Chaiburi

Terrain

General Condition

The ancient city of Chai Buri looks like a fortified city. Is to build a city by choosing a location on the mountain and relying on the mountains as natural fortifications. The flat area is the area where the city is located. A moat was dug around on 3 sides except on the south side where Khao Chai Buri was a natural fortification and a city wall was built around connecting the mountain and covering the gorge.

The city is located on a floodplain area in the midst of three valleys, namely Khao Chai Buri on the south side. Khao Phlu on the east side and Khao Bo La on the west side Covering an area in Chai Buri Subdistrict Mueang Phatthalung District and Makok Nuea Subdistrict and Phanom Wang Subdistrict, Khuan Khanun District at present

The ancient city of Chai Buri has the scope of the city as follows:

North It is the part of the wall that connects Khao Wat to Khao Bo La on the west side. Currently, this area is a rubber plantation, but there are still some traces of a moat and brick lines. The moat on the north side is 1,000 meters long and 20-30 meters wide.

East side It is the city wall from Khao Chai Buri to Khao Pool and Khao Wat Khao on the north side. Some traces of the moat are still visible. The eastern moat is about 900 meters long.

West side It is part of the city wall from Khao Chai Buri to Khao Bo La. The western moat is 800 meters long.

South side There is Khao Chai Buri as a natural fortress.

In the mountains, defensive forts were built on the foothills connecting the city walls and the moat that blocked the gorge. The surrounding area of ​​the city was arable plains. There are many rivers flowing to nourish the community. Important rivers are Khlong Muang and Khlong Tha Samphao These two streams flow together with other streams before flowing into Songkhla Lake.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

It is a group of towns located in the Songkhla Lake Influence Zone. There are important canals that flow through, namely, Khlong Muang, flowing through the city center, and Khlong Tha Samphao, flowing through the south of Khao Chai Buri. These canals flow together with other streams and flow into Songkhla Lake (Amonrat Phiyakul 2008 :182).

Geological conditions

The ancient city of Chai Buri is characterized by flood plains caused by river sediments. There are 3 mountains as a fortress, namely Khao Chai Buri or Khao Muang, a limestone mountain in the Permian period. Positioned in the north-south line, approximately 3 km long, 399 meters above sea level, Khao Phlu is a small limestone mountain. It is located to the north of Khao Chai Buri, 178 meters above sea level and Khao Bo La is located to the west of Khao Chai Buri. It is 138 meters high above sea level. There are also limestone mountains scattered all over the western part of Khao Chai Buri, such as Khao Wat Ling, Khao Run, Khao Nang Chee, Khao Phanom Wang. Between these mountains there are many important waterways flowing through. and can connect to Songkhla Lake (Amonrat Phiyakul 2008 :90)

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Mythological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

ancient city of chaiburi It is assumed that the area was used during the 21st-24th Buddhist century, at one point it may be used as the center of Phatthalung City. As evidenced by the documentation For example, in the Archives of De Lamane (written around 1686) mentions the city of Phatthalung by recording the construction of the walls and the plans of the Phatthalung fortress. From the characteristics of the city plan shown in the document, it is assumed that it is Phatthalung City at Khao Chai Buri and in the Phatthalung city chronicles (collected around 1917), it mentions the construction of Chai Buri during the 21st Buddhist century.

The city plan is a fortress city, which is to build a city by choosing a location on the mountain and relying on mountains as a natural defense. On the plains, a moat was dug and a wall was built to block the gorge. Similar to Hua Khao Daeng town of Songkhla

The ancient city of Chai Buri showed important archaeological evidence as follows:

1.The city wall It is a city with brick and mortar walls surrounding the city. By building a city wall around 3 hills namely Khao Chai Buri, Khao Phlu and Khao Bo La. The city wall has 3 sides, namely:

The north connects from Khao Wat Khao to Khao Bo La on the west side. Currently, it is a rubber plantation with brick lines and a moat.

