Laukpya

Laukpya (Burmese: လောက်ဖျား or လောက်ဖြား, Burmese pronunciation: [laʊ̯ʔ pʰjá]), was the ruler of the Bassein province of the Martaban–Hanthawaddy Kingdom from 1364 to 1388. He came to power by helping his brother Byattaba stage a coup against King Binnya U. He was also a key figure who started the Forty Years' War (c. 1385–1424) between the Mon-speaking Hanthawaddy Pegu and the Burmese-speaking Ava.

Brief

Laukpya was appointed governor of Myaungmya, a key port in the Irrawaddy delta by King Binnya U. In 1364, Laukpya's eldest brother Byattaba, then a senior official, seized the Martaban province south of Donwun while Laukpya seized the entire Bassein province. In 1371/72, the rebel brothers and the king signed a treaty that allowed the brothers to be his nominal vassals. In 1384, the brothers refused to extend the same recognition to Binnya U's son and successor Razadarit. In 1385, as Razadarit prepared to march to the delta, Laukpya sought assistance from King Swa Saw Ke of Ava with the promise of submission to Ava.

Laukpya's wrote to Swa:^[2]

Glorious king, the ungrateful son, who was rebel when his father was alive, now has dared to ascend the great Binnya U's throne, assuming the title of "Razadarit". Before he can make his position secure, I beg my lord to attack Pegu both by land and by water. Your humble servant holds both Bassein and Myaungmya, and shall attack Pegu by water. When you have achieved your great triumph, take all the treasures for yourself; as to your humble servant, grant him only the annual revenue.

Swa's acceptance of Laukpya's invitation resulted in the Forty Years' War between Ava and Pegu. Swa's inaugural invasions of Hanthawaddy in 1385–86 and 1386–87 could not break Razadarit's defenses. In 1388/89, Razadarit attacked the delta. Razadarit's army could not take Myaungmya, which was heavily fortified, and was defeated at Bassein which was defended by Laukpya's three sons. Then Laukpya ventured out of his defenses, and was promptly captured by Razadarit's forces. Myaungmya surrendered in 1390. The entire delta followed.^[3] Laukpya's son Bya Kon and son-in-law Bya Kyin both fled to Ava. Swa welcomed the princes, and made Bya Kon governor of Salin and Bya Kyin, governor of Prome (Pyay).^[4]

Laukpya had 16 wives and 70 children.^[5]

Notes

References

Bibliography

• Harvey, G. E. (1925). History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824. London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd. 
• Htin Aung, Maung (1967). A History of Burma. New York and London: Cambridge University Press. 
• Kala, U (1724). Maha Yazawin (in Burmese). 1–3 (2006, 4th printing ed.). Yangon: Ya-Pyei Publishing. 
• Maha Sithu (1798). Myint Swe (1st ed.); Kyaw Win and Thein Hlaing (2nd ed.), eds. Yazawin Thit (in Burmese). 1–3 (2012, 2nd printing ed.). Yangon: Ya-Pyei Publishing. CS1 maint: Uses editors parameter (link)
• Pan Hla, Nai (1968). Razadarit Ayedawbon (in Burmese) (8th printing, 2004 ed.). Yangon: Armanthit Sarpay. 
• Phayre, Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur P. (1883). History of Burma (1967 ed.). London: Susil Gupta.