Shan Dominion (1287-1531)
By G.E. HARVEY
After the destruction of Pagan by the Tartars in 1287, the Shans swarm South, East, and West. In 1229, they founded the Ahom Kingdom of Assam. At the same time, they made themselves felt in Tenasserim. In 1350, they founded the kingdom of Siam. Siam is the same word as Shan, and she is simply the greatest of the Shan States. In Burma, they overran the entire country, swamping Burman and Talaing alike.
China recognized the Shans as Ruling Chiefs and issued appointment orders to Hsenwi, Mongyang, Myinsaing, Kenghung, Martaban, and Viengchang (Lan Chang). In 1298, the three Shan brothers of Myinsaing deposed The Royal family at Pagan. The three Shan brothers defended and defeated the Chinese army of 12,000 men at Myinsaing successfully, thus putting an end to the Chinese interference once and for all spacing Minre Kyawswa, the son of Minkhaung and a Maw Shan princess, distinguished himself against Hsenwi in 1413 at Wetwun near Maymyo. Hseinwi had raided the Ava villages and carried away the people.
Mongmit in 1420 began to split from Hsenwi. China decided in favour of Momeil, for she had a great intrest in the ruby mines there.
In 1414, Razadarit Stirred up Hsenwi to attack Ava. It was in the anarchic Shan period that Vernacular Literature was born. It was due to the great administrative ability and their magnanimity that Burmese literary giants like Letwedondara, Shin Maharathedara, Shin Tezawdara, Shin Mahathilawuntha and others prospered. At the same period, the Prince of Ayuthia, Kampengpet and Chiangmai would raid Razadarit at Pegu from the south.
Each of the 24 gates at Pegu was named by Bayinnaung as the Prome gate, the Chiengmai gate, the Toungoo gate, the gate of Salin, Dallha, Mohnyin, Tavoy, Hsenwi, Linzin, Tenasserim, Ayuthia, Martaban and Pagan and so on.
Zao Hkun Suk (Hsenwi) |
