HISTORY
COLONIAL BURMA
296
1433
Rakhaing's ruler,
N a r a m i t h l a
establishes a new
capital at Mrauk U,
which, over the
course of the next few
centuries, grows into a
grand city of temples
and international
commerce.1472
The great Mon King
Dhammazedi takes
the throne, unifi es
the Mon, moves the
capital from Inwa
to Bago (Pegu), and
sets up diplomatic
contact with Europe.1527
The Shan, who had
exercised increasing
control over the area
following the fall of
Bagan, defeats the
kingdom at Inwa and
rules Upper Burma for
28 years.took over Inwa in 1752. Some say Alaungpaya’s sense of invincibility de-
luded the Burmese into thinking they could resist the British later on.
After Alaungpaya’s short and bloody reign, his son Hsinbyushin
charged into Thailand and levelled Ayuthaya, forcing the Siamese to
relocate their capital to what would eventually become Bangkok. Hsin-
byushin’s successor, Bodawpaya (another son of Alaungpaya), looked for
glory too, and brought the Rakhaing under Burmese control. This even-
tually led to tension with the British (who had economic interests in
Rakhaing territory) that the dynasty would not outlive.Colonial Burma
Wars with the British
With eyes on fresh markets and supply sources in Southeast Asia, Britain
wrested all of Burma in three decisive swipes. In the First, Second and
Third Anglo–Burmese Wars they picked up Tanintharyi (Tenasserim)
and Rakhaing in 1824, Yangon and southern Burma in 1853, and Manda-
lay and northern Burma in 1885.
The fi rst war started when Burmese troops, ordered by King Bagyidaw,
crossed into British-controlled Assam (in India) from Rakhaing to pursue
refugees. General Maha Bandula managed some minor victories using
guerrilla tactics, but eventually was killed by cannon fi re in 1824. Burmese
troops then surrendered. The Treaty of Yandabo, helped by the translator
of missionary Adoniram Judson (whose name is still on many Baptist
churches in Myanmar), gave Rakhaing and Tenasserim to the British.Published in
1925, GE Harvey’s
History of Burma
gives a chrono-
logical rundown
of Myanmar’s
kingdoms from
the Pyu era until
1824, faithfully
recounting many
fanciful legends
along the way.THREE KINGSLording it over a military parade ground in Myanmar’s capital of Nay Pyi Taw are giant
statues of the three kings considered the most important in Burmese history:
» Anawrahta (1014–77) The creator of the First Burmese Empire ascended the
throne in Bagan in 1044. He unified the Ayeyarwady Valley and held sway over the
Shan hills and Rakhaing at the same time as introducing key religious and social
reforms that form the basis of modern Burmese culture.
» Bayinnaung (1516–81) Aided by Portuguese mercenaries, this king of Taungoo
is famed for unifying Burma for its ‘second empire’ and conquering Ayuthaya, the
capital of Siam (Thailand), in 1569. Since 1996, his likeness has ominously looked
over Thailand from near the border at Tachileik.
» Alaungpaya (1714–60) With no royal roots, this hometown hero of Mokesebo
(Shwebo) founded the Konbaung dynasty and created the second largest empire in
Burmese history. His reign lasted only eight years, ending when he died – some say
from poisoning – on retreat from Siam, after being turned back by rains.BERNARD NAPTHINE/LONELY PLANET IMAGES ©» Buddha statues, Mrauk U