Maha Chakkraphat

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Maha Chakkraphat
มหาจักรพรรดิ
King of Ayutthaya
Suphannaphum dynasty

Maha Chakkraphat (

Sukhothai clan, who had staged a coup by killing the usurper King Worawongsathirat and Si Sudachan.[2]
: 37–39 

Prince of Ayutthaya

His original name is Thianracha. His initial biography is unclear, evidence of his family appears in the Royal Chronicles stating that "he was part of the royal family of King Chairathirat" and in Sangitiyavansa, the Pali literature in Rattanakosin era stating that he was the nephew of King Chairachathirat, the evidence in

Lanna and, in 1546, led the siege of Chiang Mai
.

Chairacha died in 1546 and his son, Prince Kaewfa succeeded to the throne as King

Sri Suriyothai, he became a monk to the Queen Mother's amorous advances.[2]
: 38 

"A band of brothers", retired officers, led by

Khun Piren staged a counter-coup, killing Worawongsathirat and Si Suda Chan. Phiren Thorathep then elevated Prince Thianracha to the throne as Phra Maha Chakkraphat.[2]
: 38–39 

King of Ayutthaya

Maha Chakkraphat appointed Phiren Thorathep to the position of King of Phitsanulok as Maha Thammarachathirat, and gave him in marriage his daughter Sawatdirat. (Maha Chakkraphat passed over tradition by elevating Phiren Thorathep instead of one of his sons; but he, when still Prince Thianracha, had himself never been titular ruler of Phitsanulok.) Khun Inthrathep was rewarded with the regency of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

First Siege of Ayutthaya (1548)

Main article:
Burmese–Siamese War (1547–49)

Upon Maha Chakkraphat's ascension, King

Dynasty of Toungoo marched to Ayutthaya, trying to take advantage of the upheavals in the Siamese capital.[3]
: 15 

The Burmese armies stopped near Ayutthaya. Tabinshweti came with his best general, the

Prince Ramesuan, and Prince Mahinthrathirat. At Pukaothong field, Maha Chakkraphat fought an elephant duel against the Viceroy of Prome but his elephant was overcame and ran away. Sri Suriyothai then rushed to rescue her husband but was slashed to death by the viceroy. The two princes then forced the viceroy to retreat.[3]
: 18–19 

The Siamese then put a culverin on a barge and sailed along the

Maha Thammarachathirat. The Burmese held the two in captivity until Maha Chakkraphat gave up two male war elephants in exchange for his son and Maha Thammarachathirat.[3]
: 20–21 

War Over White Elephants (1563–1564)

Main article:
Burmese–Siamese War (1563–64)

After the

Suphanburi, Lopburi and Nakhon Nayok in order to prevent the Burmese from taking them as bases. The census was taken to derive all available manpower for war. Wild elephants (especially white elephants) were caught and accumulated in the full-scale preparation for war.[3]
: 22–26 

Chainat, Bayinnaung clashed with Prince Ramesuan's army but was able to break through. The Burmese army then reached Ayutthaya and laid siege, bombarding the city so immensely that Maha Chakkraphat "agreed to come to friendly relations with His Majesty of Hongsawadi." Additionally, he paid tribute of four white elephants and Phra Ramesuan, Phraya Chakri and Phra Songkhram were brought back to Pegu as hostages.[3]
: 27–41 

At Pegu, King Maha Chakkraphat entered the monkhood.[4] Though Damrong Rajanubhab asserts the king only entered the monastery after his daughter Phra Thepkasattri was kidnapped by the Burmese, giving up his throne in dishonor. He resumed his regal powers at the urging of his son Mahinthrathirat.[3]: 45–46, 49–50 

Second Reign

Main article:
Burmese–Siamese War (1568–69)

In early 1568, the captive king successfully convinced Bayinnaung to allow him to go back to Ayutthaya on pilgrimage. Upon his arrival, in May 1568, he disrobed and revolted. He also entered into an alliance with King

Maha Thammarachathirat of Phitsanulok to join him and his son in the revolt. Thammarachathirat remained loyal to Bayinnaung and survived the siege by Ayutthaya and Lan Xang forces until October when the relief forces from Pegu arrived. The invasion armies laid the Third Siege of Ayutthaya in December 1568. According to Wyatt, Maha Chakkraphat died one month into the siege in January 1569.[5] According to Prince Damrong, he died sometime during the siege.[6] The Burmese chronicles say that the king died on 15 April 1569.[note 1]

Ancestry

Notes

  1. ^ (Yazawin Thit Vol. 2 2012: 249): Friday, 1st waxing of Kason 931 ME = 15 April 1569.

References

  1. ^ "History of Ayutthaya - Historical Events - Timeline 1500-1549". www.ayutthaya-history.com.
  2. ^ a b c Chakrabongse, C., 1960, Lords of Life, London: Alvin Redman Limited
  3. ^
    ISBN 9747534584
  4. ^ Harvey 1925: 168–169
  5. ^ Wyatt 2003: 82
  6. ^ Damrong 2001: 57

Bibliography

Further reading
Maha Chakkraphat
House of Suphannaphum
Born: 1509 Died: 15 April 1569
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Ayutthaya
First Reign
1548 – 18 February 1564
(1564 as vassal king) 		Succeeded by
Preceded byas vassal king King of Ayutthaya
Second Reign
before 12 May 1568 – 15 April 1569 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maha_Chakkraphat&oldid=1213461315"