UThawKaung
Ayedawbon Kyan, an Important Myanmar Literary Genre Recording Historical Events
Introduction
esearchers on Myanmar history of the The 6thAyedawbon kyan, theMajjhimadesa R monarchical period have found the Aye Ayedawbon, was 'discovered' in manuscript dawbon kyan, a very important Myanmar literary form in the 1950s from the British Library in genre which gives records of historical events, London and at the Universities Central Library next in importance only to the Yazawin daw or in Yangon I was able to collect three copies on the main Royal Chronicles like the Hman-nan palm-leaf in Myanmar. It was first printed and (Glass Palace Chronicle). In an important way published as a separate monograph only in 1998. the six or seven Ayedawbon kyan, historical The 7th Ayedawbon kyan, the Hsinbyushin texts, supplement the records which are in the Ayedawbon is still in manuscript form and main Myanmar chronicles. remains unpublished. The Ayedawbon Kyan texts that I will be talking about are: Meaning of the word Ayedawbon (1) Dhanyawaddy Ayedawbon (2) Rajadirit Ayedawbon Before discussing the texts and their authors, I (3) Hanthawaddy Hsinbyumyashin Aye would first of all like to explain the meaning of dawbon Ayedawbon, a word whose meaning has changed (4) Nyaungyan Mintaya Ayedawbon somewhat from its earlier use to its modem (5) Alaung Mintaya Gyi Ayedawbon (3 meaning. different texts) The standard Myanmar-English Dictionary (6) Majjhimadesa Ayedawbon compiled and published by the Myanmar (7) Hsinbyushin Ayedawbon Language Commission of the Ministry of Of these six Ayedawbon kyan, the first five Education gives the following two English are what is collectively known as Ayedawbon meanings to the Myanmar word Ayedawbon Nga Saung Dwe, which means the Five volumes 9<1G!ifGoo5~: ofAyedawbon as these five were first printed in one volume by the Thudhamawadi Press under noun 1. [archaic] historical account of a this title in 1923. royal campaign (as in &p
Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) oo. 21-33 22 UTHAWKAUNG
(Oool)~ Rajadirit Ayedawbon) Dr. Hla Pe in a separate article also defines 2. social or political uprising; revolu Ayedawbon as a "royal affair: it generally tion.1 consists of the struggle to power, a savouring of Hitler's 'Mein kampf"6 The Judson Burmese-English Dictionary, Myanmar historian Dr. Aye Kyaw has compiled by Dr. Adoniram Judson, revised and compared the Myanmar terms Yazawin (raja enlarged by Robert C. Stevenson and Rev. F.H. wan), ayedawbon and mhattan with some Thai Eveleth, does not have an entry for Ayedawbon, terms. He writes: but has entries for the root word Ayedaw and another for Ayebonsa, a less common Myanmar "Besides the rajawan, the Burmese terms, word, a variant ofthe wordAyedawbon /cyan. mhattam and aretoau pum [ayedawbon] are Judson gives the following English mean synonymous with the Thai terms, chotmaihet or ings: kotmaihet and they deal with account or report on particular events. In particular, the aretoau IT.l(O'll"~~ [Ayedawbon]. noun. a representation pum are concerned with the short histories of of affairs, account, history2. particular wars or uprisings."7 o:r.o"'f"~ [Ayedaw], noun. literary. A royal affair; a term applied to wars waged by the king, The modem meaning of Ayedawbon as a rebellions, etc. IT.l(O'li"~O?t=~t ~8=o;?t=~8:ooG'\I "Social or political uprising; revolution" has G~O'j?t:~1w IT.IG'\IG~~§S811 been discussed in some detail by Dr. Robert ooG'll~ro [Ayebonsa], noun. a journal of military H.Taylor in his article "Burmese Concepts of occurences.3 Revolution". He also discusses the original meaning: The word Ayebonsa is given in Judson's A Dictionary of Burmese and English ... 1st ed. "The root of ayei-daw-bon is ayei, meaning a 1852 with the same explanatory meaning in business or affair, to which is appended taw (daw) English, but the word Ayedawbon as a separate the suffix denoting royalty, a deity, or (now) the entry or Ayedawbon /cyan is not given right up state-and bon (pun), a narrative or sequence of to the revised edition of 1953. events, giving literally "story of royal or state The most scholarly and comprehensive, affairs". Judson, in a dictionary he prepared in though unfortunately, incomplete, Burmese the early nineteenth century~ noted that ayei-daw, English dictionary is the one first compiled by while literally meaning royal affairs, was a term J.A. Stewart and C.W. Dunn, and later revised applied especially to wars waged by kings, but and edited by Dr. Hla Pe and H.F. Searle. In also rebellions, etc., while ayei-bon-sa (sa vol. 5 of this dictionary, the meaning of the meaning paper) was a journal of military wordAyedawbon is given as below: occurrences. In current daily parlance the term is generally taken to mean the style or nature of a "!nGGt:Go:>-5~ [Ayedawbon]-written ac movement or matter concerning royalty or the count, one of the five Ayedawbon, viz. ".e;_o~t state; it indicates a political movement in a similar history of Arakan; &poo8&p& c.i>~o~roC::~[~81 but more forceful sense than the alternative but G~8Gtti:g8: o:>e>p: l!nGcmb:gb:o:>&p: accom;ts neutral term hlok-sha-hmu. An ayei-daw-bon is of the lives these kings.4" also a body of literature, being the five or six historical accounts of the struggle for power by The compilers of this dictionary also explain Kings Danyawadi [sic.] Yazadarit, Hanthawadi that the root word oo(O'l: A-ye is used especially Hsinbyushin, Nyaungyan Min. and Alaungpaya. "8 in forms A-yedaw, A-yebon, Ayedawbon and that the meaning is: The word Ayedawbon continued to be used in the titles of over a dozen books, after 1885 "affair, cause, campaign, struggle, revolution; and the end of the Myanmar monarchy, right up fortune, prospects, position; historical account of to recent times. For example there is book called a campaign or struggle for power or a cause." 5 Thakin Nu Ayedawbon [Thakin Nu's Struggle
Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) Ayedawbon Kyan, an Important Myanmar Literary Genre Recording Historical Events 23 for Power] (1949), Taungthu Laithama Aye campaigns to achieve power and obtain the dawbon [Peasants' Revolution] ( 1965}, Kyaung throne. tha Ayedawbon [Students' Revolution] (1956), (2) how these kings kept their power by Sethmu-lethmu Ayedawbon hnei Myanmar zwe various means and endeavours. [Industrial Revolution and Myanmar Perserver (3) how there were rebellions against their ance] and so on. Obviously my paper does not power and the throne and how they were cover these latter books. successfully crushed and quelled. In this paper I will be talking about (4) how wars were waged for the expansion Ayedawbon kyan, as a distinct Myanmar literary of their territory. 10 genre in the form of monographs which give historical accounts of royal campaigns and Problems in connection with Ayedawbon accounts of the lives of four famous Myanmar kyan kings, namely: (1) Rajadirit (or Razadarit}, AD 1385-1423 The Ayedawbon kyan treatises pose a number (2) Hanthawaddy (Hamsavati) Hsinbyumya of problems to scholars. Among them are: Shin,or King Bayinnaung, AD 1551-1581 (1) Authorship of some ofthe texts. (3) Nyaungyan Mintaya, AD 1599-1605 (2) The total number of Ayedawbon kyan (4) Alaungmintaya Gyi or Alaungpaya, AD that were written. 1752-1760 (3) Language problems (at least one is a The other two Ayedawbon kyan do not centre translation into Myanmar) on particular kings, but on events in certain (4) Whether some are parts oflarger works. regions, viz.: (5) Incomplete or corrupt texts. (5) Dhanyawaddy Ayedawbon is on the (6) Uncertain dates of composition or Rakhine (Arakan) region from the time of compilation . Kanrajagyi, a king who reigned, c. 825 BC to Two Myanmar scholars have tried to find events in AD 1784 when Rakhine was annexed solutions to some of these problems but they by the Myanmar King Bodawpaya. Dhanya have only been partially redressed. These two waddy is the name of one of the capital cities of scholars were Dr. Yi Yi 11 eminent Myanmar the Rakhine kings, and also a classical name researcher and historian of the Myanmar (Pali) of this Kingdom (Arakan). Historical Commission and Professor of ( 6) Majjhimadesa is the Myanmar Piili word Myanmar Literature at University of Yangon, for central India, Majjhima meaning " the U Maung Maung Gyi; 12 both have now passed middle" and des a "region", or "country". away. I will be discussing some of the problems Judson 's Burmese-English Dictionary gives the based mainly on their writings. meaning of Majjhimadesa as being a Pali word for the middle place, the middle part of the Authorship world, including the sixteen countries of India, famous in Buddhist history.9 The Majjhimadesa Three of the Ayedawbon kyan have author Ayedawbon is about events in the Rakhine ship problems: (Arakan) region during the reign of King Badon (l} Hanthawaddy Hsinbyumyashin Aye or Bodawpaya, and about a Myanmar mission dawbon to India; it covers the period AD 1787 to about (2) Nyaungyan Mintaya Ayedawbon 1822. (3) Alaungmintaya Gyi Ayedawbon (three versions) Distinctive characteristics of Ayedawbon kyan Hanthawaddy Hsinbyumyashin Ayedawbon A typical Ayedawbon treatise has the The authorship of Hanthawaddy Hsin following characteristics: byumyashin Ayedawbon is not given in the main Accounts of reference source for Myanmar classical ( 1) how individuals of prowess fought to literature, viz. the Pitakat-taw Thamaing by U become kings; especially their military Yan. The bibliography by U Y an mentions the
Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) 24 UTHAWKAUNG
name of this Ayedawbon and says that it was (Hla Thamain) the editor ofthe two versions of written by a Saya [acharn] whose name is not the Alaungpaya Ayedawbon. If Dr. Yi Yi is known. 13 proved to be wrong and this version of the The printed version found in various editions Alaungpaya Ayedawbon is by Letwe Nawrahta, does not seem to be complete and no author's then the Hsinbyumyashin Ayedawbon which is name is found in the text or manuscripts. similar in style might also be by Letwe The authorship has been attributed to Nawrahta. (1) Letwe Nawrahta and (2) to U Tun Nyo Some Myanmar scholars, apart from Dr. Yi (Twin-thin Taik Wun Maha Sithu) by different Yi, gave Letwe Nawrahta as the author of scholars. Hsinbyumyashin Ayedawbon. This is probably In the introduction to the Thudhamawadi because Letwe Nawrahta did write an Aye edition of Ayedawbon Nga Saung Dwe, the dawbon usually called Hinbyushin Ayedawbon editors Saya Bi, Saya Thein and Saya Ko Ba but it was not on Bayinnaung but on King Kyaw attributed authorship to Letwe Nawrahta14 Bodawpaya. · and in later modem printed collected editions of To resolve the authorship problem, I tried, the Ayedawbon kyan like the Myanmar Min about fifteen years ago, to find a more complete Mya Ayedawbon. Prof. U Maung Maung Gyi version on palm-leaf manuscript of the writing in the Introduction agrees with the Hsinbyumyashin Ayedawbon. I found a rare Thudhamawadi editor and famous Myanmar palm-leaf manuscript of this Ayedawon whose writer Hmawbi Saya Thein in giving the text is more complete than the printed one, but authorship to Letwe Nawrahta. 