AYEDAWBON TREATISES1 ก 7 ก Soe Thuzar Myint2 ก ก ก ก ก ก ก ก ก ก ก ก ก 7 ก Abstract ก ก ก Researchers on Myanmar’s history have found the Ayedawbon treatises to be a ก highly momentous Myanmar literary ก genre which give a record of historical events, next in significance to the ก Myanmar chronicles. The Myanmar term ก ก ก ก ‘Ayedawbon’ is synonymous with the Thai term, Chotmaihet or Kotmaihet and it deals with an account or report of ก ก particular events.3 Owing to circumstances and the time consuming ก ก ก nature, never before has anyone attempted ก ก ก to translate these famous works into the English language. There are some works ก by Myanmar scholars on Ayedawbon kyans but they do not highlight the section involving Siam-Myanmar relations. Thus, 1 ( ) This paper is a part of the by studying Ayedawbon treatises, scholars author’s PhD dissertation entitled “Siam- of Thai studies will acquire new insight, Myanmar relations from 16th to 19th century reach new interpretations and gain access through the perspective of the Ayedawbon to richer source materials. The data used treatises”. in this article relies on a historical 2 ( ) Author of “The Portrayal of Battle of Ayutthaya in Myanmar Literature”, 3 Aye Kyaw, Dr., ‘Burmese sources for Lan Na PhD graduate from the Thai Studies Program, Thai History, p. 247. Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University.
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
approach and is primarily based on from Thaton. 4 The old Chammadevi documentary materials. I have surveyed chronicle mentions that when a cholera seven Ayedawbon treatises which have epidemic broke out, the people of been handed down from generation to Haripunjaya relocated temporarily to generation. We have found invaluable Thaton. Relations continued throughout historical facts which were not mentioned the Mangrai dynasty starting from the time in Siamese and Myanmar chronicles. In of King Mangrai of Chiang Mai, founder addition, these treatises refer to Siam- of the Lan Na kingdom. After the Myanmar warfare in detail. This paper establishment of the Tai kingdoms of Lan focuses on the significance of the Na, Sukothai and Phayao, the relationship Ayedawbon treatises and the cryptic between Myanmar and these early descriptions of seven Ayedawbon treatises. kingdoms of Siam had become manifold. Cultural exchanges multiplied after 'the Introduction war of the demise of Queen Suriyothai' and 'the war of the white elephants' during the Taungoo period. Dr. Ba Han, the Owing to rivalry over control of the lower learned lexicographer, wrote in the journal part of Myanmar including Tenasserim of the Burma Research Society: ‘The wind and the wars of territorial expansion, long of change in regard to both the matter and conflicts between Myanmar and Siam manner of dramatic performance came ensued for more than four hundred years from Siam, now Thailand. In the irony of from the 16th to 19th century. In spite of the things Siam whose relations with Burma fact that the history of the two countries' were punctuated by recurring wars relationship is so full of conflict, exercised a paramount influence on the Myanmar-Thai history is more than just a growth of the Burmese Drama. Burma history of warfare. attacked Ayuthia, the then Siamese capital
no less than six times. Yet the aftermath of As wars with Siam raged on over centuries, each war was a cultural gain to Burma to a the interaction between the two countries 5 greater or less degree.’ increased significantly in terms of politics, economics and culture. Among them, the In subsequent periods namely Nyaung Yan cultural aspect is more spectacular, so to and Konboung, people to people contact speak. Myanmar and Siam share many and interactions between the two countries similarities dating back centuries. grew to a great extent. The Konboung era Myanmar has had historical contact with has been dubbed 'the Golden Age of Siam since the Dwarawadi period through Mon in the lower part of Myanmar. 4 Relations between the two countries date Aroonrut Wichienkeeo, ‘Lan Na Relations back to the reign of Queen Chammadevi with Myanmar,’ Comparative Stuies on of Haripunjaya (Lamphun) when Literature and History of Thailand and Myanmar (Yangon, 1997), p. 56. Theravada Buddhism was imported into 5 Ba Han, Dr.,’The evolution of Burmese Haripujaya, first from Lopburi and later dramatic performances and festival occasions,’ JBRS, vol. 49, pt.1 (June 1966) p.8.
45
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
Literature' in Myanmar because Enaung when studying Myanmar- Siam relations. Zat, 6 the first Myanmar court drama, As we are well aware, both Myanmar and followed by Ramayana which was brought Siamese literature can boast a respectable by the prisoners of war of 1767 to the antiquity. However, very little is actually Myanmar court, paved the way for the known by scholars of both countries blossoming of Myanmar dramatic plays. except for a few professional historians Moreover, Myanmar adapted Siamese who know of both literatures and this vast songs and created (35) new classical field has yet to be investigated verses such as taydat,7 dwaygyo,8 laygyo,9 systematically. bawle,10 etc. Myanmar classical literature has several What's more, the Crown Prince Thado genres written in prose or in poetic form Minsaw in King Bodawpaya's reign was which provide a historical account of ordered to form an eight member successive dynasties. Examples of commission to translate the stories and prominent prose writings in Myanmar plays that has been brought back from literature are: Yazawin, 11 Αyedawbon Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai over the treatises, 12 Dhamathat, 13 Royal orders, previous two decades. Therefore, many Myitarsar,14 Hlauk Htone,15 Amaydawphyay writings and poems reflecting Myanmar- Kyan, 16 Sitan, 17 Minkhandaw Sardan, 18 and Siam relation are copious in Myanmar Thanyawgadipani,19 as well as others. literature. As Myanmar literature grew, poetry Likewise, Thailand has had many great became the most popular form. The kings as well as heroes and heroines who flexibility of the Myanmar language, have risen from past conflicts with because of its monosyllabic and tonal Myanmar. Heroic struggles between these nature and its lack of many consonantal people have been portrayed in novels, finals allowed poetry to utilize various plays, films and in school text books. rhyme schemes. There are over fifty forms Furthermore, Royal chronicles, literary classics and historical novels relating to the wars with Myanmar are ever present in 11 chronicle. Thai literature. 12 records of the struggle by the king 13 law books. 14 letters of affection, not love letters. Thus, in the context of Siam-Myanmar 15 relations, Myanmar and Siamese classical a compilation of learned discourses or memorable sayings presented to the king by literature have become a source of history scholars or ministers 16 a compilation of questions and problems 6 Prince Inao play posed by the king, or learned ministers, with 7 type of Myanmar lyric poem. answers given by venerable monks or eminent 8 kind of Myanmar poem consisting of two scholars stanzas. 17 revenue inquest 9 kind of four stanza verse. 18 Treatise on Royal Ceremonies 10 plaintive song. 19 Treaties on orthography
46
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
of verse such as Pyo,20 Yadu,21 Mawgun,22 emphasis on the life of a particular king eigyin, 23 Igyin, 24 angyin, 25 thagyin, 26 but on events in Rakhine region. Kargyin, 27 tajagyin 28 . Each one of them has it own rules and composition. They are In his book On Both Sides of the worth studying as they supply a mass of Tenasserim Range, Sunait Chutintaranond historical facts and figures. rightly points out that the Mawgun, Eigyin, Chronicles, and Ayedawbon kyans are all All researchers accept that out of the texts invaluable sources for the study of in prose and in poetic form, the Myanmar-Siam warfare, providing details Ayedawbon treatises are one of the which cannot be found anywhere in Thai momentous genres in Myanmar literature. documents.30 In fact, they are next in significance to stone inscriptions and chronicles. They are Most people give full priority only to the the historical account of the struggle of Chronicles and conveniently forget to pay one king and his military campaigns both attention to the Ayedawbon treatises. It at home and abroad. According to Dr. Hla would not be an exaggeration to say that if Pe, they are a subsidiary source in we neglect this prominent genre of Myanmar historiography.29 Myanmar literature in studying Myanmar- Thai relations, we would be like trying to In spite of the fact that these Ayedawbon catch a moon beam or a blind man looking treatises are few in number, they are of for a black cat in a dark room that isn't immense importance and they are one of there. Owing to the reasons above and the the vital genres in Myanmar literature. It significance of the Ayedawbon treatises in should also be noted that though most Myanmar literature, I chose to focus on Ayedawbon treatises focus on individual this genre. kings, some Ayedawbons such as Dhanyawadi Ayedawbon does not place Ayedawbon Treatises
As mentioned earlier, the Ayedawbon 20 poems based on the Jataka Tales treatise is basically a detailed record of the 21 lyrical ode on the seasons, love struggle by one person. It matters not 22 record of important events whether he was successful in his 23 a royal lullaby 24 endeavour. History has shown that there a kind of folk song were many brave people who struggled for 25 song sung by royal raft men 26 melodious song about past events their causes and eventually gained 27 martial song possession of the throne but others, such 28 a kind of Myanmar classical song with the same opening and closing note 29 Hla Pe, U. Burma: Literature, 30 Sunait Chutintaranond. and Than Tun. On Historiography, Scholarship, Language, Life Both Sides of the Tenaserim Range: History of and Buddhism. Institute of Southeast Asian Siamese Burmese Relations. Chulalongkorn Studies, Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Pasir University Phyathai, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Panjang, Singapore 0511, 1985. P 41. 1995. p 54.
