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Home , Anawrahta, Bagyidaw, Ba Maw, Lower Myanmar, Maha Yazawin, Maung Maung

SOME set up by King (1819-1837) in 1829 and the Konbaung-zet Maha 3 HISTORICAL FICTION Yazawin-daw-gy i , compiled by U AND THEffi lllSTORICAL Maung Maung Tin (KSM). We have CONTEXT* also used some local histories like the Taungoo Yazawin 4 and the Than-/yin 5 Yazawi , and a historical text compiled U Than Htut & and translated from non - Myanmar U Thaw Kaung ** languages, the Pawtugi Yazawin 6 (History of the Portuguese, with special We read through a number ofMyanmar reference to Asia and Myanmar).novel historical novels and selected a few for was published to year presentation in our paper. The historical novels we are giving as examples of The historical fiction which we have Myanmar historical fiction have been examined are mainly novels written from checked with some of the main texts of 1919, when the first Myanmar historical Myanmar history. novel was published, to year 2000, a period of about 80 years. Our paper is The Myanmar historical texts we have by no means a survey of this genre in used are a few original inscriptions our country; there are already a few (mainly on lithic I stone), and also the such accounts in the Myanmar 7 old chronicles like 's (c. 1714- language . 1733) -gyi 1 the Hman• nan Maha Yazawin ( For the historian, original texts are the Chronic!ep, compiled by a commission most important sources, but even contemporary stone inscriptions like the well-known inscriptions of King Kyan- * This paper was read at an international Conference on Texts and Contexts in 4 Taungoo Yazawin ; compiled by Shin , held in , Dec. 200 I. Nyana-thikhan-gyi; ed. by Saya Pwa. The subject of our paper is Myanmar (Taungoo: Kayturnadi Press, 1924). historical fiction. 5 Than-/yin Yazawin. [History of Syriam]. **Members of the Myanmar Historical Yangon: Thitsawardi Thadinsa Press, 1925. Commission and retired ChiefLibrarians (T.H. 6 Pawtugi Yazawin . (Yangon: Thuriya Press, of the National Library, a.M T.K. of the 1918). Written in early 19th century by Father Universities Central Library.) Ignazio de Brito and Johannes Moses, 1 U kala. Maha Yazawin-gyi .... Burma a.k. a. Baba Sheen. Research Society ed. . . . (Yangon: 7 See ( 1) Paragu (U Hla Kyaing), "Tharnaing Hanthawaddy, 1960-1961) (reprint). 3v. nauk-khan Myanmar wuthtu," [Myanmar Burma Research Society ed., edited by Saya novels with historical backgrounds] i.!! Pwa, 2 vols. 1" published v.1 (1926); v.2 Wuthtu shay sardan mya [Papers on (1932); v.3 1" pub.1961 ed. byUKhinsoe. Novels]. Vol. 1. (Yangon: Sarpay Beikrnan, 2 Hman-nan Maha Yazawin-daw-gyi ... 1981) p. 76-128. (The ). : (2) Tin Htun, U Yazawin saing-yar Mandalay Pitaka Book Depot, 1936. 3 vols. Myanmar wuthtu mya (1885-1947) 3 Konbaung-zet Maha Yazawin-daw gyi ... [Myanmar novels about history]. (Yangon: 3rded. (Yangon: Ledi Mandaing Press, 1968). , 1982). Unpublished 3v. 1•• published. 1921. M.A. in Myanmar Literature thesis. 389 p.

