NationMaster - Encyclopedia: History of Myanmar

The History of Burma (Myanmar) is long and complex. Many peoples have lived in the region, the oldest of which are the Mon. In the 9th century the Bamar (Burman) people migrated from the then China-Tibet border region into the valley of the Ayeyarwady, and now form the governing majority. The Mon are an ethnic group in Southeast Asia. ... As a means of recording the passage of time the 9th century was that century that lasted from 801 to 900. ... The Bamar (Burmese: á€—á€™á€¬; IPA: ), sometimes called Burman, are the dominant ethnic group of Myanmar, constituting approximately 68% (30,000,000) of the population. ... Tibet (older spelling Thibet; Tibetan: à½–à½¼à½‘à¼‹; Wylie: Bod; pronounced in the Lhasa dialect; Chinese: ; pinyin: XÄ«zÃ ng or Simplified Chinese: è—åŒº; Traditional Chinese: è—å€; pinyin: ZÃ ngqÅ« [the two names are used with different connotations; see Name section below]) is a region in Central Asia and the home of the Tibetan people. ... The Ayeyarwady River (Burmese: ; formerly known as the Irrawaddy River) flows through the centre of Myanmar (formerly Burma). ...

The Burmese history comprises complexities not only within the country but also with its neighbouring countries, China, India, Bangladesh, Laos and Thailand.

The Mon

Humans lived in the region that is now Myanmar as early as 11,000 years ago, but the first identifiable civilisation is that of the Mon. The Mon probably began migrating into the area in about 3000 BC, and their first kingdom Suwarnabhumi, was founded around the port of Thaton in about 300 BC. Spoken tradition suggests that they had contact with Buddhism via seafaring as early as the 3rd century BC, though definitely by the 2nd century BC when they received an envoy of monks from Ashoka. Much of the Mon's written records have been destroyed through wars. The Mons blended Indian and Mon culture together in a hybrid of the two civilisations. By the mid-9th century, they had come to dominate all of southern Myanmar. The Mon (Burmese: ) are an ethnic group in Southeast Asia. ... (31st century BC - 30th century BC - 29th century BC - other centuries) (4th millennium BC - 3rd millennium BC - 2nd millennium BC) Events 2925 - 2776 BC - First Dynasty wars in Egypt 2900 BC - Beginning of the Early Dynastic Period I in Mesopotamia. ... Suwannaphum (also Suwarnabhumi) is an old name for the mouth of the Sittang river in Burma. ... Thaton is a town in Mon State, in southern Myanmar on the Tenasserim plains. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC - 300s BC - 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC Years: 305 BC 304 BC 303 BC 302 BC 301 BC - 300 BC - 299 BC 298 BC... Buddhism (also known as Buddha Dharma, meaning approximately Law of the Awakening) is a religion, a practical philosophy, and arguably a psychology, focusing on the teachings of the Buddha ÅšÄkyamuni (SiddhÄrtha Gautama), who lived in ancient India most likely from the mid-6th to the early 5th century BCE... (2nd millennium BC - 1st millennium BC - 1st millennium) The 3rd century BC started on January 1, 300 BC and ended on December 31, 201 BC. // Events The Pyramid of the Moon, one of several monuments built in TeotihuacÃ¡n TeotihuacÃ¡n, Mexico begun The first two Punic Wars between Carthage... (3rd century BC - 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - other centuries) (2nd millennium BC - 1st millennium BC - 1st millennium AD) // Events 175 BCE - Antiochus IV Epiphanes, took possession of the Syrian throne, at the murder of his brother Seleucus IV Philopator, which rightly belonged to his nephew Demetrius I Soter. ... Emperor Ashoka (a possible depiction) Ashoka the Great (Devanagari: à¤…à¤¶à¥‹à¤•; IAST transliteration: ) (304 BCâ€“232 BC) was the emperor of the Maurya Empire from 273 BC to 232 BC. After a number of military conquests, Ashoka reigned over most of South Asia and beyond, from present-day Afghanistan and parts of...

The Pyu

The Pyu arrived in Myanmar in the 1st century BC and established city kingdoms at Binnaka, Mongamo, Sri Ksetra, Peikthanomyo, and Halingyi. During this period, Myanmar was part of an overland trade route from China to India. Chinese sources state that the Pyu controlled 18 kingdoms and describe them as a humane and peaceful people. War was virtually unknown amongst the Pyu, and disputes were often solved through duels by champions or building competitions. They even wore silk cotton instead of actual silk so they would not have to kill silk worms. Crime was punished by whippings and jails were unknown, though serious crimes could result in the death penalty. The Pyu practised Theravada Buddhism, and all children were educated as novices in the temples from the age of seven until the age of 20. Pyu (also written Pyuu, or Pyus) refers to an ancient kingdom (and its language) found in the central and northern regions of what is now Burma. ...

