Narapatisithu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Narapati Sithu နရပတိ စည်သူ Sithu II
Gawdawpalin Temple, Bagan
King of Burma
Reign	c. May 1174 – 18 August 1211
Predecessor	Naratheinkha
Successor	Htilominlo
Born	1138 Pagan
Died	18 August 1211 (aged 73) Thursday, 10th waxing of Tawthalin 573 ME Pagan
Consort	Weluwaddy Min Aung Myat Saw Lat Saw Ahlwan Taung Pyinthe Myauk Pyinthe Wadanthika Saw Mya Kan
Issue	Zeya Thura Yaza Thura Ginga Thura Pyanchi Zeya Theinkha
Regnal name Śrī Tribhuvanāditya Pavaradhammarāja
House	Pagan
Father	Narathu
Mother	Myauk Pyinthe
Religion	Theravada Buddhism

Narapati Sithu (Burmese: နရပတိ စည်သူ; 1138–1211) was a powerful king of the Pagan dynasty in Burma (today's Myanmar). He ruled from 1174 to 1211. Many historians see him as the last truly important king of Pagan. His time as king was peaceful and successful. It was during his reign that Burmese culture really grew and became strong. It moved beyond the influences of older Mon and Pyu cultures.

The Burmese people's leadership in the kingdom became very clear. The Pagan Empire reached its greatest size and power during his rule. After his death, the empire slowly began to decline. His reign also saw many new things happen in Burmese history. For example, the word Mranma (meaning the Burmans) was used openly in writings for the first time. The Burmese language became the main written language of the kingdom. It replaced the older Mon and Pyu languages.

King Narapati Sithu also created the first Burmese customary law. This law was based on the decisions of his grandfather, King Alaungsithu. It became the common law for the whole kingdom. He also started the Royal Palace Guards. These guards later became the main part of the Burmese army during wartime. He also encouraged important changes in Burmese Buddhism. Most Burmese Buddhist monks began to follow the Mahavihara school from Sri Lanka.

Early Life of Narapati Sithu

The future King Narapati Sithu was born in Pagan (Bagan). His parents were Prince Narathu and his wife, who was known as Myauk Pyinthe. He was born on October 8, 1150. Old historical records, called chronicles, sometimes have different dates for his birth and when he became king.

Here is a simple look at the dates from different historical records:

Modern historians generally agree he was born on October 8, 1150, and died on August 18, 1211.

How Narapati Sithu Became King

In 1171, Narapati Sithu's older brother, Naratheinkha, became king. The new king faced many challenges. There were rebellions in the north and south of the kingdom. King Naratheinkha made his younger brother, Narapati Sithu, the heir to the throne. He also made him the commander of the army to deal with these rebellions.

In 1174, something happened that changed everything. King Naratheinkha took Narapati Sithu's wife, Weluwaddy, while Narapati was away on a mission. Narapati Sithu was very upset. He sent a group of 80 men, led by Aungzwa, to deal with his brother. After this event, Narapati Sithu became king. He took the name Sithu II to honor his grandfather, Alaungsithu. He became king around April or May of 1174. He chose the royal name "Śrī Tribhuvanāditya Pavaradhammarāja."

Narapati Sithu's Reign

One of the first things King Sithu II did was create the Royal Palace Guards. Their main job was to protect the palace and the king. These guards later became the core of the Burmese army during wars. He then worked to bring peace back to the kingdom. The country had been unstable since his grandfather's death in 1167. He successfully convinced a descendant of the Mon king Manuha not to start a rebellion. The rest of his reign was peaceful, with no major uprisings.

Economy and Prosperity

King Narapati Sithu's reign was known for being peaceful and prosperous. He followed in the footsteps of King Anawratha. He worked to improve the economy and increase the number of people in Upper Burma. He continued to develop the Kyaukse region by building the Kyaukse weir. He also expanded areas that could be watered for farming by starting the Mu canals. These efforts made the kingdom even richer.

The wealth of the kingdom can be seen in the amazing temples he built in Pagan. These include the superb Gawdawpalin and Sulamani temples. He also built other pagodas like the Minmalaung, Dhammayazika, and Chaukpala. Smaller pagodas he built, like the Zetawun in Myeik District and the Shwe Indein Pagoda in Nyaungshwe, show how far his kingdom reached.

Rise of Burmese Culture

His reign was a time when Burmese culture truly came into its own. It finally moved out of the shadow of older Mon and Pyu cultures. The Burmans had only moved into the Irrawaddy valley in large numbers in the 9th and 10th centuries. Before this, the Pagan Kingdom was often seen as being led by the Pyu. But now, there was no doubt that the Burmans were in charge.

For the first time, the word Mranma (meaning the Burman people) was openly used in writings in the Burmese language. The Burmese language became the main written language of the kingdom. It replaced the older Mon and Pyu languages.

Administration and Law

King Narapati Sithu appointed Nadaungmya as his chief justice. Nadaungmya was the great-grandson of Nyaung-U Hpi, a famous warrior from King Anawrahta's time. His chief minister was Ananda Thuriya, who was known for being brave. Ananda Thuriya would often catch robbers and bring them to the king alive.

King Narapati Sithu also had the first Burmese customary law put together. This law was based on the judgments and decisions made by his grandfather, King Alaungsithu. This new law became the common legal system for the entire kingdom.

Religious Reforms

King Narapati Sithu strongly supported further changes in Burmese Buddhism. With the help of his chief monk, Shin Uttarajiva, most Burmese Buddhist monks changed their practices. They began to follow the Mahavihara school of Buddhism from Sri Lanka. This was a shift away from a less traditional school of thought.

Relations with Sri Lanka

According to some historical records from Sri Lanka, the King of Polonnaruwa (Sri Lanka), Parakramabahu I, sent an expedition in 1180. This was to settle a disagreement about trade. Some ships were lost in storms. However, some ships reached the coast near Mawlamyaing and Pathein. Despite these events, friendly relations between Burma and Sri Lanka soon returned. Cultural exchanges continued, and the reform of Burmese Buddhism through the Sri Lankan Mahavihara school also carried on.

Death of Narapati Sithu

King Sithu II passed away at the age of 73 on August 18, 1211. Before he died, he gathered his five sons. He held their hands and told them to rule with kindness and fairness. He also asked them to live together in brotherly love.