47
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
as Princes Myingon and Myinkhontaing's 1961 by the Ministry of Culture. 32 Still Ayedawbon, ended up in utter failure. It another version of Alaungpaya also records military campaigns waged by Ayedawbon was collated and edited by one king to expand territories or make his Daw Ohn Kyi (a member of Myanmar influence felt by neighbouring countries historial commission) and has been and invariably includes a plethora of published in book form under the title military strategies and tactics to be applied ‘Alaung Mintaya Ayedawbon.’ in war. Apart from these, Ayedawbon could be the record of the achievements of The remaining two Ayedawbon kyans great kings such as the building of a new Majjhimadesa Ayedawbon and Hsin Phyu royal palace or city, construction and Shin Ayedawbon will also be discussed in repairing of pagodas, propagating the this dissertation. Though these treatises are Buddha Sasana, etc. not defined as real Ayedawbons, they are great works of the Myanmar literati of the There are about seven Ayedawbon kyans Konboung era. These treatises concern or treatises but Myanmar historians some important events in the reign of King classify only five as prominent. Bodawpaya.
Dhanyawadi Ayedawbon Meaning of the word 'Ayedawbon' Rajadirit Ayedawbon Hanthawadi Hsin Phyu Mya Shin The meaning of the word Ayedawbon must Ayedawbon first be explained, for its meaning has Alaung Mintayagyi Ayedawbon changed slightly over the years from its Nyaung Yan Mintaya Ayedawbon former use.
These five Ayedawbon texts were first The standard Myanmar-English Dictionary printed as a whole in 1923 with the compiled and published by the Myanmar collective title: Ayedawbon Nga Saung Language Commission of the Ministry of Dwe or 'five volumes of Ayedawbon', by Education generates two English meanings the Thudhamawadi Press of Yangon. 31 of the Myanmar word Ayedawbon Since then, there have been later editions of these collective Ayedawbon texts, noun 1. [archaic] historical enlarged from the original five to six after account of a royal another version of the Alaung Mintayagyi campaign (as in Rajadirit Ayedawbon was found in the National Ayedawbon) Library of Myanmar, and published in
31 Ayedawbon Nga Saung Twe, Yangon: 32 Ayedawbon Chauk Saung Twe. Also Thudamawadi Press….1961. See also Thaw Kaung, ‘Aspects of Myanmar history and Alaungpaya Ayedawbon hnit Saung Twe: ed. culture,’ p. 128. By U Hla Tin (Hla Thamain)….1961.
48
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
2. social or political In his article ' Burmese Concepts of uprising; revolution.33 Revolution', a fresh meaning of Ayedawbon has been given by Dr. Robert The Judson Burmese-English Dictionary, H. Taylor. He also discusses the original compiled by Dr. Adoniram Judson, revised meaning: and enlarged by Robert C. Stevenson and Rev. F. H. Eveleth does not have an entry "The root of Ayedawbon is ayei, for Ayedawbon, but has entries for the root meaning a business or affair, to word Ayedaw and another for Ayebonsa a which is appended taw (daw) the less common Myanmar word, a variant of suffix denoting royalty, a deity, or the word Ayedawbon treatises.34 (now) the state – and bon (pun), a narrative or sequence of events, Judson gives the following English giving literally 'story of royal or meanings: state affairs'. Judson, in a dictionary he prepared in the early [Ayedawbon]. noun. a representation nineteenth century, noted that of affairs, account, history.35 ayei-daw, while literally meaning [Ayedaw], noun. literary. A royal royal affairs, was a term applied affair; a term applied to wars especially to wars waged by kings, waged by the king, rebellions, etc. but also rebellions, etc., while [Ayebonsa], noun. a journal of ayei-bon-sa (meaning paper) was a military occurrences.36 journal of military occurrences. In current daily parlance the term is Dr. Hla Pe, in his article entitled generally taken to mean the style 'Observation on some of the indigenous or nature of a movement or matter sources for Burmese history down to 1886', concerning royalty or the state; it also defines Ayedawbon as a ' royal affair: indicates a political movement in a it generally consists of the struggle for similar but more forceful sense power, a savouring of Hitler's Mein than the alternative but neutral kampf.37 term hlok-sha-hmu. An ayei-daw- bon is also a body of literature,
being the five or six historical 33 Myanmar-English Dictionary, 2nd edition, accounts of the struggle for power 1993. p 578 34 by Kings Danyawdi, Yazadarit, Thaw Kaung, U. Ayedawbon kyan, Aspect Hanthawadi Hsinbyushin, Nyaungyan of Myanmar history and culture. Loka Ahlinn 38 publishing house, Yangon, 2010. p. 14. Min, and Alaungpaya." 35 Judson, Adoniram, 'A Dictionary of the Burman Language, Unauthorized 1st ed. to 1886', Burma: Literature, historiography, Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press, 1826, p.28. scholarship, language, life and Buddhism, 36 The Judson Burmese-English Dictionary, 2nd Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian ed. 1921, p.100. Studies, 1985, p. 42. 37 Hla Pe, 'Observations on some of the 38 R H. Taylor, Burmese concepts of indigenous sources for Burmese history down revolution, in Context meaning and power in
49
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
Characteristics of the Ayedawbon Ayedawbon treatises contain a vast Treatises quantity of facts and figures. Many of the authors were military commanders, able The following characteristics will be ministers and competent writers who had evident in a classic Ayedawbon access to court records. They are dissertation: accounts of contemporary writings as well as reliable sources and have the merit of being (1) how individuals of prowess pursue and extremely informative. It is essential to overcome seemingly insurmountable explore these treatises so as to be more obstacles to achieve success (but not efficient in dealing with the histories of necessarily to obtain the throne), both countries and the relations between (2) how Myanmar kings deal with various them. states of affairs in their realm, be it the crushing of rebellions, gaining of For example, the contemporary, eye- white elephants or the building of witness account of the campaigns and pagodas, cities, roads, etc. achievements of King Bayintnaung is an (3) how wars were waged to amalgamate invaluable record of Myanmar history. the breakaway small kingdoms and to The author mentions in the colophon that make the king’s influence felt by the he compiled the Ayedawbon using neighboring countries, contemporary sources, some inscriptions (4) Important achievements in a particular and 235 records of notable events that took king's reign. place during the reign. From these records he selected 135, of which 100 were rejected as not worthy of being recorded in Significance of the Ayedawbon Treatises 39 his Ayedawbon. The uniqueness of these Ayedawbon treatises is that while almost all historical Likewise, Alaungpaya's campaign against writings from 16th to 19th century were Ayutthaya is an eye-witness account written in poetic form, they are historical because the author Letwe Nawrahta texts in prose written by different accompanied the king on the campaign in Myanmar literati at different times in Ayutthaya. Similarly, Rajadirit Ayedawbon is a history. Some Ayedawbons like Rajadirit compilation and translation into the Ayedawbon are good examples of Myanmar language from Mon historical Myanmar prose of the 16th century and records. It was written nearly 500 years also examples of early translation into ago. Myanmar from Mon.
39 Thaw Kaung, Ayedawbon Kyan, an Important Myanmar Literary Genre Recording Southeast Asia. (Ithaca, N.Y. Cornell Historical Events, Aspects of Myanmar History University SEAP, 1986). p 82. and Culture, P.21.