The Pyu city-states never unified into a Pyu kingdom, but the more powerful cities often dominated and called for tribute from the lesser cities. The most powerful city by far was Sri Ksetra, which archaeological evidence indicates was the largest city that has ever been built in Burma. The exact date of its founding is not known, though Pyu chronicles speak of a dynastic change in A.D. 94, so it was before that date. Sri Ksetra was apparently abandoned around A.D. 656 in favor of a more northerly capital, though the exact city is not known. Some historians believe it was Halingyi. Wherever the new capital was located, it was sacked by the kingdom of Nanzhao in the mid-9th century, ending the Pyu's period of dominance. Nanzhao (Traditional Chinese: å—è©”, Simplified Chinese: å—è¯, pinyin: NÃ¡nzhÄo, Alternate spellings: Nanchao, Nan Chao) was a Bai kingdom that flourished in East Asia during the 8th and 9th centuries. ... As a means of recording the passage of time the 9th century was that century that lasted from 801 to 900. ...

The Pagan Kingdom

To the north another group of people, the Burmese began infiltrating the area as well. By 849, they had founded a powerful kingdom centred on the city of Pagan (now spelled Bagan) and filled the void left by the Pyu. The kingdom grew in relative isolation until the reign of Anawrahta (1044 - 77) who successfully unified all of Myanmar by defeating the Mon city of Thaton in 1057. Consolidation was accomplished under his successors Kyanzittha (1084-1112) and Alaungsithu (1112-1167), so that by the mid-12th century, most of continental Southeast Asia was under the control of either the Pagan Kingdom or the Khmer Empire. The Pagan kingdom went into decline as more land and resources fell into the hands of the powerful sangha (monkhood) and the Mongols threatened from the north. The last true ruler of Pagan, Narathihapate (reigned 1254-87) felt confident in his ability to resist the Mongols and advanced into Yunnan in 1277 to make war upon them. He was thoroughly crushed at the Battle of Ngasaunggyan, and Pagan resistance virtually collapsed. The king was assassinated by his own son in 1287, precipitating a Mongol invasion in the Battle of Pagan; the Mongols successfully captured most of the empire, including its capital, and ended the dynasty in 1289 when the Mongols installed a puppet ruler in Myanmar. Events Births Deaths August 18 - Walafrid Strabo, German monk and theologian Categories: 849 ... Temples in Pagan. ... Anawrahta (reigned 1044-1077), also spelled Aniruddha or AnoarahtÃ¢ or Anoa-ra-htÃ¡-soa, was a ruler of the kingdom of Bagan and the first ruler of a unified Burma. ... Events King Anawrahta seizes the throne of Pagan, Myanmar Births Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, known as The Cid (d. ... Events January 26 - Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor visits Pope Gregory VII as a penitent, asking him remove sentence of excommunication Robert Curthose instigates his first insurrection against his father, William the Conqueror Seljuk Turks capture Nicaea SÃ¼leyman I of RÃ¼m becomes the leader of the Sultanate of... Events King Macbeth I of Scotland is killed in battle against Malcolm Canmore. ... Events Saint Bruno founds the Carthusian Order of monks Kyanzittha begins his reign in Myanmar. ... Events The people of Laon, France, proclaim a commune and murder their bishop Salzwedel, Germany is founded The German state of Baden is founded Afonso I becomes Count of Portugal Otto of Ballenstedt is made Duke of Saxony by Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor Births Deaths October 5 - Sigebert of... Events Taira no Kiyomori becomes the first samurai to be appointed Daijo Daijin, chief minister of the government of Japan Peter of Blois becomes the tutor of William II of Sicily Absalon, archbishop of Denmark, leads the first Danish synod at Lund Absalon fortifies Copenhagen William Marshal, the greatest knight... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ... The Khmer empire was a powerful kingdom based in what is now Cambodia. ... It has been suggested that bhikkhu be merged into this article or section. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Narathihapate was king of Pagan (1254-1287) in northern Myanmar. ... For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... For broader historical context, see 1280s and 13th century. ... Yunnan (Simplified Chinese: äº‘å—; Traditional Chinese: é›²å—; Hanyu pinyin: ) is a province of the Peoples Republic of China, located in the far southwestern corner of the country. ... Events The philosophical doctrine Averroism is banned from Paris by bishop Etienne Tempier Burmas Pagan empire begins to disintegrate after being defeated by Kublai Khan at Ngasaungsyan, near the Chinese border. ... The Battle of Ngasaunggyan was fought in 1277 between Kublai Khans Mongol Yuan Dynasty of China, and their neighbors to the south, the Pagan Empire (in present-day Myanmar) led by Narathihapate. ... For broader historical context, see 1280s and 13th century. ... The Battle of Pagan was fought in 1287 between Kublai Khans Mongol Yuan dynasty of China, and their neighbors to the south, the Pagan Empire. ... For broader historical context, see 1280s and 13th century. ...

Ava and Pegu (c. 1364-1555)

After the collapse of Pagan authority, Myanmar was divided. A Burman Ava Dynasty (1364-1527) was eventually established at the city of Ava by 1364. Pagan culture was revived and a great age of Burmese literature ensued. The kingdom lacked easily defendable borders, however, and was overrun by the Shan in 1527. Ava also known as Innwa is a city in the Mandalay Division of Myanmar, situated just to the south of Amarapura on the Ayeyarwady River. ... Centuries: 13th century - 14th century - 15th century Decades: 1310s 1320s 1330s 1340s 1350s - 1360s - 1370s 1380s 1390s 1400s 1410s Years: 1359 1360 1361 1362 1363 - 1364 - 1365 1366 1367 1368 1369 See also: 1364 state leaders Events Charles V becomes King of France. ... The Shan (Burmese: ) are an ethnic group of Southeast Asia. ...