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zittha (AD 1084-1112), where, in giving To write a good historical novel needs his genealogy, the King wrote that he the painstaking research ofthe historian, was related to Rama (an avatar of the the keen analysis and dramatic instinct Hindu God Vishnu) in a previous of the novelist, together with "a gift of existence, contain what would now be creative imagination that can infuse life regarded as legendary tales which are into the dust of yesterday. " 10 fictitious. Aldous Huxley who read The Glass Palace Chronicle (the parts Some historical fiction are actually mostly on , translated into English satires masquerading with a plot and by U Pe Muang tin and Prof. G. H. characters of the past to parody what is Luce) remarked rather harshly that "it happening in the present. We find this is a collection of fabulous anecdotes." 8 in some of the historical novels ofMaha Swe which were written to criticize the We have compared some historical British during colonial times. texts with their relevant fiction to bring out in the context how true to (historical) A common weakness, some critics might facts the Myanmar novelists have been even say a serious fault, of historical in depicting a particular period, incident fiction and its writers is anachronism: or character. an idea, custom, etc. placed in a wrong period of history. For example, in two Myanmar historical fiction is similar to well-known novels by Min Kyaw English and American historical fiction entitled Bagan thar [The People of in that it takes quite a wide variety of Bagan) 11 and Htihlaing shin [The Lord forms. At the lowest level the novels ofHtihlaing]12 Min Kyaw assigns to the are nothing but adventure or love stories Bagan period concepts like democracy, presented in period costumes and the election of leaders, nationalism and so story supposedly taking place in a certain on, which became prevalent in our period of Myanmar's historical past, country only in the twentieth century. though it could have been in any other Maung Swan Yi has rightly pointed this similar country or time. out in his criticism of Bagan tharprinted in Ladu thadinsa [Ladu Daily 13 At the very best Mynmar historical Newspaper) • Maung Swan Yi also fiction depicts what life was like in an noted that the novel Bagan thar is actual period, teeming with personalities choked with long conversational pieces and events of history, giving "the colour extolling patriotism, love for the land and · and pattern oflife in the past and to give country, and other similar concepts.14 immediate reality, charm and meaning to its human figures."9 11 Min Kyaw. Bagan thar. 2nd ed. (Yangon: Sar-thabin Sar-oke Taik, 1974). 1'1 pub. 1964 12 Min Kyaw. Htihlaing shin. 1'1 ed. 8 Aldous Huxley. Jesting Pilate, the Diary (Yangon: Yamin Sarpay, 1969). of a Journey. (: Chato & Windus, 13 Muang Swan Yi 's book review of Bagan 1948) (1957 reprint). p. 169. 151 pub. in 1926. thar, by Min Kyaw. (Mandalay: Ludu Daily, 9 Helen E. Haines. Living with Books ... 2nd 25th Dec. 1965). ed. New York: Columbia University Press, 14 Muang Swan Yi. Introductory note 1950. p. 541. entitled "Muang Swan Yi I waiban chet," in 10 Ibid. 541. see Chap. 22. "Aspects of Min kyaw. Bagan thar. 2nd ed. (Yangon:Sar• Fiction", p. 538-567. thabin Sar-oke Taik, 1974). 6p. no page nos.

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These conversational pieces, which are national consciousness and pride and to like long lectures, are in modem prose give the Myanmar people a militant interspersed with some archaic courage16 to fight against foreign rule. Myanmar words of the Bagan period. The first Myanmar historical novel, In Htihlaing shin, there is a scene in entitled Natshin Naung, narrates how which the Lord of Htihlaing, who later Natshin Naung, the poet-prince of became famous as King Kyanzittha Taungoo a petty kingdom, falls in love (AD 1084-1112), stages a purported with his cousin-aunt Kaza-datu Kalaya, coup against his predecessor, King the daughter of King Bayin Naung of (AD 1044-1 077), where Hanthawady (Hamsavati) and how he Anawrahta rebukes him saying that gets involved in Hanthawady's military kingship cannot be taken away by force campaigns. The novel, however, is as he (Anawrahta) had been elected to incomplete; the second volume ends this position by the people.15 with the death of the Hanthawady Crown Prince in the battle against the Fact and fiction are usually regarded as Siamese and the Myanmar forces opposite poles ofhuman perception. The retreating from Ayudhya in 15 93. It does historian works with facts; the novelist not cover Datu Kalaya's marriage to creates fiction by using his imagination. Natshin Naung a few years later. But often fact and fiction merge as in the case of the historical novel, so care According to the author, the novel was should be taken to disentangle, if written with the purpose of making the possible, what is actual history and what historical personages come alive in its is the product of the writer's pages and arouse the interest of the imagination. We have tried to do this reading public in the study of history. with some selected Myanmar historical Theippan Maung Wa, a critic writing in novels to present what the historical the columns of the Thuriya (Sun) texts relate and how the novelists used daily!?, is well appreciative of the that material directly or changed it to author's efforts. No less a historian than suit his or her purpose. G. M. Trevelyan also has this to say: "Truth is the criterion ofhistorical study; Ledi Pandita U MaungGyi (1879-1939) but its impelling motive is poetic 18."Now was a pioneer in the writing ofMyanmar how much of the novel is loyal to history historical novels such as Natshin and how much fiction is imposed to Naung (1919) and Tabin-shwe• enthrall the public? htiwuthtu (1924) U Maung Gyi's aim was to rouse the Myanmar youth of In the novel both the hero and the colonial times, to remind them of their great leaders of the past, to awaken 17 Theippan Maung Wa. "Yazawin wuthtu mya," by Theippan -tha Maung 15 Min Kyaw. Htih/aing shin. 1•• ed. Mya Thwin (pseud.), Thuriya (Sun) daily (Yangon: Yamin Sarpay, 1969). p. 246-247. newspaper (15'h Dec. 1928) reprinted in 16 Dr.Annemarie Esche. "Some Problems of Ngwe-tar-yi, no. 40 (Nov. 1963) p. 37-39. the Historical Novel (A Special Study oflts 18 G.M. Travelyan. The Recreations ofan Development in Burma)", The Guardian Historian. (London: Nelson, 1919). Quoted [monthly magazine], vol. XX, no. 9 (Sept. by A.L.Rowse. The Use ofHistory. (London: 1973)p.35. Hodder& Stoughton, 1946).

