Myanmar is a country famous for its magnificent towers, friendly people, hospitable people and typical culture. In addition, the Myanmar history is long and brillant that many people want to explore!
I/ Burmese feudal period (before 1886)
According to Myanmar history, feudalism in Burma was formed very early. Burmese historical and archaeological records show that: The ethnic groups that migrate to Burma from different parts of the country established a brilliant feudal dynasty. This has played an important role in the country’s founding process. They are Mon, Burmese, Pyu, Shan, and Rakhine.
Myanmar history has gone through many incidents
Around the 3rd century BCE, the Mon from the lands near Thailand and Cambodia today entered Burma, emigrate to the Ayeyarwady delta, creat the kingdom of Thanlwin and Sittang. They plant and sell rice, teak, perennial, ivory to India, China, Middle East and Indochina. They were the first people who contact with Buddhism.
In the 1st century BC in Myanmar history, some Tibetan-Burmese tribes, including the Pyu and their allied tribes, left their homeland on the south-eastern slopes of the Tibetan plateau to emigrate to the south, enter the valley. The upstream Ayeyarwady founded feudal states in central Burma such as Beikthano, Hanlin, Sri Ksetra (Thayekhittaya). Pyu dynasties flourished for about 400 years. However, in the following centuries, these countries disappeared.
In the 8th-9th centuries, the Burmese from the eastern Himalayas came to replace the Pyu in central Burma and established their own kingdom. Initially, they chose Tagaung north of Mandalay as a residence, before moving to Bagan in 849.
In the twelfth century, the Shan, or Tai, from Yunnan-China advanced into Burma and established their own nation in northeastern Burma.
It can be said, the countries of the above ethnic groups are the first feudal dynasty of Burma. The following centuries were the time to witness the decline and development of the Burmese feudal dynasty. History records the feudal period of Burma marked by three powerful feudal empires.
1. The First Burmese Empire – Bagan Dynasty (1044-1287)
In 849, after the Pyu were pushed out of the North by the Mon people, the Burmese set up their own settlements and took Bagan as their own settlement and place of residence. Over the next two centuries, dynasties were constantly waging warfare to win the war. In 1044, a royal military leader of the Burmese lineage, Anawrahta, who killed King Sokkat, became king of Bagan, opening up the mottled period of Myanmar history. The reign of King Anawrahta was considered the first Burmese empire – as a unified nation in politics, small kingdoms were subjected to the Burmese rule.
Bagan – the ancient capital of Myanmar
The Bagan dynasty left in the history of Burma many masterpieces of pagoda architecture and large irrigation works such as Meiktila reservoir, Kyokxe irrigation system. For more than two centuries the existence of the Bagan dynasty, the Burmese economy, especially agriculture, has grown strongly.
In 1077, King Anawrahta died, the dynasty went into decline. Successive kings such as Kyaanzitha, Alaungsithu, and Hililomoin not only failed to realize the great ideas of King Anawrahta but also fought for power, and internal divisions. All made the Bagan empire weaker.
2. The Second Burmese Empire – Toungoo Dynasty (1551-1752)
After more than three centuries of Myanmar history, the Toungoo dynasty was divided into small states. In the 16th century, the Toungoo dynasty carried out many wars of territorial expansion and unification. In 1541, the Burmese, under the leadership of King Tabinshwehti – the talented young king – took advantage of the constant battle between the Shan and the Mon, who attacked Inwa – the capital of the Shan. Subsequently, conducting successful conquests in the south, capturing the Mon king and transferring the capital to Bago.
The largest empire in Southeast Asia was formed. Bayinnaung declared himself “king of kings”. Burma entered the second glorious period. Other countries in Burma-China and Manipur (present-day India), are subject to tribute to the King of Burma.
Myanmar history records from the sixteenth century to the seventeenth century is the brilliant development of the second Burmese empire, the peak of which is the reign of King Bayinnaung, economic prosperity, busy trading exchanges, Buddhism was revived, the territory was expanded.
However, like the Anwrahta Dynasty, the Second Burmese Empire also entered a period of decline after King Bayinnaung died in 1581. Burma’s second feudal empire gradually disintegrated.