To the south, the Mons reestablished themselves at Pegu. During the reign of king Rajadhirat (reigned 1383-1421) Ava and Pegu were involved in continuous warfare. The peaceful reign of Queen Baña Thau [Burmese: Shin Saw Bu] (reigned 1453-1472) came to an end when she chose the Buddhist monk Dhammazedi (reigned 1472-92) to succeed her. Under Dhammazedi Pegu became a centre of commerce and Theravada Buddhism. Categories: Stub ... Rajadhirat was a Mon king known for his military prowess. ... Events End of the reign of Emperor Chokei of Japan Emperor Go-Kameyama ascends to the throne of Japan Births Pope Eugenius IV Deaths March 1 - Amadeus VI of Savoy, Count of Savoy (b. ... Events March 21 - Battle of BaugÃ©. A small French force surprises and defeats a smaller English force under Thomas, Duke of Clarence, a brother of Henry V of England, in Normandy. ... Events May 29 - Fall of Constantinople to Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire). ... Events February 20 - The Orkneys and Shetlands are annexed to the crown of Scotland Discovery of Newfoundland by Didrik Pining and JoÃ£o Vaz Corte-Real. ... Events February 20 - The Orkneys and Shetlands are annexed to the crown of Scotland Discovery of Newfoundland by Didrik Pining and JoÃ£o Vaz Corte-Real. ... 1492 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Theravada (Pali; Sanskrit: Sthaviravada) is one of the eighteen (or twenty) NikÄya schools that formed early in the history of Buddhism. ...

The Toungoo Dynasties

King Mingyinyo founded the First Toungoo Dynasty (1486-1599) at Toungoo south of Ava towards the end of the Ava dynasty. After the conquest of Ava by Shan invaders in 1527 many Burmans migrated to Toungoo and Toungoo became a new center for Burmese rule. Mingyinyo founded the First Toungoo Dynasty (1486-1599) at Toungoo south of Ava towards the end of the Ava dynasty. ... Events TÃzoc, Aztec ruler of Tenochtitlan dies. ... Events The Jesuit educational plan known as the Ratio Studiorum is issued (January 8). ... The Shan (Burmese: ) are an ethnic group of Southeast Asia. ... Taungoo (Toungoo) is a city in the Bago Division of Myanmar, located 220 km from Yangon, towards the northern end of the division, with mountain ranges to both east and west. ...

Mingyinyo's son king Tabinshwehti (reigned 1531-50) unified most of Myanmar. By this time, the geopolitical situation in Southeast Asia had changed drastically. The Shan gained power in a new kingdom in the North, Ayutthaya (Siam), while the Portuguese had arrived in the south and conquered Malacca. With the coming of European traders, Myanmar was once again an important trading centre, and Tabinshwehti moved his capital to Pegu due to its commercial value. Tabinshwehti was able to gain control of Lower Burma up to Prome, but the expeditions he led to Arakan, Ayutthaya, and Ava in Upper Burma were unsuccessful. Mingyinyo founded the First Toungoo Dynasty (1486-1599) at Toungoo south of Ava towards the end of the Ava dynasty. ... Tabinshwehti (or Tabinshweti) (1512 – 1550) was a king who unified Burma (now Myanmar) in 1539. ... Events January 26 - Lisbon, Portugal is hit by an earthquake-- thousands die October 1 - Battle of Kappel - The forces of ZÃ¼rich are defeated by the Catholic cantons. ... Events February 7 - Julius III becomes Pope. ... The kingdom of Ayutthaya was a Thai kingdom that existed from the 1350 to 1767. ... For the country formerly called Siam see Thailand SIAM is an acronym for Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. ... State motto: Bersatu Teguh Capital Malacca Town Governor Tun Datuk Seri Utama Mohd. ... This article is about the continent. ... Categories: Stub ...

Tabinshwehti's brother-in-law, Bayinnaung (ruled 1551-81) succeeded to the throne and proceeded on a campaign of conquest conquering several states, including Manipur (1560) and all of Ayutthaya (1569). His wars stretched Myanmar to the limits of its resources, however, and both Manipur and Ayutthaya were soon independent once again. Bayinnaung (known in Portuguese as Braginoco) was a king of the Toungoo dynasty in modern-day Myanmar. ... Events Russia, Reforming Synod of the metropolite Macaire, Orthodoxy: introduction of a calendar of the saints and an ecclesiastical law code ( Stoglav ) Major outbreak of the sweating sickness in England. ... Events January 16 - English Parliament outlaws Roman Catholicism April 4 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. July 26 - The Northern Netherlands proclaim their independence from Spain in the Oath of Abjuration. ... Manipur (Hindi: à¤®à¤£à¤¿à¤ªà¥à¤°) is a state in northeastern India making its capital in the city of Imphal. ... Events February 27 - The Treaty of Berwick, which would expel the French from Scotland, is signed by England and the Congregation of Scotland The first tulip bulb was brought from Turkey to the Netherlands. ... Ayutthaya (also spelled Ayudhya or Ayuthia) refers to The old capital of Thailand, see Ayutthaya (city) The province around the city, Ayutthaya province The ruins of the old palace, see Ayutthaya historical park Ayutthaya kingdom as the period of Thai history (1365-1768) in which Ayutthaya was capital This is... Events January 11 - First recorded lottery in England. ...

