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The kingdom of Lan Xang ruled over medieval Laos for a significant amount of time. It was under this dynasty that Laos witnessed significant growth in every field. Recorded history of this country is found only form this era. The first king of the dynasty of Lan Xang was Fa Ngum who started to rule in the year 1353. The total area under the first king was not only limited to Laos but he had significant part of Thailand incorporated into the kingdom. Fa Ngum only had a peaceful rule for initial six years of his rule of forty years which ended in 1373.
From 1373 another phase began in the history of Laos under the rule of the next set of kings of the Lan Xang dynasty. The other significant king of this dynasty is Setthathirat who ruled Laos in the 16th century. It was under him that Buddhism became the most widespread religion in Laos. From the time of Phetsarath in the 16th century the decline of the dynasty took started. There were series of battles with the Burmese and Siam people which continued for at least two hundred years. From 1574 to 1578 the kings of the Lan Xang dynasty has witnessed significant victory over the Burmese people and reduced it to their vassal.
Decline of Lan Xang Kingdom Laos
The decline of the Lan Xang dynasty was prompted by the continuous wars and struggles for succession within the dynasty in the 17th century. The death of King Souligna led to the break up of the empire into two parts, Vientiane and Louangphrabang.
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