Page 131 - A History of Siam

A HISTORY OF SIAM 127

The Burmese established
country. era, by T'inga Raja,
a ruler who the throne of in A.D. was
usurped Pagan 638,
introduced into Siam at this time, to replace the old
Mahasakarat era 1 ; this Burmese era became known in
1
Siam by the name of Chulasakarat or Little Era, and was
in use until 1887. It *s not 7 et entirely obsolete.
To the same also the intro-
period probably belongs
duction of the Dhammathat, or Code of Manu. This
code, which was doubtless well suited to the needs of the
Indian Brahminical in 600 was with diffi-
Society B.C.,
on to the laws of Buddhist Siam in the
culty grafted
sixteenth of the Christian era. At the
century present
time the Siamese have freed themselves almost
wholly
from Manu's influence
paralysing ; but the more con-
servative Burmese still retain this and anachronistic
hoary
of
piece legislation.'
Siam's troubles with Burma afforded a
good oppor-
tunity to Cambodia to pay off old scores. 4 In the year
the fall of of Cam-
following Ayut'ia, King Boromoraja
bodia invaded doubtless that he could
Siam, thinking
seize the new defenceless with and
capital great ease,
return home with and of
many prisoners plenty booty.
He was wrong ; a stern resistance was offered, and the
Cambodians were forced to retire after
suffering heavy
losses. This Cambodian invasion, and others which were
carried out the few show
during following years, clearly
the weakness of Siam at that time. Cambodia had not
been a formidable since the foundation of
antagonist
1
The Mahasakarat Era was introduced in southern India by King Kanishka;
in A.D. 78. It was probably introduced into Siam and Cambodia by King
Kamshka's missionanes.
(See chapter 11.)
2
The Siamese legend that the Chulasakarat Era was introduced by King
Ramk'amhcng of Suk'ot'ai is unworthy of serious consideration. All the carved
inscriptions of King Ramk'amheng and his successors use only the Mahasakarat.
"The Dhammathat was introduced into Burma in the reign of Wareru of
The version now in use was drawn up in the reign of T'ado
Pegu (1287-96).
T'ammaraja (Thalun): (1629-48).
* "
One is reminded of the weasel Scot," as pictured by Shakespeare (Henry V,
act i., scene 2).