Faced with rebellion by several cities and renewed Portuguese incursions, the Toungoo rulers withdrew from southern Myanmar and founded a second dynasty at Ava, the Restored Toungoo Dynasty (1597-1752). Bayinnaung's grandson, Anaukpetlun, once again reunited Myanmar in 1613 and decisively defeated Portuguese attempts to take over Myanmar. His successor Thalun reestablished the principles of the old Pagan kingdom, but spent too heavily on religious expenditure and paid little attention to the southern part of his kingdom. Encouraged by the French in India, Pegu finally rebelled against Ava, further weakening the state, which fell in 1752. Anaukpetlun (d. ... Events January - Galileo observes Neptune, but mistakes it for a star and so is not credited with its discovery. ... 1752 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

The Konbaung Dynasty

It did not take long for a new dynasty, the Konbaung Dynasty, to arise and bring Myanmar to its greatest power yet. A popular Burmese leader named Alaungpaya drove the Pegu forces out of northern Myanmar by 1753, and by 1759 he had once again conquered Pegu, largely exterminating the Mon people in the process, and southern Myanmar while also regaining control of Manipur. He established his capital at Rangoon. In 1760, he briefly conquered Tenasserim. He also marched on Ayutthaya, but during his invasion became seriously ill and was forced to withdraw. He died in this journey. His son Hsinbyushin (ruled 1763-76) returned to Ayutthaya, the ancient nation of Thailand in 1766 and had conquered it before the end of the next year. Even China took notice of Myanmar now, but Hsinbyushin successfully repulsed four Chinese invasions between 1766 and 1769 stretching its limits within Chinese borders. Another of Alaungpaya's sons, Bodawpaya (ruled 1781-1819), lost Ayutthaya out of his countrol, but added Arakan (1784) and Tenasserim (1793) to the kingdom as well. In January 1824, during the reign of King Bagyidaw (ruled 1819-37), a general named Maha Bandula succeeded in conquering Assam, bringing Myanmar face to face with British interests in India. The Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) was the last Burmese dynasty. ... Alaungpaya 1711-15 May 1760 was a Burmese king who established the Konbaung Dynasty (Heavens platform) in the early 18th century. ... Yangon (Burmese: , population 4,082,000 (2005 census), formerly Rangoon), is the largest city of Myanmar (formerly Burma) and its former capital. ... 1760 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Tanintharyi, better known by the old name Tenasserim, is a division of Myanmar, covering the long narrow southern part of the country on the Kra Isthmus. ... Ayutthaya (also spelled Ayudhya or Ayuthia) refers to The old capital of Thailand, see Ayutthaya (city) The province around the city, Ayutthaya province The ruins of the old palace, see Ayutthaya historical park Ayutthaya kingdom as the period of Thai history (1365-1768) in which Ayutthaya was capital This is... Meaning ruler and master of white elephants. ... 1763 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the year 1776. ... Ayutthaya (also spelled Ayudhya or Ayuthia) refers to The old capital of Thailand, see Ayutthaya (city) The province around the city, Ayutthaya province The ruins of the old palace, see Ayutthaya historical park Ayutthaya kingdom as the period of Thai history (1365-1768) in which Ayutthaya was capital This is... 1766 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1781 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1819 common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Arakan is a state in the North Western part of Myanmar, formerly Burma. ... 1784 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1793 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... King Bagyidaw (died October 1846) was king of the Konbaung Dynasty from 1819 to 1837. ... 1819 common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... | Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1837 - 1901) 1837 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... General Mahabandoola (c. ... Assam (Assamese: à¦…à¦¸à¦®, Hindi: à¤…à¤¸à¤®; Ã”xÃ´m) is a northeastern state of India with its capital at Dispur. ...

