This is a list of the monarchs of Burma (Myanmar), covering the monarchs of all the major kingdoms that existed in the present day Burma (Myanmar). Although Burmese chronicle tradition maintains that various monarchies of Burma (Mon, Burman, Arakanese), began in the 9th century BCE, historically verified data date back only to 1044 CE at the accession of Anawrahta of Pagan. The farther away the data are from 1044, the less verifiable they are. For example, the founding of the city of Pagan (Bagan) in the 9th century is verifiable–although the accuracy of the actual date, given in the Chronicles as 849, remains in question–but the founding of early Pagan dynasty, given as the 2nd century, is not.[1] For early kingdoms, see List of early and legendary monarchs of Burma.
| King of Burma | |
|---|---|
 Burmese Green Peacock | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Majesty |
| First monarch | Abhiyaza |
| Last monarch | Thibaw Min |
| Formation | 850 BCE |
| Abolition | 29 November 1885 |
| Pretender(s) | Soe Win |
The reign dates follow the latest available dates as discussed in each section.
Early kingdoms
Pagan (849–1297)
Early Pagan (to 1044)
Below is a partial list of early Pagan kings as reported by the four major chronicles. Prior to Anawrahta, inscriptional evidence exists thus far only for Nyaung-u Sawrahan and Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu. The list starts from Pyinbya, the fortifier of Pagan (Bagan) according to Hmannan. The Zatadawbon Yazawin is considered the most accurate chronicle for the Pagan period.
| Name | Reign per Zatadawbon Yazawin | Reign per Maha Yazawin | Reign per Yazawin Thit and Hmannan Yazawin | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pyinbya | 846–886 | 846–858 | 846–878 | Brother |
| Tannet | 886–904 | 858–876 | 878–906 | Son |
| Sale Ngahkwe | 904–934 | 876–901 | 906–915 | Usurper |
| Theinhko | 934–956 | 901–917 | 915–931 | Son |
| Nyaung-u Sawrahan | 956–1001 | 917–950 | 931–964 | Usurper |
| Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu | 1001–1021 | 950–971 | 964–986 | Son of Tannet |
| Kyiso | 1021–1038 | 971–977 | 986–992 | Son of Nyaung-u Sawrahan |
| Sokkate | 1038–1044 | 977–1002 | 992–1017 | Brother |
The list generally follows the chronicle reported order and reign dates. G.H. Luce does not recognize Naratheinkha, and proposes an interregnum of nine years between 1165 and 1174. But Luce's gap has been rigorously questioned. Moreover, Luce proposes that Naratheinga Uzana was king between 1231 and 1235 but it too is not universally accepted.[2]
| Name | Image | Reign From | Reign Until | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anawrahta |  | 11 August 1044 | 11 April 1077 | Son of Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu |
| Saw Lu | 11 April 1077 | c. 21 April 1084 | Son | |
| Kyansittha |  | 21 April 1084 | 1112/13 | Half-brother |
| Sithu I |  | 1112/13 | 1167 | Grandson |
| Narathu |  | 1167 | c. February 1171 | Son |
| Naratheinkha | c. February 1171 | May 1174 | Son | |
| Sithu II |  | May 1174 | 18 August 1211 | Brother |
| Htilominlo |  | 18 August 1211 | 19 July 1235 | Son |
| Naratheinga Uzana (as regent) | c. 1231?/35 | 19 July 1235 | Son | |
| Kyaswa |  | 19 July 1235 | c. May 1251 | Son of Htilominlo |
| Uzana | c. May 1251 | c. 6 May 1256 | Son | |
| Narathihapate | 6 May 1256 | 1 July 1287 | Son | |
| Interregnum (1287–1289) | ||||
| Kyawswa | 30 May 1289 | 17 December 1297 | Son | |
Lesser kingdoms
Myinsaing (1297–1313)
All main chronicles prior to Hmannan Yazawin say that the co-regency ended in 674 ME (1312/13) but Hmannan says it ended in 672 ME (1310/11). Inscriptional evidence shows that the first brother died on 13 April 1310 but the second brother was still alive.
