Myanmar History

Myanmar/ Burma has long and rich history. The first civilization that was identified was the one of Mon people, who is believed to migrate to the area of Birman in about 300 BC, forming their first kingdom of Suwarnabhumi according to the archeaological findings near Thaton Port. Afterward, the Pyu arrived in Myanmar in the 7th century and established city kingdoms. The reign of Anawrahta (1044 - 77) who successfully unified all of Myanmar by defeating the Mon city of Thaton in 1057.

After the collapsed of several dynasties between Anawratha and a popular Burmese leader named Alaungpaya 1753, Alaungpaya established his capital at Rangoon, now known as Yangon. During the reign of King Bagyidaw (1819-37), a Burmese general Maha Bandula succeeded in conquering Assam, bringing Burma face to face with British interests in India.

In response to the continued expansion and even direct attacks by Burma, the British and the Siamese joined forces against it in 1824. The First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-26) ended in a British victory, and by the Treaty of Yandabo, Burma lost territory previously conquered in Assam, Manipur and Arakan. In 1852, started the Second Anglo-Burmese War and British annexation of Pegu province, renamed Lower Burma. The British declared war once again in 1885, conquering the remainder of the country in the Third Anglo-Burmese War resulting in total annexation of Burma. King Thibaw, Queen Supaya Latt and the royal family were taken to Ratanagiri, India and Myanmar fell under the British Rule. Myanmar became a British Colony from 1885 until 1948.

During World War II, Myanmar was a key battleground in South East Asia. The Japanese attached the country in 1941 and had occupied most of it. Allied forces liberated most of Burma prior to the Japanese surrender in Aug 1945 and Myanmar became an independent country on Jan 4, 1948.

Source of article: ICS Travel