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heroine are depicted as being attractive dare-devil who believes in his destiny, and more or less about the same age, to so he coolly, with sangfroid, takes time say nothing of their poetic gifts, both to watch a cockfight - his favourite being shown as unrivalled poets. They pastime - before he goes to see the are already drawn to each other before King and ask for his pardon. But the the Hanthawady Crown Prince forcibly novel gives a different picture ofBayin takes Datu Kalaya as a wife. But we Naung in his youth; it presents him as learn from history that, attractive or not taking refuge with Lawkuttara Sayadaw, Datu Kalaya was about a dozen or so the monk well-skilled in the occult, and years senior in age to Natshin Naung later bracing himself by carrying charms and she was no poet either. The one and amulets when he goes to see and Yadu poem attributed to her in the novel placate the King. is nothing but the author U Maung Gyi 's creation. Besides, she is to quote history In the novel the conflation ofhistoy and again, known to have often attended fiction can be especially noted in the upon the Crown Prince before the said depiction of the following events. forcible marriage allegedly takes place. History says that on ascending the From the literary point of view Natshin throne Tabin-shwe- decided to have Naung is composed in mellifluous prose, his ear-boring ceremony at the Shwe• but replete with dialogue, maxims and maw-daw Pagoda in Bago (Hantha• scraps of scholarship impeding the wady) located in the midst of enemy smooth flow of narrative. territory, and he arranged to be accompanied by some five hundred The second novel Tabin-shwe-hti followers of outstanding courage. The wuthtu portrays in four volumes the life• novel adds that as a test of courage each history ofTabin-shwe-hti (1531-1550), person had to submit himself to having who together with his brother-in-law a nail hammered into his thumb, without Bayin Naung attempted to restore the flinching. Bayin Naung is the first to Myanmar Kingdom to its former glory come out ofthis test with great aplomb. and who at the height of his power came But this test of courage is not found in 19 to a tragic end through an unseem any of the Myanmar historical texts • companionship with a foreign adventurer As a work of art the novel has merits and becoming addicted to alcoholic as well as demerits similar to the drink. In the novel are highlighted the author's Natshin Naung activities ofBayin Naung, some ofwhich .are not in keeping with the character It may be said that the novel Tabin• shown in history and oral tradition. shwe-hti has moral as well as anti• According to these accounts, Bayin colonialist overtones, for to be a Barna Naung is shown as a commoner and son (Burman) is to be a Buddhist as the ofTabin-shwe-hti 's wet nurse. Both of YMBA (Young Men's Buddhist them and Thakin Gyi (Tabin-shwe-hti 's Association's) credo goes. The same half-sister) have grown up together as children. Young Bayin Naung has an 19 affair with Thakin Gyi and this is ."Chai chai htwin htwin yazawin reported to the King (Thakin Gyi's mu a-taing," Yapyi atwai ba mya. (Yangon: Lawka Sarpay, 1998). p. 36. father) causing much anger and fury. Reprinted from Cherry Magazine, no. 30 Bayin Naung is depicted as a merry (July 1997). 98 Downloaded from Brill.com10/07/2021 08:54:07PM via free access Some Myanmar Historical Fiction

