Sokkate
Encyclopedia
Sokkate was a king of Pagan dynasty. The king lost his life in a single combat with Anawrahta
, who succeeded him and went on to found the Pagan Empire. Historical sources do not agree on the duration of his reign, given as c. 986–1010 by Arthur Phayre, c. 992–1044 by GE Harvey, and 992-1017 by the Glass Palace Chronicle
. (Much of the information given in the Burmese chronicles prior to Anawrahta's reign are unreliable or legendary. Sokkate's actual reign, deduced from Anawrahta's year of ascension, which has been verified by stone inscriptions, was likely between c. 1020 and 1044. Indeed, his supposed starting year of his reign, 992 as given in the chronicles, would actually be his year of birth, when calculated using Anawrahta's year of ascension.)
According to the chronicles, Sokkate was a son of King Nyaung-u Sawrahan
whose reign was usurped by King Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu
. Kunhsaw married Nyuang-u's three chief queens, two of whom were pregnant and subsequently gave birth to Kyiso
and Sokkate. Sokkate and Kyiso were raised by Kunhsaw as his own sons. When the two sons reached manhood, they forced Kunhsaw to abdicate the throne and become a monk. When Sokkate became king, he took one of Kunhsaw's queens who had given birth to Anawrahta. When Anawrahta came of age, he challenged Sokkate to single combat, and killed the king.
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...
, who succeeded him and went on to found the Pagan Empire. Historical sources do not agree on the duration of his reign, given as c. 986–1010 by Arthur Phayre, c. 992–1044 by GE Harvey, and 992-1017 by the Glass Palace Chronicle
Glass Palace Chronicle
The Glass Palace Chronicle of the kings of Burma is a historical work written in Burmese commissioned by King Bagyidaw in 1829, and compiled by scholars to consolidate and compile all works of the history of Burmese rulers...
. (Much of the information given in the Burmese chronicles prior to Anawrahta's reign are unreliable or legendary. Sokkate's actual reign, deduced from Anawrahta's year of ascension, which has been verified by stone inscriptions, was likely between c. 1020 and 1044. Indeed, his supposed starting year of his reign, 992 as given in the chronicles, would actually be his year of birth, when calculated using Anawrahta's year of ascension.)
According to the chronicles, Sokkate was a son of King Nyaung-u Sawrahan
Nyaung-u Sawrahan
Nyaung-u Sawrahan was a king of the Pagan dynasty of Burma . Although Burmese chronicles state that he reigned from 931 to 964, his actual reign, deduced from King Anawrahta's year of ascension, 1044, was likely between 959 and 992...
whose reign was usurped by King Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu
Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu
Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu was a king of Pagan and father of Anawrahta who founded the Pagan Empire. Although Burmese chronicles state that he reigned from 964 to 986, the actual reign, deduced from his son Anawrahta's year of ascension, 1044, was likely between 992 and 1014...
. Kunhsaw married Nyuang-u's three chief queens, two of whom were pregnant and subsequently gave birth to Kyiso
Kyiso
Kyiso was a king of Pagan dynasty who reigned for about six years. Kyiso was a son of King Nyaung-u Sawrahan but raised by King Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu. Although Burmese chronicles state that he reigned from 986 to 992, the actual reign, deduced from King Anawrahta's year of ascension, 1044, was...
and Sokkate. Sokkate and Kyiso were raised by Kunhsaw as his own sons. When the two sons reached manhood, they forced Kunhsaw to abdicate the throne and become a monk. When Sokkate became king, he took one of Kunhsaw's queens who had given birth to Anawrahta. When Anawrahta came of age, he challenged Sokkate to single combat, and killed the king.