Anglo-Burmese Wars facts for kids

The Anglo-Burmese Wars were big conflicts between two powerful empires. One was the British Empire, and the other was the Konbaung Dynasty of Burma (now Myanmar). These wars were very long and expensive for the British, lasting over 60 years. They cost a lot of money, like billions of dollars today!

There were three main wars:

• First Anglo-Burmese War (1824 to 1826)
• Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852 to 1853)
• Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885)

Why the Wars Happened

Burma, led by the Konbaung dynasty, was growing bigger and bigger. Its borders were getting closer to the lands controlled by the British in India. This caused problems. People seeking safety sometimes crossed the borders. Also, military actions from one side sometimes spilled into the other's territory. The borders were not always clear, which led to arguments.

The First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826)

The first war started in 1824 and ended in 1826. The British East India Company, which managed British interests in India, won this war.

After the war, a peace agreement called the Treaty of Yandabo was signed. Burma had to give up land it had taken earlier, including areas like Assam, Manipur, and Arakan. The British also took control of a region called Tenasserim. They hoped to use this land later to make deals with Burma or Siam. As time went on, the British East India Company became very interested in Burma's natural resources. They wanted to expand their control even more.

The Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852–1853)

In 1852, a British naval officer named Commodore Lambert was sent to Burma. He was sent by Lord Dalhousie, who was in charge of British India. Lambert was supposed to sort out some small issues left over from the first treaty.

The Burmese government quickly tried to fix the problems. They even removed a local leader the British were complaining about. However, Commodore Lambert caused a fight between ships. This started the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852, even though the reasons for it were unclear.

The British won again. They took over a large area called Pegu province, which they renamed Lower Burma. This war also caused big changes in Burma's royal family. King Pagan Min was replaced by his half-brother, Mindon Min.

The Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885)

King Mindon Min (who ruled from 1853 to 1878) tried hard to make Burma stronger and more modern. He wanted to keep Burma independent. He even built a new capital city in Mandalay and made it very strong with defenses.

However, these efforts didn't stop the British. After King Mindon died, his son Thibaw Min became king (ruling from 1878 to 1885). The British claimed that King Thibaw was a bad ruler. They said he was planning to team up with the French, that he couldn't control his country, and that he was breaking a treaty his father had signed.

So, in 1885, the British declared war once more. This was the Third Anglo-Burmese War. The British quickly conquered the rest of Burma. This meant that Burma became a part of the British Empire completely.

See also

• Burma campaign (World War II)