Pinya Kingdom
Encyclopedia
The Pinya Kingdom was a kingdom
that ruled part of central Burma (Myanmar) from 1313 to 1364. It was the successor state to the Myinsaing Kingdom
, one of many petty kingdoms that emerged after the fall of the Pagan Empire in 1287. Led by Burmanized
Shan kings, Pinya occasionally clashed with the cross-river rival Sagaing Kingdom
for the control of central Burma but was largely kept on the defensive throughout its existence by Shan raids from the north. Both Pinya and Sagaing kingdoms collapsed in 1364 when Shan raiders from Mogaung
sacked the capitals of both kingdoms in succession.
The Kingdom of Ava, founded by Thadominbya
, a Sagaing prince, came to replace both Pinya and Sagaing in 1364, and became the major kingdom of central Burma for the next 150 plus years.
, founded in 1298 by three brothers, Athinhkaya
, Yazathingyan
and Thihathu
. (Were it not for the secession of Sagaing in 1315, it would still have been called Myinsaing Kingdom.) In 1310, Thihathu, the youngest brother, consolidated his power by poisoning his eldest brother after the middle brother had died of natural causes. Thihathu initially planned to move his capital from Pinle
to a more strategic location by the Irrawaddy, and close to the Kyaukse granary. (By then, Pagan which had about 50,000 inhabitants before the Mongol invasions was largely deserted.) Thihathu initially chose the location of what would later become Ava
, by the Irrawaddy and Myitnge
rivers and close to Kyaukse. But court astrologers advised against the location as bad omen. Thihathu instead chose Pinya
(near Ava), also by the Irrawaddy.
Thihathu moved into his new palace in Pinya on 11 February 1313 (15th waxing of Tabaung 674 ME), over two years after he became the sole king, and adopted the style and title of the ancient kings of Pagan. In his coronation ceremony, the dowager Queen Saw, wife of King Narathihapate
(the last sovereign king of Pagan), presented Thihathu the golden belt and the golden tray which had been handed down in the royal family since the time of King Anawrahta
(1044–1077). Thihathu now officially considered himself the heir to Pagan kings. So much so that he appointed Uzana I, a son of the fallen king Kyawswa
and Mi Saw U
, as crown prince
in 1315. (Mi Saw U was pregnant with Uzana in 1298 when Thihathu seized her, and gave birth to Uzana in 1299. Thihathu adopted Uzana as his own son.)
did not take news that he had been passed over kindly. Encouraged by forest dweller monks, Sawyun left with his followers to Sagaing
, directly across Pinya on the western bank of the Irrawaddy. Sawyun never formally revolted and nominally remained loyal to his father. Thihathu, who never wanted to share power with anyone, even with his own brothers, uncharacteristically did not (or could not) punish Sawyun for his thinly veiled insurrection. Perhaps a younger Thihathu would not have tolerated it. At any rate, after Thihathu's death in 1324, the two kingdoms formally went separate ways, with Pinya controlling central Burma east of the Irrawaddy river and Sagaing the western half.
. The younger Kyawswa, the son of Thihathu and a grandson of Narathipate, was a perfect choice as he possessed lineage from both the old (Pagan) and new (Pinya) dynasties. Uzana abdicated the throne in 1343, and became a hermit.
The two rival kingdoms were engaged in sporadic warfare against each other in the following years. But neither side could gain upper hand as they were more concerned about Shan raids from the north. Shan raids became more intensified in the late 1350s.
of Mogaung to jointly attack Sagaing. However, when the Mogaung forces attacked Sagaing, Pinya's armies simply watched from the other side. Unfortunately for Narathu, his plan backfired. Mogaung's armies sacked Sagaing anyway, and turned their aggression to Pinya for Narathu's betrayal. The Shan forces then crossed the river, sacked the city of Pinya
, and brought Narathu to Mogaung as prisoner. While the Shans did not occupy central Burma, the raids left central Burma in tatters. Narathu's eldest brother, Uzana II
succeeded the Pinya throne but lasted for only three months. The Kingdom of Pinya, and along with the House of Myinsaing, was finished.
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
that ruled part of central Burma (Myanmar) from 1313 to 1364. It was the successor state to the Myinsaing Kingdom
Myinsaing Kingdom
The Myinsaing Kingdom was a kingdom that ruled central Burma from 1298 to 1313. Founded by three brothers of Shan and Burman descent, it was one of many petty kingdoms that emerged following the collapse of Pagan Empire in 1287....
, one of many petty kingdoms that emerged after the fall of the Pagan Empire in 1287. Led by Burmanized
Bamar
The Bamar are the dominant ethnic group of Burma , constituting approximately two-thirds of the population. The Bamar live primarily in the Irrawaddy basin, and speak the Burmese language, which is also the official language of Burma. Bamar customs and identity are closely intertwined with general...
