Norodom of Cambodia
| Norodom | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| King of Cambodia | |
| Reign | 19 October 1860 – 24 April 1904 |
| Coronation | 3 June 1864 |
| Predecessor | Ang Duong |
| Successor | Sisowath |
| Born | February 1834 Angkor Borei, Cambodia |
| Died | 24 April 1904 (aged 70) Bangkok, Siam |
| Spouse | 47 wives |
| Issue | 61 sons and daughters |
| House | House of Norodom |
| Father | Ang Duong |
| Religion | Theravada Buddhism |
Norodom (Khmer: នរោត្តម), known previously as Ang Voddey (Khmer: អង្គវតី) (February 1834 – 24 April 1904), ruled as king of Cambodia from 1860 to 1904. He was the eldest son of King Ang Duong, who ruled on the behalf of Siam, and half-brother of Prince Si Votha as well as the half-brother of King Sisowath. Norodom was considered to be the first modern Khmer king. He was credited with saving Cambodia from disappearing altogether. In 1863, to prevent the two powerful neighbours, Vietnam and Siam, from swallowing Cambodia altogether he was invited by France to make Cambodia its protectorate. However, he sent many letters to Siam claiming French Admiral de la Grandière had forced him into signing a false treaty. Many Cambodians believed that this brilliant act and his shrewdness did actually save Cambodia from disappearing. His reign of 43 years is the longest in the modern era.
When he was born, Cambodia was under Siamese rule, the royal family, being related to the Siamese. Nonetheless, The royal capital of Cambodia was in Oudong (named for the first King of Ayutthaya), but the main center of the area was the capital of Siam in Bangkok. Prince Norodom was sent by his father to study in Bangkok, where he studied Siamese (Thai), Politics, Military, Buddhist scriptures and the ancient Pali language.
Norodom's royal name was Norodom Prohmbarirak (Khmer: ព្រះនរោត្ដម ព្រហ្មបរិរក្ស), previously, Ang Reacheavoddey (Khmer: អង្គ រាជាវតី). He is referred to as Ang Voddey in some Western accounts. His posthumous title is Preah Karuna Preah Sovannakaot (Khmer: ព្រះករុណាព្រះសុវណ្ណកោដ្ឋ).
In 1850, Norodom and his half-brother Prince Sisowath were sent to study in Bangkok by their father Ang Duong, which they have been patronized by the royal family of Siam. In 1857, Norodom (Prince Phrom Borirak) served in the Royal Siamese Army as a military adviser, for which later he was awarded the Order of the White Elephant.
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Wikipedia