Hariphunchai (or
Haribhunjaya)(Pali: Haripunjaya) was a
Mon kingdom in the north of present
Thailand in the centuries before the Thais moved into the area. Its capital was at
Lamphun, which at the time was also called Hariphunchai. In 1292 the city was besieged and captured by the
Thai kingdom of
Lanna.
Founding
According to the
Camadevivamsa and
Jinakalamali chronicles, the city was founded by a hermit named
Suthep in 661 AD, and the Mon ruler of
Lopburi sent his daughter
Jamadevi to become its first queen. However, this date is now considered as too early, and the actual beginning is placed at around 750 AD. At that time, most of what is now central Thailand was under the rule of various Mon city states, known collectively as the
Dvaravati kingdom. Queen Jamadevi gave birth to twins, the older succeeding her as the ruler of Lamphun, and the younger becoming ruler of neighboring
Lampang.
Flourishing and downfall
The chronicles say that the
Khmer unsuccessfully besieged Hariphunchai several times during the 11th century. It is not clear if the chronicles describe actual or legendary events, but the other Dvaravati Mon kingdoms did in fact fall to the Khmers at this time. The early 13th century was a golden time for Hariphunchai, as the chronicles talk only about religious activities or constructing buildings, not about wars. Nevertheless, Hariphunchai was besieged in 1292 by the Thai king
Mengrai, who incorporated it into his
Lannathai kingdom.
List of rulers
Names of monarchs of the Hariphunchai kingdom according to Tamnan Hariphunchai (
History of Kingdom of Hariphunchai):
