List of Burmese monarchs

This is a list of the monarchs of Burma (Myanmar), covering the monarchs of all the major kingdoms that existed in the present day Burma (Myanmar). Although Burmese tradition maintains that various monarchies of Burma (Mon, Burman, Arakanese), began in 9th century BCE, historically verified data date back only to 1044 CE at the ascension of Anawrahta of Pagan. The farther away the data are from 1044, the less verifiable they are. For example, the founding of the city of Pagan (Bagan) in 9th century is verifiable–although the accuracy of the actual date, given in the Chronicles as 849, remains in question–but the founding of early Pagan dynasty, given as 2nd century, is not.^[1]

The names of monarchs and their English spellings as well as the dates here generally follow those by G.E. Harvey and Htin Aung. In some cases, the list uses more accurate dates given by later historians, taking into account that the traditional Burmese calendar straddles the Western calendar. For example, the death years of Kyansittha, Wareru and Nyaungyan are respectively given as 1113, 1307 and 1606 (not 1112, 1306 and 1605 per Harvey and Htin Aung.) Likewise Razadarit's death year is given as 1422–in the middle of 1421 given by Mon sources and 1423 given by Burmese sources.

Early kingdoms

The monarchs of this era are mostly legendary, and none is attested.^[1]

Arakan (to 1430)

• See List of Arakanese monarchs – Arakanese Chronicles report dates back to 2666 BCE. Dates prior to Pagan's conquest of Arakan are completely unattested.

Early Pagan (107–849)

Burmese Chronicles report the founding of Tagaung in 850 BCE by King Abhiraza of the Sakya clan (of the Buddha), and that the Buddha himself visited Burma in his lifetime. The dates here are unattested.

Early Hanthawaddy (825–1057)

The list here is per Harvey who reported it from Shwemawdaw Thamaing; the dates are unattested.^[2] Other Mon Chronicles give a similar list of rulers from 573 to 781 with no records thereafter, leaving a gap of 276 years to Pagan's conquest of Pegu in 1057.^[3] Harvey's list better synchronizes with historically confirmed Pagan dates.

Thaton Kingdom (to 1057)

Mon Chronicles report the Thaton kingdom was founded in the lifetime of the Buddha, and that its first king Thiha Raza died in the same year as the Buddha c. 543 BCE.^[4] Its last king Manuha, captured by Anawrahta, supposedly was the 59th king of Thaton.

Pagan (849–1287)

Small kingdoms

Myinsaing (1298–1313)

Pinya (1313–1364)

Sagaing (1315–1364)

Ava (1364–1555)

Prome (1482–1542)

Hanthawaddy (1287–1539)

Mrauk-U (1430–1784)

Toungoo (1510–1752)

Capitals: Toungoo (1510–1539), Pegu (1539–1635), Ava (1635–1752)

Restored Hanthawaddy (1740–1757)

Konbaung (1752–1885)

Capitals: Shwebo (1752–1760); Sagaing (1760–1764); Ava (1764–1783, 1823–1837), Amarapura (1783–1823, 1837–1857), Mandalay (1857–1885)

Pretenders to the Burmese throne since 1885

Konbaung dynasty

• King Thibaw (1885–1916)
• Princess Myat Paya Lat (1916–1956)
• Princess Myat Phaya (1956–1962)
• Prince Taw Phaya (1962–Present)

See also

• List of heirs to the Burmese thrones
• List of Arakanese monarchs
• List of Shan States rulers

References

• Htin Aung, A History of Burma, Cambridge University Press, New York and London, 1967
• Harvey, G.E., History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824, Frank Cass & Co. Ltd., London, 1925
• Phayre, Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur P., History of Burma, London, 2nd Edition, 1967