50
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
Αyedawbon kyans were known in the past, compiled three years after the conquest of and parts were summarized in well known Rakhine by King Bodawpaya of the Myanmar chronicles and other documents. Konboung dynasty and was finished in They may not revolutionize our view of ME 1150 (1788 CE). the history of the relationship between the two countries but it is full of fascinating He was one of the missionary monks sent details as they were written by men who by King Bodawpaya to Rakhine to take took a leading part in the events that were charge of the clergy in Sandoway recorded. district. 40 At the conclusion, Dwarawati Sayadaw clearly states that the work was Apart from Myanmar-Siam relations and based on the great chronicle of 48 anga41 warfare, these Ayedawbon treatises cover compiled by the learned Rakhine scholar the histories of the four principal tribes of Maram Amat Myo So Phat Tat Toe We Myanmar; for example, Dhanyawdi who was well versed in affairs both Loki Ayedawbon deals with successive (secular affairs) and Lokuttara (affairs not dynasties of Rakhine kings. Similarly, concerned with worldly desires and Razadirit Ayedawbon kyan is related to attachments). Mon Kings Magadu or Wareru and Rajadirit. And the other treatises involve It covers the period from the reign of King Myanmar kings, Myanmarised Shan kings Kanraja Gyi (c. 825 CE) to 1784 CE when and the rulers of petty Shan states. So they Rakhine was incorporated into Myanmar are a mine of information on the histories by King Bodawpaya. of these tribes. From time immemorial, Rakhine has been The subjects covered in the Ayedawbon called Dhanyawadi, the land of bountiful treatises, are events during the reigns of rice. There are 5 periods in Rakhine some of the great kings of Myanmar and history; are important not only for Myanmar history but for Thai history as well, Dhanyawadi period (3325 BCE to especially Rajadirit, Hanthawadi Hsin 327 CE), Phyu Mya Shin and Alaung Mintayagyi Vesali period (350 to 776 CE), Ayedawbon treatises. Lemro period (818 to 1250 CE), Laungret period (1250 to 1420 Historical Periods Covered in Each CE), and Ayedawbon Kyan
Dhanyawadi Ayedawbon 40 UTet Htoot,U. 'The Nature of the Burmese Chronicles', p. 51 41 The authorship of Dhanyawadi Ayedawbon is (One anga has 12 palm leaves and so attributed to Dwarawati (Thandwe) Sayadaw twenty-four pages of writing. The old Kavisarabhi Siripavara Agga Maha chronicle must have had 576 palm leaves and double the amount in pages) Tet Htoot, U. The Dharmma Rajadhi Raja Guru. It was Nature of the Burmese Chronicles, p 57.
51
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
Mrauk-U period (1430 to 1785 When King Min Ba ascended the throne in CE). 1531, he asserted that this debt of gratitude had to come to an end and these lands had This Ayedawbon treatise provides short to be returned. Accordingly, he invaded accounts of the early reigns of the Rakhine Bhanga and re-conquered these lands. His kings. In the olden days, Rakhine was successors were also warrior kings. From independent of Myanmar proper and its 1578 to 1629, they established Rakhine as influence expanded to the Bengal region. the regional power status. Successive Rakhine kings ruled over twelve Bhanga cities 42 such as Dhaka, One interesting event took place during Chittagong and Murshidabad up to 1666 the reign of King Man Raja-kri (1593- CE. At that time, there existed three 1612). He joined the King of Taungoo in independent kingdoms namely the an attack on Hanthawadi and sent a fleet Sultanate of Dhaka, the Sultanate of Delhi under the command of his son, prince Man and the kingdom of Tipura in the northern Khamaung. Hanthawadi fell to the and eastern part of India. Early Rakhine combined forces of Rakhine and Taungoo. history covers the uninterrupted rivalry Shortly after this, the Siamese king between these three kingdoms. Naresuan invaded Myanmar, went up to Taungoo to capture Nanda Bayin 43 but The text also reveals the many homilies failed. He carried off a sizeable number of and wise counsels given to various kings Siamese and Mon people to Siam. In the on good governance by sagacious men and land and sea battles, Rakhine naval forces ministers. cut off the supply lines of the Siamese forces. While retreating, King Naresuan's In 1406, King Narramaikhla fled from the army was invested by Sak (Thet) tribes,44 Myanmar invasion and took refuge in allies of Rakhine king. They achieved Gaur, the capital of the Sultanate of Dhaka. success in capturing the White Prince, the After spending twelve years in Gaur, he younger brother of King Naresaun and came back to Rakhine around 1428 CE and retook the throne with the help of the Sultan of Dhaka and his brother, the ruler of Sandoway. The king established a new 43 Phayre adopted the name Nanda Bayin for capital at Mrauk U. As a token of gratitude the son of Bayintnaung. Nanda Bayin is very for helping him, he gave twelve cities back puzzling to the Burmese as it does not sound to the Sultan of Dhaka. Moreover, he and like a Burmese name. Nanda Bayin is known as Ngazudayaka in Burmese Chronicles. Tet his descendent kings adopted Muslim titles Htut, 'The Nature of the Burmese Chronicles', and had their coins minted according to foot note, p.58 the Bhanga model. 44 Thet, one of the nationalities of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar speaking Thet- Myanmar and mainly inhabiting the northern 42 All these cities are in present day part of the Rakhine State,’ from Myanmar- Bangladesh. English Dictionary, printed by Yarpyi, No.38, 109st, Manglataungnyut Tsp, Yangon, p. 346.
52
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
sent him to the Rakhine king. He was later When the king reached that place, the ransomed and returned home.45 sword emerged as the soldiers inadvertently trod on it. After investigation, From 1666 CE onwards, Rakhine power frightened bearers revealed the truth. The gradually declined. The later kings were king said that Banya Dala would not dare non-entities and these weak kings failed to to make an attempt on his life. Even if he adjust to a rapidly changing political and did, it would be impossible on a king such economic environment in the second half as himself. No action was taken against of the seventeenth century. Banya Dala but all the Mon bearers were executed. This treatise ends with the fall of Mrauk U, the last capital of Rakhine in 1784 CE. It The second attempt on the king's life ended the long line of Rakhine kings when occurred at the Shwe Maw Daw pagoda. A Rakhine was permanently incorporated dozen Mons were stationed at the Maha into Myanmar by King Bodawpaya. Ram arch entrance above the covered passage. When the king had climbed the Rajadirit Ayedawbon stairway and arrived at the Archway, the would-be assassins could not stand and The history of Thaton-Hanthawadi was fell to the ground because of the recorded in two volumes in ancient Mon omniscient power of the king. They literature. Banya Dala, the Mon minister confessed that they had acted on according and a general of King Bayintnaung, to Banya Dala's plan. The king uttered the translated the first volume from King same words as on the previous occasion. Wareru (Magadu) to Rajadirit into Banya Dala was forgiven but all the Myanmar and named it 'The Struggle of assassins were killed. Rajadirit'.46 Banya Dala's last attempt on the king's life For all his brilliance, the author Banya happened during the king's pilgrimage to Dala was not loyal to the king. He plotted the Dagon Pagoda in the royal raft. Two many times to assassinate Bayintnaung but Mon swordsmen who were able to the latter spared him because he was a submerge themselves under the water for wise man. When King Bayintnaung quite a long time waited under the royal conquered Hanthawadi, Banya Dala, raft to murder the king when he mounted having conspired with the Mon bearers of the raft. Because of the traces of the the king's palanquin, buried a sword at one bubbles on the water, the two Mons were point of the procession route of the king. discovered. As in the previous two cases, the king pardoned Banya Dala but the two culprits were sentenced to death.47 45 Though this information needs verifying, it is a rare act which is not mentioned in Siamese and Myanmar chronicles. 47 Ba Thaung, Bohmu (Maung Thuta). 46 C.T. Aung, 'The Struggle of Rajadharit, The Sarsodaw-mya athotkepatti…5th ed. rev. by U Guardian Daily, Yangon, November 19, 1977 Khin Aye. Yangon: Yarpyi Saroke Taik
