Wisutthithewi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wisutthithewi |
|
|---|---|
| Queen regnant of Lan Na under Burmese rule | |
| Reign | 1564 - 1578 |
| Predecessor | Mekuti |
| Successor | Nawrahta Minsaw |
| Died | October 1578 |
| Burial | Wat Lok Moli |
Wisutthithewi (Thai: พระนางวิสุทธิเทวี) was a powerful queen who ruled Lan Na from 1564 to 1578. She was known for bringing peace and stability to her kingdom during her time as ruler.
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Her Many Names
Wisutthithewi's name can be spelled in a few ways, like Visuddhidevi or Wisutthi Thewi. Different old books and records sometimes used slightly different spellings. For example, some called her Lady Wisutthathewi or Maha Dewi. These different names show how important she was in various historical writings.
Early Life
We don't know much about Wisutthithewi's early life. She might have been the daughter of Ket Chettharat, who was a ruler of Chiang Mai. Another idea is that she was Princess Ton Kham, the youngest daughter of Chettharat. She may also have been the queen of the ruler before her, Mekuti.
Her Time as Queen
How She Became Queen
Before Wisutthithewi, the ruler of Lan Na was Mekuti. During his rule, Lan Na became a vassal state, which means it was controlled by the powerful Toungoo Empire. In 1564, the Toungoo ruler, Bayinnaung, made Wisutthithewi the new queen. He did this because Mekuti refused to help Bayinnaung in a war. This was seen as an act of rebellion.
A Stable Reign
For fourteen years, Wisutthithewi ruled Lan Na. Her time as queen was very peaceful and stable. She made sure to send gifts and payments to the Toungoo Empire. In return, the Toungoo Empire helped keep Lan Na safe and calm. This was important because the area often had problems with fights and raids from nearby lands.
A Queen in Poetry
Wisutthithewi is even mentioned in an old Thai poem called Khlong mangthra rop Chiang Mai. This poem talks about a queen named Mae Mintaya Sri. Some people think this might mean she was married to Bayinnaung. However, other historical records from Lan Na and Burma do not mention any marriage between them.
Her Death
Wisutthithewi passed away in October 1578. News of her death reached the city of Pegu a few months later. After she died, Bayinnaung chose his son, Nawrahta Minsaw, to rule Lan Na next. Wisutthithewi's ashes are kept in a special building called a chedi at Wat Lok Moli in Chiang Mai.
