Hsenwi State

Hsenwi (Shan: သဵၼ်ႈဝီ; Tai Nuea: ᥔᥦᥢᥲ ᥝᥤᥴ), also known as Theinni (Burmese: သိန္နီ), was a Shan state in the Northern Shan States in what is today Burma. The capital was Hsenwi town.

This article is about one of the former Shan States. For the present-day administrative division, see Hsenwi Township. For the town, see Hsenwi.
Hsenwi
သဵၼ်ႈဝီ
State of the Shan States
7th century–1888

Hsenwi in a map of the Shan States
Area 
• 
22,654.35 km2 (8,746.89 sq mi)
History 
• Sivirattha State founded
7th century
• Split into two states
1888
Succeeded by
North Hsenwi
South Hsenwi

History

Most Tai Yai chronicles begin with the story of two brothers, Khun Lung and Khun Lai, who descended from heaven in the 6th century and landed in Hsenwi, where the local population hailed them as kings.[1]

According to tradition, the predecessor state of Siviraṭṭha was founded before 650 AD.

Hsenwi was the largest of the cis-Salween Shan states, and at one time included all of what are now the present states of North and South Hsenwi, Kehsi Mansam, Mong Hsu, Mong Sang, and Mong Nawng.[2] It held Mongnai State until c. 1802.[3] It also held Mang Lon and other Wa states east of the Salween[2] in a protectorate-like arrangement, but during Burmese times, the state lost control of these areas.

During the Sino-Burmese War (1765–69) the Qianlong Emperor of China invaded the area of Hsenwi. The main Chinese army, led by Ming Rui, was to approach Ava through Hsenwi, Lashio and Hsipaw down the Namtu river. The main invasion route was the same route followed by the Manchu forces a century earlier, chasing the Yongli Emperor of the Southern Ming dynasty. The second army, led by Gen. E'erdeng'e, was to try the Bhamo route again.[4] The ultimate objective was for both armies to clamp themselves in a pincer action on the Burmese capital of Ava.[5] The Burmese plan was to hold the second Chinese army in the north at Kaungton with the army led by Ne Myo Sithu, and meet the main Chinese army in the northeast with two armies led by Maha Sithu and Maha Thiha Thura.[6]

At first, everything went according to plan for the Qing. The third invasion began in November 1767 as the smaller Chinese army attacked and occupied Bhamo. Within eight days, Ming Rui's main army occupied the Shan states of Hsenwi and Hsipaw.[6] Ming Rui made Hsenwi a supply base, and assigned 5000 troops to remain at Hsenwi and guard the rear. He then led a 15,000-strong army in the direction of Ava. In late December, at the Goteik Gorge (south of Hsipaw), the two main armies faced off and the first major battle of the third invasion ensued. Outnumbered two-to-one, Maha Sithu's main Burmese army was thoroughly routed by Ming Rui's Bannermen. Maha Thiha Thura too was repulsed at Hsenwi.[7][8] The news of the disaster at Goteik reached Ava. Hsinbyushin finally realized the gravity of the situation, and urgently recalled Burmese armies from Siam.[9]

Having smashed through the main Burmese army, Ming Rui pressed on full steam ahead, overrunning one town after another, and reached Singu on the Irrawaddy, 30 miles north of Ava at the beginning of 1768. The only bright spot for the Burmese was that the northern invasion force, which was to come down the Irrawaddy to join up with Ming Rui's main army, had been held off at Kaungton.[7]

British rule and division of the state

At the time of the annexation following British rule in Burma, Hsenwi was composed of five de jure divisions; but the administration of the area was in chaos, with no central control.

After the pacification of the region in March 1888, the colonial administration divided Hsenwi into two states:[2][10]

Rulers

The rulers of Hsenwi bore the title Saopha.[11]

Saophas
ReignRuler
1686 – 1721  Hso Hung Hpa
1721  Se U III -Regent (2nd time)
1721 – 1724  Han Hpa Hko Hkam Hung -Regent
1724 – 1730  Hpawng Mong Long Hsung Wat
1730  Mong Hkam -Regent
1730  Hkam Hong -Regent (1st time)
1730 – 1746  Sao Hkam Hsawng Hpa
1746  Hkam Hong -Regent (2nd time)
1746 – c.1747  Sao Hkun Hseng Hong
c.1747 – 1750  Mahadevi Wing Hsup Pang -Regent
1750  Hkam Hong -Regent (3rd time)
1750 – 1751  Sao Mang Te
1751 – 1752  Hkam Hong -Regent (4th time)
1752 – 1761  Vacant
1761 – 1767  Hkun Hseng Awng Tun
1767 – 1770  Myauk Win Hmu -Regent
1770 – 1772  Sayawadi Wun
1772 – 1773  Sety-taw Wun
1773 – 1775  U Teng Pong Nya
1775 – 1775  Vacant
1778 – 1800  Sao Hswe Cheng (Kon)
1800  Hsup Pang -Regent
1800 – 1815  Sao Hsö Kaw
1815 – 1819  Mogaung Wun -Regent
1819 – 1821  Sao Naw Möng
1821 – 1824  Hkun Hkam Hkawt
1824 – 1827  Sao Hkam Pak
1827 – 1831  Sao Hkam Nan
1831 – 1838  Sao Hkun Maung Lek
1838 – 1845  Sao Hkam Leng (Hsö Hkan Hpa) (d. 1847)
1845 – 1848  Sao Hseng Naw Hpa (1st time) (d. 1864)
1848 – 1853  Vacant
1853 – 1855  Sao Hseng Naw Hpa (2nd time)
1855 – 1858  Vacant
1858 – 1860  Sao Hpa Mawng Hpa (1st time) (d. 1891)
1860 – 1863  Vacant
1863 – 1864  Sao Hpa Mawng Hpa (2nd time) (s.a.)
1864 – 1866  Shwe Pyi Bo
1866 – 1867  U Ma Nga
1867 – 1869  Sao Hseng Naw Hpa (3rd time) (s.a.)
1869 – 1873  Vacant
1873 – 1874  Win Hmu
1874 – 1875  Sao Hseng Naw Hpa (4th time) (s.a.)
1875 – 1876  Natsu Letya
1876 – 1879  Sao Hseng Naw Hpa (5th time) (s.a.)
1879 – Mar 1888  Hkun Hsang Tone Hung (b. 1852 – d. 1915)

Hsenwi is a playable nation in the strategy video game Europa Universalis IV.

See also

References
  1. Historical Studies of the Tai Yai: A Brief Sketch in Lak Chang: A Reconstruction of Tai Identity in Daikong by Yos Santasombat
  2. Scott, James George (1911). "Theinni" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. 26 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 743–744.
  3. Mongnai State
  4. Hall 1960, p. 28.
  5. Haskew 2008, pp. 27–31.
  6. Kyaw Thet 1962, pp. 314–318.
  7. Htin Aung 1967, pp. 178–179.
  8. Phayre 1884, pp. 196–198.
  9. Harvey 1925, p. 253.
  10. Burma Journal-1925 Page 120
  11. Shan and Karenni States of Burma

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