53
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
He was disgraced by King Bayintnaung with the death of King Rajadirit in 1423. only when he committed a blunder in his In the history of Myanmar, King military campaigns in Siam. As a result, he Anawrahta crushed Mon power and was banished from the court to a malarious throughout the Bagan period, Myanmar place called Zanet in Siam and died in the dominated Thaton, then the seat of power province of Kamphaengphet. of the Mons until the fall of Bagan to the Mongols in the thirteenth century. When this Ayedawbon was first published in 1923, the Thudhamawadi editors About that time, young Magadu, who had erroneously attributed the authorship to eloped with the daughter of Phra Ruang, Sithu Gamani Thingyan. But U Yan, the king of Sukhothai, rose to power and Royal Librarian of King Mindon and King exercised his authority over Mottama and Thibaw in the Konboung period, states Hathawadi. Later, the Sukhothai king that Sithu Gamani Thingyan wrote only conferred him the title 'Wareru' (in Thai, two historical works, namely the Zimme Fa rua) and sent a white elephant to Yazawin (the Myanmar chronicle of Mottama as a royal gift. This king is well Chiangmai) and the Rakhine Yazawin. known in Myanmar for his achievement in the compilation of law books called U Yan and later U Pe Maung Tin stated 'Wareru Dhamathat'; actually a digest of that this Ayedawbon was by Banya Dala, the laws of Manu. and this is supported by U Maung Maung Gyi and Dr. Yi Yi. So, there is no controversy in Rajadirt succeeded his father, King Banya connection with the authorship of this U in 1383 CE. This king was well versed Ayedawbon. in the art of war. After suppressing all the Mon rebels, he waged war with the There is another palm-leaf manuscript Myanmar king of Innwa. The entitled Magadu Ayedawbon in the British Mon/Myanmar war lasted 40 years Library, Oriental and India Office without victory to either side. To learn old Collections (Burmese manuscript no. Myanmar military strategies and tactics, a 3449). Further examination of the text this Mon Chronicle which perhaps is a source has revealed the first portions of the of the Rajadirit Ayedawbon Treatise was Rajadirit Ayedawbon. So it cannot be translated into Siamese during the reign of designated as a separate one.48 King Rama I. There are several versions of this Ayedawbon but the most influential The text begins with Magadu also known one was to the order of King Rama I. as King Wareru (CE 1284-1296) and ends Another version was translated by Chao Phraya Phra Khlang. Later, this classic (distributor); Lawka Sarpay (publisher), 2002. piece of literature found its way into Thai p. 97. school texts, plays and television series 48 Thaw Kaung, Ayedawbon Kyan, an under the name ‘Rachathirat’. Important Myanmar Literary Genre Recording Historical Events, Aspects of Myanmar History and Culture, P.29
54
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
Banya Dala's writing has been praised as a This Ayedawbon can be divided into two model of good Myanmar prose of the early parts. Toungoo period and the text was prescribed for Myanmar literature students The first part concerns the conquest of at one time.49 King Bayintnaung over various tribes and small kingdoms in Myanmar. The king Although the text focuses on King first reunified the country and later Rajadirit's wars against King Min Gaung founded the largest empire in mainland in the First Innwa period, there is mention Southeast Asia. He conquered Hanthawadi of many interactions between Myanmar in 1551, Innwa in 1555, and Mongmit, and the early kingdoms of Siam in this Hsipaw, Mohnyin, Mogaung, Mongnai, Ayedawbon. Yawnghwe in 1557.
Hanthawadi Sinphyumyashin The second part deals with his foreign Ayedawbon wars. He fought wars with Manipur, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Lin Zin, 53 This treatise describes the life and the Sipsaungpana and northern Vietnam. He military campaigns of King Bayintnaung also sent five shiploads of soldiers to help (1551-1581). The main reference source the Sri Lankan king fight against his for Myanmar classical literature, viz, the enemies. Pitakat-taw Thamaing50 by U Yan says that it was written by a Saya51 whose name Myanmar literary works abound in is not known. Different scholars at descriptions of great marches by his different times have attributed authorship armies and the beautiful scenery of to Letwe Nawrahta and to U Tun Nyo52. Chiangmai and Ayutthaya. Interestingly, a However, thanks to the efforts of controversial and legendary figure, Myanmar historians, we can now solve Princess Supankalyar, elder sister of the this problem. The authorship has been Black and White Princes, was said to have attributed to Yazataman (Oke-tha-raw), lived at that time. the commander of a cavalry troop division and later minister at the court of This energetic king was variously named Hanthawadi, and the date of compilation is as 'a king without a kingdom,' 'the ME 926 ( 1564 CE). conqueror of ten directions,' etc. He spent most of his reign on military campaigns. His forces were about to invaded Rakhine
49 when he died at the age of 66. 'Zaw Gyi, pen-name of famous Myanmar author U Thein Han, 'Mon Wungyi hnint Myanmar zagapye,' reprinted in Rajadirit Ayedawbon 3rd ed. Yangon: Zwe sarpay Yeik Myon, 1974. p. nsa to pna. 50 bibliography 51 teacher 53 presentday Xishuangbanna Dai Αutonomous 52 Twin-thin Taik Wun Maha Sithu Prefecture, Yunnan
55
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
Nyaung Yan Mintaya Ayedawbon King Anaukphetlon completed the task left unfinished by his father. He defeated the The Nyaung Yan Mintaya Ayedawbon Portugese at Cyrim (Thanlynn) in 1613; covers the reigns of two kings, Nyaung recovered the upper Tenasserim coast to Yan and his son, Anaukphetlun. This Tavoy and Lan Na from the Siamese by Ayedawbon has some problems: it is not 1614; and the trans-Salween Shan states in listed by U Yan and the author's name is 1622-1626. also not given in the text. Both these kings tried to rebuild the After careful scrutiny of the text, Dr. Yi Myanmar Empire to its former glory. Lan Yi, a famous historian, stated that it is a Na was then split into two regions; Chiang composite work with the text having been Saen and Chiang Mai. either directly copied or adapted from U Kala's Maha Yazawin- gyi, (Great Although this Ayedawbon does not reveal Chronicle), vols. 3 to 17 and 18 and from much about Myanmar-Siam relations, we Min Ye Dibba Eigyin, written around can deduce them from other sources since 1608 CE by Shin Than Kho (1518- a great deal of interaction between the 1638).54 countries took place during that period.
Earlier, in 1920, the editors of the five Alaung Mintayagyi Ayedawbon volumes of Ayedawbon treatises had attributed authorship to Maha Αtula This Ayedawbon (which exists in three Dammika Yazar, the Judge who was the different texts) covers Alaungpaya's eater of Myin-khon-taing town in the struggle for the reunification of the introduction of the Thudhamawadi edition. country after crushing the Mons. According to U Yan, there are two The text says that the interregnum that versions. One is by Letwe Nawrahta which followed the fall of First Taungoo was is a contemporary record written during short-lived. One of Bayintnaung's sons, the King Alaungpaya's reign. The other ruler of Naungyan province, immediately version is by Twin-thin Taik Wun Mingyi began the reunification effort, restoring Maha Sithu, i.e. U Tun Nyo, a native of central authority over Upper Myanmar and Maung Htaung village of Alon Myo. U Yan Shan states in 1606. However, he died does not give any further details. before he could subjugate the smaller kingdoms in the lower part of Myanmar. Myanmar historians later attributed the authorship of two different texts to Letwe 54 Yi Yi, Dr. 'Ayedawbon kyan mya pyat- Nawrahta and the other to Twin Thin Taik thana,' [The problems of Ayedawbon kyan], in Wun Mahasithu. Both of them were Kantha Sein Lei sardanmya. Yangon: Minhla ministers at the court of the early Konboung kings. Sarpay, 1969. p. 30-62. See also Thaw Kaung,
‘Aspects of Myanmar History and Culture, p. 22.