can be said ofthe novel Natshin Naung latter gradually learns of her gender but ifit could have been continued to its end. without suspecting her of being a spy. True to historical facts the author is likely Both are secretly in love with each other. to conclude the novel with King Anauk• Ye Hla then leaves for Bhamo ostensibly phet-lun 's victory over and the execution to undertake frontier duties, but actually ofNatshin Naung for alleged conspiracy to spy on de Brito, Lord of Than-lyin. with the infidel Philip de Brito ofThan• He works his way into de Brito's service lyin(Syriam) in 1613. under an assumed name. But he is informed on by de Brito's wife and Shwe Set-kya (1912-1978) came into incarcerated. Fortunately, Khin Hnin prominence as a historical novelist after New (now back in Than-lyin) rescues Ledi Pandita U Maung Gyi. Among his him, revealing her identity. Meanwhile, major works are Nakhan-daw0(1932), de Brito attacks Taungoo, bringing back A-htauk-taw (1936)2 1 and Konbaung Natshin Naung with him. With Than• 2 Pyin-thit ( 1940)2 . lyin under the might of the Myanmar King Anauk-phet-lun, both de Brito and In Nakhan-daw23 are described the last Natshin Naung are executed, the former days of Natshin Naung as a backdrop. for being a destroyer of religious The hero and the heroine are fictional monuments and the latter for characters Ye Hla, an official at the collaboration with a foreigner. Then the Court of Innwa (Ava) and Khin Hnin followers of de Brito are. relocated at Nwe, a girl of Portuguese descent as the town of A-myint well as a spy in the service of de Brito. where Ye Hla is now governor. The novel ends on a happy note in that Ye Like much of the Myanmar historical Hla and Khin Hnin Nwe are reunited. fiction Nakhan-daw is a romance, with a predictable ending. That is to say, the Nakhan-daw is purportedly founded on hero and the heroine marry in the final historical sources. But they are mixed chapter of the book. The story runs with disputed facts. For instance, on thus: the authoriyt of Pawtugi Yazawin 24 (a minor historical work in Myanmar) In a male guise Khin Hnin New Natshin Naung is depicted as having befriends Ye Hla and stays at his house embraced the Roman Catholic faith in Innwa (Ava) as a paying guest. The while in Than-lyin.25 The main Myanmar Chronicles are silent on this point. of History U Tun Aung Chain 20 Shwe Set-kya. Nakhandaw Wuthtu. 3'd writes that in "its [Pawtugi Yazawin] ed. Yangon: Burma Education Extension account of the final episode, some Association, 1941. (Modem literature series, of the details which it provides ( ... ) no.4; General Editor U ). Nakhandaw means a "Royal Reporter", i.e. 23 1st serialized in Thuriya Magazine an official of the Hluttaw The King's in 1932. 1st ed. in book from 1936. Supreme Council. 24 Pawtugi Yazawin, complied by father 21Shwe Set-kya. A-htauk-taw. Yangon: Ignazio de Brito and Johannes Moses, a.k.a. Thuriya Thadinsa Taik, 1936. (Thuriya Baba Sheen. (Yangon: Thuriya Press, 1918). fiction series, 7). 25 Ibid. p.213-16. See also G.E. Harvey. 22 Shwe Set-kya. Konbaung Pyin-thit. HistoryofBurma ... 1925.p.l88. Yangon M yo Chit Press, 1940. 99 Downloaded from Brill.com10/07/2021 08:54:07PM via free access MANUSYA : Journal of Humanities (Special Issue. No.5.2003)

