List of early and legendary monarchs of Burma

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This is a list of early and legendary monarchs of Burma (Myanmar). It covers the monarchs of the early polities in Upper Burma, Lower Burma and Arakan, according to the various royal chronicles. The list consists of two types. Some of the dynasties were likely derived from "Indian legends taken from Sanskrit or Pali originals" in order to link the Burmese monarchy to the Buddha. [1] [2] Many others were actual historical figures cloaked in pre-Buddhist legends, and probably existed in a different time period than that described in the chronicles. Moreover, many of these historical-based legendary figures were likely contemporaries of rival small settlements, rather than in the continuous lineage presented by the chronicles. [3]

Contents

Unless otherwise noted, the regnal dates in this article are abbreviated to the first Western calendar year only although the Burmese calendar straddles the Western calendar. For example, the start of King Pyinbya's reign, 208 ME (25 March 846 to 24 March 847 CE), is shown here only as 846 (instead of 846/47).

Upper Burma

First Tagaung dynasty

The first Tagaung dynasty was part of the Abhiyaza origin myth that made a "sudden appearance" in central Burma in 1781—in the treatise Mani Yadanabon . [4] The myth was not part of any of the prior central Burmese chronicles and treaties, as well as those immediately after, including the 1798 Yazawin Thit chronicle. [5] But the myth gained ascendancy with the Konbaung kings, and was finally included in the Hmannan Yazawin chronicle in 1832, officially linking the Konbaung and central Burmese kings to the Buddha. [6] The proclamation was part of the regional traditions to link their leaders to the clan of the Buddha. The earliest evidence of such linkage was in Arakan in the 1450s. The Arakanese tradition had grown more elaborate by the early 17th century, and finally reached central Burma in the 18th century. [7] It was embraced by the Konbaung kings who starting in the 1770s began an effort to delink the then prevailing pre-Buddhist origin myth of linking the monarchy to a solar spirit with a more universal (Buddhist) myth. [2]

MonarchReignRelationshipNotes
Abhiyaza 850–825 BCE
Kanyaza Nge 825–?Son
Zambudipa Yaza Son
Thingatha Yaza Son
Weippanna Yaza Son
Dewata Yaza Son
Munika Yaza Son
Naga Yaza Paternal uncle
Einda Yaza Brother
Thamuti Yaza Son
Dewa Yaza Son
Maheindra Yaza Son
Wimala Yaza Son
Thihanu Yaza Son
Mingana Yaza Son
Kantha Yaza Son
Kaleinga Yaza Son
Thindwe Yaza Son
Thihala Yaza Son
Thamuti Yaza Son
Hantha Yaza Brother
Wara Yaza Son
Alaung Yaza Son
Kawlaka Yaza Son
Thuriya Yaza Son
Thingyi Yaza Son
Taingchit Yaza Son
Madu Yaza Son
Minhlagyi Yaza Son
Thanthu Thiha Yaza Son
Daninga Yaza Son
Heinda Yaza Son
Mawriya Yaza Son
Beinnaka Yaza Son

Second Tagaung dynasty

This is the list of kings of the second Tagaung dynasty per in the Hmannan Yazawin chronicle, which provides no reign dates except for the date when the Sri Ksetra Kingdom was founded by two princes from Tagaung. [8] According to Michael Charney, the second Tagaung dynasty is simply a version of the same Abhiyaza myth—Daza Yaza/Dhajaraja is another title of Abhiyaza/Abhiraja—which the chroniclers of the Hmannan must have realized but nonetheless sequenced it as a successor dynasty to circumvent "any superior claim of legitimacy on the part of the royal line of western Burma" [Arakan]. [9]

MonarchReignRelationshipNotes
Daza Yaza c. 600 BCE–?
Thado Taing-Ya
Thado Yahta-Ya
Thado Tagun-Ya
Thado Hlanbyan-Ya
Thado Shwe
Thado Galon-Ya
Thado Naga-Ya
Thado Naga-Naing
Thado Yahawlaw
Thado Paungshe
Thado Kyaukshe
Thado Hsinlauk
Thado Hsinhtein
Thado Taingchit
Thado Mingyi
Thado Maha Yaza His sons founded Sri Ksetra Kingdom in 483 BCE.