56
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
Αlaungpaya was king of Myanmar from Sandoway (Than Dwe) town. There were 1752 to 1760, and the founder of the four administrative regions in Rakhine Konboung Dynasty. By his death in the during King Bodawpaya's reign: 1760, this former chief of a small village Dhanyawadi (Myrauk U), Ramawadi had unified Myanmar, crushed the Mon's (Ramree Island), Dwarawadi (Than Dwe), authority, subdued Manipur, and and Mawghawadi (Man Aung Island). recovered Lan Na. He also changed the According to Myanmar historian U Thaw name of Dagon city to Yangon which Kaung, a manuscript form of this means the end of enemy in 1755. He was a Ayedawbon was discovered in the 1950's charismatic military leader of the first in the British Library in London and at the quality; lavish in praising and rewarding Universities Central Library in Yangon. his subjects – and merciless to them in failure. 'Majjhima' is a Pali word for the middle place including the sixteen countries of In 1758, Αlaungpaya dispatched an India, famous in Buddhist history. 'Desa' is expedition to the northern Shan states region so it's meaning implies 'middle including Xishuagbanna in Yunan which country' in central India. It gives accounts had been annexed by the Qing Dynasty of of rebellions against Myanmar rule in the China in the mid-1730s. By early 1759, Rakhine region from 1794 to 1811 and one Myanmar had successfully reestablished Myanmar mission led by the author Zaya its authority. (The Chinese attempt to re- Kyaw Htin to India during the reign of conquer the region would lead to the Sino– King Bodawpaya. The problem with this Myanmar War (1765-1769). Ayedawbon is that the author does not call it an Ayedawbon but only a Sadan or He is considered one of the three greatest Treatise. Dr. Yi Yi, who specialized in kings of Myanmar, alongside Anawrahta problems of Ayedawbon treatises, rejected and Bayintnaung, for unifying the country it from the Ayedawbon list. for the third time in Myanmar history. He had reigned only eight years, and was a The text can be divided into three parts: few months short of reaching 46 when he died. Then again, G.E. Harvey writes that Part.1 covers the period of rebellion 'men are remembered by the years they use, against Myanmar rule by Nga Pawlon, not by the years they last'. Nga Khywe Pauk and Khywe Ta Koung Naing (crusher of one buffalo) from This Ayedawbon ends with Alaungpaya's about CE 1794 to 1795. death on his return journey after the failed campaign against Ayutthaya in 1760. The Rakhine people expected that the Myanmar conquest of Rakhine by King Majjhimadesa Ayedawbon Bodawpaya in 1785 would bring peace to their country. The people exulted at the Majjhimadesa Ayedawbon is written by prospect of relief from the utterly chaotic Nay Myo Zaya Kyaw Htin, Governor of situation in the country and frequent civil
57
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
wars; but their hopes were soon dissipated In 1794, the Myanmar general, by the king's severe treatment, and they Nandakyoazo along with the author Nay began to revolt. Myo Zaya Kyaw Htin, with a force of five thousand men crossed the Naff River near From 1784 to 1816 CE, King Bodawpaya its mouth, to demand the surrender of the waged 6 major foreign wars to conquer three rebels, who were charged with neighbouring countries. Just one year after insurgence, robbery, and murder. He the occupation of Rakhine, the king established his force in British territory launched a massive attack on Bangkok. He and was confronted by a detachment of marched against Zinme' in the same year. troops under Major-General Erskine which In 1797, he invaded Zinme' for the second was sent from Calcutta to oppose this time. The king dispatched his army to aggression. Negotiations ensued and the occupy Manipur in 1806. In 1813, he Myanmar general consented to withdraw, marched again on Manipur. The king on the assurance that an inquiry would be fought a war with Assam and occupied the made into the charges brought. town in 1816. Many people of Rakhine were conscripted to take part in these wars. The result was that the three insurrectionists They had to shoulder a heavy burden by were delivered up as fugitive criminals. On the paying a large amount of tax and way to Amarapura, Khywe Ta Koung Naing supplying provisions. Another cause of managed to escape at Hsin Phyu Island but the discontent was that thousands of Rakhine other two freedom fighters were executed. In people were forced to labour on the 'works the hope of preventing a recurrence of any of merit' undertaken by Bodawpaya to such aggression, and of improving the repair the Maithtila tank and build the trade existing between the two countries, Mingun stupa and bell. Captain Symes was deputed by the Governor-general of India, to be envoy to The perpetrators of the insurrection Nga Bodawpaya in 1795. Pawlon, Nga Khywe Pauk and Khywe Ta Koung Naing 55 , maintained a guerilla Part. 2 is on Nga Chin Byan's rebellion resistance for some years. Owing to from about 1798 to 1814 CE. suppression and heavy taxes, thousands of people abandoned their country, and took In 1798, events similar to those of 1794 refuge in British territory, where they were again occurred on the frontier of Rakhine. permitted to settle on unoccupied land. The combined forces of four governors of The three instigators, after having Rakhine suppressed the rebellion and as a maintained the struggle for independence, result, thousands of Rakhine people were compelled to cross the border. emigrated into the district of Chittagong. Once more a Myanmar military force crossed into British territory to compel the rebels to return. Negotiation took place and the Myanmar army withdrew. 55 crusher of one buffalo.
58
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
This time, the name of the rebel leader was As Nga Chin Byan had again taken refuge Nga Chin Byan. He was so named because in British territory, the governor of by the time he had been born, his father Rakhine marched with an army to the Nge Thandwe had arrived back from his frontier and required the surrender of the tour to the Chin Hills. Nga Chin Byan's rebels, threatening penalties if the father was none other than the one who demands were not complied with. This went to Amarapura beseeching aid to triggered another series of negotiations restore law and order in Rakhine due to between the governor and the British the upheaval from 1782 to 1784. After the magistrate of Chittagong, which ended in occupation of Rakhine, King Bodawpaya the Myanmar troops being withdrawn appointed him governor of Dhanyawadi from the frontier. but later he and his son revolted against the Myanmar rule. Na Chin Byan continued raids intermittently on the frontier of Rakhine. Finally, in 1814, the Nga Chin Byan also fled into the district British government allowed Myanmar of Chittagong. There he gathered a number troops to cross the British territory to of his followers and, entering Rakhine, attack the chief in his stronghold. attacked Myanmar detachments and Eventually, the chief rebel Nga Chin Byan outposts. In 1811, he crossed the Naff died of illness and his rebellion was River and overran the city of Maungtaw. suppressed. The English administrator From there, he managed to liberate the cum writer Arthur Phayre criticized the large territories of Rakhine. The four British authorities: governors of Rakhine could not resist the offensive launched by Nga Chin Byan and 'their real crime was that they had in the battle of 'Moe Thee Nat Taw' in led their fellow country men in Myepon township, Nga Khe', governor of resistance to the Burmese Ramawadi and Thar Yan Paing, governor conqueror, and in their wild of Mawghawadi gave up the ghost. warfare had probably been as Governor Mingyi Kyaw Htin of unscrupulous as their oppressors Dwarawadi had to fortify the city by with the lives of their foes. The closing the main gate and defending from surrender of these patriots must be within the city wall. condemned as an act unworthy of a civilized power, having an Nga Chin Byan established the Zayawadi armed force at command.'56 town, west of the Kissipanadi river and crowned himself King of Rakhine. Part. 3 is on the Myanmar missions sent Meanwhile, King Bodawpaya formed a by King Bodawpaya to India to collect huge army under General Min Hla Sithu. manuscripts, and also to carry out intelligence The army marched on Rakhine and work on the British expansion into India. successfully quelled the rebellion.
56 Eastern Frontier, p 148
59
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
The author of this Ayedawbon, Zeya the English company nor their Kyaw Htin, led the official mission of nation observe the ancient laws 1812 to Majjhima desa. Around that time, strictly. They ought not to have the East India Company accused King levied revenues, tributes, from Bodawpaya of designing a plot to drive the their provinces, nor have disposed English out of the Bengal region by of such funds at their direction. making alliances with the Maharajas of The Governor-General, representing Preshwar, Lahore, Nepal, Maratha, etc. the English company, should The Myanmar source also stated that after surrender these dominions, and the conquest of Manipur and Assam, King pay the collections realized there Bodawpaya had become conceited and from to our sovereign. If this is entertained thoughts of encroaching on 12 refused, I shall present it to his Bhanga cities (which in the past were the Majesty and the General, with territories of Rakhine kings) such as powerful forces, will be Chittagaung, Panwar, Decca, Murshidabad, dispatched, both by sea and land, etc. He dispatched many spies to India and I shall myself come for the under the cover of searching for and purpose of storming, capturing, copying ancient manuscrips and and destroying all of the English treatises.57 possessions, which I shall afterwards offer to my sovereign. Moreover, he demanded that the Bhanga However, I send this letter, in the region be given to Myanmar. The first instance, to make the demand following is the translation of a letter from from the Governor-General.'58 the Governor of Ramawadi to the Governor General of India sent on 8th June, Thus, it could be assumed that the purpose 1818: of The Myanmar missions sent to India to collect manuscripts was also to carry out 'Our sovereign is an admirer of intelligence work on the British expansion justice, and a strict observer of the into India. The following is a list of laws and usages, as they existed in Myanmar missions sent to Bhanga, India ancient times, and strongly and Nepal during the reign of King disapproves of everything unjust Bodawpaya: and unreasonable. Ramoo, Chittagong, Moorshedabad, and - (1784 CE) Thiri Sanagup, Thiri Dacca are terrotories which do not Jaya and Jaya Dhama Guru, belong to the English; they were - (1797 CE) Thar Nga The' originally subject to the (warden of a royal chamber), government of Arracan, and now - (1805 CE) Min Kyaw Tamut, belong to our Sovereign. Neither - (1806 CE) Nga Hlay,