15 there is no mention of the author's name in the But well known researcher of the Myanmar manuscript either. This manuscript version was Historical Commission, the late scholar and in the possession of Myanmar scholar and historian Dr. Yi Yi attributed authorship to U member of the Myanmar Historical Commisson, Tun Nyo based on a comparison of the style of U Maung Maung Tin, who has now donated the writing. 16 manuscript to the Universities Historical Dr.Yi Yi compared the style of writing in Research Centre. the Hsinbyumyashin Ayedawbon with the writing Unfortunately, this manuscript version did in one of the versions of the Alaungpaya not solve the authorship problem either, but Ayedawbon. In both, the author at the close of only made it more complex, for in the colophon each episode in the narrative writes "this is the the date 1033 Pyathoe lasan 5 (Myanmar Era) is end of this particular (name mentioned) given18 and it is probably the date of com Ayedawbon, one episode". For example in position. If this date is correct, this Ayedawbon Hsinbyumyashin Ayedawbon: "This is the end was written in 1671. As Letwe Nawratha was of the Ayedawbon, one episode, on the conquest born only in 1085 Wasola (1723) and U Tun ofToungoo City."17 Nyo in 1088 (1726/27) the Hsinbyumyashin In the same style one of the versions of the Ayedawbon cannot be by either of these writers. Alaungmintaya Ayedawbon which Dr.Yi Yi More research needs to be carried out to resolve identified as being by U Tun Nyo, at the end of this problem. each episode it is stated that this is the end of One Myanmar author, Maung Kyauk Taing, such and such Ayedawbon, one episode. In this in a fairly comprehensive article he wrote on Ayedawbon even the exact date is given for Letwe Nawrahta in a book published by each event, e.g. "On 5th waxing of Wagaung, Myanmar Nainggan Sarpay Pyant Pwa-ye Athin year 1114 (AD 1752 July 5) at a place called (Myanmar Society for the Propagation of Shwe Paung Laung, the conquest over the Literature) in 1974, mentioned that he had Talaings [Mons] Ayedawbon, one, episode is already seen a full, complete text of this hereby ended." Ayedawbon, in typescript, copied from a palm To make the problem more complex, the leaf manuscript. He said that the text was the version of the Alaungpaya Ayedawbon which same as the one printed and published, only it Dr. Yi Yi idenitified as being by U Tun Nyo is had 17 typed pages extra at the end which gave attributed to Letwe Nawrahta by U Hla Tin the colophon. 19
Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) Ayedawbon Kyan, an Important Myanmar Literary Genre Recording Historical Events 25
The colophon stated that the author was a Yazawin Gyi, the Great Chronicle of Myanmar, Myanmar Minister whose title was Y azataman vols. 3 to 17 and 18 and from Min Ye Dibba E (Rajataman) who later received the title Oke gyin, written around AD 1608 by Shin Than tha-raw, and that he served under King Kho (1598-1638). Bayannaung. If this is correct then this Aye The authorship of this work has been dawbon is a contemporary record. attributed to: In early 2000, I was able to get a mimeo ( 1) Maha Atula Dammika Y azar, the judge graphed copy of the complete text of this who was the Myosa of Myin-gon-daing in the Ayedawbon, with the help of U Thein Hlaing, introduction of the Thudhamawadi edition by Deputy Director General of the Universities the editor Saya Thein and othersY Historical Research Centre. This mimeographed (2) Letwe Nawrahta copy was made from a palm-leaf mss. copied in Prof. U Pe Maung Tin in his. History of AD 1839. Burmese Literature attributed Nyaungyan The colophon states that the author Y aza Mintaya Ayedawbon to Letwe Nawrahta.22 taman (Rajataman), with the title Oke-tha-raw, Prof. U Maung Maung Gyi is of the opinion was requested by the Crown Prince, eldest son that Letwe Nawrahta wrote three Ayedawbon of King Bayinnaung and by the King's younger kyan which are in a way consecutive in historical brothers, the Kings of Pyi (Prome), Toungoo events covered, i.e. Hsinbyumyashin Ayedawbon and Innwa (Ava) and also by the Ministers to on King Bayinnaung, Nyaungyan Mintaya compile this Ayedawbon in the year Myanmar Ayedawbon on the dynasty founded by Prince Era 926 (AD 1564);20 Actually the Ayedawbon Nyaungyan, one of the sons of King Bayinnaung covers events up to AD 1579, two years before and Alaung Mintaya Gyi Ayedawbon, on King King Bayinnaung died suddenly after a short Alaungpaya who founded the Konbaung illness in 1581. Dynasty, the Dynasty directly after the The author also mentions that he compiled Nyaungyan Dynasty.23 the Ayedawbon using contemporary sources, Dr. Yi Yi on the other hand does not think various inscriptions and 235 records of various that any of these authors wrote this Ayedawbon events that took place during the reign. Out of and that this work is just like a notebook in these records he selected 135, ofwhich 100 were which exacts from U Kala and Min Ye Dibba E rejected as not being worthy ofbeing recorded in gyin (a poem on the birth of Min Ye Dibba, a this Ayedawbon. So it seems that the author son of King Anaukphetlun) had been copied by wrote about only 35 important events, mainly someone. 