The early history of the Chiang Mai region is not well understood. The people whom we consider "Thai" are believed to have originally come from eastern or southern China. The migrations probably began as early as the 2nd century A.D. and eventually became large enough to displace the ruling Khmer, Mon, and Burmese population. By the 7th to 9th centuries the Thai peoples were strong enough to gain political control of portions of the region, including an area later to be called Chiang Saen. In the eleventh century the inhabitants submitted to the authority of King Aniruddha of Bagan (or Pagan, in Myanmar [Burma]) and converted to Theravada Buddhism. In the 12th century the region was renowned for its Buddhist art and bronze casting.