3. The Third Burmese Empire – Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885)
In 1752, on the occasion of the Tangoo imperial court, weakened, with the French support, the Mon had captured the capital Inwa and tried to control Burma. However, the Burmese do not easily give up power. Aung Giaeya – a talented Martial artist expelled Mon. A year later, in 1753, he regained Inwa and proclaimed the king, took the name of Alaungpaya – meaning “future Buddha”, place the royal palace in Shwebo. The imperial city is called Konbaung. Konbaung is also the name of the dynasty.
In Myanmar history, during the reign of King Hsinbyushin and King Bodawpaya, the Qing Dynasty of China under the Qianlong Dynasty had four invasions of Burma and were smashed by the Burmese. This is considered one of the most glorious pages of the Burmese people.
II/ The colonial period in Myanmar history
In the process of searching for colonial markets, British colonists found in Burma what they needed. By the end of the 18th century, trading with Burma was conducted by the British colonialists. Faced with the danger of the French colonizing this fertile land when France helped the Mon to capture the Burmese capital, the British colonialists were determined to carry out their wilderness.
1. The first English-Burmese War (1824-1826) and the Yandabo Treaty
In 1819, Britain took over Singapore, in 1820, Britain took over Neepan. Burma became an invasion of Britain. The colonial period of Myanmar history start . The tension between the Burmese feudal dynasty and Britain has grown, following a dispute between the two sides on Xahpuri Island between the Naaf River – the natural border between Rakhine (Burma) and Bengal (British colonies). In early 1825, Burma lost the battle, forced to accept the harsh British conditions. On June 24, 1826, the Yandabo treaty was signed by the two parties with many unfavorable conditions for Burma.
2. The second English-Burmese War (1852-1853)
Not only that, with the ambition of annexing Burma to connect Calcutta to Singapore, the British continued to seek opportunities to wage war. On January 18, 1852, Lambert, the deputy commander of the British navy, sent an ultimatum to the Burmese court for unreasonable demands. King Pagan Min knew Burma’s military might but could not persevere, accepting war.
On March 31, 1853, the Burmese court negotiated with Lambert. The two sides agreed to cease hostilities on June 30, 1853. Myanmar history says that the second war ended itself. The inferiority of the Burmese court led to Burma and the people of Burma paying dearly for the unequal treaties of 1862 and 1867, in which the British not only enjoyed many preferential trade privileges but also entitled “inviolable” in the territory of Burma.
3. The third English-Burmese War (1885)
After having cut the land for the British twice, the Burmese feudal court at that time was empty, no longer strong enough and prestigious to serve the people, standing up to expel the British colonialists. In 1886, the British colonialists merged Burma into a British Indian state (the Burmese called it “colonial colony”.) Burmese feudalism ended, Burma entered a new stage – the struggle against the British colonialists for independence.
III/ The struggle for independence (1886 -1941)
After gaining full control of Burma, the British not only enforced harsh policies, buried Burma’s natural resources, but also enforced ethnic separatism, leaving many long-term consequences for Burma. That was the dark period in Myanmar history. That prompted the will and nationalist spirit of the Burmese people: rising up against the British colonialists, gaining national independence. In Burma, spontaneous movements were launched against British colonial rule. Most of these spontaneous movements are led by monks or Burmese intellectuals.
Flag of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
The struggle against the British colonialists for Burma’s independence was a staunch struggle for the Burmese nation, and the tireless struggle of General Aung San. General Aung San is worshiped by the Burmese people as national heroes and is respected by all Burmese nationalities.
● In 1988, Myanmar returned to the Union of Myanmar.
● In 1990, the first free elections were held for 30 years.
● On June 23, 1997, Myanmar was admitted to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
● On March 27, 2006, the military council moved the capital of the country from Yangon to a location near Pyinmana, officially naming it Naypyidaw, meaning “land of kings.” In 2010, the name of Myanmar changed to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Myanmar has a long-stading and proud history. After learning about the Myanmar history, the more we love the country, the people here. Along the length of history, myanmar culture is also very old and worth exploring. Come to Myanmar and experience it!