| Name | Image | Reign From | Reign Until | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athinkhaya Yazathingyan Thihathu | 17 December 1297 | 13 April 1310 | Founders, brothers and co-regents | |
| Yazathingyan Thihathu | 13 April 1310 | before 7 February 1313 | Co-rulers |
Pinya (1313–1364)
Most of the dates below are by Than Tun and Gordon Luce who had checked the chronicle reported dates with inscriptions. Myinsaing Sithu does not appear in any of the chronicles.[3]
| Name | Image | Reign From | Reign Until | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thihathu | 7 February 1313 | c. February 1325 | Brother of Athinkhaya and Yazathingyan | |
| Uzana I | c. February 1325 | 1 September 1340 | Adopted son of Thihathu; Son of Kyawswa of Pagan | |
| Sithu (as regent) | 1 September 1340 | 29 March 1344 | Maternal uncle? | |
| Kyawswa I (Thihathu II) |  | 29 March 1344 | 12 December 1350 | Nephew and son-in-law |
| Kyawswa II | 12 December 1350 | 19 March 1359 | Son | |
| Narathu of Pinya (Thihathu III) | 19 March 1359 | June 1364 | Brother | |
| Uzana II | June 1364 | September 1364 | Brother |
Sagaing (1315–1364)
| Name | Image | Reign From | Reign Until | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saw Yun | 15 May 1315 | 5 February 1327 | Son of Thihathu | |
| Tarabya I | 5 February 1327 | 1335/36 | Maternal half-brother | |
| Shwetaungtet | 1335/36 | c. August 1339 | Son | |
| Kyaswa of Sagaing | c. August 1339 | c. March 1349 | Son of Saw Yun | |
| Nawrahta Minye | c. April 1349 | c. November 1349 | Brother | |
| Tarabya II | c. November 1349 | 23 February 1352 | Brother | |
| Minbyauk Thihapate | 23 February 1352 | April 1364 | Brother-in-law |
Ava (1364–1555)
Different Burmese chronicles give similar but not identical dates for the regnal dates of the Ava period.[4] The following table largely follows the dates given in Hmannan Yazawin and the table of regnal dates given in (Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 352–355). The regnal dates by G.E. Harvey (Harvey 1925: 366) for the most part are off by a year (a year later) than chronicle and inscriptionally-verified dates.
| Name | Image | Reign From | Reign Until | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thado Minbya | April 1364 | c. 3 September 1367 | Grandson of Saw Yun | |
| Swa Saw Ke | 5 September 1367 | April 1400 | Grandson of Kyawswa of Pagan and grandnephew of Thihathu | |
| Tarabya |  | April 1400 | c. November 1400 | Son |
| Minkhaung I | 25 November 1400 | c. October 1421 | Half-brother | |
| Thihathu |  | c. October 1421 | August 1425 | Son |
| Min Hla | August 1425 | November 1425 | Son | |
| Kale Kye-Taung Nyo | by 9 November 1425 | 16 May 1426 | Uncle | |
| Mohnyin Thado | 16 May 1426 | April 1439 | Descended from Kyawswa I of Pinya, Founder of Mohnyin Dynasty (မိုးညှင်းဆက်) | |
| Minye Kyawswa I | by 26 April 1439 | January 1442 | Son | |
| Narapati I | by 11 March 1442 | 24 July 1468 | Brother | |
| Thihathura I | 24 July 1468 | c. August 1480 | Son | |
| Minkhaung II | c. August 1480 | 7 April 1501 | Son | |
