Nang Keo Phimpha
Nang Keo Phimpha (1343–1438), was a a princess and queen regnant of Lan Xang. She was the only female monarch in the history of the kingdom.[1] Nang Keo Phimpha is not an actual name but means "The Cruel".[2] Her real name is not known. She is also known as Maha Devi.
Nang Keo Phimpha has been described as the sister of Samsenthai, a king of Lan Xang, who died in 1417. After her nephew, the king, Lan Kham Deng died in 1428, she seized control of Lan Xang. Initially, her reign was only de facto, not de jure, and though she acted as the ruler, she was not formally a monarch. The four kings who succeeded after her nephew, however, were reportedly her puppets. In 1438, however, she reportedly had herself formally declared monarch, and thereby became the first and female monarch and queen regnant in Lan Xang. Her reign only lasted a few months. She was reportedly 95 when she became ruler de jure. She was deposed and killed.
References
- René de Berval: Kingdom of Laos: the land of the million elephants and of the white parasol France-Asie, 1959
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