History of Lopburi facts for kids
Lopburi Province is a very old city in Thailand. For most of its history, it was called "Lavo". This city has been important in Thai history for a long time. People lived here over 3,500 years ago, during the Bronze Age.
Around the 11th century, Lavo was shaped by Indian art and culture. This time was known as the Dvaravati Period. Then, the Khmer people ruled Lavo, bringing their own art and culture. This period, from the 10th to 16th centuries, is often called the Lopburi Period in Thai art history.
Lavo became less important when the Ayutthaya empire grew. But King Narai brought it back to life. He built a palace in Lavo and spent much of his time there. After King Narai, the city was left empty for a while. In the 19th century, King Mongkut (Rama IV) had it rebuilt as a royal city. Later, in the 20th century, Prime Minister Marshal P. Piboolsongkhram made Lopburi a national military center.
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Where is Lavo?
Lavo is in central Thailand. It sits on a river that flows from the "Sam-Yod" mountains. This river joins the Lopburi River west of the city. The Lopburi River then flows into the Chao Phraya River in Singburi Province.
Ancient Times in Lavo
Lavo is in the Chao Phraya River basin. Here, scientists have found proof that people lived here long ago. This was about 3,500 to 4,000 years ago, during the Bronze Age. Old cities have been found with tools and human bones. These discoveries are in many parts of what is now Lopburi Province.
Some old Thai records say that Lavo (Lopburi) was started by King Kalavarnadishraj in 648 CE. He came from a place called Takkasila. His father, King Kakabatr, started a new calendar in 638 CE. King Kalavarnadishraj founded the city ten years later. He also sent Jamadevi to rule the Haribhunjaya kingdom in northern Thailand.
These kingdoms adopted Indian culture and Theravada Buddhism. They grew strong from the 11th to 12th centuries. This time was called the Dvaravati period. The kingdom was known as Saruka Lavo. Stone writings found here are in the Mon language. But we don't know for sure if the people of Lavo were Mon.
Recently, in 2018-2019, archaeologists found many ancient items. These included stone tools, pottery, and animal and human remains. They date back to the Stone Age and Iron Age. This discovery was made near the Lopburi River. Scientists are still studying these finds.
Lavo in Chinese Records
In the 6th century, Lavo sent gifts to the Chinese emperor. This happened during the Tang dynasty (618–907). They sent gifts again during the Song dynasty (960–1279). Chinese records called Lavo and Dvaravati "Tou-ho-lo." A monk named Xuanzang also wrote about the area. He called it "Tou-lo-po-ti" in his diary (629–645).
Lavo sent gifts to the Song dynasty twice more, in 1115 and 1155. The Song records called Lavo "Lo Hu" at that time.
Marco Polo also wrote about Lavo, calling it Locak. He said it was far inland in the Chao Phraya basin. It was too far for Kublai Khan's army to attack.
Khmer Influence on Lavo
In the 10th century, Lavo was known as Lavodayapura. It became part of the Khmer empire. This brought Khmer art and culture to the city. New buildings were made using stones from older Dvaravati temples. So, the oldest ruins in Lopburi often show Khmer style on Dvaravati foundations.
The Khmers were present from the tenth century. But Lavo became separate from Cambodia by the late 13th century. It started sending its own representatives to China from 1289 to 1299.
Lavo in the Ayutthaya Era
In 1350, King Ramathibodi I started the Ayutthaya kingdom. This kingdom joined Lavo with another area called Suphanburi. Chinese texts called this new kingdom "Xian-lo-guo," or Siam-Lavo country.
At first, Lavo was an important city ruled by a prince. But over time, Lavo became less important. It turned into a border town north of Ayutthaya.
Lavo became important again during the reign of King Narai the Great. He was the 26th king of Ayutthaya in the mid-17th century. He ordered a new palace to be built in 1666. This was the King Narai's Palace, used as a summer home. Lavo became a second capital, and the king stayed there for about eight months each year.
Lavo in the Rattanakosin Era
After King Narai, Lavo was abandoned for a long time. Then, King Mongkut (Rama IV) of the Rattanakosin era had it restored. He wanted it to be a royal city away from the coast.
During this time, Lavo was renamed Lopburi.
Later, in 1937, Prime Minister Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram wanted Lopburi to be Thailand's military center. So, the city was expanded. He designed the modern center of Lopburi, about 4 km east of the old city. His building style, called Art Deco, can still be seen today. His improvements greatly shaped the city we see now.
Archeological Discoveries
Scientists have found many interesting things in Lopburi:
- Stone tools from the Paleolithic Age were found in Ban Mi District in 1931.
- Tools, human burial sites, and bronze items from the Iron Age were found in the Lopburi river basin in 1964.
- Bracelets and beads from 2700–3500 years ago were found at Ban Khok Charoen (1966–1970).
- Ancient human skeletons and clay pots were discovered in Ban Tha Kae in 1979.
- A Copper source was found in Khao Wong Phrachan (1986-1994). This was by archaeologists from the Fine Arts Department and the University of Pennsylvania.
