named Ban Mueang , and the third son defeated a Khmer prince in a skirmish on elephants, so that he was named Ramkhamhaeng by his father in thanks .

It was probably King Sri Indraditya who founded what is now Wat Mahāthāt . The temple was probably given its current shape by Loe Thai around 1345, at first there were probably only five towers on a square platform (one at each corner and one in the middle). This was discovered by the Thai Fine Arts Department in the early 1960s when they were doing repairs there.

Sri Indraditya died around 1270. His successor was his second son, Ban Mueang.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ It is uncertain where Mueang Bang Yang ultimately lay. AB Griswold describes in his book Towards A History Of Sukhothai Art (The Fine Arts Department, Bangkok 1967) that studying the so-called "Inscription II" shows that it was probably between Uttaradit and Si Satchanalai .
  2. ^ AB Griswold: Towards A History Of Sukhothai Art . Page 3
personal data
SURNAME Sri Indraditya
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Founder of the Phra Ruang Dynasty of the Sukhothai Kingdom
DATE OF BIRTH 12th century or 13th century
DATE OF DEATH 13th Century