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Early Lao History Trivia Quiz

As with my quizzes on Thailand and Burma, this quiz covers the basics of Lao (that is, of the country Laos) history. If you must know something about Lao history, you must know the facts contained within this quiz! I wish you luck...learn and enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by thejazzkickazz. Estimated time: 5 mins.

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Laos

Author
thejazzkickazz

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
78,605

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
458

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The Lao people are culturally and linguistically most closely linked with which other neighboring people? Hint

Cambodian

Vietnamese

Thai

Chinese

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. The earliest communities of the early Lao tribes were called what? Hint

Meuang

Cun

Chao

Prabang

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Question 3 of 10

3. The name 'Lao' comes from the term for the earlier inhabitants of the region, probably Austronesian speaking people. What was the term for this group of people? Hint

Laoao

Lawa or Lwa

Leweo

Laopao

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Question 4 of 10

4. By approximately 1200 AD, most of the area of modern Laos was controlled by which ancient empire of Southeast Asia? Hint

Champa

Annam

Khmer

Pagan

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Question 5 of 10

5. During the time of Mongol (or Yuan, as the Mongol Chinese dynasty was known), which Thai state ruled over northwestern Laos? Hint

Ayudhya

Lan Na

Sukhothai

Chakri

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Question 6 of 10

6. The first truly Lao state, called Lan Xang, began to develop around the mid 14th century. What does 'Lan Xang' translate as in English? Hint

Land of a million elephants

Place of the second cataract

Great empire of the Lao

Buddha's tears on the mountains

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Question 7 of 10

7. The kingdom of Lan Xang was centered on Xiang Dong Xiang Thong. This site was eventually to become known as what? Hint

Phong Saly

Luang Prabang

Sam Neua

Thakhek

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Question 8 of 10

8. The development of this site as a great kingdom is usually attributed to which hereditary prince who was born circa 1316 AD? Hint

Fa Ngum

Surinyavongsa

Chou Anu

Xetthathirat

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 1560, the capital of Lan Xang was moved to which spot, where the capital of Laos currently rests? Hint

Vieng Chan

Champassak

Thakhek

Attopeu

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Question 10 of 10

10. By the late 17th-early 18th century, the Lao people were divided, with Lan Xang in severe decline. Which two countries shared suzerainty over the former Lao state? Hint

Cambodia and China

Thailand and Vietnam

France and Burma

England and Japan

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Lao people are culturally and linguistically most closely linked with which other neighboring people?

Answer: Thai

The Lao language is a member of the T'ai-Kadai family of languages, and the Lao speaking peoples are believed to have originated, along with the Thai people, in what is now southern China.

2. The earliest communities of the early Lao tribes were called what?

Answer: Meuang

Meuang is a term for a town or network of villages headed by a single chief, called a 'chao'. One early Lao Meuang, Meuang Thaen, is now called Dien Bien Phu and exists in northern Vietnam.

3. The name 'Lao' comes from the term for the earlier inhabitants of the region, probably Austronesian speaking people. What was the term for this group of people?

Answer: Lawa or Lwa

Many of these people eventually intermingled and assimilated into the Lao culture, and their heritage was amalgamated with the T'ai culture of the newcomers to create something uniquely Lao.

4. By approximately 1200 AD, most of the area of modern Laos was controlled by which ancient empire of Southeast Asia?

Answer: Khmer

The Khmer's final consolidation of power over the Lao people lasted only a short time, however, as the forces of Kublai Khan were able to enter the Mekong valley and assert suzerainty over much of northern Southeast Asia.

5. During the time of Mongol (or Yuan, as the Mongol Chinese dynasty was known), which Thai state ruled over northwestern Laos?

Answer: Lan Na

The name Lan Na means 'land of a million paddy fields'. Lan Na was centered in Chiangmai, a northern Thai city, and ruled from the mid-13th century to the mid 15th century.

6. The first truly Lao state, called Lan Xang, began to develop around the mid 14th century. What does 'Lan Xang' translate as in English?

Answer: Land of a million elephants

Lan Xang eventually was able to engulf most of what is now modern Laos. This kingdom existed from 1349 until the fall of Vieng Chan (Vientiane) in 1779, finally overcome by Thai forces.

7. The kingdom of Lan Xang was centered on Xiang Dong Xiang Thong. This site was eventually to become known as what?

Answer: Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is centered in northern Laos, cut through by the Mekong river valley.

8. The development of this site as a great kingdom is usually attributed to which hereditary prince who was born circa 1316 AD?

Answer: Fa Ngum

Fa Ngum was expelled from Laos at a young age and was said to have grown up in Angkor, in what was then the Khmer Empire. He developed a wonderful reputation with the Khmer king and was eventually equipped with a great army which he used to conquer the areas which would eventually become Lan Xang.

He is also credited with bringing Theravada (also known as Hinayana, or 'lesser vehicle') Buddhism to the Lao people.

9. In 1560, the capital of Lan Xang was moved to which spot, where the capital of Laos currently rests?

Answer: Vieng Chan

Vieng Chan is the Lao pronunciation of Vientiane, the name commonly used in the West.

10. By the late 17th-early 18th century, the Lao people were divided, with Lan Xang in severe decline. Which two countries shared suzerainty over the former Lao state?

Answer: Thailand and Vietnam

By the end of the 19th century, however, the French were to destroy this power structure.

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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