Asia Research Institute Working Paper Series - No. 17 - The Northern Tai Polity of Lan Na (Babai-Dadian) Between the Late 13th to Mid-16th Centuries: Internal Dynamics and Relations with Her Neighbours

Oct 17, 2026

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Analyzes the rise, consolidation, and fall of Lan Na, also known in Ming sources as Babai-dadian, with an emphasis on mainly indigenous sources, many not previously published. The study covers the late 13th through mid-16th centuries and situates Lan Na within regional power structures shaped by Burma, Siam (Ayutthaya), and Ming China. It argues that despite inclusion in the Chinese tusi system and regular tribute missions to Yuan and Ming courts, direct Chinese influence remained limited. The paper presents internal dynamics and neighboring relations, then turns to social, economic, and demographic factors.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages78

Reading Time3 h 17 min

AccessFree to download

General Setting

Political Developments

Relations with Neighboring Powers

Internal Structures

Social, Economic and Demographic Factors

Asia Research Institute Working Paper Series No. 17 The Northern Tai Polity of Lan Na (BabaiDadian) Between the Late 13th to Mid-16th Centuries: Internal Dynamics and Relations with Her Neighbours Volker Grabowsky Westphalian Wilhelms University of Münster [grabowsk@uni-muenster.de](grabowsk@uni-muenster.de) January 2004 The ARI Working Paper Series is published electronically by the Asia Research Institute of the National University of Singapore. © Copyright is held by the author or authors of each Working Paper. ARI Working Papers cannot be republished, reprinted, or reproduced in any format without the permission of the paper’s author or authors. Note: The views expressed in each paper are those of the author or authors of the paper. They do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of the Asia Research Institute, its Editorial Committee or of the National University of Singapore. Citations ofthis electronic publication should be made in the following manner: Author,“Title,”ARI Working Paper, No. \#, Date, [www.nus.ari.edu.sg/pub/wps.htm. For](www.nus.ari.edu.sg/pub/wps.htm. For) instance, Smith, John,“Ethnic Relations in Singapore,” ARI Working Paper, No. 1, June 2003, [www.ari.nus.edu.sg/pub/wps.htm](www.ari.nus.edu.sg/pub/wps.htm). Asia Research Institute Editorial Committee Anthony Reid, Chair Cherian George Geoff Wade Jamie S. Davidson Jennifer Lindsay Mark Frost Tan Ying Ying Asia Research Institute National University of Singapore Shaw Foundation Building, Block AS7, Level 4 5 Arts Link, Singapore 117570 Tel: (65) 6874 3810 Fax: (65) 6779 1428 [Website:](Website: www.ari.nus.edu.sg)[ ](Website: www.ari.nus.edu.sg)[www.ari.nus.edu.sg](Website: www.ari.nus.edu.sg) Email: [arisec@nus.edu.sg](arisec@nus.edu.sg) The Asia Research Institute (ARI) was established as a university-level institute in July 2001 as one of the strategic initiatives ofthe National University of Singapore (NUS) . The mission of the Institute is to provide a world-class focus and resource for research on the Asian region, located at one of its communications hubs. ARI engages the social sciences broadly defined, and especially interdisciplinary frontiers between and beyond disciplines. Through frequent provision of short-term research appointments it seeks to be a place of encounters between the region and the world. Within NUS it works particularly with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Law and Design, to support conferences, lectures, and graduate study at the highest level. ARI Working Paper No. 17 Grabowsky, Northern Tai Polity of Lan Na The Northern Tai Polity of Lan Na (Babai-Dadian) Between the Late 13th to Mid-16th Centuries: Internal Dynamics and Relations with Her Neighbours* Volker Grabowsky In this paper the writer seeks to analyse the rise, consolidation and fall of Lan Na, known in Ming sources as Babai-dadian, and to present Lan Na in the light of mainly the indigenous sources, many of which have not yet been published. It covers the period from the late 13th to the mid-16th centuries. Due to its geographical position, located in the heartland of mainland Southeast Asia, this northern Tai polity emerged to play a major role in the regional power structure of the 15th century when Lan Na had reached the zenith of its civilisation. Burma, Siam (Ayutthaya) and Ming China were the major external powers, whose influences the Lan Na kingdom was exposed to. Though Lan Na had become a part of the Chinese tusi (“Aboriginal Pacification Commissions”) system since the early 14th century and was obliged to send regularly tribute missions to the Yuan and Ming courts, direct Chinese influence on the whole remained marginal. The first part of the paper will examine political developments during the period under review, both with regards to relations with neighbouring powers and internal structures. The second part analyses social, economic and demographic factors. 1. Gener

FAQs

What time period does the working paper cover for Lan Na (Babai-dadian)?

It covers the late 13th to the mid-16th centuries, focusing on the rise, consolidation, and fall of Lan Na.

Which external powers are identified as major forces influencing Lan Na?

Burma, Siam (Ayutthaya), and Ming China are described as the major external powers whose influences Lan Na was exposed to.

How does the paper describe Lan Na’s relationship to the Chinese tusi and tribute system?

It states that Lan Na became part of the Chinese tusi system in the early 14th century and was obliged to send tribute missions to the Yuan and Ming courts, while direct Chinese influence remained marginal.

Oct 17, 2026

Uploaded by Asher