War with Britain and the fall of Myanmar

The expansion of Myanmar had consequences along its frontiers. As those frontiers moved ever closer to British India, there were problems both with refugees and military operations spilling over ill-defined borders. In response to the continued expansion and even direct attacks of Myanmar, the British and the Siamese joined forces against it in 1824. The First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-26) ended in a British victory, and by the Treaty of Yandaboo, Myanmar lost territory previously conquered in Assam, Manipur and Arakan. The British also took possession of Tenasserim intending to use it as a bargaining chip in future negotiations with either Myanmar or Siam. As the century wore on, the British in India began to covet the resources and main port of Myanmar during an era of great territorial expansion. In 1852, Commodore Lambert was despatched to Burma by Lord Dalhousie over a number of minor issues related to the previous treaty. The Burmese immediately made concessions including the removal of a governor whom the British disliked. Lambert eventually provoked a naval confrontation in extremely questionable circumstances and thus started the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852, which ended in the British annexing Pegu province and renaming it Lower Burma. The war resulted in a revolution in Myanmar, with King Pagan Min (ruled 1846–52) being replaced by his half brother, Mindon Min (ruled 1853-78). King Mindon tried to modernise the Burmese state and economy to resist British encroachments, and he established a new capital at Mandalay, which he proceeded to fortify. This was not enough to stop the British, however, who claimed that Mindon's son Thibaw Min (ruled 1878–85) was a tyrant intending to side with the French, that he had lost the control of the country, thus allowing for disorder at the frontiers, and that he was reneging on a treaty signed by his father; and thus declared war once again in 1885, conquering the remainder of the country in the Third Anglo-Burmese War. 1824 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The First Anglo-Burmese War lasted from 1823 to 1826. ... 1824 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The oldest surviving photograph, NicÃ©phore NiÃ©pce, circa 1826 1826 (MDCCCXXVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Treaty of Yandaboo between the British East India Company and the Burmese King of Ava, signed on February 24, 1826 marked the end of the First Burmese War. ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Second Anglo-Burmese War took place in 1852. ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Mindon Min (1808 1878) was King of Burma from 1853 to his death. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Mandalay (Burmese: ) is the second largest city in Myanmar (formerly Burma) with a population of 927,000 (2005 census), agglomeration 2,5 million. ... Thibaw Min 1858 - December 19, 1916; or simply Thibaw, Theebaw, or Theobaw) was the last king of Burma (now Myanmar). ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1885 (MDCCCLXXXV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... The Third Anglo-Burmese War or just The Third Burmese war lasted from 1885 to 1887. ...

British rule

Britain made all of Burma a province of India in 1886 with the capital at Rangoon. Traditional Myanmar society was drastically altered by the ending of the monarchy and the separation of church and state. Though war officially ended after only a couple of weeks, resistance continued in northern Myanmar until 1890, with the British finally resorting to a systematic destruction of villages and appointment of new officials to finally halt the guerrilla activity. The economic nature of society also changed drastically. After the opening of the Suez Canal, the demand for Burmese rice grew and vast tracts of land were opened up for cultivation. However, in order to prepare the new land for cultivation, farmers were forced to borrow money from Indian moneylenders at high interest rates and were often evicted for failure to pay back the loan. Imported Indian labour ended up with most of the jobs, and whole villages became lawless dens full of the unemployed. While the Burmese economy grew, all the power and wealth was in the hands of several British firms and migrants from India. The civil service was largely staffed by Indians and Burmese were excluded almost entirely from military service. Though the country prospered, the Burmese people did not reap the rewards. (See George Orwell's novel Burmese Days for a fictional account of the British in Burma.) Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1344x656, 201 KB) Burmese Pagodas Scanned from a period stereoptical view card c. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1344x656, 201 KB) Burmese Pagodas Scanned from a period stereoptical view card c. ... 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) is a common year starting on Friday (click on link to calendar) // Events January 18 - Modern field hockey is born with the formation of The Hockey Association in England. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... 1881 drawing of the Suez Canal. ... Burmese Days cover Burmese Days is a novel by British writer George Orwell. ...

A new generation of Burmese leaders arose in the early twentieth century from amongst the educated classes that were permitted to go to London to study law. They came away from this experience with the belief that the Burmese situation could be improved through reform. Progressive constitutional reform in the early 1920s led to a legislature with limited powers, a university and more autonomy for Burma within the administration of India. Efforts were also undertaken to increase the representation of Burmese in the civil service. Some people began to feel that the rate of change was not fast enough and the reforms not expansive enough. This led to strikes and anti-tax protests in the later 1920s. In December 1930, a local tax protest by Saya San quickly grew into first a regional and then a national insurrection against the government. Lasting for two years, the rebellion required thousands of British troops to suppress along with promises of further political reform. The eventual trial of Saya San allowed several future national leaders, including Ba Maw, who participated in his defence to rise to prominence. London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom, and is the most populous city in the European Union. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Saya San was a noted monk, known in 1927 as a traditional healer in Burma. ... Ba Maw (February 8, 1893 â€“ May 29, 1977) was a Burmese political leader. ...

In the 1930s, a new generation of dissatisfied students started a movement called Thakin (an ironic name as thakin means "master" in the Burmese language—rather like the Indian 'sahib'—and this was the term that students were required to use when addressing their British professors, whom they were coming to resent). They staged a student strike in 1936, which was notable because it was during this strike that Thakin Nu and Aung San joined the movement. The British separated Burma from India in 1937 and granted the colony a new constitution calling for a fully elected assembly, but some Burmese felt that this was a ploy to exclude them from any further Indian reforms. Other Burmese saw any action that removed Burma from the control of India to be a positive step. Ba Maw served as the first prime minister of Burma, but he was forced out by U Saw in 1939, who served as prime minister from 1940 until he was arrested on January 19, 1942 by the British for communicating with the Japanese. 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... U Nu (otherwise known as Thakin Nu) (1907-1995) was a Burmese nationalist and political figure. ... Aung San General Aung San (Burmese: ; MLCTS: ); February 13, 1915 â€“ July 19, 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary, nationalist, general, and politician. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Ba Maw (February 8, 1893 â€“ May 29, 1977) was a Burmese political leader. ... U Saw (1900 - 1948) was a Burmese politician. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... This article is about the year. ...

