Phonhinu Sikirachat

Phonhinu Sikirachat (21/22 August 926-29 May 1003), also known by her posthumous name Sri Phongrindra, is the first Queen consort of Jasume as the principal wife of King Bohu I, Queen mother of King Ang Sum I, and Queen grandmother of King Bohu II. She is the only woman who witnesses her grandson’s accession during the Kiangnu dynasty. All of monarchs of Kiangnu are her offsprings. Her conflicts with her husband’s another queen, also his favorite wife, Jaruharadevi, are well-known in Jasumian history.

Life
The future queen is born on 21 or 22 August 926, a year younger than her husband. Her actual birthplace is unknown, but most experts predict that she is born at Pyabhon Manor in Udegan, which is one of her father’s residences. Her father Nak Darachan is a high-ranking official in Udegan region, while her mother, Lady Chou, is only a mistress who has a Chinese origin. After Jasume’s independence and Phonhinu’s being queen, Lady Chou is married to Nak Darachan, and gets the royal title of Chao Khun Chom. Phonhinu serves as a court lady to Queen Madhri in Maharapura court from 941 to 946, but she never impress Madhri. Knowing Phonhinu becomes the queen in 963, Madhri is surprised that Queen of Jasume is once her maid. She is arranged by her father to marry Bohu, who is from the most powerful family of Udegan region. Phonhinu has 2 sons and 6 daughters in this marriage, among whom her first son Ranjih Somdetthewa is the future heir-apparent, and second son Ang Sum is the future king Ang Sum I. Phonhinu neither gets along well with her mother-in-law, Lady Ansisananjer Goltathewee, nor gains Bohu’s favor. In 955, Bohu takes Derinshi Kamasri, a girl from his mother’s family, for his sixth wife. Derinshi Kamasri, future queen Jaruharadevi, soon becomes the favorite wife of Bohu, over other five including Phonhinu. Phonhinu is so disappointed to her husband, and she often argues even fights with Jaruharadevi, however, Bohu stands with Jaruharadevi everytime, so does Lady Ansisananjer. In 963, with Baland’s help, Udegan region gains its independence from Maharapura, which becomes Kingdom of Jasume, and Bohu, as the leader of the independence move, is crowned King of Jasume. As Bohu I’s chief consort, Phonhinu is anointed to be Queen consort of Jasume, and her eldest son, Ranjih Somdetthewa, being Crown Prince of Jasume, while Phonhinu’s rival, Jaruharadevi, gets a high-ranking title of Queen consort, ranking only after Phonhinu in the harem.

Ranjih Somdetthewa is secretly falling in love with one of his father’s concubines, Chao Phra Raja Suwaen, and they often meets each other. This scandal is revealed in 967, leading to Ranjih Somdetthewa and Suwaen’s executions. The whistle blower is widely considered to be Jaruharadevi, who wants give Phonhinu a heavy beat. Phonhinu begs for so many times to give her son a mercy, but the king neglects her and insists on killing Ranjih Somdetthewa. Her son’s death breaks Phonhinu’s heart, she gives up all power as the queen and leaves the palace for a temple, although her second son Ang Sum becomes new crown prince. Jaruharadevi takes over Phonhinu’s position and power, marking her winning in the battle with Phonhinu. Phonhinu seldom comes to the palace. In 970, her son is married to Pinthinah, Princess of Baland. Princess Pinthinah comes to Jasume accompanied by her mother Muztal Sultan Begum, who is accompanied by the king and queen of Jasume when she is in Udegan according to historical records, but those records don’t point out that who “Queen of Jasume” refers to. Some scholars think it should be the queen in power, Jaruharadevi, but some other think it must be the crown prince’s mother, and the queen known by Baland, Phonhinu. Jaruharadevi died in 971, whose power was passed on to noble concubine Chao Phra Raja Yaksamada Phyyonasiba. Phonhinu never return to the palace to wield the power as the queen until her husband’s death. In 982, Ang Sum I is crowned the king, and Phonhinu returns to the palace and is honored by her son as Queen Mother of Jasume. She has a harmonious relationship with Queen Pinthinah, and often helps to take care of Pinthinah’s children. In 1001, with her grandson Bohu II’s accession, she is granted Queen Grandmother of Jasume, making her the only woman get this title during the Kiangnu dynasty. She passed away in 1003, at the age of 76. She is buried in Konshin with her husband. Her posthumous name is Sri Phongrindra.