Manipuri–Burmese wars of 1717 to 1749
| Manipuri – Burmese Wars of 1717–1749 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Ningthouja dynasty |
 Toungoo Dynasty Manikya Dynasty[1][2]Kingdom of Pong[3] | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Charairongba Pamheiba |
Mahadhammaraza Dipadi Taninganway Min | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 20,000 + [5] | Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| More[6] | Less | ||||||||
The Manipur – Burmese wars of 1717–1749 were a series of conflicts between Manipur under Gharib Niwaz and the Toungoo dynasty of Burma.[7]
Background[edit]
The conflict between the Kingdom of Manipur and the Kingdom of Burma, also known as Awa, was sparked by a series of events rooted in familial ties and political grievances. Following the demotion of his sister, who was married to the Burmese King as Awa-Leima, Manipur King Charairongba harbored deep resentment. Before his demise, he tasked his son Pamheiba (Garibaniwaz) with avenging this slight against their family. The tensions escalated when a delegation from Burma, accompanied by Samsok emissaries, arrived in Manipur seeking a Meitei princess's hand in marriage. Despite King Garibaniwaz's courteous reception, the presence of the Samsok people further fueled his anger, setting the stage for further hostilities between the two kingdoms.[7]
Early Conflict[edit]
In 1724, Gharib Niwaz deceived the Burmese king by pretending to bring a princess as a companion for the Burmese monarch's princess. Instead, he captured 300 Burmese lords and ladies who had come to receive the supposed princess, taking them captive to Manipur.[7][8] The Burmese launched an invasion Manipur in revenge. The Burmese troops were intercepted by Manipuri army at Mangsha, and defeated them. The Manipur royal chronicle Cheitharol Kumbaba records that 157 Burmese were caught in the whole 9 days long operation.
Mu-Valley Campaign of 1735[edit]
In 1735, Gharib Niwaz launched a campaign into the Mu Valley in Central Burma. Manipuri army entered Myedu in Shwebo District, destroying villages and pagodas, and captured cattle and 1000 people.[8] [9]
Impact[edit]
The Mon Rebellion for Restored Hanthawaddy Kingdom, which marked the end of the Toungoo dynasty, was a response to the Ava court's inability to manage the invasions of Manipur. This was not a carefully planned rising, but rather a spontaneous outbreak due to the prevailing circumstances. The Manipuri invasion reaching the walls of Ava, and the eastern entrance of the Kaunghmudaw Pagoda still bears the sword marks of Gharib Niwaz made a chilling reminder of the violence that ensued. In such volatile conditions, rebellion was inevitable.[10]
King Pamheiba campaigned in Mu-Valley, including Mydeu town, in 1735-1738. He stayed over a month at in Shwebo District, where the future emperor Alaungpaya , then a boy, observed the events. Alaungpaya grew up watching Manipuris ransacking his home region year after year. After becoming the monarch of Burma, he sent an expedition to Manipur to "instill respect". In early 1756, the Burmese army defeated the Manipuri army and ransacked the country, which the Manipuris call the First Devastation.[11][12]
References[edit]
- ^ History of Manipur, the medevial period. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05.
- ^ Sana, Raj Kumar Somorjit (2010). The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs. Waikhom Ananda Meetei. ISBN 978-81-8465-210-9.
- ^ Somorjit, Wangam (March 2016). Manipur. Waba Publications & Advanced Research Consortium. ISBN 978-81-926687-2-7.
- ^ Gait, Edward; Gait, Sir Edward Albert (1906). A History of Assam.
- ^ Mill, James (March 25, 1848). "The History of British India". Madden – via Google Books.
- ^ "Garib Niwaz: Wars and Religious Policy in 18th Century Manipur". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27.
- ^ a b c Sorokhaibam, Manglemjao S. (July 10, 2021). "GARIBANIWAZ (PAMHEIBA): The Master of Manipur and Upper Burma (West of Irrawaddy) (1709–1748) » Imphal Review of Arts and Politics". imphalreviews.in.
- ^ a b Harvey, G.E. History Of Burma, Page 208.
- ^ U, Htin Aung. A history of Burma, Page 152 (PDF).
- ^ Hall, D.G.E. Burma, Page 75.
- ^ Harvey 1925: 228
- ^ Hall 1960: X-20