Mongkut มงกุฎ |
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King Rama IV | |
King of Siam | |
Reign | 2 April 1851 – 1 October 1868 |
Coronation | 15 May 1851 |
Predecessor | Nangklao (Rama III) |
Successor | Chulalongkorn (Rama V) |
Vice King | Pinklao |
Born |
Thonburi Palace, Bangkok Yai, Thonburi, Kingdom of Siam |
18 October 1804
Died | 1 October 1868 Grand Palace, Phra Nakhon, Phra Nakhon, Kingdom of Siam |
(aged 63)
Spouse | Queen Somanass Waddhanawathy (1851) Queen Debsirindra (1851–1861) Princess Pannarai (1861–1868) |
Issue | Chulalongkorn |
Dynasty | Chakri |
Father | Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) |
Mother | Srisuriyendra |
Religion | Buddhism |
Signature |
Monarchs of the Chakri dynasty |
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Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) |
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Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) |
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Nangklao (Rama III) |
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Mongkut (Rama IV) |
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Chulalongkorn (Rama V) |
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Vajiravudh (Rama VI) |
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Prajadhipok (Rama VII) |
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Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) |
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Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) |
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Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) |
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Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthra Maha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua (Thai: พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหามงกุฎ พระจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว), or Rama IV, known in English-speaking countries as King Mongkut (18 October 1804 – 1 October 1868), was the fourth monarch of Siam (Thailand) under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1851 to 1868.
Outside Thailand, he is best known as the King in the 1951 musical and 1956 film The King and I, based on the 1946 film Anna and the King of Siam – in turn based on a 1944 novel by an American missionary about Anna Leonowens' years at his court, from 1862 to 1867.
During his reign, the pressure of Western expansionism was felt for the first time in Siam. Mongkut embraced Western innovations and initiated the modernization of his country, both in technology and culture—earning him the nickname "The Father of Science and Technology" in Siam.
Mongkut was also known for his appointing his brother, Prince Chutamani, as Second King, crowned in 1851 as King Pinklao. Mongkut himself assured the country that Pinklao should be respected with equal honor to himself (as King Naresuan had done with his brother Ekathotsarot in 1583). Mongkut's reign was also the time when the power of the House of Bunnag reached its zenith and became the most powerful noble family of Siam.
Mongkut (มงกุฎ crown) was the second son of Prince Isarasundhorn, son of Phutthayotfa Chulalok, the first Chakri king of Siam (King Rama I) and Princess Bunreod. Mongkut was born in the Old (Thonburi) Palace in 1804, where the first son had died shortly after birth in 1801. He was followed by Prince Chutamani (เจ้าฟ้าจุฑามณี) in 1808. In 1809, Prince Isarasundhorn was crowned as Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (later styled King Rama II.) The royal family then moved to the Grand Palace. Thenceforth until their own accessions as kings, the brothers (เจ้าฟ้า chaofa) were called Chao Fa (เจ้าฟ้าใหญ่) and Chao Fa (เจ้าฟ้าน้อย).