Sri Ksetra Kingdom BCE 483-84

MonarchReignRelationshipNotes
Maha Thanbawa 483–477 BCESon of Thado Maha Yaza of Tagaung
Sula Thanbanwa 477–442Brother
Duttabaung 442–372Son of Maha ThanbawaHistorical figure believed to have ascended the throne in 739 CE
Duttayan 372–350Son
Yan Baung 350–300Son
Yan Man 300–250Son
Yetkhan 250–219Son
Khanlaung 219–181Son
Letkhaing 181–147Son
Thirikhan 147–119Son
Thiriyit 119–110SonLast of Duttabaung's line
Taba 110–59Adopted son
Papiyan 59 BCE–7 CESon
Yan Mukha 7–22Son
Yan Theinkha 22–25Son
Yan Monsaleinda 25–40Son
Bereinda 40–52Brother
Monsala 52–57Son
Ponna 57–60Son
Thakha 60–63Brother
Thathi 63–66Son
Kan Nu 66–67Younger brother
Kan Tet 67–70Elder brother
Beizza 70–74Elder brother
Thumondari 74–81Not stated
Atitya 81–84Son
Thupyinnya 84–94BrotherEnd of the Sri Ksetra dynasty

Early Pagan

Formative Early Pagan

The following is the list of Pagan kings as given in the main royal chronicles. [10]

NameReign per Zatadawbon Yazawin Reign per Maha Yazawin , Yazawin Thit , and Hmannan Yazawin Relationship with the predecessor
Thamoddarit 80–125107–152Nephew of Thupyinnya of Sri Ksetra
Yathekyaung 125–140152–167Caretaker
Pyusawhti 140–222167–242Son-in-law of Thamoddarit
Hti Min Yin 222–249242–299Son
Yin Min Paik 249–334299–324Son
Paik Thinli 334–371324–344Son
Thinli Kyaung I 371–415344–387Son
Kyaung Tu Yit 415–440387–412Son
Thihtan 440–477412–439Son
Thuye 477–492439–494Usurper
Tharamun Pya 492–514494–516Grandson of Thihtan
Thaik Taing 514–521516–523Son
Thinli Kyaung II 521–530523–532Son
Thinli Paik 530–535532–547Brother
Khan Laung 535–545547–557Brother
Khan Lat 545–557557–569Brother
Htun Taik 557–570569–582Son
Htun Pyit 570–586582–598Son
Htun Kyit 586–613598–613Son

Middle Early Pagan (AD 613-846)

All four main chronicles are in agreement with the regnal dates in this period. [10]

NameReign per Zatadawbon Yazawin , Maha Yazawin , Yazawin Thit , and Hmannan Yazawin Relationship with the predecessor
Popa Sawrahan 613–640Usurper
Shwe Ohnthi 640–652Son-in-law
Peit Thon 652–660Brother
Peit Taung 660–710Son
Nga Khwe 710–716Brother
Min Kywe 716–726Usurper
Theinga 726–734Elected by court; of royal blood
Thein Khun 734–744Son
Shwe Laung 744–753Son
Htun Htwin 753–762Son
Shwe Hmauk 762–785Son
Htun Lut 785–802Brother
Saw Khin Hnit 802–829Son
Khelu 829–846Son

Late Early Pagan (846-1044)

The chronicles again do not agree with the dates for this period. The dates in later chronicles Yazawin Thit and Hmannan Yazawin now depart from Maha Yazawin dates from 846 CE forward. [10]

NameReign per Zatadawbon Yazawin Reign per Maha Yazawin Reign per Yazawin Thit and Hmannan Yazawin Relationship with predecessor(s)
Pyinbya 846–886846–858846–878Brother
Tannet 886–904858–876878–906Son
Sale Ngahkwe 904–934876–901906–915Usurper
Theinhko 934–956901–917915–931Son
Nyaung-u Sawrahan 956–1001917–950931–964Usurper
Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu 1001–1021950–971964–986Son of Tannet
Kyiso 1021–1038971–977986–992Son of Nyaung-u Sawrahan
Sokkate 1038–1044977–1002992–1017Brother