World War II and Japan

Some Burmese nationalists saw the outbreak of World War II as an opportunity to extort concessions from the British in exchange for support in the war effort. Other Burmese such as the Thakin movement, opposed Burma's participation in the war under any circumstances. After the Doe Bamar organization called for a national uprising, an arrest warrant was issued for many of the organization's leaders including Aung San, who escaped to China. Aung San's intention was to make contact with leftist or communist groups in China but he was detected by the Japanese. The Japanese offered him support, and he briefly returned to Burma to enlist the aid of twenty-nine young men who went to Japan with him to receive military training in Formosa as the so-called "Thirty Comrades." When the Japanese occupied Bangkok in December 1941, Aung San announced the formation of the Burma Independence Army (BIA) in anticipation of Japanese invasion of the country. The Japanese duly moved into Burma in 1942. The BIA formed a provisional government in some areas of the country in the spring of 1942, but there were differences within the Japanese leadership over the future of Burma. While the immediate Japanese commander of the Thirty Comrades encouraged them to form a provisional government, the Japanese Military leadership had never formally accepted such a plan. Eventually the Japanese Army turned to Ba Maw to form a government. During the war in 1942, the BIA had grown in an uncontrolled way. In many districts officials and even criminals appointed themselves to the BIA. The Japanese disbanded the BIA and replaced it with the Burma Defense Army still headed by Aung San. While the BIA had been an irregular force, the BDA was recruited by selection and trained as a conventional army by Japanese instructors. Ba Maw was afterward declared head of state, and his cabinet included both Aung San and Thakin Nu. When the Japanese made Burma, in theory, independent in 1943, the name of Burma Defense Army (BDA) was changed to Burma National Army (BNA). The Burma Campaign was a campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II. It was fought primarily between Commonwealth, Chinese and American forces against the Empire of Japan. ... Combatants Allies: Soviet Union United States United Kingdom France and others Axis Powers: Germany Japan Italy and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II, also known as the... Aung San General Aung San (Burmese: ; MLCTS: ); February 13, 1915 â€“ July 19, 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary, nationalist, general, and politician. ... Formosa is a place name which comes from Portuguese and old Spanish word formosa (*from latin formosus, meaning beautiful). The following places bear the name: The geographically named island of Formosa, upon which the Taiwanese live, also sometimes called the Republic of China Formosa Strait (Taiwan Strait) Formosan languages, the... The Bangkok Skytrain at sunset on Thanon Narathiwat Ratcha Nakharin with Empire Tower at the back. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film) 1941 (MCMXLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1941 calendar). ... The Burma National Army was originally organized by the Minami Kikan as the Burmese Independence Army in December of 1941 , where it then served as an auxiliary of the Imperial Japanese Army. ... The Burma National Army served as the armed forces of the Burmese government created by the Japanese during World War II and fought in the Burma Campaign. ...

It soon became apparent that Japanese promises of independence were merely a sham and that Ba Maw was just a puppet. As the war turned against the Japanese, they declared Burma a fully sovereign state in 1943, but this was just another facade. Disillusioned, Aung San began negotiations with communists and socialist leaders including Thakin Soe, Thakin Than Tun, Ba Swe and Kyaw Nyein which led to the formation of the AFO or Anti-Fascist Organization in April 1944. The AFO eventually was renamed the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League(AFPFL). Thakin Than Tun (1911 - 1968) born in Kanyutkwin, Burma (Myanmar) Burmese politician, leader of the Communist Party of Burma CPB [1] from 1945 until his death. ... U Ba Swe was a Burmese politician shortly after the country gained its independence from Britain in 1948. ... The Anti-Fascist Peoples Freedom League (better known as the AFPFL) was the main political party in Burma from 1946 until 1962. ...

There were informal contacts between the AFO and the Allies in 1944 and 1945 through the British organization Force 136. In March 1945, the Burma National Army rose up in a countrywide rebellion against the Japanese. Afterward, Aung San and others began negotiations with Lord Mountbatten in October 1943 and officially joined the Allies as the Patriotic Burmese Forces or PBF. In the first meeting, the AFO represented itself to the British as the provisional government of Burma with Thakin Soe as Chairman and Aung San as a member of its ruling committee. The Japanese were routed from most of Burma by May 1945. Negotiations then began with the British over the disarming of the AFO and the participation of its troops in a post-war Burma Army. When spelt with a capital A, Allies usually denotes the countries supporting the Triple Entente who fought together against the Central Powers in World War I and against the Axis Powers in World War II. For more information, see the related articles: Allies of World War I and Allies of... Force 136 was the general cover name for a branch of the British World War II organisation, the Special Operations Executive. ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... Aung San General Aung San (Burmese: ; MLCTS: ); February 13, 1915 â€“ July 19, 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary, nationalist, general, and politician. ... Admiral of the Fleet The Right Honourable Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, KStJ, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO, PC (25 June 1900 â€“ 27 August 1979) was a British admiral and statesman and an uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... When spelt with a capital A, Allies usually denotes the countries supporting the Triple Entente who fought together against the Central Powers in World War I and against the Axis Powers in World War II. For more information, see the related articles: Allies of World War I and Allies of...