deserve some attention".26 characters living within the constraints of their time. The characters cannot go As for the plot, the espionage activities beyond the traditions and manners of of the hero and the heroine are not much their period in history, or reality will 27 in evidence; instead the love story is in become distorted . the forefront. If Maha Swe's Sit-hwet-thu partially Maha Swe's Sit - htwet - thu (The presents a picture of colonial Myanmar, Fighting Soldier, 1939?) is a novel in two but in a 16th century setting, Dagon Khin parts- the first one being the love story Khin Lay's Sarso-daw (1951) must be of Nawade (a poet of the 16th century regarded as partly giving a distorted Myanmar literature) and Shin Hnaung version of a poet's life at the Court of (probably only a fictional character) and Mandalay. the second part relating to the Court of Innwa (Ava), where the iniquitous Shan The poet is Maung Pe Nge, a cavalry usurper Thohan-bwa (AD 1527-43) officer in his last appointment. Together reigns and finally meets with a violent with Maung Maung Toke, Commander death at the hands ofMyanmar patriots. (of the Northern wing) of the Dawei (The hero also plays a significant though (Tavoy) Regiment, they are the unauthenticated role in the assassination favourites ofKing Thibaw (1878-1885). plot). Maung Pe Nge composes a number of romantic poems for himself and also on It may, however, be said that there is a behalf of some members of the royal thinness about the historical setting and family. According to the author, Maung the activities of the hero are rather Pe Nge habours a secret love for the vague, except for his poems. Lurking beautiful Khin Khin Gyi, and her parents behind the fac;ade of the turbulent time have tacitly agreed to their marriage at of the Thohan-bwa are the author's an approprite time, but at the command veiled attacks on the colonial conditions of King Thibaw he helps to arrange an of his day, such as the government's affaire de coeur between the King and treatment ofthe natives with contumely, Khin Khin Gyi. Speaking as a whole, the denial of senior administrative posts the events leading to the accession of to the educated Myanmar, the depressed Thibaw and the dominance of Queen status of the Myanmar language, the Supaya-lat over her husband occupy suppression of the Buddhist religion and more space in the novel than the tragic .members of the Sangha, the economic episode of Maung Pe nge and Khin exploitation by the ruling class and by KhinGyi. Chinese traders, and so on. In sum, the first part does not mesh with the second Incidentally, Thibaw and Supsys-lat are to make a harmonious whole. shown as contrasting figures, the one with a weak character and the other, a A historical novel has to be true to the woman of strong will, who brooks no facts of history with the created rival among the palace ladies. The

26 Tun Aung Chain "The Pawtugi Yazawin 27 Rosalind Laker. "Yesterday and Today: and the de Brito Affair," Myanmar Recreating the Past in Historical Novels," Historical Research Journal, no.9 (June The Writer, (May 1990) p.18-20. 2002), p.31-44. 100 Downloaded from Brill.com10/07/2021 08:54:07PM via free access Some Myanmar Historical Fiction

denouement of the novel begins when written hardly compensates for its Supaya-lat comes upon Thibaw dallying deficiencies. Sarso-daw is a novel of with Khin Khin Gyi in the palace garden a datable past, and Dagon Khin Khin at the dead of night and finally learns of Lay herself is a grand-daughter of the love-intrigue. Soon Maung Maung Wetmasut Wandauk and Naing Khaing Toke, Maung Pe Nge, Khin Khin Gyi Atwinwun (the Royal Librarian U Yan), and her family are all arrested by order ex-officials of the Court of Mandalay of the Hluttaw Council and charged with and has therefore access to information attempts to seize the throne. Then both written and oral. When complaint~ Maund Pe Nge is sent to Bhamo and were made as to the veracity of the executed. Before his death Maung Pe episode, she is said to have replied that nge manages to send a poem to Khin she was not writing history but a novel Khin Gyi opening up his love-lorn heart based on historical facts. But it should and imporing her to observe the be borne in mind that genuine facts obsequies. legitimize historical fiction.

