The Chiang Saen Principality (; ) was a vassal state of the Nyaungyan dynasty and Konbaung dynasty, which divided from Lanna to serve as the administrative center of the upper Lanna region. Later got annexed into Siam's vassal state: Kingdom of Chiang Mai and Nan Principality.
History Chiang Saen got divided from Lanna after Anaukpetlun captured Chiang Mai in 1614-1615. Phaya Chaban, ruler of Chiang Saen, gives elephants and pledges allegiance to him. Thus, Anaukpetlun appointed him as Chaopha Kaphueak, and Chiang Saen came under direct control from the Bago royal court. Chiang Saen came back to be part of Chiang Mai after Pholsuek Say Chaiyasongkhram proclaimed its independence from Burmese rule and captured Thipphanet. In 1632 Thalun suppressed Chiang Mai and restored Thipphanet as ruler of Chiang Saen and gave him authority to govern all Lanna cities except Chiang Mai.
The conflict between Burma, the Southern Ming and the Qing dynasty makes Chiang Saen, under the rule of Saenmueang, get invaded by the Ayutthaya Kingdom and the Haw in the Burmese–Siamese War. The people of Chiang Saen had to abandon the city and break from Ava before the Burmese's control came back in 1673. Minye Kyawhtin sent a Bohmu, Fa Sang Kung, to govern the city. Fa Sang Kung then appointed Myowun. This marked the beginning of the governance of Chiang Saen by the Myowun alongside the Chaopha. In 1704, the Myowun of Chiang Saen got captured and executed by the order of the ruler of Chiang Mai. In the same year, Sanay Min came to reside in Chiang Saen and placed Chiang Saen under the direct control of Ava, on par with Chiang Mai again.
In 1727, Thepsingh rebelled against Burma and captured Chiang Mai, leading to political instability in the Lanna region. Chiang Saen became the political center of Burma in the region and a target for attacks from other cities that opposed Burma. In 1752, the Toungoo dynasty collapsed, and Chiang Saen got brief independence and got invaded from Chiang Mai, Luang Phrabang and Lamphun until it became Burma's vassal again when the Konbaung dynasty consolidated power in 1752. The new dynasty's expansion made Shan rulers ask for help from the Qing dynasty, which led to the Sino-Burmese War. The Chinese army successfully captured Chiang Khaeng and Kengtung State in 1766. Na Sai, the ruler of Chiang Saen, pledged allegiance to the Qing and got appointed as Tusi. However, Chiang Saen came back under the Burmese rule in the next year.
Siamese conquest of Lan Na ended Burmese influence in lower Lanna. Chiang Saen became the sole administrative center and base of Burma in its wars against Siam until it was conquered by the combined forces of Siam, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Nan and Vientiane in the Burmese–Siamese War, the city of Chiang Saen got destroyed, and its administrative towns were annexed to Chiang Mai and Nan. Na Khaw, the last ruler of Chiang Saen, got captured.
List of rulers of Chiang Saen +NameReign fromReign untilNotesKaphueak (male)16141619Previously a governor of Chiang SaenKaphueak (female)16191628A wife of previous rulerThipphanet16281628(1st regin) Previously a noble of Chiang SaenPholsuek Say Chaiyasongkhram declared independence from Burma. Thipphanet got captured to Chiang Mai. Chiang Sean under Chiang Mai's control, 1628Sri Songmueang Wichaiprakarn16281632Previously a governor of LampangThalun captured Chiang Mai, It became Burma's tributary state again. 1632Thipphanet16321650(2nd reign)Muakkham16501655A son of ThipphanetSaenmueang16551662A son of MuakkhamSaenmueang break his service to Ava. Chiang Saen became de facto independence, 1662Saenmueang16621672Minye Kyawhtin sent a general to control Chaing Saen. It became Burmese's tributary state again, 1672Inmueang16721678A son of SaenmueangChalermmueang16781692A son of InmueangMueangluang16921935Got appointed by a Bohmu, Fa Sang KungNohmuang19351700A son of ChalermmueangLomsane17001711A younger brother of NohmueangLakthi17119 September 1724A son of LomsaneYotngammueang17241728A son of LakthiHarn172816 April 1741Come from Mueang PongNgarm17411752A son of YotngammueangToungoo dynasty collapsed. Chiang Saen became independent, 1752Ngarm17521757Konbaung dynasty can consolidate power. Chiang Saen came back under Burma's control, 1757Ngarm17577 January 1761Vacant, 1761Khampio17611766A son of HarnVacant, 1766–1767Na Sai acting governor of Chiang Saen pledged allegiance to the Qing dynasty between Sino-Burmese War, November 1766Burmese forces control Chiang Saen. It came back under Burmese's control again, 1767Na Khwa176717 May 1804A grandson of NgarmBurmese–Siamese War (1802–1805), Chiang Saen got destroyed, 1804
See also
Burmese–Siamese War (1802–1805) Chiang Saen district
References