You’ll find Chiang Mai nestled among the Northern mountains of Thailand. The name translates to ‘New Walled City’ and was founded in 1296 by King Mengrai. Here’s a brief history of this city!
The building of the city
Legend has it that King Mengrai, together with two other kings, formed an alliance of sorts and built the city of Chiang Mai together. King Mengrai’s previous capital was Wiang Kum Kham, which was abandoned due to flooding during the season of monsoon.
The Lanna Kingdom
Lanna was what the province was named, meaning ‘A million rice fields’. The kingdom’s territories were spread vastly, as far as Tak in the southwest and as far as Luang Prabang in Laos, up north. Chiang Mai was ruled by King Mengrai for 20 years, until his unexpected death in 1317. Afterward, rulers were chosen from his divine lineage.
The square city
Chiang Mai is square in shape, and even to this day the remnants of the walls stand, although many have been restored. The kingdom functioned autonomously and became weaker as it expanded. Chiang Mai was then seized in 1556 by the Burmese. Between 1776 and 1791, the city was abandoned and recaptured by Prince Kawila.
A part of Siam
Siam, the previous name for Thailand, was never colonized but was heavily influenced by the British. The kingdom of Lanna ended its political independence in the 19th century, after which Chiang Mai was incorporated into Siam. Today, as you stroll through the Chiang Mai restaurants, the likes of The Service 1921, you just might spot snippets of this history.
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+