Unfortunately, Khin Khin Gy has The historical facts distorted by Dagon already been put to death at the hands Khin Khin Lay have been accepted of the executioner. It would seem that without furthur questioning by later the conclusion ofthe novel points to the novelists. A writer of Myanmar validity of the saying "Cherchez Ia historical fiction duing the closing year femme". of the 20th century, Seint (Pyin-nya-yei) wrote a popular novel entitled. Daing The actual fact according to historical Khin Khin.Z9 First published in 1976 it records is that Maung Pe Nge is only has been reprinted four times, the fourth on visiting terms with Khin Khin Gyi edition appearing in year 2000. This and her family, but there is nothing of novel is an interweaving of parts of the the love-relationship existing between plot and the mixing of some characters the two of them. Maung Pe Nge himself from Dagon Khin Khin Lay's Sarsodaw had long been married to Hinga-maw with the plot and characters of the Myo-sa Mintha-mi (Lady Hinga-maw), English novelist F. Tennyson Jesse had his chief wife and two lesser ones. (1888-1958)'s The Lacquer Lady30 Besides, he was old enough to be Khin where the true story of Mattie Khin Gyi's father. The aforesaid poem Calogreedy, a European maid-of-honour is in reality meant for his chief wife, but at the Court of King Thibaw and Queen iii order to build up the tragic climax the , is narrated against the author takes the liberty of altering a political background of the rivalries and word or two in the poem so that the addressee becomes Khin Khin Gyi.zs 29 Seint, (Pyin-nya-yei). Daing Khin Khin. The grand style in which the novel is 4th ed. (Yangon: Nyaung-yan Sar-oke Taik; distributed by Gon-htu Sarpay, 2000). 1" 28 published 1976. Than swe, U (Dawei). "Taungtaman shin• 3 d:n'', Yanant Thit Magazin, no. 52 (Aug. ° Fryniwyd Tennyson Jesse. The Lacquer 1997) p.151-153; no.63 (Dec. 1998) p.126-129. Lady. 1'1 ed. (London: Heinemann, 1929). Also in the Author 's Konbaung shin-dan. There are several translations into Myanmar: Yangon: Sit-the-daw Sarpay; distributed by by Maung Ne Tun (1967) and Mya Than yapyi Sar-oke Taik, 2001. Tint(1987). 101 Downloaded from Brill.com10/07/2021 08:54:07PM via free access MA NUSYA : Journal ofHumanities (Special Issue. No.5.2003)

intrigues between two European colonial description, full of pathos, depicting the powers, the British and the French, plight of the land-owner father U Yar which led to the British annexation Kyaw, who has expended almost all his ofMyanmar in 1886. seint also used H. entire fortune on his son Maung Thaung Fielding - Hall's "Thibaw's Queen".31 Pe's education in England, vis-a-vis the barrister son in Western dress with The picture of Queen Supayalat that swanky airs. It can be said that, despite Seint paints is harsh: a ruthless, the fanciful main plot and the plethora domineering, cruel and jealous woman of sermonizing passages dotting the who is instrumental in putting to death novel, it brings to the fore in a vivid way people who displease her. It was on the clash of disparate cultures marking the orders of the Hluttaw (the Myanmar the Myanmar society of the period and Kings' Supreme Council) that Daing is therefore a truthful delineation of an Khin Khin, the poet Maung Hpe Nge aspect of the social history of the 32 33 and Yanaung Maung Maung Toke were period . U Lat ( 1866-1921 ) though not executed. It would be more correct to a writer of historical fiction per se was write that Queen Supayalat was a an early author of Myanmar novels who cunning schemer who had the power ably evoked the atmosphere and the and ability to influence the ministers of social conflicts prevalent in our country the Hluttaw to issue the death sentences. during his younger days.

In 1919, U Lat wrote Shwe-pyi-soe, a Thein Pe Myint's Ashe-ga ne-wun novel which is set in 19th century htwet thi pamar (As sure as the sun Myanmar. The background setting of rises in the east) (1953-57) deals with this novel comprises both the British the events of recent memory, relating ruled region and Upper to the anti-British liberation movement Myanmar, which at the time was still an in Myanmar of 1936-1942. It contains independent Kingdom. In the novel can a multitude of characters, fictional and be seen two contrasting pictures: on the real, such as political activists like Kyaw one hand, the picture ofcolonial Yangon Nyein and Hla Shwe, labour leaders like with a cosmopolitan population and the Thakin Po Hla Gyi, writers like Dagon modernist activities of the rising land• Taya, and ministers like Dr. Ba Maw. owning and merchant classes, and on Thein Pe Myint writes that this novel is the other, monarchical Mandalay where an eye-witness account.34 the traditional way oflife and the courtly · manners of the nobility prevailed. The hero is Tin Tun-a fictional character whose humble parents have ambitions In the novel are intertwined the lives of the characters belonging to the two parts 33 For fuller account ofU Lat's life and works of the country. What is poignant is the see Taik Soe "U Lat'' in Laik-pya hnint /etyway sin sar mya ... 2001. p.75-105. 31 H. Fielding-Hall. Thibaw's Queen. London Written in 1965. :Harper, 1899. 34 Thein Pe Myint. "Ashse-ga nne-wun 32 For fuller commentary on Shwe-pyi-soe htwet thi pamar hnint kyundaw," in Aung see Zaw Gyi "Shwe-pyi- soe hnint Maw "Thein Pe Myint; wuthtu ta bok hpei kyundaw" in Nway-oo kyet-tha-yay hnint ta htok", Sar-oke Lawka, no.? (July 2002) kyundaw ... reprint2001. p.81-89. p.20-22.