24 Even if that is the case Nyaungyan military campaigns, that were successfully Mintaya Ayedawbon is still ofvalue to historians accomplished by the King, as he thought that because there are only few works on the they are important to record for posterity. I would Nyaungyan Dynasty (AD 1597-1752). like to see otherpalm-leafmss. versions of these last 17 pages, to decide on their authenticity and Alaung Mintaya Gyi Ayedawbon to see whether there are variant texts. This Ayedawbon kyan poses some of the I feel sure that there are more complete texts most complex problems of authorship because of this Ayedawbon on palm-leaf, probably at least three different versions have been found waiting to be "discovered" by some enterprising and two do not have authorship statements. librarian or scholar, still lying neglected in one According to U Yan, the Royal Librarian of of the many monastic libraries of Myanmar. King Mindon and King Thibaw, there are two versions. One is by Letwe Nawrahta and the Nyaungyan Mintaya Ayedawbon other by U Tun Nyo. U Y an states that the one This is not listed by U Yan. The author's by Letwe Nawrahta is a contemporary record name is also not given in the text of this written during King Alaungpaya's reign (1752- Ayedawbon. 1760). At the time Letwe Nawrahta had the After careful scrutiny of the text Dr. Yi Yi rank of Thandawsint.25 states that it is a composite work with text either The other version that U Y an lists is the one directly copied or adapted from U Kala's Maha that he says is by Twin-thin-taik Wun, Mingyi
Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) 26 UTHAWKAUNG
Maha Sithu, i.e. U Tun Nyo, a native ofMaung is the Alaungpaya Ayedawbon by U Tun Nyo Htaung village of Alon Myo (Alon town) Abet and the earlier version published by Hantha Taik (Upper tract). Unfortunately U Yan does waddy, Thudhamawadi and others is also by U not give further details. Tun Nyo but that it is not a separate Ayedawbon A monograph entitled Alaungpaya Aye but only the part on Alaungpaya from the dawbon was first printed in 1883 by Okkalapa author's Maha Yazawin Thit. 30 Dr. Yi Yi's Press and later reprinted in 1900 in Yangon by verdict is now widely accepted by scholars, the well-known printer and publisher, the though in popular collected editions, Letwe Hanthawaddy Press, which transferred many Nawrahta's name still appears as the author. valuable Myanmar and Pali manuscripts into This has come about because the version by printed form. These first printed versions did Letwe Nawrahta still remains in manuscript form not give the name of any author, but only and has not been printed in book form up to mentioned that it was by a wise man from the now. time of King Alaungpaya. In a new issue of Maung Kyauk Taing made a careful 1943, with a new cover, the Hanthawaddy Press comparison of the two Alaungpaya Ayedawbon printed on the cover the name of the author as published together in 1961, and he disagrees Twin-thin-taik Wun, Maha Sithu. with Dr. Yi Yi's verdict. He thinks that they are Only in the popular Thudhamawadi edition by two different authors and gives detailed of the Ayedawbon Nga Saung Dwe, first analysis of the texts to prove his contention. He published in 1923, did the editors in the short accepts that the first published version is by U one page introduction attribute the authorship Tun Nyo but not the version published in 1961. to Twin-thin-taik Wun, Maha Sithu (U Tun He says that we still need to do further research Nyo).26 to find out who the author is, as he does not Later collected editions of this version of think Letwe Nawrahta wrote it either. 31 Alaung Mintaya Ayedawbon changed the The other Ayedawbon kyans do not have authorship to Letwe Nawrahta, because U Pe problems of authorship. Maung Tin in his History ofBurmese Literature21 (4) The Dhanyawaddy Ayedawbon in the and Prof. U Maung Maung Gyi28 both give the colophon mentions that it was written by the author as Letwe Nawrahta. In fact a later edition Rakhine Sayadaw (i.e. Abbot of Arakan) whose of the collected Ayedawbon kyan reprinted U title was Kawitharabi Thiri-pawara Egga-maha Maung Maung Gyi's article as an Introduction. Dhamma-razadi-razagura. It was written in In 1961 the Ministry of Culture published Myanmar Era 1149 =AD 1787,32 i.e. three years two versions ofAlaungpaya Ayedawbon, edited after the Rakhine Kingdom came to an end. by U Hla Tin (writer Hla Thamain). U Hla Tin (5) Rajadirit Ayedawbon is now widely in his introduction states that a new version of accepted as being written, or rather compiled the Alaung Mintaya Gyi Ayedawbon was found and translated into Myanmar (from some Mon in the Myanmar National Library from the historical texts whose authors are not known), collection inherited from the Bernard Free by Banya Dala, a Mon minister and general Library. U Hla Tin says that the new version who served under King Bayinnaung (AD 1551- first published in this edition is by Letwe 1581). Banya Dala lived about AD 1518 to Nawrahta and that the earlier published edition 1572. Banya Dala was undoubtedly a man of is by U Tun Nyo29 (i.e. going back to the great ability, a Man patriot, a well-known authorship given in the Hanthawaddy and military commander, minister and author. He Thudhamawadi editions). later fell into disgrace due to a military failure Dr. Yi Yi, on the other hand, after examining and was exiled by King Bayinnaung to central both texts in this new edition says that both are Thailand, to a malarious place called Zanet. by U Tun Nyo, because she had seen a third The King of Ayutthaya took pity on him, and version in manuscript form in the Mandalay with the consent of King Bayinnaung transferred University Library which had Letwe Nawrahta's him to Kamphaeng Pet old town around AD name in the text. Dr. Yi Yi states that the new 1572, but Banya Dala is said to have fallen sick version from the Bernard Free Library collection and died within a month of his arrival.
Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) Ayedawbon Kyan, an Important Myanmar Literary Genre Recording Historical Events 27
When Rajadirit Ayedawbon was first The main problem which concerns the published in 1923, the Thudhamawadi editors Majjhimadesa Ayedawbon is whether it is a real erroneously attributed the authorship to Sithu Ayedawbon. The author himself does not call it Gamani Thingyan.33 But U Yan states that Sithu anAyedawbon but only a Sadan or treatise.39 Dr Gamani Thingyan wrote only two historical Yi Yi also rejects it from the Ayedawbon list.40 works, namely the Zinme Yazawin and the Only U Hla Tun Phyu who did a Master's thesis Rakhine Yazawin. 34 at Yangon University on this Ayedawbon tries U Yan and later U Pe Maung Tin stated that to prove that it is a real Ayedawbon. this Ayedawbon is by Banya Dala, and this was (7) Lastly, I would like to mention another supported by U Maung Maung Gyi and Dr. Yi Ayedawbon /cyan which is still in manuscript Yi. So there is no controversy in connection form, and which I have not seen. Maung Kyauk with the authorship of this Ayedawbon. Taing says that Letwe Nawrahta wrote another Banya Dala's writing has been praised as a important Ayedawbon /cyan, apart from the model of good Myanmar prose of the early Alaungpaya Ayedawbon. It is also called Hsin Toungoo period and the text was prescribed for byushin Mintaya Ayedawbon Thamaing but it is Myanmar literature students.35 not on King Bayinnaung but on King Badon or In the British Library, Oriental and India Bodawpaya,41 one ofthe sons of King Alaung Office Collections, there is a palm-leaf paya. manuscript entitled Magadu Ayedawbon. On On the manuscript the title does not have the further examination, this text has been found to word Ayedawbon; the title is Min Khan-daw be the first portions of the Rajadirit Ayedawbon, Sardan. But the author in the opening passage concerning Magadu who later became Lord of has the phrase Hsinbyushin Mintaya Gyi Martaban under the title Wareru (AD 1287- Ayedawbon Thamaing and some have called 1296). So this Ayedawbon cannot be designated this work under this name. as a separate one. Hsinbyushin means "Owner I possesor of The Rajadirit Ayedawbon being a com the White Elephant" and it is often used in the pilation and translation into Myanmar language title of some Myanmar kings. With King from Mon historical records and also because it Bayinnaung the plural "mya" is suffixed to was written in the language of nearly 500 years "Hsinbyu" = White Elephant( s) and he is usually ago, there are many obscure words and passages known as Hsinbyumyashin. The other famous in the text. Sithu U Kaung who established the Myanmar King Hsinbyushin was one of the Burma (Myanmar) Historical Commission in sons of King Alaungpaya who reigned from 1952 and became its first Chairman, requested AD 1763-76. King Bodawpaya (1782-1819) is the Mon scholar Dr. Nai Pan Hla to make a usually not referred to as Hsinbyushin. modem Myanmar translation from the Mon version which was later published by the Burma Historical Periods and Events Covered in Research Society.36 Each Ayedawbon Kyan ( 6) Majjhimadesa Ayedawbon does not have any authorship problems either as it is clearly Dhanyawaddy Ayedawbon stated in the colophon to the palm-leaf manu The line of Rakhine kings came to an end in scripts that it was written by Nay Myo Zeya AD 1784. Like most histories ofRakhine after a Kyaw Htin, the Governor of Dwarawaddy (or short account of the legendary kings, the history Sandoway Than Dwe) town. He was born in starts with Sanda Thuriya (AD 146-198). The Mrauk-U, the old capital of the Rakhine text has many homilies and wise counsels given Kingdom; his father was a Rakhine, who was to various kings on good govenance by wisemen also a governor and his mother was a Myanmar, and ministers. From the time of Sanda Thuriya, a descendant oflnnwa (Ava) royalty.37 the line of Rakhine kings is given, with more This Ayedawbon was completed on Novem detailed accounts of kings Minbyagyi, Min ber 17, 1823; we know this because the Myan Phalaung and Min Rajagyi until the time of mar equivalent date is given in the colophon Maha Thamada Raja Min when Rakhine became (Myanmar Era 1185 Tazaungmon La-san 5).38 part of the Myanmar kingdom in 1784. The text
Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) 28 UTHAWKAUNG was written soon after and finished on 1Oth intriguing characters, and towering above them February 1788 as the Myanmar equivalent date all is King Rajadirit, fighting against this rival, was recorded in the colophon. Myanmar King Min Khaung, but magnani mously mourning him when he died. Rajadirit Majjhimadesa Ayedawbon is portrayed as a wise, righteous king, chivalrous, This Ayedawbon is also on Rakhine and admiring wise men, kind to women and to his continues from AD 1784 to about 1816. The followers, in short a good Buddhist monarch text can be divided into three parts. whose conduct could be held up for emulation. 42 Pt.1 covers the period of rebellion against Myanmar rule by followers of the last Rakhine Hanthawaddy Hsinbyuyashin Ayedawbon king from about AD 1794 to 1795, and tells The text is on the life, especially the military how it was crushed. campaigns, of King Bayinnaung (1551-1581). Pt.2 is on Nga Chin Byan's rebellion from G.E.Harvey writes that "His life was the greatest about AD 1798 to 1811. explosion of human energy ever seen in Burma. Pt.3 is on Myanmar missions sent by King From his teens till his death (at 66) he was Bodawpaya to India to collect manuscripts, and constantly in the field, leading every major also to carry out intelligence work on the British campaign in person".43 This Ayedawbon is a expansion into India. The author of this detailed record of these military campaigns, a Ayedawbon, Zeya Kyaw Htin, led the mission number of them being against the Shans, Chiang of 1812. Near the end of the text are some royal Mai, Ayutthaya and Linzin (Vientianne). orders of the Myanmar king in connection with The Ayedawbon does not cover