Lower Burma

Thaton Kingdom

MonarchReignRelationshipNotes
Thiha Yaza  ?–543 BCEDied in the year the Buddha died; came from India
Dhamma Thawka I
Titha Tissa
Dhamma Pala
Dhamma Daza
Einkura
Upadewa Yaza
Thiwa Yaza
Zawta Kumma
Dhamma Thawka II
Uttara
Katha Wunna
Maha Thala
Araka
Narathu I
Maha Beinda
Adara
Angula
Urunnata
Thuganda I
Thuganda II
Bramah Datta
Manya Yaza
Adika
Maradi Yaza
Thaduka
Dipa Yaza I
Athinkha Yaza
Bomma Yaza
Manda Yaza
Mahintha Yaza
Dhamma Sekka Yaza
Thusanbadi
Baddara Yaza
Narathu II
Zambudipa Yaza
Ketharit Yaza
Wizaya Kumma
Mani Yaza
Tekka Min
Athinkha Yaza
Kutha Yaza
Dipa Yaza II
Nara Yaza
Yaza Thura
Seitta Yaza
Diga Yaza
Ottama Yaza
Thiri Yaza
Dhamma Yaza
Maha Seitta Yaza
Ganda Yaza
Zeya Yaza
Thumana Yaza
Maddaka Yaza
Aminna Yaza
Udinna Yaza
Manuha  ?–1057 CE

Early Hanthawaddy

The list here is per Harvey who reported it from the Shwemawdaw Thamaing (lit. "History of Shwemawdaw Pagoda"); the dates are unattested. [3] Other Mon Chronicles give a similar list of rulers from 573 to 781 with no records thereafter, leaving a gap of 276 years to Pagan's conquest of Pegu in 1057. [11] Harvey's list better synchronizes with historically confirmed Pagan dates. But according to Michael Aung-Thwin, pre-Pagan Mon kingdoms of Lower Burma are later 15th century legends, unattested by evidence. Pegu as a place name only first appeared in a 1266 Old Burmese inscription. [12]

MonarchReignRelationshipNotes
Thamala 825–837Founds Pegu (Bago) in 825
Wimala 837-854Brother
Atha 854–861Nephew
Areindama 861–885Son
A monk885–902
Geinda 902–917
Migadeippa I 917–932
Geissadiya 932–942
Karawika 942–954
Pyinzala 954–967Son
Attatha 967–982Brother
Anuyama 982–994Nephew
Migadeippa II 994–1004
Ekkathamanda 1004–1016
Uppala 1016–1028
Pontarika 1028–1043Founds Dagon
Tissa 1043–1057

Rulers of Arakan

First Danyawaddy (2666–825 BCE)

MonarchReignRelationshipNotes
Marayu 2666–2604
Mara Zi I 2604–2572son
Mara Onlin 2572–2519son
Mara Rwaylin 2519–2471son
Mara Bin 2471–2416son
Mara Zi II 2416–2383son
Mara Kin 2383–2351son
Nga Sha Po 2351–2330usurper
Dwara Sanda 2330–2290son of Mara Kin
Thola Sanda 2290–2257son
Sanda Thuriya Sanda 2257–2220son
Kala Sanda 2220–2180son
Ti Sanda 2180–2149son
Madhutha Sanda 2149–2129son
Zeya Sanda 2129–2089nephew
Mokkha Sanda 2089–2063son
Gunna Sanda 2063–2051son
Three Nobles2051–2050usurpers; reigned 7 days, 3 months, and 8 months successively
Kan Raza I 2050–2009grandson of Gunna Sanda
Kan Raza II 2009–1973brother
Athurinda Thuriya 1973–1938uncle
Tharameta 1938–1880son
Thuriya 1880–1849son
Min Thi 1849–1827brother
Min Ba 1827–1805son
Si Aung 1805–1777son
Tataingthin 1777–1746brother
Kyaw-Khaung Win 1746–1715son
Thuriya Nandameit 1715–1694son
Athu Yindabaya 1694–1663son
Letya Sithugyi 1663–1631son
Thihaka 1631–1588son
Min Bun Than 1588–1557son
Thayet Hmwe 1557–1508son
Zeya Nandathu 1508–1457son
Tekkathu 1457–1411son
Lekkhana 1411–1374son
Gunnarit 1374–1326son
Thiwarit 1326–1285son
Min Hla Hmwe 1285–1254son
Marinda 1254–1192son
Theiddat Kumara 1192–1170son
Min Hla I 1170–1123son
Min Hla II 1123–1099brother
Nga Sarit 1099–1061son
Myet-hna Wun 1061–1030son
Let Thut Kyi 1030–1003son
Thiri Kamma Thunda 1003–972brother
Nanda Kotabaya 972–945son
Min Nan Phyu 945–925son
Min Manu 925–897son
Minkhaung 897–878son
Laukkhaung Raza 878–838son
Min Nge Pyaw-Hla-Si 838–832son
Three nobles832–825usurpers