In the east, build a wall from Khao Chai Buri to Khao Pool, continue to Wat Khao in the north. Currently, the moat on the north side is still visible.

The west builds a wall from Khao Chai Buri to Khao Bo La.

In the south, there is Khao Chai Buri as a natural fortress.

At present, the condition of the city wall of Chai Buri Only the base remains, traces can be seen clearly around Khao Poole to Khao Wat Khao on the north side, where some bricks are left, and the city wall on the north is about 50-100 meters from Khao Bo La.

2.Wat Khao Located at Mu 1, Tambon Chai Buri, located on Khao Wat Khao, which is on the northeastern wall of the city. The archaeological evidence found is that there are 3 layers of brickwork surrounding Khao Wat Khao on all 4 sides (from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain). The square is about 5 meters wide and about 10 meters high. The architectural style determines the age of the late Ayutthaya period to the early Rattanakosin period. Its current state has been restored several times.

In addition, the remains of a viharn enshrining a stucco reclining Buddha were found on the second floor of Khao Wat Khao. but only the remains of bricks The reclining Buddha image was destroyed, leaving only the head. It is approximately 1 meter long and is currently kept at the Songkhla National Museum. Other types of antiques found around Wat Khao include 7 silver plates depicting Buddha images found inside the chedi of Wat Khao. and stucco sculpture parts, etc.

3. Phra Khao Muang Cave or the Reclining Buddha Cave Located at Moo 1, Khao Chai Buri Subdistrict, in the southeastern part of the city Inside, there is a reclining Buddha statue made of white plaster on the west wall. His head facing south is 17 meters long. Presently his head and face have been ripped off. Inside the cave found fragments of pottery and Buddha images.

4.Measure in Yo (Abandoned) Located at Mu 1, Tambon Chai Buri, is a rectangular mound of earth and scattered bricks. This area used to find sandstone sema leaves in the late Ayutthaya period. Currently in the temple of Wat Chaeng.

5.In the building Located on the left bank of Khlong Muang Surrounded by a moat or creek This area has mounds and rubble scattered everywhere. It is assumed to be the remains of a building.

6.City shirt It is located to the right of Khlong Muang or south from the building area. There is a canal blocked It looks like a rectangular mound, 30 meters wide and 50 meters long. In the middle of the mound there is a small pavilion straddling the main Takhianthong wood. Villagers believe that this area is the location of the city shirt.

7. Wat Mai (abandoned) It is located at Tambon Makok Nuea, Amphoe Khuan Khanun, outside the northern city wall. It is a rectangular mound. Found brick fragments scattered everywhere. assumed to be the remains of a building Eaves tile antiques were found similar to eaves tiles found at Wat Luang Thammikarat during the reign of Phra Prasat Thong during the late Ayutthaya period. , Banana cladding tiles, white jars, bronze Buddha images sat cross-legged, flat on a lion base, size 36 cm., defining the late Ayutthaya period, bronze bells, parts of tobacco pipes, etc.

8. Khao Wat Link Cave Located at Moo 5, Khuan Khanun District, outside the city wall on the southwest side. To the west of him was the Link Temple. stone shed Originally there were 5 stucco Buddha images in the attitude of subduing Mara, but now they have been destroyed. Antiques found in this area include bronze Buddha images, silver and gold, Namo silver, Pod Duang silver made of lime (Chaiyawut Phiyakul 1998 :160)

9.Rapra Located at Moo 11, Chai Buri Subdistrict, Mueang Phatthalung District On the east side of Khao Chai Buri looks like a stone shed About 100 meters above the ground, within the stone shack, there is a stucco Buddha image in the attitude of subduing Mara. The condition is damaged and there are traces of plastering over the latter. It is assumed that it was built in the late Ayutthaya period.