| Thihathura II | 1485 | 4 March 1501 | Son Joint-king during Minkhaung II's reign | |
| Narapati II | 7 April 1501 | 14 March 1527 | Son of Minkhaung II | |
| Thohanbwa | 14 March 1527 | May 1542 | Son of Sawlon I of Mohnyin | |
| Hkonmaing | June 1542 | c. September 1545 | Saopha of Thibaw | |
| Narapati III | c. September 1545 | c. October 1551 | Son | |
| Narapati IV | c. October 1551 | 22 January 1555 | Governor of Salin and Viceroy of Sagaing |
Hanthawaddy (1287–1539, 1550–1552)
| Name | Image | Reign From | Reign Until | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wareru | 30 January 1287 | c. 14 January 1307 | Founder | |
| Hkun Law | by 28 January 1307 | March 1311 | Brother | |
| Saw O | 10 April 1311 | September 1323 | Nephew | |
| Saw Zein | by 28 September 1323 | c. April 1330 | Brother | |
| Zein Pun | c. April 1330 | c. April 1330 | Usurper | |
| Saw E | c. April 1330 | c. June 1330 | Nephew of Saw Zein | |
| Binnya E Law | c. June 1330 | 1348 | Uncle; Son of Hkun Law | |
| Binnya U | 1348 | 2 January 1384 | Nephew; Son of Saw Zein | |
| Maha Dewi (as regent) | by 28 October 1383 | 4 January 1384 | Sister | |
| Razadarit |  | 4 January 1384 | c. December 1421 | Son of Binnya U; adopted son of Maha Dewi |
| Binnya Dhammaraza | by 29 December 1421 | 1424 | Son | |
| Binnya Ran I | 1424 | c. September 1446 | Brother | |
| Binnya Waru | c. September 1446 | 30 May 1451 | Nephew | |
| Binnya Kyan | 30 May 1451 | c. June 1453 | Cousin; Son of Binnya Dhamaraza | |
| Leik Munhtaw | c. June 1453 | c. January 1454 | Cousin; Son of Binnya Ran | |
| Shin Sawbu |  | c. January 1454 | 1471 | Aunt; Daughter of Razadarit |
| Dhammazedi | 1471 | 1492 | Son in law | |
| Binnya Ran II | 1492 | 1526 | Son | |
| Taka Yut Pi | 1526 | c. January 1539 | Son | |
| Toungoo rule (1539–1550) | ||||
| Smim Sawhtut | June 1550 | August 1550 | Claimant to throne | |
| Smim Htaw | August 1550 | 12 March 1552 | Brother of Taka Yut Pi | |
Mrauk-U (1429–1785)
The reign dates are per the Arakanese chronicle Rakhine Razawin Thit (Sandamala Linkara Vol. 2 1931), converted into Western dates using (Eade 1989). The converted dates after 1582 are on the Gregorian calendar. (Some Arakanese chronicles state the foundation of the kingdom a year later, 1430. Moreover, the end of the kingdom is given per Burmese records, 2 January 1785. Arakanese records give a day earlier, 1 January 1785.)
| Name | Image | Reign From | Reign Until | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saw Mon | 18 April 1429 | 9 May 1433 | Founder | |
| Khayi | 9 May 1433 | c. January 1459 | Brother | |
| Ba Saw Phyu | c. January 1459 | 5 August 1482 | Son | |
| Dawlya | 5 August 1482 | c. February 1492 | Son | |
| Ba Saw Nyo | c. February 1492 | c. January 1494 | Uncle, son of Khayi | |
| Ran Aung | c. January 1494 | c. July 1494 | Nephew, son of Dawlya | |
| Salingathu | c. July 1494 | February 1502 | Maternal uncle | |
| Raza | February 1502 | c. November 1513 | Son | |
| Gazapati | c. November 1513 | January 1515 | Son | |
| Saw O | January 1515 | July 1515 | Granduncle; brother of Salingathu | |
| Thazata | July 1515 | c. April 1521 | Son of Dawlya | |
