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Ayutthaya

kingdom, Thailand
Also known as: Ayudhya, Siam

Quick Summary

The Ayutthaya kingdom, located in modern-day Thailand, was a powerful state that lasted over 400 years, from 1351 to 1767. It succeeded the Sukhothai kingdom and consolidated the Tai people's dominance in central and north-central Thailand. Ayutthaya's rulers adopted Hindu concepts, including the god-king (devaraja) ideology, which granted the ruler absolute power.12

The kingdom developed a complex legal and social hierarchy based on the Indian Dharma-shastra, with a system of units (sakdi na) determining social rank. Ayutthaya was a thriving international trade center, engaging with merchants from China, India, Persia, and Europe. Despite periods of conflict with neighboring powers like Burma, Ayutthaya maintained its sovereignty until its final destruction by Burmese forces in 1767.12

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