Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
After the collapse of Bagan, Sagaing becomes the capital of a Shan kingdom. The capital moves
to Inwa in 1364 and stays there intermittently until 1841.
1433
Rakhine's ruler, Naramithla, establishes a new capital at Mrauk U, which, over the course of the
next few centuries, grows into a grand city of temples and international commerce.
1472
The great Mon King Dhammazedi takes the throne, unifies the Mon, moves the capital from In-
wa to Bago (Pegu), and sets up diplomatic contact with Europe.
1527
The Shan, who had exercised increasing control over the area following the fall of Bagan, de-
feats the kingdom at Inwa and rules Upper Burma for 28 years.
1540
Lower Burma is reunified after Tabinshwehti, the ambitious and young king of Taungoo, defeats
the Mon kingdom at Bago - helped by Burmans fleeing the Shan in Inwa.
1551
Bayinnaung becomes king and, having conquered the Shan in 1557, reunifies all of Myanmar as
the Second Burmese Empire; his forces take the Siam capital of Ayuthaya in 1569.
1599
Following his defeat of Bago, the King of Rakhine grants the Portuguese mercenary Filipe de
Brito e Nicote governorship of the port of Syriam (Thanlyin), which he controls until 1613.
1760
Burmese King Alaungpaya, having conquered Inwa, Pyay (Prome), Dagon (which he renames
'Yangon') and Tenasserim (Tanintharyi), fails to take Ayuthaya in Siam and dies during the re-
treat.
1784
Alaungpaya's son Bodawpaya defeats Rakhine, hauling off the revered Mahamuni Buddha im-
age (supposedly cast during Buddha's legendary visit to the area in 554 BC) to Inwa.
1813
