Hanthawaddy Kingdom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kingdom of Hongsarwatoi (Hanthawaddy) Pegu
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| 1287–1552 | |||||||||
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Ramannya-hongsarwatoi kingdom c. 1450
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| Status | Kingdom | ||||||||
| Capital | Martaban (1287–1364) Donwun (1364–1369) Pegu (1369–1538, 1550–1552) |
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| Common languages | Mon | ||||||||
| Religion | Theravada Buddhism | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
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• 1287–1307
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Wareru | ||||||||
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• 1384–1421
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Razadarit | ||||||||
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• 1454–1471
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Shin Sawbu | ||||||||
| Historical era | Warring states | ||||||||
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• Overthrow of Pagan governor
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c. January 1285 | ||||||||
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• Independence from Pagan
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30 January 1287 | ||||||||
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• Vassal of Sukhothai
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1287–1298, 1307–1317, 1330 | ||||||||
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• Forty Years' War
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1385–1424 | ||||||||
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• Golden Age
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1426–1534 | ||||||||
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• War with Toungoo
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1534–1541 | ||||||||
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• 2nd Fall of Pegu
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12 March 1552 | ||||||||
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The Hanthawaddy Kingdom (Mon: ဍုၚ် ဟံသာဝတဳ Burmese: ဟံသာဝတီ နေပြည်တော်) was an important country that ruled the southern part of what is now Myanmar. It existed from 1287 to 1539, and then again briefly from 1550 to 1552. This kingdom was known for its people who spoke the Mon language.
It was founded by King Wareru in 1287. This happened after the Pagan Kingdom fell apart. At first, Hanthawaddy was a vassal state, meaning it was under the control of the Sukhothai Kingdom and the Mongol Yuan dynasty. The kingdom became truly independent in 1330. However, it was more like a loose group of three main areas: the Irrawaddy Delta, Bago, and Mottama. The kings often had little power over these areas. For example, Mottama was openly rebelling from 1363 to 1388.
Contents
History of the Hanthawaddy Kingdom
How the Kingdom Became Strong
The Hanthawaddy Kingdom became much stronger under King Razadarit, who ruled from 1384 to 1421. He successfully united the three Mon-speaking regions: Myaungmya, Donwun, and Martaban.
King Razadarit also fought off the northern Ava Kingdom in a long conflict called the Forty Years' War (1385–1424). This war ended in a tie, but it was a victory for Hanthawaddy. Ava finally gave up its dream of bringing back the old Pagan Empire. Hanthawaddy even made the western kingdom of Rakhine pay tribute to them for a few years. After the war, Hanthawaddy sometimes helped other smaller kingdoms rebel against Ava.
The Golden Age of Hanthawaddy
After the Forty Years' War, Hanthawaddy entered a period of great success and wealth. This is often called its "golden age." While its rival, Ava, slowly declined, Hanthawaddy became the most powerful and rich kingdom in the region.
From the 1420s to the 1530s, the kingdom was led by very talented rulers. These included Binnya Ran I, Shin Sawbu, Dhammazedi, and Binnya Ran II. They helped the kingdom grow rich through trade with other countries. Merchants from Hanthawaddy traded across the Indian Ocean. This brought lots of gold, silver, silk, and spices into the king's treasury.
The kingdom also became a famous center for Theravada Buddhism. It built strong connections with Sri Lanka. Hanthawaddy encouraged religious changes that later spread throughout the country.
The End of the Kingdom
The powerful Hanthawaddy Kingdom ended quite suddenly. Starting in 1534, it faced many attacks from the Taungoo dynasty from Upper Burma. King Takayutpi of Hanthawaddy could not use his kingdom's large resources and many soldiers effectively. This was against the much smaller Taungoo army, led by King Tabinshwehti and his general Bayinnaung.
Taungoo captured the city of Bago and the Irrawaddy Delta in 1538–1539. They then took Mottama in 1541. The Hanthawaddy Kingdom was briefly brought back in 1550 after Tabinshwehti was killed. However, this "revived" kingdom did not control much land outside the city of Bago. General Bayinnaung quickly defeated this rebellion in March 1552.
Legacy of Hanthawaddy
Even though Taungoo kings ruled Lower Burma for a long time after, the Mon people of Lower Burma fondly remembered the golden age of Hanthawaddy. In 1740, they rebelled against the weak Taungoo Dynasty. This led to the founding of the Restored Hanthawaddy Kingdom.
