Kantarawadi

Kantarawadi
(Eastern Karenni)
Princely State of the Karenni States
←
18th century–1959 →
1917 map of the Karenni States
Government Monarchy
History
 - Independence 18th century
 - Abdication of the Kayah rulers 1959
Area
 - 1931 6,475 km2 (2,500 sq mi)
Population
 - 1931 30,677 
Density 4.7 /km2  (12.3 /sq mi)
Territories annexed by Thailand in the Shan and Karenni States during WWII.
The ruler of Kantarawadi (standing in the middle of the back row), at the Delhi Durbar in 1903

Kantarawadi, also known as Gantarawadi,[1] was one of the Karenni States in what is today Kayah State in Burma. It was also known as "Eastern Karenni" owing to the location of part of its territory east of the Salween River.[2]

History

According to local tradition in the early times of the Karenni states there was a principality led by a "Sawphya" that was under the overlordship of a Shan prince. This state finally became independent in the 18th century. In the 19th century the Karenni state was divided into five principalities (sawphyas).

In 1864 a Karenni prince requested the status of British protectorate for his state, but the British authorities did not show any interest. After the death of this prince in 1869 his two sons renewed the petition claiming that they feared Burmese ambitions on their state. The British refused again, but agreed to arbitrate before the King of Burma. Since the Burmese monarchy insisted in their demands on the Karenni territories, the British granted recognition to four states, Kyebogyi, Namekan (Nammekon), Naungpale and Bawlake, which became independent under British protection on 21 June 1875. Kantarawadi state, however, remained independent without official protection. Kantarawadi was heavily fined in 1888 for the disturbances caused by Myoza Sao Law Paw. After his successor Sao Lawi agreed to pay a tribure of Rs 5,000 to the British government, he was granted the title of Saopha.[1]

On 27 May 1942, during World War II, Kengtung State was invaded and its capital captured by the Thai Phayap Army.[3] Following a previous agreement between Thai Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram and the Japanese Empire, in December the same year the Thai administration occupied the area of Kantarawadi State between the Thai border and the Salween, as well as neighbouring Kengtung and Möngpan. The annexation by Thailand as Saharat Thai Doem northern province was formalised on 1 August 1943.[4] Following the defeat and surrender of the Japanese Empire, Thailand left the territories it had annexed to the north in 1945. However, the Thai government officially relinquished its claim over Kantarawadi State only in 1946 as part of the condition for admission to the United Nations and the withdrawal of all wartime sanctions for having sided with the Axis powers.[5]

Rulers

The rulers of Kantarawadi bore the title of Saopha after 1903.[6]

Myozas

Saophas

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 15, p. 36.
  2. ↑ Khu Oo Reh (October 2006). "Highlights in Karenni History to 1948". Retrieved 19 December 2010.
  3. ↑ Thailand and the Second World War at the Wayback Machine (archived October 27, 2009)
  4. ↑ Shan and Karenni States of Burma
  5. ↑ David Porter Chandler & David Joel Steinberg eds. In Search of Southeast Asia: A Modern History. p. 388
  6. ↑ Ben Cahoon (2000). "World Statesmen.org: Shan and Karenni States of Burma". Retrieved 7 July 2014.