King the mission, including records on an Indian Bayinnaung's younger days, his life as "Maung princess and her retinue sent to King Bodawpaya Chadet" (Cadet in Thai romantic fiction) or his in 1814-15 and a royal order to repair and widen alleged romances with the ladies. If begins the royal road between Dwarawaddy (Sando around AD 1549 with his rise to kingship. The way) on the sea coast across the Rakhine Yoma printed version starts in AD 1549 and ends mountains to the Ayeyawady River (near Pyay abruptly in 1576 with the arrival of a princess orProme). from Sri Lanka together with a Buddha's tooth. This was about five years before his death. Rajadirit Ayedawbon Actually there were no military campaigns in Unlike the other three Ayedawbon kyan the last five years of his life. In 1581 he was which have the name of the king in the title of planning a campaign to conquer Rakhine and the work, Rajadirit Ayedawbon is not only on some of his advance forces had already taken Rajadirit (AD 1385-1423) but the text begins Than Dwe (Sandoway), but he fell sick and much earlier with Magadu who became king of died at the age of 66. the Mon territory of Lower Myanmar as King Now that I have obtained the last 17 pages Wareru (AD 1287-1296). This Ayedawbon of this Ayedowbon, which had been missing I covers a period of about 165 years as it ends can relate what is in these pages. As expected with the death ofRajadirit in 1423. there are no records of military campaigns. More The early portion of this Ayedawbon before importantly and of much value to historians are Rajadirit has been copied in a separate palm the 6 events44 recorded in this part. They include: leaf manuscript under the title Magadu (1) The building of the royal palace at Ayedawbon. It is now in the British Library, Hanthawaddy (Hamsavati) or Bago (Pegu), Oriental and India Office Collections (Burmese giving in detail the names of the 20 gates of the manuscript no.3449). walled city, the names of the various buildings Rajadirit Ayedawbon is an interesting work ofthe palace. The text states that it was modelled of literature as it has many stories, accounts of on the royal palaces in Taungoo and Ayutthaya court intrigues, rebellions, diplomatic ventures with three inner enclosures. and so on, and you can now read it in my friend (2) Conferring on his second son, Nawrahta and colleague's U San Lwin's excellent Minsaw, in AD 1579, the kingship of Zinme translation into English. You will meet many (Chiang Mai) which the King regarded as
Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) Ayedawbon Kyan, an Important Myanmar Literary Genre Recording Historical Events 29
Survanna bhuin, at a royal ceremony in a renamed Yangon (or End of Strife) and many specially constructed royal pavillion in front of details of the short reign (AD 1752-1760) are the Maha Zedi (Chedi) at Bago (Pegu). It also given. Both texts end with Alaungpaya's death tells how the great King admonished the Crown from unspecified illness on his return journey Prince and his younger son, the King of Chiang after an unsuccessful campaign against Mai, to live always in harmony with brotherly Ayutthaya in 1760. love. The unpublished version of Alaungpaya (3) The construction of A-Myawaddy Town Ayedawbon which mentions that Letwe on the Mynamar eastern border (with Thailand), Nawrahta is the author is the most complete in AD 1576, as a frontier defence outpost with text not only on King Alaungpaya's reign but four trading centres (bazaars) in it, named also gives an account of 40 years before his rule respectively Hanthawaddy, Yodaya (Ayutthaya), began, i.e. from about 1711 or 1712. The history Zinme (Chiang Mai) and Lin Zin (Vientianne). of these 40 years has been published in a (4) The construction of Kale town near the mimeographed form by U Tun Yi (pen-name Myanmar north-western border (with China and Shayhaung Sarpay Thutaythi Ta Oo). U Tun Yi India) in AD 1576. gave it the title Nyaungyan Khit Nhit 40 Yazawin (5) An account of trading with foreign [40 years of the Nyaungyan Period]. On reading countries and the various kinds of goods brought through the first pages of this text the author is by the 40 to 50 ships which annually came to mentioned as Letwe Nawrahta and the author Pathein (Bassein). himself calls the text an Ayedawbon and the ( 6) The construction of four stupas at the title of the whole work Alaung Mintaya Gyi four corners of the royal capital city of Athtokepatti Ayedawbon Yazawin (Athtokepatti Hanthawaddy. is the Myanmar word for Biography.) 45 The full text of this Ayedawbon is in the Alaung Mintaya Gyi Ayedawbon Mandalay University Library and we need to Both of the published texts of this Aye copy and edit it for publication. The manuscript dawbon cover the life of King Alaungpaya from has the heading Letwe Nawrahta Yazawin, and birth to death, and give many details of his comprises of 13 anga (i.e. 156leaves) and eight military campaigns. The first published version leaves (a total of 164 leaves) with nine lines of by the Hanthawaddy and Thudhamawadi presses writing per leaf. A typed copy is available in the begins with a short account tracing Alaungpaya's Universities Historical Research Centre, supposed ancestry and descent from a daughter Yangoon. of the Pagan King, Narapate Sithu. The version first published in 1961 by the Hsinbyusbin Ayedawbon Ministry of Culture begins with accounts of the This Ayedawbon is also by Letwe Nawrahta Buddha's legendary visits to various parts of and it is about King Bodawpaya (1782-1819). central Myanmar and his prophesies. It remains in manuscript form. It also gives short accounts ofPyu and Pagan According to writer and researcher U Tun kings and tells how Alaungpaya's forebears (all Yi the palm-leaf manuscript has six anga (i.e. allegedly descended from Pyu and Pagan 72 leaves) and two leaves (a total of74leaves) royalty) travelled north to Moksobo (later with 12 lines to a leaf.46 It covers only the first renamed Shwebo). four or five years ofBodawpaya's reign to 1786. Both texts then tell of Alaungpaya's birth at The author himself died in 1791, having risen to Moksobo in AD 1714, of how the Mon king prominence under King Alaungpaya. He sacked Innwa (Ava) and took away the Myanmar faithfully served under all three sons of king and royal family to Hanthawaddy in 1752 Alaungpaya who became kings. As Bodawpaya and how Alaungpaya rebelled and fought against died only in 1819, 28 years after the author, this the Mons to regain Myanmar supremacy. In the Ayedawbon covers only the campaigns Bodaw military campaigns recorded in this Ayedawbon paya waged to obtain the throne, especially the we can see the Mon power finally crushed, rebellions ofPhaungasa Maung Maung and Nga some Mon towns like Dagon for example Phone. It also tells how Amarapura was built as
Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) 30 UTHAWKAUNG the royal capital, about the coronation ceremo They not only cover Myanmar history, but nies and the author gives even prices of rice, are also a good source for Mon and Rakhine fish paste (ngapi) and so on.47 history. For many of us who cannot read the This Ayedawbon is a useful source for Mon language the Rajadirit Ayedawbon in records of the Rakhine campaign under the Myanmar language and now in English, gives a Crown Prince in 1785 including detailed good translation of early Mon history as recorded accounts of how the Maha Muni image was in the Mon historical texts entitled Okpanna brought to Amarapura. Suvanna Bhumi Arranba Kahta and There are also detailed accounts of royal Thudhammawadi Thiha Rajadi-raja vumsa appurtenances which were displayed according kyan.49 to custom in either the left or the right order, For a concise history of Rakhine under their and about the court dresses, crowns, etc. which own kings, from early times to AD 1784, the cannot be found in the main published source Dhanyawaddy Ayedawbon is a good historical for the period, the Konbaungset Maha Yazawin record written a few years after the last of the daw Gyi. It is also a contemporary account unlike Rakhine kings. some of the later histories. Although the author Some of the Ayedawbon kyan like the himself calls his work an Ayedawbon the palm Rajadirit Ayedawbon are examples of good leaf manuscript has the heading Min Khan Daw Myanmar prose of the 16th century and also Sardan [Treatise on Royal Ceremonies].48 examples of translation into Myanmar from Mon. Conclusion Some of the authors were high officials under the kings they served and therefore had access I have given a brief survey of the Ayedawbon to court records kept in the king's archives, or kyan, Myanmar historical treatises written record offices. Unfortunately, most of these court between King Bayinnaung's reign (1551-81) records have been destroyed and so the from mid-16th century to AD 1823, i.e. early Ayedawbon Kyan treatises preserve some of the 19th century. These treatises were a popular valuable historical records in a condensed form. Myanmar literary genre of historical writing The subjects covered in the Ayedawbon kya~, that was copied on palm-leaf manuscripts from events during the reigns of some of the great generation to generation. kings of Myanmar, are important not only for What historical value do they have? Many Myanmar history but for Thai history as well, are contemporary writings written during the especially Rajadirit, Hanthawaddy Hsin period they covered, such as the Hanthawaddy byumyashin (King Bayinnaung) andAlaungpaya Hsinbyumyashin Ayedawbon and Alaung Ayedawbon treatises. Mintaya Gyi Ayedawbon, and consequently What we still need to do is to find more could be historically more accurate. manuscript versions of Ayedawbon kyan, to Most of the authors were exceptional collate different copies and bring out scholarly Myanmar people: active military commanders, editions, edited by competent researchers; also able ministers and competent writers like Banya to translate some of them into English so that Dala under King Bayinnaung and Letwe Nawrahta they could be read and studied by a wider circle under kings Alaungpaya and his sons right up to of scholars interested in Myanmar and Thai the reign of King Bodawpaya. The authors history. I hope that scholars both from within obviously admired the kings they wrote about. Myanmar and from outside will join us in these They are good historical records and a useful endeavours. adjunct to the Myanmar chronicles like U Kala's I hope my paper, in however small a way, and the Hman-nan (Glass Palace Chronicle). will contribute towards a wider knowledge and Some give more detailed accounts as they were understanding of this important Myanmar written by men who took a leading part in the literary genre recording historical events, the events recorded. Ayedawbon kyan.
Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) Ayedawbon Kyan, an Important Myanmar Literary Genre Recording Historical Events 31
Notes copied from palm-leafmss., 1967, p. 97. 21 Ayedawbon Nga Saung Dwe, 1923, (1) page 1 Myanmar Language Commission. Myanmar introd. (no page no.). English Dictionary. 2nd ed., 1993. p. 587. 22 Pe Maung Tin, U. History ofBurmese Literature, 2 Judson, Adoniram. A Dictionary of the Burman 4th edition, [1955], p. 179. Language. Unauthorized 1st ed., 1826. p. 28. 23 Maung Maung Gyi, U Tetkatho, "Ayedawbon 3 Judson, Adoniram. The Judson Burmese-English Chauk Saung", [1964], p. 280-81. Dictionary. 2nd ed ... 1921. p. 100. 24 Yi Yi, Dr. "Ayedawbon kyan mya pyat-thana" 4 Strewart, J. A, et al, Burmese-English Dic ... p.53. tionary,compiled by J.A.Stewart and C.W.Dunn, 25 Yan, U. (Maing Khaing Myosa). Pitakat-taw revised and edited by Dr. Hla Pe, A. J. Allott and J. thamaing ... 1959. p. 266, item nos. 2035 and 2036. W. A. Okell, Pt. V ... 1969. p. 319. 26 Ayedawbon Nga Saung Dwe ... 1923. (1) page 5 lbid.p.319. introd. (no page no.). 6 Hla Pe, Dr. "Observations on some of the 27 Pe Maurtg Tin, U. History ofBurmese Literature indigenous sources for Burmese history down to ... 4th edition ... [1955]. p. 177-179. 