10. Phra Khao Nang Chee Cave Located on Khao Nang Chee in the southwest. It is now the location of the nun's practice center. Inside the cave there is a color painting on the left hand side. Color paintings are divided into 2 groups. The first group is the large and small chedi. The second picture above is a large chedi-like chedi in the first picture. side with trees The lower part of the picture is an image of a Buddha image seated in the posture of subduing Mara. On the side, there are several standing Buddha images in the posture of forgiveness, which may refer to the disciples.

In addition, the ancient city of Chai Buri also found other antiquities. both in the possession of many public and private Important antiques such as two cast iron cannons, 256 centimeters long from the mouth to the back of the barrel, 22 centimeters in diameter. Above the gun nest there is a symbol of the East India Company of Holland or V.O.C, which determines the age of the 22nd Buddhist century. 23 Currently moved to storage at Phatthalung School flagpole base, 4 small cannons, currently 2 cannons moved to the front of Phatthalung Prison and 2 Aphiborirak Camp, white coated dolls depicting two people holding hands age set in the Qing dynasty Around the beginning to the middle of the 23rd Buddhist century, etc.

Summary of the importance of the ancient city of Chaiburi From archaeological evidence, it is assumed that Chai Buri is a city that has been inhabited during the 21st-24th Buddhist century. From having good victory in defense is having natural fortifications. Can access and exit Songkhla Lake easily and not far from the gorge that crosses to the west. Causing Chaiburi to become an important city during the late Ayutthaya period

Related legend

Archives of De Lamane French engineer who received a royal command from King Narai to travel to make maps and plans for building fortifications of strategic cities of the Ayutthaya Kingdom such as Nakhon Si Thammarat, Mueang Phatthalung, Mueang Songkhla, etc., departing from Bangkok on May 2, B.E. 2229 According to the report, De Lamar called Phatthalung "Bourdelun", referring to the city of Phatthalung as “Phatthalung City is located behind Songkhla City, which is an island. The conditions are suitable as a defensive stronghold as it is surrounded by three mountains, making it difficult to reach the city. These mountains are also strong rocks that are difficult to attack. have a reasonable population It also shows the map and plans for building a fort at Phatthalung. Mention the dashed line showing the original wall made of wood. The black line is the wall and fortress that he has drawn up a plan and recommends that it be built with bricks. and explored a small fortress that had already been built and completed before he returned. It is suggested that the city wall be 12 feet thick.” From the map, it is assumed that the city of Phatthalung in this archive probably refers to Chaiburi City (Chaiyawut Phiyakul 1998 :125).

Annals of Phatthalung City Compiled by Luang Sriworachat (Pin Chantarojawong) in the year 1917 with a total of 6 chapters. Episodes 1-4 are the story of Phatthalung from ancient times to the Rattanakosin period. Episodes 5 -6 are the transition period. Government and matters of ancient government In the first part, the content is similar to the legend of the white blood lady, mentioning the founding of Phatthalung city, and the second part mentions the city of Phatthalung in the Ayutthaya period. The content in this episode will be compiled from a royal book given by Kalpana to temples in the Songkhla Lake District. The part that mentions the city of Chaiburi is talking about Pree Chee Pua. Pree Mui Mia was graciously pleased by King Narai the Great to be the governor of Phatthalung, located in Khao Chaiburi by moving from the head of Khao Daeng, Pak Nam, Phatthalung because it was suitable for defending against enemies and pirates. Later in the year 1748 B.E. King Bhumibol Adulyadej ordered Phraya Ratchabangsan (Tata who is an Islamic guest) to come out as the regent of Phatthalung at Khao Chaiburi At this time, a fortress was built and a wall connected to the mountain surrounded the whole city. There are two barium guns. mentions the colony of Phatthalung that there are four quarters namely Palian, Chana, Songkhla, Thepha, Phatthalung City, located on Khao Chaiburi until 1767 when Ayutthaya lost the war with Burma. (Luang Sriworawat 1919 :26)