Theiddat

Theiddat
သိဒ္ဓတ်
Heir Presumptive of Ava
Lord of Sagaing
Reign c. September 1401 – February 1407
Predecessor Tarabya
Successor Minyekyawswa
House Pinya
Father Swasawke
Mother Saw Teza[1]
Born c. 1374
Died 1409
Pegu
Religion Theravada Buddhism

Theiddat (Burmese: သိဒ္ဓတ်, pronounced [θeiʔdaʔ]; c. 1374–1409) was the heir-presumptive of Ava from 1401 to 1407 during the reign of King Minkhaung I of Ava. Theiddat was the key figure in securing his elder brother Minkhaung I's claim on the throne of Ava. In the early days of Minkhaung's reign, Theiddat personally led an army to put down a major rebellion. When Minkhaung named his eldest son Minyekyawswa heir apparent in 1407, Theiddat felt betrayed, and fled south and joined the service of King Razadarit of Hanthawaddy Pegu, which was amidst fighting the Forty Years' War (1385–1424) with Ava.

It turned out that Theiddat could not betray his brother. In 1409, Theiddat, who was with a special group of Hanthawaddy forces who were waiting to ambush Minkhaung, gave a warning to his brother at a critical moment, allowing him to escape. Theiddat was duly executed by Razadarit for his warning.

Contents

Early life

Minkhaung and Theiddat were sons of King Swasawke by Saw Teza whom he had met during one of his military campaigns.[1][2] As their mother was a commoner, they were not in line for the throne. Swasawke had designated Prince Tarabya as crown prince.

Minkhaung's ascension to throne (1401)

In 1401 (762 ME), their father Swasawke died and Tarabya ascended to the throne. Seven months later, circa September 1401, Tarabya was assassinated by Nga Nauk Hsan, the governor of Tagaung who tried to seize the throne. The ministers put the usurper to death, and gave the throne to Minkhaung. His ascension was greeted by a major rebellion led by Maha Pyaut the lord of Yamethin. Maha Pyaut marched to Ava with a force of 10,000 men, 60 attack elephants and 800 horses.[3] Theiddat led Ava's defenses, and defeated the stronger rebel force, killing Maha Pyaut.[4] In gratitude, Minkhaung gave Theiddat Sagaing to rule but stopped short of declaring him heir-apparent. The younger brother was never satisfied with the reward he received for his help, and held a lingering resentment that would rear its ugly head later.[3]

Single combat with Minkhaung (1407)

In 1407, Minkhaung named his eldest son Minyekyawswa as heir apparent. His brother Theiddat, who had loyally supported Minkhaung in time of his need, felt betrayed, and challenged Minkhaung to an elephant-to-elephant single combat. Minkhaung defeated his younger brother but allowed him to leave. Theiddat took refuge in Razadarit's service. Razadarit welcomed Theiddat and gave him his sister in marriage.[2]

Foiling of Minkhaung's assassination and death (1409)

In 1409, Minkhaung invaded the south and reached the outskirts of Pegu. Razadarit tried to break the siege by sending special forces to assassinate Minkhaung. Minkhaung escaped death on the warning by his brother Theiddat who was with Pegu troops to ambush him. Theiddat was later executed by Razadarit for his warning.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Tun Aung Chain (2004). Selected Writings of Tun Aung Chain. Myanmar Historical Commission. pp. 67–72. 
  2. ^ a b Maung Htin Aung (1967). "Ava against Pegu; Shan against Mon". A History of Burma. New York and London: Cambridge University Press. pp. 90–93. 
  3. ^ a b Jon Fernquest (Spring 2006). "Rajadhirat’s Mask of Command: Military Leadership in Burma (c. 1348–1421)". SBBR 4 (1): 1–10. http://web.soas.ac.uk/burma/4.1files/4.1fernquest.pdf. 
  4. ^ a b GE Harvey (1925). "Shan Migration (Ava)". History of Burma (2000 ed.). Asian Educational Services. pp. 85–95. ISBN 8120613651, 9788120613652. 
Theiddat
Born: c. 1374 Died: 1409
Royal titles
Preceded by
Tarabya		 Heir to the Burmese Throne
as Lord of Sagaing
1401–1407		 Succeeded by
Minyekyawswa