Page:Origins of Sukhodaya dynasty - Coedes - 1921.pdf/5

 The situation of Mu'ang Rāt is unfortunately not known. All that can be said of it is that it formed part of the kingdom of Sukhodaya in A.D. 1359, and that it probably lay to the East. The name occurs again in a still unpublished inscription of A.D. 1359 (or a little later), where we read that, on the occasion of a religious festival, King Lo'dai headed a procession composed of inhabitants of the Mu'angs of Saraluang Sōng Khwē (Phitsanulok), Pāk Yom Phra Bāng (Nakhon Savan), Xākanrāo, Suphan, Nagara Phra Jum (Kamphēng Phet), Phān (some kilometres to the South-West of Sukhodaya), Rāt, Sakhā and Lombāchāi สรลวง, สองแฅว, ป่ากยํพระบาง, ชากานราว, สุพรรณ, นครพระชุํ, เมืองพาน, เมืองราด, เมืองสะค๋า, เมืองลํบาจาย.

These two last Mu'angs are mentioned in the inscription of Khun Rāma Khamhēng as forming part of the Eastern territories of the kingdom: Mu'ang Rāt, which is named immediately before them in the above list, was perhaps situated in the same region.

The Chao of Mu'ang Rāt, Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang, whose name though somewhat obscure — recalls the names, well known from inscriptions, of Ngām Mu'ang งำเมือง (Covering of the City), and Bān Mu'ang บาลเมือง (Protector of the City), was the grand-father of the Mahāthera Śrī Sradhārājcūlāmūṇī. As for Phō Khun Bāng Klāng Thāo, let us anticipate a little and say at once that he is the future Indrāditya, father of Khun Rāma Khamhēng, a circumstance which places in the second half of the XIIIth. century the events which will be narrated to us. This being premised, here is what the text of the inscription says:

"Formerly, Phō Khun Bāng Klāng Thāo … … … Mu'ang Bāng Yāng, made … … … the army of Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang, Chief of Mu'ang Rāt. Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang divided … … … Phō Khun Bāng Klang Thāo took posseRsion I of Mu'ang Śrī Sajjanālaya … … … Phō Khun Phā Mu'ang, Chief of Mu'ang Rāt brought his army … … … Bāng Khlong … … … entrusted the government of Bāng Khlong