| Minkhaung | c. April 1521 | 27 May 1531 | Brother | |
| Min Bin |  | 27 May 1531 | 11 January 1554 | Son of Min Raza |
| Dikkha | 11 January 1554 | 6 March 1556 | Son | |
| Saw Hla | 6 March 1556 | 24 July 1564 | Son | |
| Sekkya | 24 July 1564 | 7 February 1572 | Brother | |
| Phalaung | 7 February 1572 | 4 July 1593 | Son of Min Bin | |
| Razagri |  | 4 July 1593 | 4 July 1612 | Son |
| Khamaung | 4 July 1612 | 14 May 1622 | Son | |
| Thiri Thudhamma | 14 May 1622 | 31 May 1638 | Son | |
| Sanay | 1 June 1638 | 26 June 1638 | Son | |
| Narapati | 26 June 1638 | 3 December 1645 | Great-grandson of Min Bin | |
| Thado | 3 December 1645 | c. May 1652 | Son | |
| Sanda Thudhamma | c. May 1652 | 11 June 1674 | Son | |
| Thiri Thuriya | 11 June 1674 | 16 April 1685 | Son | |
| Wara Dhammaraza | 16 April 1685 | 20 June 1692 | Brother | |
| Muni Thudhammaraza | 20 June 1692 | 20 December 1694 | Elder brother | |
| Sanda Thuriya I | 20 December 1694 | 4 August 1696 | Brother | |
| Nawrahta | 4 August 1696 | 18 August 1696 | Son | |
| Mayuppiya | 18 August 1696 | 13 May 1697 | Usurper | |
| Kalamandat | 16 May 1697 | 5 June 1698 | Usurper | |
| Naradipati I | 5 June 1698 | 17 June 1700 | Son of Sanda Thuriya | |
| Sanda Wimala I | 18 June 1700 | 30 March 1707 | Grandson of Thado | |
| Sanda Thuriya II | 3 April 1707 | September 1710 | Grandson of Sanda Thudhamma | |
| Interregnum ~2 months | ||||
| Sanda Wizaya | November 1710 | April 1731 | Usurper | |
| Sanda Thuriya III | April 1731 | 1734 | Son-in-law | |
| Naradipati II | 1734 | 1735 | Son | |
| Narapawara | 1735 | September 1737 | Usurper | |
| Sanda Wizala | September 1737 | 25 March 1738 | Cousin | |
| Madarit | 28 March 1738 | 6 February 1743 | Brother | |
| Nara Apaya | 6 February 1743 | 28 October 1761 | Uncle | |
| Thirithu | 28 October 1761 | 3 February 1762 | Son | |
| Sanda Parama | 3 February 1762 | 1 May 1764 | Brother | |
| Apaya | 1 May 1764 | 17 January 1774 | Brother-in-law | |
| Sanda Thumana | 17 January 1774 | 5 May 1777 | Brother-in-law | |
| Sanda Wimala II | 6 May 1777 | 5 June 1777 | Usurper | |
| Sanda Thaditha | 5 June 1777 | 1 December 1782 | usurper | |
| Maha Thammada | 2 December 1782 | 2 January 1785 | nephew in-law | |
Prome (1482–1542)
- See List of rulers of Prome for governors of Prome between the late Pagan and early Restored Toungoo periods.
| Name | Image | Reign From | Reign Until | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thado Minsaw | 1482 | February 1527 | Son of Narapati I of Ava | |
| Bayin Htwe | February 1527 | c. December 1532 | Son | |
| Narapati | c. December 1532 | February 1539 | Son | |
| Minkhaung | February 1539 | 19 May 1542 | Brother |
Toungoo (1510–1752)
- See List of rulers of Toungoo for the viceroys and governors of Toungoo between 1279 and 1612.
The following are based on the reign dates in the Burmese calendar given in Maha Yazawin and Hmannan Yazawin chronicles. (The converted dates after 1582 are on the Gregorian calendar. Some books, e.g., Than Tun's Royal Orders of Burma (1983–1990), use old-style Julian dates for the entire Toungoo period.)