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for the son's career in government happenings which many a school boy or service. He usually attends classes, flirts girl has to undergo. Even a low level with a couple of college girls, enters into historical fiction, for example an extra-marital relations with a married adventure story set in a particular period business woman, and becomes a of the past, will make readers more journalist in spite ofthe parents' wishes; interested in the people and events of but at the same time he reads political that time. The best historical fiction literature and gets caught up in the ebb crafted by the creative imagination of and flow of politics - such as the careful, painstaking writers have now students union activities, labour strikes, become an accepted form of literature anti-Indian riots, Japanese activities on which provides a bridge to the outbreak of World War II, the birth straightforward history. For the student of the , and ofhistory, good historical fiction is one so on. The whole spectrum of of the best adjuncts to the historical Myanmar politics is seen through the texts. eyes ofTin Tun, who plays a minor role in it. But fact and fiction are fused in History after all is also a narrative of such a way that the whole work looks the past based on factual data, the best both authentic and aesthetically and most readable historical accounts satisfying. being born of the perceptive imaginings of what actually happened in the past. In concluding our paper we would like Historical fiction can be a good stimulant to give our views on the value that for the historical imagination. Modem historical fiction has ( 1) for the general researchers say that our world, past and reading public and (2) for students of present, is seen through simulation and history. s:i:n uk::ta.35

Good historical fiction written by authors These simulations of the historical novel who have undertaken thorough research can give us "a knowledge ofthe dreams on the period, the events and the people and deeds of the men and women who they are writing about, will bring alive went before".36 Thus, historical fiction the historical past, bring back the becomes an essential companion giving atmosphere, the issues, the feelings, the "an extra, an inner vision" 37 to the texts fears and the gaiety ofbygone days. For of history providing useful knowledge to the general reader this would make both the general reader and to students history much more interesting than ofhistory. memorizing the dates of historical As Prof. Daniel Aaron of Harvard wrote: "the best historical novels Js Dr.Jim Taylor. "History, Simulacrum and possess a historical sensibility, the power the Real: The Making of A Thai Princess", to reconstruct and inhabit a space in time in From fact to fiction ... (Bangkok: Inst.of Asian Studies & Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkom University, 2001) p.1 . 6 J A.B.Guthrie, jr. "Fiction with a Hold on H Barbara W. Tuchman. Practicing History," in Highlights of Modern History ... (New York: Ballantine Books, Literature ... (New York: The New American 1981 ). P.46. See_especially the essay on "The Library, 1954. p.203 (Mentor books). Historian as Artist," p.45-50.

