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Ky Sam temple was located on the border area of
Cao Bang province. Ky Sam Temple
was built as a memorial at Nung village of Ngan in honour of Nung Tri Cao, Nung
Lord of Quang Uyen for organizing the ethnic minority revolt in the 11th century
against the Vietnamese monarchy. The first effort at rebellion against the King
Le Thai Tong was started by Nung Tri Cao’s father, Nung Ton Phuc, and elder
brother, Nung Tri Thong. This failed and both were caught and executed.
Two years later Cao mobilized rebellion army and captured the territory and
declared himself as the king of the Nung Kingdom and named it as Dai Lich.
However, this occupancy was short-lived as he was captured by Viet forces. He
was, however, let go by the King and allowed to return to Quang Uyen. Six years
later he again launched a rebellion against the king in 1048 and captured the
territory in southern China and declared himself as the “Emperor of Dai Nam”.
His kingdom survived for 5 years by manipulation of the King of China and the
King of Viet. However, in 1053 the Vietnamese king Le Thai Tong captured Cao and
executed him. Ky Sam Temple built in his honor, though ancient, is now a
refurbished monument (renovated in 19th century) consisting of two buildings.
The outer building has the altar of one his generals and the inner shrine housed
the images of Cao, his wife and his mother till they were stolen a few years
ago. An inscription still seen here narrates Cao’s war exploits and his avowed
commitment to the cause of his nation. |
