The Early History of Burma
Traces of settlement in the place called Burma date as far back as 2,500—2000 BC. Archaeologists believe that the Pyus who inhabited the upper Irrawaddy River were the earliest settlers in Burma. The Pyus were concentrated in Sri Kshetra.
The Burmese took advantage of the defeat of Pyu by their neighbouring state in Yunnan. This led to the control of Pyu and the Mon by the Burmese
“were the first to found Buddhism in Burma”
The lower Irrawaddy delta region was inhabited by the Mons. The Mons were the first to found Buddhism in Burma.
They excelled in artistic and architectural works that were appreciated not only in Burma but also in Cambodia and Thailand.
A Holy Ancestry
King Anawrahta, (’the great’) brought the technicians who designed their Temple in Pagan.
Though historians have no evidence to back this up, Burmese myth claims its kings were Buddha’s family descendants. Historians doubt whether there was any ruler in Burma before the Pagan King Anarahta in 11th century .
The Burmans were the dominant group as from 10th century. They had rich socio— cultural heritage. The Burmas brought all the people under a king at different times between 17th and 19th centuries.
Another group in Burma is the Tai who fled the Mongol aggression between 9th and 11th centuries and settle on Thai - Burma border.
The early history of Myanmar was more of a fight for supremacy between the Burmans and Mons.
Conversion to Buddhism
However, king Anawratha in 1044 achieved supremacy over the Mon kingdom. He captured its capital - Thaton. The Burman converted to Theravada Buddhism, the religion of the Mons. The capital of king Anawratha was Pagan, which was conquered by Kublai Khan in 1287.
The Shan princes governed upper Myanmar and the Mons rekindled their independence in the South. Burman Toungoo dynasty brought the country together in 16 th century and made the Shan slaves to the Burmans.
The Mons were still a thorn in the flesh of the Burmans and in 1758 Alawngapaya united all Burnans and defeated the Mons and made Yangon its capital.
He expanded Burma to present day India and Thailand. His successors fought with the British over border areas in India in 1824.
Myanmar was compelled by the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826 to cede Rakhine and Tanitharyi Coasts to the British India.
“British captured Ayeyarwady delta”
Colonisation
Furthermore, the British captured Ayeyarwady delta and started making preparation to gain further incursion in order to weaken the French in the region. In 1885 the British captured the Burmese king and added the remaining parts of the country to its territories.
The motive of the British was economic as this was evidenced in the way they developed the economy and exported most goods and natural resources of the Burmese people.
They organized the country in a way that was convenient for them and in 1935 gave Myanmar a constitutional framework, which provided for elected assembly and a cabinet.
“Japanese occupied the country”
During the World War II the Japanese occupied the country after helping the Burmese drive away the British. Disgruntled members of the Burmese army assisted by allied forces chased away the Japanese in 1945.