57 The administration of Myanmar kings, volume 111, p 62. 58 Wilson's Documents, pp 5-6.
60
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
- (1806 CE) Shwe Taung unpublished. The Ayedawbon covers the Thargathu (Governor of first five years of Bodawpaya's reign to Ramawadi), 1786 CE. for, as it so happens, the author - (1810 CE) Nga Pe Tu and Nga himself died in 1791 though the king ruled Khwe, from 1782 to 1816. - (1812 CE) Ye Htin Gyi and Nawa Dipa, It includes Bodawpaya's campaigns crushing - (1813 CE) Jaya Kyaw Htin the rebellions by Phaungasa Maung Maung and (revenue officer), Nga Phone, the records of the Rakhine - (1815 CE) Thiri Pyanchi Narah campaign under the Crown Prince and the Jaya Kyaw (in charge of the accounts of how the gargantuan Maha Muni glebe lands) and Pyanchi Jaya image was brought to Amarapura. Nawrahta (tax officer), - (1817 CE) Naymyo Min Hla Although the author himself call it an Kyaw (Governor of Mergui), and Ayedawbon, the palm-leaf manuscript has - (1817 CE) Min Kyaw Tamut, as the main heading Min Khan Daw Thuwun Thabya, Pyinsa Oksu, Sardan60. learned Bhramin Paya Kyi mu and Pyinyar Htarwakar.59 The eminent Myanmar historian, Daw Kyan, writes that though Bodawpaya, or Near the end of the text are some Royal King Badon, is not popularly known as Orders of the Myanmar king in connection Hsinbyu shin 61 , he did possess several with the mission, including records about white elephants including the female white an Indian Princess and her retinue sent to elephant found in the Maha Hlega Forest King Bodawpaya in 1814-18 and a Royal named Thiri Marlar Maha Thubattar and Order to repair and widen the 'Royal Road' also Nibbarna Pyitsaya Naga Yazar, male between Dwarawadi (Than Dwe) on the white elephant, together with other white sea coast across the Rakhine Yoma and red royal fully grown elephants, mountains to the Ayarwady River near altogether 120 in number.62 Prome. Dr. Than Tun also states that from 1784 to Hsin Phyu Shin Ayedawbon 1806 Bodawpaya conducted several celebrations to receive new white The Hsin Phyu Shin Ayedawbon is written elephants and great names were invented by court minister Letwe Nawrahta. It is for them, such as Upopron mwan, still in manuscript form and remains Ratanapronmwan, Nagawara, Ratanakumud, Upothwat khon, Warasetagiri, Bhattawati,
59 Political situation during the reign of King 60 Treatise on Royal Ceremonies Badon, p. 154. See also Than Tun, The Royal 61 possessor of the white elephant Orders of Burma, VII, Kyoto, the Centre for 62 Daw Kyan, 'Maung Laut, Maung Ywa, Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Maung Waing do a-kyaung', Padauk New, no.6 1988, p. 365 (June 2006), p. 24
61
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
Siri mallamahasubhatta and Nibbana The eldest son, King Naungdawgyi paccaya nagaraja. Furthermore, the succeeded to the throne and had one son English scholar and administrator Arthur named Maung Maung. The king ruled the Phayre mentions in his 'History of Burma' country for only 3 years and died suddenly that Bodawpaya probably considered the in 1763. Maung Maung was a child at the possession of a perfect white male time of his father's death. Myaydu min elephant the greatest glory of his reign. (Hshin Phyu Shin), the second son of King This animal, caught in the forests of Pegu, Alaungpaya, ascended the throne. This was received at court with honours worthy king did not follow the rule of succession of an object of worship.63 laid down by his father and gave the throne to his son, Singu min. When Maung After gaining possession of the throne, Maung came of age, he ventured to gain King Bodawpaya assumed various titles the possession of the palace, one night and especially that of Hsin Phyu Shin. Considering dethroned Singu min these facts, it is no wonder that the author Letwe Nawrahta gave his treatise the title Hsin Phyu When Maung Maung restricted the Shin Ayedawbon. movement of his uncles, Badon prince64, the fifth son of King Alaungpaya, seized There is a note at the end of the manuscript the throne with his twelve trusted servants stating that it was compiled by Letwe Nawrahta, and put Maung Maung to death (after six and that it covers the years Myanmar Era 1143 days' reign). King Bodawpaya also (1781/1782) to M.E. 1148 (1787). The text executed the fun loving Singu min and put gives, in some detail, the following important all of his followers, including his queens historical records compiled by a contemporary to death. minister, Letwe Nawrahta: About that time, plots began to be hatched Crushing of rebellions at the beginning against him. One, said to have been of the king's reign supported by General Maha Thihathura, had for its objective to place prince Sitha The great founder of the Konboung on the throne. The old general, who had dynasty King Alaungpaya, on his deathbed, long led the Myanmar armies to victory, enjoined all of his six sons by the chief was executed. queen to succeed to the throne in the order of their seniority. This declaration later Another conspiracy was headed by Nga engendered succession problems and Shon, a native of Maung Khaing town in instability in the country. However, we Shan state. He named himself Min Ye have not found any evidence as yet. Myat Phone and pretended to be the son of the last king of Innwa, who had been carried away as prisoner to Hanthawadi by
63 Arthur Purves Phayre, 'History of Burma,' Orchid Press, Bangkok, Thailand, p. 230. 64 king Bodawpaya
62
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
the Talaing king. He found a few - the breadth and length of the moat, followers of Maung Maung and a band of - the 12 main city gates, Shans ready to support him. They boldly - the 34 letters inscribed on the scaled the wall of the palace in the dead of Mawgun post at the gate, night. The palace guards were panic- - the style of writing of these stricken by the suddenness of the attack. Mawguns, etc. The conspirators gained possession of the guns and powder in the palace-yard and Accounts of the two beiktheik opened fire at the palace. King Badon coronation ceremonies of 1783 and 1784, defended from within the palace and as which Letwe Nawrahta had to plan soon as daylight came, they were seized and organize according to traditional and put to death. Nga Phone for the time practice. being escaped, but was speedily taken.
Hundreds of people, who had been privy Letwe Nawrahta organized the Raja to the conspiracy, were executed. bhiseka coronation ceremony and recorded
all the details of the ceremony. First, a Detailed account of the first founding of mandarin couple prepared the offerings on the new capital, Amarapura, the a Manaw tray for the king to donate at the 'Immortal City'. pagoda. After that, the king entered the raja-bhiseka hall of the palace and was Saddened by the scene of slaughter within welcome by the Brahmins. On entering the the palace and the bloodshed caused by hall, the king had to lift his right foot first Nga Phone's rebellion, the king planned to and walk. While the Brahmins were move his capital from Innwa to chanting the Zaya Mingalar gahta, the king Amarapura (immortal city). Letwe recited the Buddha's eight glorious Nawrahta had to search for a site and victories gahta and ascended the water fig managed to establish a new city. All the plank gilded with gold. Brahmins then following details are described by the open the umbrella and offered five pieces author in his Ayedawbon: of regalia to the king. Finally, Bhiseka water was poured on the king's head.
