Hsipaw Palace was built in 1924.Hsipaw countryside, autumn 2006
Hsipaw, also spelled Thibaw,[a] was a Shan state located in what is now Myanmar (Burma). It was also commonly known as Ong Pawng or Onbaung[b] after an old capital.[1] It was centered around the town of Hsipaw, and was perhaps one of the most well known and powerful Shan States.
A predecessor state named Duṭṭhavatī (Burmese: ဒုဋ္ဌဝတီ) was said to be founded in 58 BC, according to local tradition.
Onbaung–Hsipaw is first mentioned in a Burmese inscription from 1324, where it's mentioned that Thihathu repulsed the troops of "Onbaung" who were attempting to raid the Pinya kingdom.[2] Another conflict broke out between Onbaung–Hsipaw and the Ava kingdom in 1415.[3]
During the Sino-Burmese War (1765–69) the Qianlong Emperor of China invaded the area of Hsipaw. The main Chinese army, led by Ming Rui, was to approach Ava through Hsenwi, Lashio and Hsipaw down the Namtu river. The main invasion route was the same route followed by the Manchu forces a century earlier, chasing the Yongli Emperor of the Southern Ming dynasty. The second army, led by Gen. E'erdeng'e, was to try the Bhamo route again.[4] The ultimate objective was for both armies to clamp themselves in a pincer action on the Burmese capital of Ava.[5] The Burmese plan was to hold the second Chinese army in the north at Kaungton with the army led by Ne Myo Sithu, and meet the main Chinese army in the northeast with two armies led by Maha Sithu and Maha Thiha Thura.[6]
At first, everything went according to plan for the Qing. The third invasion began in November 1767 as the smaller Chinese army attacked and occupied Bhamo. Within eight days, Ming Rui's main army occupied the Shan states of Hsenwi and Hsipaw.[6] Ming Rui made Hsenwi a supply base, and assigned 5000 troops to remain at Hsenwi and guard the rear. He then led a 15,000-strong army in the direction of Ava. In late December, at the Goteik Gorge (south of Hsipaw), the two main armies faced off and the first major battle of the third invasion ensued. Outnumbered two-to-one, Maha Sithu's main Burmese army was thoroughly routed by Ming Rui's Bannermen. Maha Thiha Thura too was repulsed at Hsenwi.[7][8] The news of the disaster at Goteik reached Ava. Hsinbyushin finally realized the gravity of the situation, and urgently recalled Burmese armies from Siam.[9]
Having smashed through the main Burmese army, Ming Rui pressed on full steam ahead, overrunning one town after another, and reached Singu on the Irrawaddy, 30 miles north of Ava at the beginning of 1768. The only bright spot for the Burmese was that the northern invasion force, which was to come down the Irrawaddy to join up with Ming Rui's main army, had been held off at Kaungton.[7]
Between 1938 and 1947 Hsipaw was administered by British Burma. The last ruler of the On Baung dynasty that had been ruling Hsipaw abdicated in 1959. The state became part of Shan State and, despite the independence struggle of the latter, eventually part of Burma.
The saophas played fluctuating roles in regional Shan and national Burmese politics from the 11th century all the way until the 1962 military coup by General Ne Win when all the privileges of the saophas were abolished.
Rulers
The Princes of Hsipaw had the title of 'Saopha'.[citation needed] The following lists all rulers of Hsipaw State, along with their relationship to the prior ruler(s).[11][verification needed] From the mid-1880s to 1922, the territory was a British protectorate as part of the Shan States (within British Burma in the wider British India), and from 1922 to 1948 as part of the Federated Shan States. As a British possession, the ruler of Hsipaw State was entitled to a nine-gun salute.
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Rulers
Enthrone
Dethrone
Detail
1
Sao Hkun Hkam Naw
58BC
23BC
2
Sao Hkun Hkam Kaw
23BC
10AD
Son of Sao Hkun Hkam Naw
3
Sao Hkam Kawt
10
36
Son of Sao Hkun Hkam Kaw
4
Sao Hkam Htawt
36
72
Brother of Sao Hkam Kawt
5
Sao Hkam Möng
72
110
Son of Sao Hkam Htawt
6
Sao Hkam Ung
110
127
Brother of Sao Hkam Möng
7
Sao Hkam Sung
127
171
Brother of Sao Hkam Ung
8
Sao Hkam Kio
171
207
Son of Sao Hkam Sung
9
Paw Ai Phyao
207
237
Former senior officer (Amat)
10
Paw Pan Süng
237
237
Son of Paw Ai Phyao
11
Hso Hom Hpa
237
257
Son of Sao Sam Mya of Mao Löng (Möng Mao), great grandson of Sao Hkam Möng
The Last saopha of Hsipaw, son of Sao Ohn Kya, born 1924, (some records indicate that he is the son of Sao O, who is the son of Sao Kya Hkeng), disappeared 3 March 1962
Hall, D.G.E. (1960). Burma (3rded.). Hutchinson University Library. ISBN978-1-4067-3503-1.{{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
Haskew, Michael E.; Joregensen, Christer; Niderost, Eric; McNab, Chris (2008). Fighting techniques of the Oriental world, AD 1200–1860: equipment, combat skills, and tactics (Illustrateded.). Macmillan. ISBN978-0-312-38696-2.
Htin Aung, Maung (1967). A History of Burma. New York and London: Cambridge University Press.
Harvey, G. E. (1925). History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824. London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd.
Kyaw Thet (1962). History of Union of Burma (in Burmese). Yangon: Yangon University Press.
Sir Arthur Purves Phayre (1884). History of Burma: including Burma proper, Pegu, Taungu, Tenasserim, and Arakan. From the earliest time to the end of the first war with British India. Trübner & co.
J. G. Scott (1900–1901). Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan States. Rangoon: superintendent, Government printing. 5 vols.
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