Shan kings, Pinya occasionally clashed with the cross-river rival Sagaing Kingdom
Sagaing Kingdom
The Sagaing Kingdom was a kingdom that ruled a part of central Burma from 1315 to 1364. The kingdom was the western half of the old Myinsaing Kingdom, which itself was one of many petty kingdoms that emerged after the fall of the Pagan Empire in 1287...
for the control of central Burma but was largely kept on the defensive throughout its existence by Shan raids from the north. Both Pinya and Sagaing kingdoms collapsed in 1364 when Shan raiders from Mogaung
Mogaung
Mogaung is a town in Kachin State, Myanmar. It is situated on the Mandalay-Myitkyina railway line.-External links:* Falling Rain Genomics, Inc.* Maplandia.com...
sacked the capitals of both kingdoms in succession.
The Kingdom of Ava, founded by Thadominbya
Thadominbya
Thadominbya was the founder of the Kingdom of Ava who reunified central Burma in 1364 under a single kingdom. In his short reign of three plus years, the ethnically Shan king achieved accomplishments that would have a long lasting impact in Burmese history...
, a Sagaing prince, came to replace both Pinya and Sagaing in 1364, and became the major kingdom of central Burma for the next 150 plus years.
Origins
The Pinya Kingdom was the continuation of the Myinsaing KingdomMyinsaing Kingdom
The Myinsaing Kingdom was a kingdom that ruled central Burma from 1298 to 1313. Founded by three brothers of Shan and Burman descent, it was one of many petty kingdoms that emerged following the collapse of Pagan Empire in 1287....
, founded in 1298 by three brothers, Athinhkaya
Athinhkaya
Athinhkaya was a co-founder of Myinsaing Kingdom in today's central Burma . A former commander in Pagan Empire's military, Athinhkaya was the eldest of the Three Shan Brothers that founded Myinsaing Kingdom, which filled the void in central Burma following the collapse of Pagan's authority in 1287...
, Yazathingyan
Yazathingyan
Yazathingyan was a co-founder of Myinsaing Kingdom in today's central Burma . A former commander in Pagan Empire's military, Yazathingyan was the middle brother of the Three Shan Brothers that founded Myinsaing Kingdom, which filled the void in central Burma following the collapse of Pagan's...
and Thihathu
Thihathu
Thihathu was a co-founder of Myinsaing Kingdom, and the founder of the Pinya Kingdom in today's central Burma . A former commander in Pagan Empire's military, Thihathu was the youngest and most ambitious of the Three Shan Brothers that founded Myinsaing Kingdom, which filled the void in central...
. (Were it not for the secession of Sagaing in 1315, it would still have been called Myinsaing Kingdom.) In 1310, Thihathu, the youngest brother, consolidated his power by poisoning his eldest brother after the middle brother had died of natural causes. Thihathu initially planned to move his capital from Pinle
Pinle
Pinle is an archaeological excavation site, located in Myittha Township, Mandalay Division, Myanmar. Pinle was a capital of the Myinsaing Kingdom from 1298 to 1312....
to a more strategic location by the Irrawaddy, and close to the Kyaukse granary. (By then, Pagan which had about 50,000 inhabitants before the Mongol invasions was largely deserted.) Thihathu initially chose the location of what would later become Ava
Ava
Innwa is a city in the Mandalay Division of Burma , situated just to the south of Amarapura on the Ayeyarwady River. Its formal title is Ratanapura , which means City of Gems in Pali. The name Innwa means mouth of the lake, which comes from in , meaning lake, and wa , which means mouth...
, by the Irrawaddy and Myitnge
Myitnge River
Myitnge River in Myanmar . The name Myitnge in Burmese and Dokhtawaddy in Pali both mean "little river" in comparison with the Ayeyarwady or "big river".-Source, course and outflow:...
rivers and close to Kyaukse. But court astrologers advised against the location as bad omen. Thihathu instead chose Pinya
Pinya
Pinya was the capital of the Kingdom of Pinya, located near Ava, Mandalay Region, Myanmar. It was the residence of a dynasty of six kings who ruled this part of central Myanmar from 1313 to 1364.-History:...
(near Ava), also by the Irrawaddy.
Thihathu moved into his new palace in Pinya on 11 February 1313 (15th waxing of Tabaung 674 ME), over two years after he became the sole king, and adopted the style and title of the ancient kings of Pagan. In his coronation ceremony, the dowager Queen Saw, wife of King Narathihapate
Narathihapate
Narathihapate was the last king of Pagan dynasty of Burma from 1254 to 1287. The king is unkindly remembered for two things: his gluttonous appetite which supposedly required all his dinners to have 300 varieties of dishes; and his panic flight from Mongol invasions. He is forever remembered as ...
(the last sovereign king of Pagan), presented Thihathu the golden belt and the golden tray which had been handed down in the royal family since the time of King Anawrahta
Anawrahta
Anawrahta Minsaw was the founder of the Pagan Empire. Considered the father of the Burmese nation, Anawrahta turned a small principality in the dry zone of Upper Burma into the first Burmese Empire that formed the basis of modern-day Burma...