From the Japanese surrender to Aung San's assassination

The surrender of the Japanese brought a military administration to Burma and demands to try Aung San for his involvement in a murder during military operations in 1942. Lord Mountbatten realized that this was an impossibility considering Aung San's popular appeal. After the war ended, the former civilian governor, Reginald Dorman-Smith returned. The restored government established a political program that focused on physical reconstruction of country and delayed discussion of independence. The AFPFL opposed the government leading to political instability in the country. Sir Hubert Rance was then sent in as the new governor. Almost immediately after his appointment the Rangoon Police went on strike. The strike, starting in September 1946, progressively spread from the police to government employees and then became close to a general strike. Rance calmed the situation by meeting with Aung San and convincing him to join the Governor's Executive Council along with other members of the AFPFL. The new executive council, which had increased credibility in the country, began negotiations for Burmese independence, which were completed successfully in January 1947. The agreement left parts of the communist and conservative branches of the AFPFL dissatisfied, however, sending the Red Flag communists led by Thakin Soe underground and the conservatives into opposition. Shortly after, rebellion broke out in Arakan and then began to spread into other districts. The popularity of the AFPFL was eventually confirmed when the party won an overwhelming victory in the April 1947 constituent assembly elections. Col. ... Hubert Elvin Rance (1898-1974) was the last British Governor of Burma (Myanmar) between 1946 and 1948, while the country was moving towards independence. ...

U Saw, a conservative pre-war Prime Minister of Burma, engineered the assassination of Aung San and several members of his cabinet in July. Thakin Nu was asked to form a new cabinet, and he presided over Burmese independence on January 4, 1948. U Saw (1900 - 1948) was a Burmese politician. ... January 4 is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ...

Independent Burma

The first years of Burmese independence were marked by successive insurgencies by the Red Flag Communists, White Flag Communists, the PYA - White Band (Socialists), Arakanese Muslims, army rebels and the Karens. Remote areas of Northern Burma were for many years controlled by an army of Nationalist Chinese forces after the Communist takeover of that country in 1949. Burma accepted foreign assistance in rebuilding the country in these early years, but continued American support for the Chinese Nationalist military presence in Burma finally resulted in the country rejecting most foreign aid. Burma generally strove to be impartial in world affairs and was one of the first countries in the world to recognize Israel and the People's Republic of China. á€€á€›á€„á€¹â€Œá€œá€°á€™á€¹á€šá€¯á€á€¸ Total population 7,400,000 Regions with significant populations Myanmar: 7,000,000 Thailand: 400,000 Language Karen Religion Buddhism, Christianity, Animism Related ethnic groups Padaung The Karen (Burmese: ; MLCTS: ), also known in Thailand as the Kariang (Thai: ) or Yang , are an ethnic group in Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ...

By 1958, the country was largely beginning to recover economically, but was beginning to fall apart politically due to a split in the AFPFL. The situation became so unstable that U Nu invited army chief of staff Ne Win to take over the country. Ne Win successfully stabilized the situation and paved the way for new general elections in 1960 that returned U Nu with a large majority. The situation did not remain stable for long, as Ne Win launched a coup in March 1962, arrested U Nu and several other important government officials, and declared a socialist state run by a Revolutionary Council of senior military officers. 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bo Ne Win (Burmese: ; MLCTS: ; May 24 or May 14, 1911 or July 10, 1910 â€“ December 5, 2002), born Shu Maung) was a Burmese military commander and dictator of Burma from 1962 until 1988. ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ...

U Ne Win (as he was now called) quickly took steps to transform Burma into his vision of a socialist state and to isolate the country from contact with the rest of the world. A one-party system was established with the new Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) in complete control. Commerce and industry were nationalized, but the economy did not grow at first as the government put too much emphasis on industrial development at the expense of agriculture. In April 1972, Win and the rest of the Revolutionary Council retired from the army, but continued to run the country through the BSPP, and a new constitution was promulgated in January 1974 that resulted in the creation of a People's Assembly (Pyithu Hluttaw) that held supreme legislative, executive, and judicial authority, and local People's Councils. Win became the president of the new government. Burma Socialist Programme Party (aka Lanzin) is a political party in Myanmar, formerly Burma. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

In December 1974, the biggest anti-government demonstrations to date broke out over the funeral of former UN Secretary-General U Thant. U Thant had been U Nu's closet advisor in the 1950s and was seen as a symbol of opposition to the military regime. Maha Thray Sithu U Thant (January 22, 1909 â€“ November 25, 1974) was a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, from 1961 to 1971. ...

In the 1980s, the economy began to grow as the government relaxed restrictions on foreign aid, but by the late 1980s falling commodity prices and rising debt led to an economic crisis. This led to economic reforms in 1987-88 that relaxed socialist controls and encouraged foreign investment. This was not enough, however, to stop growing turmoil in the country. Win retired as president in 1981, but remained in power as chairman of the BSPP until July 1988. By September of that year, the country was on the verge of a revolution. The armed forces, under the nominal command of General Saw Maung stepped in to restore order. Called the 8888 Uprising, thousands were killed. The constitution of 1972 was swept aside in favour of martial law under the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) with Saw Maung as chairman and prime minister. 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Saw Maung (1928 1997) was a political figure in Myanmar. ... 8888 Uprising (Shih lei long; lit. ...