- indicating the propitious time for establishing a city, On the 2nd full-moon day of Nayon month
- finding brick and wood, in ME 1145 (1783), the king took the
- driving in a stake to mark off the Muddha bhiseka. In fact, King Bodawpaya ground plan, undertook the Muddha bhiseka twice,
- reciting Sutta to ward off evil, firstly in ME 1145 (1783) and secondly
- burying stone box inside of which ME 1146 (1784). The reason for was a cabalistic diagram together undertaking the second Muddha bhiseka with 4 big earthen pots full of oil, was that the year 1146 which coincided
- using 30,000,000 bricks, with the Gautama kein (number or
- demarcating the boundary of the predestined event) came to pass once in a city, thousand year. After the second bhiseka,
63
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
the work of merit performed by the king assume titles and acquire the term 'Maha was to build 1000 hollow stupas each Raja'. His power and glory will surely be enshrining relics. dwindled. Only if he had undertaken it, he could take care of the religion, consecrate There were fourteen different bhiseka or ground for an ordination hall and attend abhiseka65 and that the Muddha beiktheik Hluttaw to make judgments. And the is the most important of all. There is a country will prosper. general belief that if a king did not attempt it, he should not be named as king, nor Letwe Nawrahta made active preparations for the coronation of the king. At the conclusion of all these elaborate 65 "Myanmar had more than one kind of preparations, the king and queen, clad in bhiseka. For instance there were the the splendid robes of celestial beings,
proceeded on a jeweled palanquin towards a) muddha-bhiseka the Mingalar pandal. On arriving, the anointing of the head b) mahesi-bhiseka Primate and twelve pundits brought the the coronation of the Chief pitakat preached by the lord Buddha while Queen 108 venerable monks recited sutta to ward c) uparaja-bhiseka off evil. The king bathed himself and sat the installation of the Crown on the water fig plank gilded with gold. Prince Eight princesses, Brahmins and wealthy d) jeyya-bhiseka people each poured from the clockwise in order to win victories circulating conch studded with nine gems e) mangala bhiseka the 5 kinds of water including one from held to celebrate the possession the Ganges River over his head. Thus, it of white elephants f) siriya-bhiseka was named the Muddha Bhiseka. to renew one's glory g) ayudigha-bhiseka The princesses then administered the oath: consecration to gain long life 'Oh king, in order to guard and protect all h) maha-bhiseka the people in accord once with the Raja celebrated to increase prosperity Dhama rule, this bhiseka water is poured. i) sakala-bhiseka May you keep the ten virtues of the king held to ensure peace in the well. Treat the people as if they were your Empire own sons and may the karuna flower blossom. Love and defend all the people in Of these, the raja-bhiseka, which may be synonymous with muddha-bhiseka, was to be accord once with the rules of held 5 years after accession, maha-bhiseka 7 Yaikarwarana, Guti, etc. By virtue of the years after accession, jeyya-bhiseka 9 years water pouring ceremony, which we have after accession, sakala-bhiseka 12 years after just performed, may the power and glory accession, while siriya-bhiseka and ayudigha- of the king be increased and may he enjoy bhiseka were to be celebrated from time to a long and happy life. time." Sunait Chutintaranond, 'Cakravartin, p.207.
64
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
Likewise, Brahmins and wealthy people sexual science were studied and translated took turn administering the oaths in the into Myanmar. same manner. Afterwards, the king took hold of the gold beaker studded with nine Because King Bodawpaya was not jewels and made this vow: satisfied with only worshipping the three gems (pitakats), he wished to learn various 'Owing to the innumerable accumulated Loki kyans (treatises on secular affairs). merits equivalent to 24000 layers of earth, So, he ordered Letwe Nawrahta to ask the I happen to be a great king dwelling in the Maung Htaung abbot. The venerable abbot golden palace which is equally marvelous said; 'the treatises on secular affairs do not as the palatial mansion of celestial beings. exist in Myanmar these days. If desired, I shall observe raja-wimala, the ten virtues suitable Brahmins should be sent to of a king. I shall protect the property and Bengal, Calcutta and Naga Dipa for the possessions of my subjects. May I myself purpose of copying these treatises. Only be rich and enjoy a long life. May then, will the king's wish be fulfilled.' aggressors from all ten directions be defeated. May many different princesses On the 3rd waxing day of the Wah Gaung and white elephants arrive and may the month in ME 1146 (1784), learned king's power, glory and grace be greatly Brahmins were dispatched to the Bengal enhanced day by day.' region to copy Loki kyans (treatises on secular affairs) written in Sanskrit. Letwe There are also detailed accounts of royal Nawrahta supervised matters relating to appurtenances which were displayed which treatises should be copied, who according to custom both to the left and to should be selected and who should be sent the right of the main throne, and about the as scholars. It was the first Myanmar court dress, crowns and so on. mission abroad sponsored by the State in the Konboung era. The mission arrived Despatching of scholars (including Hindu back in the month of Nayon in ME 1147 Brahmin Ponna, court astrologers) to (1785). The treatises brought back by the India and other countries to search for mission were on grammar, Pali verses secular texts on medicine, law, astrology (Hsan kyan), astronomy and medicine. and so on. (Many were later translated These treatises were translated into Myanmar by Maung Htaung abbot and into Myanmar.) they have been widely used up to the
present day. King Bodawpaya's reign saw a great increase in secular knowledge with the acquisition of Collecting data and compiling a list Sanskrit works from India and widespread contacts with neighbouring countries. Siamese of various officials, artisans, merchants, romances, Pali Jatakas, Chinese histories, etc., and their descendants.
Siamese and Cambodian chronicles, a rd history of Portugal and a Sanskrit work on On the 3 waxing day of Pyatho month in ME 1145 (1783), the process of registering
65
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
the kingdom (later known as Bodaw sittan hundred elephants, was assembled at and or revenue inquest), showing the number near Amarapura. It was composed of four of families in each territory, with their divisions, three of which were to march on respective boundaries, started. It is similar Rakhine by land. The fourth would to collecting census. The process begins proceed by sea. with Depeyin Township. The data was recorded on a bud of toddy palm-leaf and The three divisions which formed the land parabaik (folding book). Regional offices columns were under the command of the were constructed to keep these records king's three sons, the crown prince, who safe. was also commander in chief, Thado Mengzoa and Kama Min. The flotilla of 'Tain' in Myanmar means territory. In armed vessels was placed under Nemyo other words, Tain is the unit of Kyohteng and Tarabya, a Talaing officer. measurement for distance (one thousand Tar or approximately two miles.) It The army first advanced to Taungup and includes the population dwelling in any then marched on to Sandoway. After particular territory, a number of occupying these two towns, it proceeded households in a certain village or town, against Ramri Island where it encountered pristine forests and uninhabited lands. the enemy led by a son of the Rakhine Data was collected in more than 5000 Tain. king. In the battle, the Rakhine army was totally routed. At Laungkrek, the Rakhine The campaign to successfully to fleet was also defeated and there being no conquer Rakhine, giving the military adequate means for the defence of the routes, battles and so on. capital, the king fled to a place called 'Kon Chaung Kyun Thar Yar', south of Mrauk Towards the end of the dynasty, Rakhine U. The Myanmar army entered the city was in turmoil. The state of that kingdom and the Rakhine king was brought in a was so terrible that even foreign prisoner a month afterwards. interference was accepted as a promise of relief from a greater evil. Discontented Records of the conveying of the much nobles from Rakhine had flocked to Innwa, venerated Maha Muni Buddha Image beseeching aid to restore order. As Singu from the Rakhine capital to Amarapura, min had no desire to send warlike giving in detail the dates, the different expeditions anywhere, he simply ignored stages66 and the veneration ceremonies these applications. at the capital and many more informative details. Also, in Bodawpaya's reign, the king was invited to occupy the Rakhine throne. The Myanmar army advanced on Rakhine Thus, in 1784, Bodawpaya made ample on the 4th waxing day of Tazaungmon, ME preparations for the conquest of Rakhine. 1146 (1784). Before the march, the king An army of twenty thousand men, two thousand five hundred horses and over two 66 halting places