Second Danyawaddy (825 BCE–146 CE)

MonarchReignRelationshipNotes
Kan Raza III 825–788
Thila Raza 788–740son
Wasa Thura 740–709son
Nandawi Thura 709–669son
Puna Thuriya 669–637son
Thuranda 637–614son
Sandima 614–577son
Thiri Sanda 577–537son
Thiha Ran 537–491brother
Thiha Nu 491–471son
Payaka 471–440son
Nela Gun 440–399son
Rohaha Gun 399–368son
Thiri Gun 368–344son
Thamaza 344–309nephew
Kummara 309–289son
Thet Htin Phyu 289–249son
Tha Bin U 249–207son
Teza Wun 207–171brother
Munzayaba 171–137son
Kummara Withuddi 137–50uncle
Wathu Mun Dala 50–16son
Thurinda 16 BCE–15 CEson
Ralamayu 15–37brother
Nalamayu 37–68son
Wada Gun 68–90son
Withu Raza 90–111son
Thiri Raza 111–146son

Third Danyawaddy (146–788 CE)

MonarchReignRelationshipNotes
Sanda Thuriya 146–198
Thuriya Dipati 198–245son
Thuriya Patipat 245–298son
Thuriya Rupa 298–313son
Thuriya Mandala 313–375son
Thuriya Wunna 375–418son
Thuriya Natha 418–459son
Thuriya Wuntha 459–468son
Thuriya Banda 468–474son
Thuriya Kalyana 474–492son
Thuriya Mokkha 492–513son
Thuriya Teza 513–544son
Thuriya Ponnya 544–552son
Thuriya Kala 552–575son
Thuriya Pabba 575–600son
Thuriya Sitya 600–618son
Thuriya Thehta 618–640son
Thuriya Wimala 640–648son
Thuriya Renu 648–670brother
Thuriya Gantha 670–686son
Thuriya Thagya 686–694uncle
Thuriya Thiri 694–714son
Thuriya Kethi 714–723son
Thuriya Kutta 723–746son
Thuriya Ketu 746–788son

Waithali (788–1018 CE)

MonarchReignRelationshipNotes
Maha Taing Sanda 788–810founderson of Thuriya ketu
Thuriya Taing Sanda 810–830son
Mawla Taing Sanda 830–849son
Pawla Taing Sanda 849–875son
Kala Taing Sanda 875–884son
Tula Taing Sanda 884–903son
Thiri Taing Sanda 903–935son
Thinkha Taing Sanda 935–951son
Chula Taing Sanda 951–957son
Amyahtu 957–964Chief of Myu people
Pe Phyu 964–994nephew
Nga Pin Nga Ton 994–1018son of Chula Taing Sanda

Notes

  1. ↑ Hall 1960: 7
  2. 1 2 Lieberman 2003: 196
  3. 1 2 Harvey 1925: 368
  4. ↑ Charney 2002: 9
  5. ↑ Charney 2002: 9, 34
  6. ↑ Than Tun 1964: ix–x
  7. ↑ Charney 2002: 4–5
  8. ↑ Hmannan Vol. 1 1829: 159–160
  9. ↑ Charney 2002: 26–27
  10. 1 2 3 Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 343–347
  11. ↑ Phayre 1883: 289
  12. ↑ Aung-Thwin 2005: 29

References

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