Military rule

The military government changed the name of the country from Burma to Myanmar in 1989 in English. It also continued the economic reforms started by the old regime and called for a Constituent Assembly to revise the 1974 constitution. This led to multiparty elections in May 1990 in which the National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory over the National Unity Party (NUP, the successor to the BSPP) and about a dozen smaller parties. The military, however, would not let the assembly convene, and continued to hold the two leaders of the NLD, U Tin U and Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Aung San, under the house arrest imposed on them the previous year. Burma came under increasing international pressure to convene the elected assembly, particularly after Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, and also faced economic sanctions. Saw Maung stepped down in April 1992 to be replaced by General Than Shwe. 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... The National Unity Party (Taingyintha Silonenyinyutye) is a political party in Myanmar (Burma). ... Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Aung San Suu Kyi (Burmese: ; IPA pronunciation: ; born June 19, 1945 in Yangon (Rangoon), is a nonviolent pro-democracy activist and leader of the National League for Democracy in Myanmar (Burma). ... The Nobel Peace Prize Medal featuring a portrait of Alfred Nobel Lester B. Pearson after accepting the Nobel Peace Prize The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five Nobel Prizes bequested by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... Than Shwe Senior General Than Shwe (born February 2, 1933) is the ruler of Myanmar (Burma), serving as chairman of the State Peace and Development Council since April 23, 1992. ...

Than Shwe released U Nu from prison and relaxed some of the restrictions on Aung San Suu Kyi's imprisonment, finally releasing her as well in 1995, though she was forbidden to leave Rangoon. Than Shwe also finally allowed the Constituent Assembly to meet in January 1993, but insisted that the assembly preserve a large role for the military in any future government and suspended the convention from time to time. The NLD, fed up with the interference, walked out in late 1995, and the assembly was finally dismissed in March 1996 without producing a constitution. 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...

During the 1990s, the military regime has also had to deal with several insurgencies by tribal minorities along its borders. General Khin Nyunt was able to negotiate cease-fire agreements that ended fighting with the Kokang, hill tribes and the Kachin, but the Karen would not negotiate. The military finally captured the main Karen base at Manerplaw in spring 1995, but there has still been no final peace settlement. Another threat to the government's power was the warlord Khun Sa, a major dealer in opium who controlled much of Shan state, but he surrendered in December 1995 after U.S. pressure had nearly destroyed his business. General Khin Nyunt (born October 11, 1939 in Kyauktan, Burma) was the Prime Minister of Myanmar and the chief of intelligence of the Myanmar Army. ... Kokang was a traditional Burmese state. ... This article can be confusing for some readers, and needs to be edited for clarity. ... Khun Sa (born 1933) is a Burmese warlord and ex-leader of the Shan United Army. ... The Shan (Burmese: ) are an ethnic group of Southeast Asia. ...

After the failure of the Constituent Assembly to create a new constitution, tensions between the government and the NLD mounted, resulting in two large crackdowns on the party in 1996 and 1997. The SLORC was disbanded in November 1997 and replaced by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), but the leadership of the country remained the same and this was merely a cosmetic change. Continuing reports of human rights violations in Myanmar led the United States to intensify sanctions in 1997, and the European Union followed suit in 2000. Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest again in September 2000 and remained under arrest until May 2002, when her travel restrictions outside of Rangoon were also lifted. Reconciliation talks were held with the government, but these stalemated and Suu Kyi was once again taken into custody in May 2003 after an ambush on her motorcade and remains under house arrest once again. The government also performed another large-scale crackdown on the NLD, arresting many of its leaders and closing most of its offices. The situation in Myanmar remains tense to this day. 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... State Peace and Development Council is the official name of the government of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). ... This article is about the year 2000. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In August 2003, Kyin Nyunt announced a seven-step "roadmap to democracy," which the government claims it is in the process of implementing. There is no timetable associated with the government’s plan, or any conditionality or independent mechanism for verifying it is moving forward. For these reasons, most Western governments and Myanmar's neighbours have been skeptical and critical of the roadmap. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On 17 February 2005, the government reconvened the National Convention, for the first time since 1993, in an attempt to rewrite the Constitution. However, major pro-democracy organisations and parties, including the National League for Democracy, were barred from participating, and the government selected smaller parties to participate. It was adjourned once again in January 2006. February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about a legislative body and constitutional convention during the French Revolution. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... The flag features a yellow dancing peacock, which has been a sign of freedom in modern Burmese history. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In November 2005, the military junta started moving the government away from Yangon to an unnamed location near Pyinmana and Kyetpyay, to the newly designated capital city. This public action follows a long term unofficial policy of moving critical military and government infrastructure away from Yangon to avoid a repetition of the events of 1988. On Armed Forces Day (27 March 2006), the capital was officially named Naypyidaw Myodaw (lit. Royal City of the Seat of Kings). 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pyinmana in Myanmar Pyinmana (population 97,400 (2005 estimate)) is a city in Mandalay Division of Myanmar. ... 8888 Uprising (Shih lei long; lit. ... March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Naypyidaw (population 100,000 (2006 estimate)) is a logging town and sugar cane refinery center in Mandalay Division of Myanmar. ...

External links

Encyclopedia > History of Myanmar

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