rest includes Burmese and Indians. The Siamese
have olive complexion, They are darker than the
Chinese, but fairer than the Malayese. They have thin
moustaches, but no beard. Their lips are deep red.
Throughout the history of Siam, we find Siam,
receiving two separate streams of civilisation, namely,
Chinese and Indian. We find the influence of Chinese
civilisation in the Siamese language. The influence
of Indian civilisation is still greater. Siam has accept-
ed her national and state religion from India through
Ceylon. Buddhism has helped her to build up a vast
literature, thousands of monasteries and images. Even
her manners and customs betray the Indian influence.
In a word, her culture has come from India.
OUR SOURCES.
What are the sources of our history of Siam ?
These sources may be broadly divided into:—
1. Epigraphy 4. Chronicles of cities
2. Archaeology 5. Laws, and
3. Annals 6. Foreign documents.
I. Epigraphy.—Up to the present time, 200
inscriptions have been discovered in Siam. These
inscriptions may be divided as follows according to
their geographical distribution :—
1. Inscriptions*^ the kingdom of Draravati, 6th
-8th century A. D., language—Pali and Mon.
2. Inscriptions of the kingdom of Srivijaya, 8th-
12th century A. D.,—Sanskrit and Khmer.