ARTICLES IN ENGLISH - บทความคัดสรร ภาษาอังกฤษ
The Spirit of Shan IndependenceAbout the year 1539, the Shan Saophas ruled their respective principalities like Kings in their own palaces. At that period the Saophas were called "Lords of The Sunrise". But after 1539, they had to present their daughters to the reigning king. From that time on word, they were given the illustrious title, "Lords of The Sunset". But in A.D. 1543, after the demise of Hser Hom Hpa, Ohnbaung Hkun Mong inherited the throne at Ava. At the same time, Mongmit, Mong Yang, Mongnai, Mongping, Mongpai, Yawnghwe paid homage and recognised his kingship. In 1886, King Thibaw was deposed by the British. Burma proper and the Shan principalities came under British administration. Even before the British Annexation of upper Burma in 1886, some Shan Saophas tried to stage a revolt. The Saopha of Hsipaw, Sao Hkun Seng was involved in this plot. When the Burmese king got wind of the plot, Sao Hkun Seng sought British protection in lower Burma. Sao Hkun Seng was given the following assurances by the British.
According to the Shan States Manual of 1889, the Shan Saophas and Myosas were given appointment orders through Sanads by the Lieutenant Governor. Because of his satisfaction with the above points, Sao Hkun Seng went down to Rangoon to seek more concessions. The Lieutenant Governor tried to please him by sending him on a sea voyage to have an audience with Queen Victoria in London. After a prolonged negotiation in London, the Shan States Manual was revised and amended. The annual taxes were to be levied on a decade basis. Queen Victoria treated him cordially. She formed an alliance with the Shan Saophas and bestowed upon Sao Hkun Seng the prestigious title of CIE (Certificate of the Indian Empire). He was satisfied and after words returned to the Shan States. The Saopha put up aproposal to the Lieutenant Governor to make amendments to the Shan States Manual as agreed upon in London. The Governor promised to rectify the matter at future Durbar (An annual meeting of the Governor and Saophas where titles and appointment orders were given). Sao Hkun Seng's sons, Sao Li and Sao Oh were appointed Myooks (Township Officers) and sent to various parts of Burma. Later on the administration of the Federated Shan States was divided into three regions.
During the First World War (1914-1918), the three Saophas sent to the British Government in the form of cash contributions and men, for the war effort. Only after the First World War, the Saophas unitedly pressed for more reform. In 1922, the British gave in by forming a Shan States Federation and the Council of Saophas. But in practice, the Council was just an advisory board with no authority in administration. Therefore, the Saophas hired three lawers for ten thousand silver coins to lobby their case. Those three lowers were (1) Mc Donald Clifton, (2) U Tin and (3) U Soe Nyunt. The letter of memorandum was delivered to the British government in London by (1) the Saopha of Mongmit Sao Khin Maung (2) the Saopha of Yawnghwe Sao Khan Thuk. But it did not succeed. The delegates to the London conference of 1931 from the Shan States were (1) the Saohpa of Hsipaw Sao Ohn Kyar, (2) the Saopha of the Yaunghwe Sao Khan Thuk, (3) the Saohpa of Hsenwi Sao Hom Hpa and (4) the Saohpa of Kengtung Sao Gaung Dai. Delegates from Burma proper also attended. The leader of the Shan delegation Sao Ohn Kyar was the most vociferous in presenting the Shan case. Immediately after the London conference, the separation of Burma from the Diarchy Rule of India became imminent. Finally, the British provided separate budgetary allotments to the Frontier areas and Burma proper.
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