66
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
asked whether the king's sons should lead the difficult journey transporting the huge the army to invaded Rakhine. When the image through passes of known and Brahmins and pundits counseled that they unknown mountain ranges. should not be sent to Rakhine, the king The stations along the water and land grew furious and ordered them to be routes when in transporting the huge punished but later, they were pardoned. image of Maha Muni from Dhanyawadi by forest minister Thiri Dewa Kyaw Thu, The king issued a royal edict to the army commander Nga Po Gyi, Set-mi- kyaw that any buffalo, cow, pig or chicken from group 1000 guns, Kala blacksmith Nga towns and villages along the route to Tan Pu, White ship captain, Attwinwun Rakhine should not be taken without Naymyo Zayathu and Bo Mu Taung consent from the people - not even a single Talonesar were thus: fruit or vegetable. On the 13th waxing day of Tapotwe month The author, Letwe Nawrahta, accompanied in ME 1146 (1784), the image was taken Crown Prince Thado Minsaw on the out from the cave and placed on a cart. It campaign in Rakhine. On his return was then carried by boat. On the 15th day journey in 1785, he undertook the onerous of that month, they reached the army task of bringing the Maha Muni Buddha stationed at the confluence of rivers. On image to Amarapura. It is said that this the 6th day of the same month, they arrived image was cast in Rakhine in the exact at Taungup. From Taungup to Paung likeness of Lord Buddha during King Taung, they crossed the passes of 138 Canda Thuriya's rule in 554 BCE. mountains and a lot of unknown mountain ranges. On the 5th waxing day of Kason According to San Shwe Bu, there are month in ME 1147 (1785), they reached supposed to be five Munis altogether. the royal raft jetty in Amarapura. They are: Sakya-Muni, Canda-Muni, Cula-Muni67, Maha-Muni and Dussa-Muni. In the Bagan period, an attempt by King The first is to be found at Kapilavastu, Anawrahta to bring this ponderous image now in Nepalese Tarai. The second is at to Myanmar proper met with failure. The Kosala, modern Oudh. The third is in the great national image of Rakhine was sent Tavatimsa region. The fourth is in across the mountains through the Taungup Rakhine 68 . The fifth is in the Brahma pass, was received by the king with great region honour and was set up in a 3 tiered building specially erected for it to the When carrying the sacred image of Maha north of the city. Muni, a team of 5000 men advanced first to clear the path followed by the main Crushing of rebellion by Nga Sat and labour force. The author vividly described Nga Kwe in Yangon
On the 8th waxing day of Wah Gaung 67 Sulamuni month in ME 1145 (1783), Nga Sat and 68 now in Myanmar
67
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
Nga Kwe revolted in Yangon and the army new one. 69 He consulted Hammnan marched on that city. The rebels with a Yazawindawgyi (Glass Palace Chronicle) strength of over 200 followers and 50 before writing his influential book ‘Thai boats raided the town and killed the Rop Phama’ or ‘Our war with the governor Maha Kyaw Htin. Panic-stricken Burmese’. Phra Phraison Salaruk (U Aung people ran amok and concealed Thein) also translated some parts themselves, so it took some time for the involving Myanmar-Siam warfare in this army to suppress the rebellion. This event, chronicles. This version was published in however, is not mentioned in Konboungset the Journal of Siam Society (1908-1919).70 Maha Yazawindawgyi. Unfortunately, these pioneers did not work on Ayedawbon treatises. Conclusion Besides Ayedawbon, there are a variety of Ayedawbon treatises are the work of genres in Myanmar literature such as Myanmar literati who weaved the intricate Eigyin, Mawgun, Pyo, etc. They have but vivid events of their times into literary been little studied and there is no one who works which reflect the shared history of has tried to use these materials for wide- Siam and Myanmar, especially warfare ranging research on Myanmar-Siam between the two countries. Thus, to work relations. Research work on these existing out a detailed study on Ayedawbon materials should yield valuable results. treatises which provide contemporary Finally, one may question why Myanmar accounts helpful in understanding the literature is spoken of in a subject context of Siam-Myanmar relations from explicitly called ‘Thai Studies’. The the mid-16th to the mid-19th century reason for this incongruity firstly that would be of use to Thai studies. Myanmar history is a part of Thai history and literature and history being sister arts, Previously, Ayedawbon was little known therein make Myanmar literature a to outside scholars. In studying Siam- constituent of Thai Studies. Myanmar relations, most scholars have paid much attention to chronicles and they have overlooked Ayedawbons. Some do not even notice that Ayedawbon treatises are a mine of information for scholars of Myanmar and Thai studies. In constructing Thai history, Prince Damrong, the much respected historian, took various sources into consideration and set up a hypotheses. 69 Charnvit Kasetsiri, ‘Thai Historiography’, in He veered away from Phonsawadan Perceptions of the Past in Southeast Asia, tradition. He is said to be the person who Asian Studies Association of Australia, p. 165. bridged the old Thai world view to the 70 Sunait Chutintaranond and Than Tun, ‘On both sides of the Tenasserim Range: History of Siamese-Burmese Relations’, Asian Studies Monographs No. 050, p. 34.
68
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access Ayedawbon Treatises
References Myo Myint. 1997. Problems in Myanmar Historiography. Comparative Studies English on Literature and History of Thailand and Myanmar. pp 103-110.Yangon. Damrang Rajanubhab, Prince. 2001.The Chronicle Of Our Wars With The Saw Lu. 2001. Yun Ayutthaya in Burmese; Hostilities between Siamese Myanmar Literature (1548-1614) and Burmese when Ayutthaya was the Myanmar Historical Research Journal. capital of Siam. White Lotus Co.Ltd. no. 8. pp 89-110.Yangon.
Hla Pe, U. 1985.Burma: Literature, Sunait Chutintaranond. 1990. Cakravartin, Historiography, Scholarship, Language, the ideology of traditional warfare in Life and Buddhism. Institute of Siam and Burma, 1548-1605. Ph.D. Southeast Asian Studies, Heng Mui Thesis Cornell University. Keng Terrace, Pasir Panjang, Singapore 0511, © Institute of Taylor, Dr. Robert H. , 1986. Burmese Southeast Asian Studies. concepts of revolution, in Context meaning and power in Southeast Asia. Holiday, R. Mr. 1932. A History of Kings. Ithaca, N.Y. Cornell University SEAP. Journal of Burma Research Society. p 82. 13:1, 1-67 Taung Goe, U. 2006. Dictionary of South Htin Aung, Maung (Dr. Htin Aung). 1957. and Southeast Asian Art. Pyi Zone first published 1937. Fourth impression. Publishing House. No. 78. Hle Dan Burmese Drama: A Study, with street. Lanmataw Township. Yangon. Translations of Burmese plays. Oxford University press, Amen House. London, Thaw Kaung, U. 2010. Aspects of E.C.4. Myanmar History and Culture. pp.13- 42. Loka Ahlinn Publishing House, No. Htin Aung, Maung. 1967. A History of 167/173, Room D4, Seikkantha Burma. Columbia University Press. Yeikmon, Seikkantha Street. New York and London. Kyauktadar Township, Yangon, First Edition, March. Kyan, Daw. 2006. Maung Laut, Maung Ywa, Maung Waing do a-kyaung. Tin, U . 2001. The Royal Administration Padauk New. No. 6. June. of Burma VOL. 4. Bangkok: Ava Publishing House. Myo Myint. 2002. Alaungpaya's Campaign in Thailand (1759-1760). Tin Ohn, Modern Historical Writing in Myanmar Historical Research Journal. Burmese 1724-1942, Indigenous no. 9. pp. 45-64.Yangon. June. Writings.
69
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access MANUSYA: Journal of Humanities Regular 18.2, 2015
Tun Aung Chain, U. 2005. Chronicle of Myanmar abidan a kyin choke (Myanmar Ayutthaya. A translation of the Yodaya encyclopedia) Yazawin, Myanmar Historical Commission. Golden Jubilee Pe Maung Tin, U. 1987. Myanmar sarpay Publication Committee. thamaing (History of Burmese Literature) . U Mya Thaung (01784) Naret Naroprakorn, Suk Raman . 1964. Khitayar publishing house, No. 122, 31 The Mon Wars.Bangkok: Odeon Store. street Yangon. p. 7. Struggle of Myanmar kings. Third Edition. Myanmar published by Nan Myint Sarpay. (0990). No. 255,Pansodan, Yangon. 1970. Ashin Auber-tha-bi-wun-tha Ma-htae- myat. 2002. Demonstrative Research Abidan (Encyclopedia). Ministry of Religious Affairs. pp. 198-200. The Government of the Union of Burma, Yangon.
Ba Thaung, Bohmu (Maung Thuta). 2002. Sarsodaw-mya athotkepatti…5th ed. rev. by U Khin Aye. Yangon: Yarpyi Saroke Taik (distributor); Lawka Sarpay (publisher).
Hman-nan Yazawin-daw-gyi (The Glass Palace Chronicle). Vol.II Mandalay: Mandalay Pitaka Book Depot, 1941. (reprint). vol. III. Mandalay: Rangon, Mandalay Book Depot, 1955.
Kala, U. 1960 and 1961. Maha Yazawin- gyi. U Khin Soe (ed). vol.II. vol.III. Yangon: Burma Research Society and Hanthawaddy Press.
Maung Maung Tin, U. 2004. Konbaung- set Maha Yazawin-daw-gyi. vol. 1, 5th ed. Yangon: Yar-pyi Sar-oke Taik, for Universities Historical Research Centre.
70
Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 02:20:44PM via free access