Norodom, King of Cambodia (litho)

Norodom, King of Cambodia. The Cambodians have a more marked affinity with their neighbours, the Siamese, than with the Annamese. The race is probably the result of a fusion of the Malay aborigines of Indo-China with the Aryan and Mongolian invaders of the country. At the head of the government is the king, or "raj." His successor is either nominated by himself, in which case he sometimes abdicates in his favour, or else elected by the five chief mandarins from among the Brah Vansa. In 1866 King Norodom transferred his capital to Pnompenh, and in 1904 he was succeeded by his brother Sisowath. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.