| Name | Image | Reign From | Reign Until | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mingyi Nyo |  | 16 October 1510 | 24 November 1530 | Founder |
| Tabinshwehti |  | 24 November 1530 | 30 April 1550 | Son |
| Bayinnaung |  | 30 April 1550 | 10 October 1581 | Brother-in-law |
| Nanda |  | 10 October 1581 | 19 December 1599 | Son; nephew of Tabinshwehti |
| Nyaungyan | | 19 December 1599 | 5 November 1605 | Half-brother |
| Anaukpetlun | | 5 November 1605 | 9 July 1628 | Son |
| Minye Deibba | | 9 July 1628 | 19 August 1629 | Son |
| Thalun |  | 19 August 1629 | 27 August 1648 | Uncle |
| Pindale | | 27 August 1648 | 3 June 1661 | Son |
| Pye | | 3 June 1661 | 14 April 1672 | Brother |
| Narawara | | 14 April 1672 | 27 February 1673 | Son |
| Minye Kyawhtin | | 27 February 1673 | 4 May 1698 | Distant Brother; Grandson of King Thalun |
| Sanay | | 4 May 1698 | 22 August 1714 | Son |
| Taninganway | | 22 August 1714 | 14 November 1733 | Son |
| Mahadhammaraza Dipadi | | 14 November 1733 | 22 March 1752 | Son |
Restored Hanthawaddy (1740–1757)
| Name | Image | Reign From | Reign Until | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smim Htaw Buddhaketi | 8 December 1740 | January 1747 | Cousin of Mahadhammaraza Dipadi | |
| Binnya Dala | January 1747 | 6 May 1757 | Father-in-law |
Konbaung (1752–1885)
| Name | Image | Reign From | Reign Until | Relationship with predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaungpaya |  | 29 February 1752 | 11 May 1760 | Founder |
| Naungdawgyi |  | 11 May 1760 | 28 November 1763 | Eldest Son of Alaungpaya |
| Hsinbyushin | | 28 November 1763 | 10 June 1776 | Brother of Naungdawgyi and Second eldest son of Alaungpaya |
| Singu | | 10 June 1776 | 6 February 1782 | Son of Hsinbyushin |
| Phaungka | | 6 February 1782 | 11 February 1782 | Son of Naungdawgyi and cousin brother of Singu |
| Bodawpaya | .jpg) | 11 February 1782 | 5 June 1819 | Uncle; Alaungpaya's fourth son |
| Bagyidaw |  | 5 June 1819 | 15 April 1837 | Grandson of Bodawpaya |
| Tharrawaddy | | 15 April 1837 | 17 November 1846 | Brother of Bagyidaw and grandson of Bodawpaya |
| Pagan | | 17 November 1846 | 18 February 1853 | Son of Tharrawaddy Min |
| Mindon |  | 18 February 1853 | 1 October 1878 | Half Brother of Pagan Min (son of Tharrawaddy Min) |
| Thibaw |  | 1 October 1878 | 29 November 1885 | Son of Mindon Min |
Pretenders to the Burmese throne since 1885
- King Thibaw (1885–1916)
- Princess Myat Phaya Lat (1916–1956)
- Prince Taw Phaya (1956–2019) (son-in-law of Myat Phaya Lat)
- Richard Taw Phaya Myat Gyi (2019–present) (eldest son of Prince Taw Phaya)
- Other pretenders
- Prince Soe Win (1947–present) (eldest son of Prince Taw Phaya Gyi, Prince Taw Phaya's older brother)
See also
Notes
References
Bibliography
- Aung-Thwin, Michael (1985). Pagan: The Origins of Modern Burma. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 0-8248-0960-2.
- Aung-Thwin, Michael (2005). The mists of Rāmañña: The Legend that was Lower Burma (illustrated ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 9780824828868.
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- Lieberman, Victor B. (2003). Strange Parallels: Southeast Asia in Global Context, c. 800–1830, volume 1, Integration on the Mainland. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-80496-7.
- Phayre, Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur P. (1883). History of Burma (1967 ed.). London: Susil Gupta.
- Royal Historians of Burma (c. 1680). U Hla Tin (Hla Thamein) (ed.). Zatadawbon Yazawin (1960 ed.). Historical Research Directorate of the Union of Burma.
- Royal Historical Commission of Burma (1832). Hmannan Yazawin (in Burmese). Vol. 1–3 (2003 ed.). Yangon: Ministry of Information, Myanmar.
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- Than Tun (December 1959). "History of Burma: A.D. 1300–1400". Journal of Burma Research Society. XLII (II).
- Than Tun (1964). Studies in Burmese History (in Burmese). Vol. 1. Yangon: Maha Dagon.