1886", in the author's Burma: Literature, Historio 28 Maung Maung Gyi, U Tetkatho. "Ayedawbon graphy, Scholarship, Language, Life and Buddh ChaukSaun[j' ... [1964] p. 280-81. ism. 29 Alaungpaya Ayedawpon, Hnit Saung Dwe [Two 7 Aye Kyaw, Dr. "Burmese sources for LanNa versions], ed. by U Hla Tin (Hla Thamain) 196l.See Thai history" ... p. 247. "Introduction", by U Hla Tin for detailed comparison 8 Taylor, Dr. Robert H. "Burmese concepts of of the texts, p. 1-13. revolution," in Context meaning and power in 30 Yi Yi, Dr. "Ayedawbon kyan mya pyat-thana" Southeast Asia, Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University, ... 1969. p.45. SEAP, 1986. p. 82. 31 Kyauk Taing, Maung. "Thukhamain U Nay ... 9 The Judson Burmese-English Dictionary, 2nd ed. 1974. p. 116--121. rev., 1921., p.741. 32 Dhanyawaddy Ayedawbon in Myanmar Min Mya 10 Hla Tun Phyu,U,ed., Majjhimadesa Ayedawbon Ayedawbon ... Nant Tha ed. 1967. p. 131. Kyan, 1998. p. Kaw (s~) 33 Ayedawbon Nga Saung Dwe ... 1923. (1) page 11 Yi Yi, Dr. "Ayedawbon kyan mya pyat-thana", in trod. (no page no.). [The problems of Ayedawbon kyan], in Kantha Sein 34 Yan, U. Pitakat-taw thamaing ... 1959. p. 264, lei sardan mya, 1969, .pp.30-62. item nos. 2018 and 2019. see also my article on Sithu 12 Maung Maung Gyi, Tetkatho. "Ayedawbon Gamani Thingyan in Proceedings of the 6th Chauk Saung", [The six vols. of Ayedawbon] in the International Conference on Thai Studies ... 1996. author's Sar Myet-shu, [1964] p. 275-283. 35 Zaw Gyi (pen-name of Myanmar author U Thein 13 Yan,U (Maing Khaing Myosa). Pitakat-taw Han). "Mon wungyi hnei Myanmar Sagapyay" thamaing, 1959, p.266, item no., 2034. reprinted in Yazadarit Ayedawbon. 3rd ed. Yangon: 14 Ayedawbon Nga Saung Dwe, Yangon, Thudhama Zwe Sarpay Yeik Myon, 1974., p. hsa (oo) to pha (o). wadi, 1923, (1) page introduction (no page no.). 36 Rajadirit Ayedawbon. Mon version ed. by Nai 15 Myanmar Min Mya Ayedawbon, Yangon, B.E.T. Pan Hla. Yangon: Burma Research Society, 1958. Sar-oke Taik, distributed by Nant Tha Taik, 1967, (Mon text series, no. 3). See also the introduction by p.7. Nai Pan Hla to his new translation of Rajadirit 16 Yi Yi, Dr. "Ayedawbon kyan mya pyat-thana", Ayedawbon. Yangon: Myawaddy Sarpay Taik, 1997. p. 50. p. 11. Nai Pan Hla points out that the Mon text is 17 Hanthawaddy Hsinbyushin Ayedawbon, in actually a compilation from earlier Mon histories, Myanmar Min Mya Ayedawbon, Nant Tha edition, and the title Rajadirit Ayedawbon was given only 1967, p.325. later. 18 Hsinbyumyashin Mintaya Gyi Ayedawbon. 37 Majjhimadesa Ayedawbon, ed. by U Hla Tun Typescript copied from palm-leaf manuscript in U Phyu. Yangon: Moe Kyi Sarpay, distributed by Maung Maung Tin (M.A..)'s Collection, Yangon, Rakhine Thagyi Sarpay, 1998. p. phe ( Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) 32 UTHAWK.AUNG 41 Kyauk Taing, Maung. "Thukhamain U Nay ... haung Sarpay Thutaythi Ta Oo). "Letwe Nawrahta 1974. p.l36-137. Bawa hnei Sarpay [Life and Writings of Letwe 42 See also Zaw Gyi's literary appreciation of Nawrahta] in Min Letwe Nawrahta . .. 1974. p. 280. Rajadirit Ayedawbon reprinted in the introductory 47 Ibid. p. 281. part of the Zaw Sarpay edition of this Ayedawbon 48 Kyauk Taing, Maung. " Thukhamain U Nay under the title "Mon wungyi hnei Myanmar sagapyay" Sarpay Gita Thutay-thana" ... 1974. p. 137. ... 1974. p. hsa(oo) to da (o). 49 Rajadirit Ayedawbon, translated from Mon by 43 Harvey,G.E.HistoryofBurma ... 1925.p.114. Nai Pan Hla ... 1997. p. 11. 44 Hanthawaddy Ayedowbon. Mimeograhed copy; 50 Yan, U (Maing Khaing Myosa). Pitaka-taw copied from palm-leafmss.... 1967. p. 81-98. thamaing ... Yangon: Hanthawaddy, 1959. p. 265- 45 Nyaungyan Khit Nhit 40 Yazawin, by Letwe 66. Nawrahta. Presented by Shayhaung Sarpay Thutay 51 Tet Htoot, U. " The nature of the Burmese thi Ta Oo. Yangon: Myanmar Hmu Beikman Sarpay chronicles," in Historians ofSouth East Asia, ed. by Ban [no date188?] p. 182. D.G.E. Hall. London: Oxford University Press, 1963. 46 Tun Yi, U (Writing under the pen-name Shay- p. 60. Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) Ayedawbon Kyan, an Important Myanmar Literary Genre Recording Historical Events 33 Appendix U Yan's list of Ayedawbon Kyan in his only when he meddled in military affairs bibliography of Myanmar, Pali and Sanskrit in his campaigns in Siam during the latter texts on all aspects of Myanmar literature part of his reign. · during monarchal times (i.e. up to 1885) is [U Yan's item no. 2034]. Hanthawaddy given below. U Yan, known under his Hsinbyumyashin Ayebon, Memoir on the designatory title as Maing Khaing Myosa reign of Bayinnaung Anonymous. ( 1815-1891 ), was the royal librarian at the court [U Y an's item no. 2035]. Alaung Mintayagyi of the last two Myanmar kings, Mindon and Ayebon, Memoir on the reign of Alaung Thibaw. His bibliography was completed in paya by Letwe Noratha. See Monywe 1888 and is entitled Pitakat Thamaing. 50 It lists Sayadaw's account of him in U Tet the Ayedawbon /cyan (and authors if known) Htoot's paper. U Yan mentions that that were probably in the royal library under Letwe Noratha had the rank of a his charge. Thandawsint and that this Ayedawbon Myanmar scholar U Tet Htoot has given was written during Alaungpaya's reign. this list as part of the bibliography of historical [U Y an's item no. 2036]. Alaung Mintayagyi texts (listed by U Yan) with some of his (U Tet Ayebon, Another memoir on the reign of Htoot)'s own comments: Alaungpaya by Twin-thin-taik Wun, [UYan's item no. 2033]. YazadhiritAyebon, Mingyi Maha Sithu. U Y an mentions Memoir on the reign of Y azadhirit by that Maha Sithu was born in Maung Bhinnyadala, a Mon who served under Htaung village in [Upper] Alon. (His Bayinnaung as a minister. He plotted real name was U Tun Nyo ). U Tet Htoot many times to assassinate Bayinnaung thinks that this is the one which had but the latter spared him as being a wise been published from out of these two man. He was disgraced by Bayinnaung memoirs.51 Property of th~ "~.._ Journal ofthe Siam Society 88.1 & 2 (2000) iiam Society's Libncy nANGKOK