Mueang Khit Khin

Mueang Khit Khin is an ancient city dating back to the Dvaravati period. Another ancient town name is "Parantapa" or "Senaratchakhon". The city was named after Kishkindha, the kingdom of the Vanara King Sugriva, the younger brother of Vali, in the Sanskrit epic Ramayana. According to the historical account of India, this was the kingdom where Sugriva ruled with the assistance of his friend, Hanuman. This kingdom is identified as the region around the Tungabhadra River (known as Pampa in the Ramayana) near Hampi in the present-day Bellary district, Karnataka. 

Only the earthen mound measuring 4 metres in height and 60 metres in width and the moat remain. In the middle of the moated site is a high mound called "Khok Prasat". 

Bones of animals (crocodiles, turtles) were found at Khit Khin dating to the 7th and 8th centuries. The upper parts of some turtles' shells were found to be perforated, probably done for ritual purposes.

A seated Buddha image under the protection of the Muchalinda naga was discovered near the waterfront, assumed to have been a royal landing. A statue of a guardian or a deva guardian was also excavated. Both are currently kept at Wat Phra Phutthabat. They belong to the Khmer art from the same period as the Phra Prang Sam Yot in Lop Buri.

However, there were inhabitants before the moat and embankment were dug, possibly dating back to the late prehistoric period. There are clear traces of land use in the Dvaravati period. From the scientific determination of the age, the age is divided into 2 periods according to the soil layers. The first period is from about 1,600-2,500 years ago (considered the late prehistoric period). The second period is from about 1,200-1,400 years ago (considered the Dvaravati period).

[Mixed Internet sources / Shyam Sharan (2018) - Cultural and Civilisational Links between India and Southeast Asia: Historical and Contemporary Dimensions - Springer]

Ayutthaya Historical Research