(1044–1077). Thihathu now officially considered himself the heir to Pagan kings. So much so that he appointed Uzana I, a son of the fallen king Kyawswa
Kyawswa of Pagan
Kyawswa was a king of Pagan dynasty of Burma from 1287 to 1298. Son of the last sovereign king of Pagan Narathihapate, Kyawswa was one of many "kings" that proliferated after the collapse of the Pagan Empire. Though still styled as King of Pagan, Kyawswa's effective rule amounted to just the area...
and Mi Saw U
Mi Saw U
Mi Saw U was a Pagan princess, who was queen of two kings, Kyawswa of Pagan and Thihathu of Pinya, and mother of two kings, Uzana I of Pinya and Kyawswa I of Pinya.Saw U was a daughter of Narathihapate, the last sovereign king of Pagan...
, as crown prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
in 1315. (Mi Saw U was pregnant with Uzana in 1298 when Thihathu seized her, and gave birth to Uzana in 1299. Thihathu adopted Uzana as his own son.)
Secession of Sagaing (1315)
Thihathu's 15-year-old eldest son SawyunSawyun
Athinhkaya Sawyun was the founder of the Sagaing Kingdom located in today's Sagaing Region, Burma . The eldest son of King Thihathu of Pinya, Sawyun, at age 15, set up a rival kingdom to his father's in 1315 after Thihathu appointed his adopted son Uzana I, son of the fallen king Kyawswa of Pagan...
did not take news that he had been passed over kindly. Encouraged by forest dweller monks, Sawyun left with his followers to Sagaing
Sagaing
Sagaing is the capital of Sagaing Region in Myanmar. Located on the Ayeyarwady River, 20 km to the southwest of Mandalay on the opposite bank of the river, Sagaing with numerous Buddhist monasteries is an important religious and monastic center. The pagodas and monasteries crowd the numerous...
, directly across Pinya on the western bank of the Irrawaddy. Sawyun never formally revolted and nominally remained loyal to his father. Thihathu, who never wanted to share power with anyone, even with his own brothers, uncharacteristically did not (or could not) punish Sawyun for his thinly veiled insurrection. Perhaps a younger Thihathu would not have tolerated it. At any rate, after Thihathu's death in 1324, the two kingdoms formally went separate ways, with Pinya controlling central Burma east of the Irrawaddy river and Sagaing the western half.
Middle years
When Thihathu died in 1324, Uzana I came to power as designated by Thihathu. Uzana, a vestige of Pagan dynasty, was an anomaly in the Pinya court dominated by Shan ministers and warriors. Although his reign lasted for nearly 20 years, he was essentially a caretaker of the throne for his eventual successor and maternal half-brother, Kyawswa IKyawswa I of Pinya
Kyawswa I of Pinya or Ngarsishin Kyawswa was the third king of Pinya Kingdom from 1343 to 1350. Kyawswa, who descended from both Pagan and Myinsaing dynasties, ascended the throne of Pinya in 1343 after his half-brother Uzana I abdicated the throne...
. The younger Kyawswa, the son of Thihathu and a grandson of Narathipate, was a perfect choice as he possessed lineage from both the old (Pagan) and new (Pinya) dynasties. Uzana abdicated the throne in 1343, and became a hermit.
The two rival kingdoms were engaged in sporadic warfare against each other in the following years. But neither side could gain upper hand as they were more concerned about Shan raids from the north. Shan raids became more intensified in the late 1350s.
Fall of Pinya
In 1364, King Narathu of Pinya thought he had a perfect plan to defeat his arch-rival Sagaing and the pesky Shan raiders from the north. He made an alliance with SaophaSaopha
Saopha, Chaofa, or Sawbwa was a royal title used by the rulers of the Shan States of Myanmar . The word means "king" in the Shan and Tai languages...
of Mogaung to jointly attack Sagaing. However, when the Mogaung forces attacked Sagaing, Pinya's armies simply watched from the other side. Unfortunately for Narathu, his plan backfired. Mogaung's armies sacked Sagaing anyway, and turned their aggression to Pinya for Narathu's betrayal. The Shan forces then crossed the river, sacked the city of Pinya
Pinya
Pinya was the capital of the Kingdom of Pinya, located near Ava, Mandalay Region, Myanmar. It was the residence of a dynasty of six kings who ruled this part of central Myanmar from 1313 to 1364.-History:...
, and brought Narathu to Mogaung as prisoner. While the Shans did not occupy central Burma, the raids left central Burma in tatters. Narathu's eldest brother, Uzana II
Uzana II of Pinya
Uzana II of Pinya or Uzana Pyaung was the last king of Pinya Kingdom. His rule lasted only three months. Uzana II came to the Pinya throne after the Shan raiders from Mogaung had successfully sacked both Sagaing and Pinya, the capitals of two main kingdoms in central Burma...
succeeded the Pinya throne but lasted for only three months. The Kingdom of Pinya, and along with the House of Myinsaing, was finished.