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past, to identify with it almost vicerally, Chatto & Windus, 1948. (1957 feel it in their bones and itsessence".38 reprint). Guthrie, A.B., jr. "Fiction with a Hold References on history ," in Highlights of Modern Literature ... ; ed. by In English Francis Brown. New York: The New American Library, 1954. Aron, Daniel. "The Truths ofHistorical (Mentor books). p.200-203. Fiction," Dialogue, no.100 (Feb. Jesse, Fryniwyd Tennyson. Th e 1993)p.66-71. Lacquer Lady. 1' ed. London; Esche, Dr. Annemarie. "Some Heinemann, 1929. Problems of the Historical Novel (A Laker, Rosalind. "Yesterday and Today: Special Atudy of Its Development Recreating the Past in Historical in Burma)," The Guardian Novels," The writer,(May 1990) [monthly magazine], vol. XX,no.9 p.18-20. (Sept. 1973) p.34-36 and no. 10 Rowse, A.L. The Use of History. (Oct. 1973) p.31-32. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1946. Fielding-Hall, Harold. Thibaw's Queen Taylor, Dr. Jim. "History, Simulacrum London; Harper, 1899. and the Real: The Making of a Thai From Fact to Fiction: History ofThai• Princess", in From Fact to Fiction; Myanmar Relations in Cultural History of Thai-Myanmar Context. Historical Conference Relations In Cultural [Proceedings]; ed. by Sunait Context ... 200 1. p.l-15. Chutintaranond [and] Kanokphan Tuchman, Barbara W. Practicing U-sha. Bangkok: Institute of Asian History, Selected Essays. New Studies & Faculty of Arts, York: Ballantine Books, 1981. See Chulalongkorn University, 2001. especially the author's essay on (lAS monographs no. 054). "The historian as artist", p.45-50. Haines, Helen E. Living with Books. Tun Aung Chain, U. "The Pawtugi 2"d ed. New York: Columbia Yazawin and the de Brito Affair," University Press, 1950. Especially Myanmar Historical Research Chap. 22. "Aspects of Fiction," Journal, no.9 (June 2002), p.31-34. p.538-567. Trevelyan, G.M. The Recreations ofan Harvey, G. E. History of Burma ... Historian. London: Nelson, 1919. London: Longrnans, Green, 1925. . Highlights of Modern Literature ... In Myanmar Essays from the New York Times Book Review; ed. by Francis Hman-nan Maha Yazawin-daw-gyi Brown. New York: The New (The Glass Palace Chronicle). American Library, 1954. (Mentor Mandalay: Mandalay Pitaka abook books) Depot, 1936. 3 vols. Huxley, Aldous. Jesting Pilate, The Jesse, Fryniwyd Tennyson. The lacquer Diary of the Journey. London: lady, translated by Mya Than Tint under the title Chit-thaw Yun Khin 38 Daniel Aaron. "The Truths of Historical Khin. Ynagon: Pyi-thu Sar-oke Fiction", Dialogue, no.l 00 (Feb. 1993) Taik, 1987. 3vols. Distributed by p.68.

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Taungoo Yazawin ; complied by shin Tin Htun, U. Yazawin saing-yar Nyana-thi-khan-gyi; ed. by Saya Myanmar my a (1885-1947). Pwa. Taungoo: Kaytumadi Press, (Myanmar novels about history, 1924. 1885-1947). Unpublished M.A. in Than-lyin Yazawin [History ofSyrium]. Myanmar Literature thesis. Yangon: Yangon: Thitsawardi Thadinsa University of Yangon, 1982. Press, 1925. Wa, Maung, Theippan. "Thibaw min Than Swe, U (Dawal). Konbung shin• nan-dwin yei", in Man ya pyi. dan Yangon: Sit-the-daw Sarpay; Mandalay: Mandalay Centenary distributed by Yapyi Sar-oke Taik, Celebrations Committee, 1959. 2001. p.132-136. Reprinted from Thuriya Magazine (Nov. 1939). Thein Pe Myint. Ashe-ga-ne-wun htwet Wa, Maung, Theippan."Yazawin wuthtu thi pamar . 8th ed. Yangon: Sar-oke mya ," by Theippan Kyaung-tha Zay, 2001. 2 vols. P 1 serialized in Maung Mya Thwin (pseudo.) , Myawaddy (monthly) magazine, 1 Thuriy a (Sun) daily newspaper (June 1953-0ct. 1957). 1" pub. In 1 (15 h Dec. 1928). Reprinted in book from 1958 (this ed. designed Ngwe-tar-y i, no.40 (Nov. 1963) 2"d ed. by author). See also the p.37-39. author's "Ashe-ga ne-wun htwet Zaw Gyi (pen-name of U Thein tapamar hnint kyundaw", in Aunt Han).Nway-oo Kyet-tha-yay hnint Maw "Thein Pe Myint in wuthtu kyundaw . Yangon: Shwe Sarpay tabok hpei ta htok, Sar-oke lawka", Taik, 2001 . See essay "Shwe-pyi• no.7 (July 2002), p.20-22. soe hnintkyundaw", p.81-89.

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