Toungoo dynasty facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Toungoo dynasty တောင်ငူမင်းဆက်
1510–1752
Toungoo Empire at its greatest extent (1580)
The restored Taungoo or Nyaungyan Dynasty c. 1650
Capital	Toungoo (Taungoo) (1510–39) Pegu (Bago) (1539–99) Ava (Inwa) (1599–1613) Pegu (Bago) (1613–35) Ava (Inwa) (1635–1752)
Common languages	Official Burmese Regional Thai, Pak Tai (Ayutthaya) Mon (Lower Burma) Shan (Shan states) Lanna (Lan Na) Lao (Lan Xang) Meithei (Manipur)
Religion	Official Theravada Buddhism Minority Animism Christianity Hinduism Islam
Government	Monarchy
• 1485-1530	Mingyi Nyo
• 1530–50	Tabinshwehti
• 1550–81	Bayinnaung
Legislature	Hluttaw
History
• Founding of dynasty	1485
• Independence from Ava	16 October 1510
• First Toungoo Empire	1510–99
• Restored Taungoo Empire	1599–1752
• End of dynasty	23 March 1752
Population
• Census	1,982,000 - 2,313,000
Currency	Ganza kyat and silver kyat
Preceded by Succeeded by Ava Kingdom Hanthawaddy Kingdom Shan states Lan Na Kingdom Restored Hanthawaddy Kingdom Konbaung dynasty

The Toungoo dynasty (also spelled Taungoo dynasty) was a powerful family that ruled Burma (now Myanmar) from the mid-1500s until 1752. Its early kings, Tabinshwehti and Bayinnaung, brought different parts of Burma together. They also added new areas like the Shan States, Manipur, and Siam.

At its strongest, the Toungoo Empire was the largest and most powerful empire in Southeast Asia. However, it faced challenges after King Bayinnaung died in 1581. The empire became smaller and less powerful for a while.

Later, leaders like Nyaungyan Min and his son, Anaukpetlun, helped the dynasty rise again. They created a smaller but more stable kingdom by 1622. This "Restored Toungoo" kingdom was based in Ava. Its kings set up new laws and a political system that lasted for many years. They changed how local areas were governed, making them more directly controlled by the king. This helped create a strong economy for over 80 years.

Over time, the kingdom slowly declined because of problems within the royal family. Starting in the 1720s, the kingdom faced attacks from the Meitei people. A rebellion also began in Chiang Mai. In 1740, the Mon people in Lower Burma started their own rebellion. They formed the Restored Hanthawaddy Kingdom. The Hanthawaddy armies captured Ava in 1752, which ended the Toungoo dynasty after 266 years.

History of the Toungoo Dynasty

Founding the First Toungoo Kingdom

King Mingyi Nyo started the First Toungoo Dynasty in 1485. He set up his capital in Taungoo in 1510. This was towards the end of the Ava Kingdom. When the Shan leaders took over Ava in 1527, many Burmese people moved to Taungoo. This made Taungoo a new important center.

King Tabinshwehti's Rule

Mingyi Nyo's son, King Tabinshwehti, took over in 1530. He worked to unite most of Burma. He expanded his power south, taking over the Irrawaddy Delta. He also defeated the capital of Hanthawaddy, Bago. In 1544, Tabinshwehti was crowned king of all Burma at the old capital of Bagan.

During this time, the situation in Southeast Asia was changing. The Shan people had a new kingdom in the north. The Ayutthaya Kingdom was strong around the Chao Phraya river. Also, the Portuguese Empire arrived and took over Malacca.

With European traders coming, Burma became an important trading place again. Tabinshwehti moved his capital to Bago because it was good for trade. He then tried to attack the coastal Rakhine State to the west. His forces were defeated there. However, he gained control of Lower Burma up to Pyay. He then moved his army east to the Ayutthaya Kingdom, where he was defeated again in a war (1547–49). After this, there was unrest and rebellions. Tabinshwehti was killed in 1550.

Bayinnaung's Powerful Empire

Tabinshwehti's brother-in-law, Bayinnaung, became king in 1550. He ruled for 30 years. He launched many military campaigns, conquering several states. These included Manipur (1560) and Ayutthaya (1564).

Bayinnaung was a strong leader and a skilled military commander. He made Toungoo the most powerful state in Southeast Asia. His empire stretched from Laos to Ayutthaya. Bayinnaung was planning to attack the western kingdom of Arakan when he died in 1581. His son, Nanda Bayin, and later kings had to deal with rebellions. The conquest of Arakan was never completed.

The Restored Toungoo Dynasty

After Bayinnaung's death, the Toungoo rulers faced many rebellions. The Portuguese also tried to invade. Because of this, the Toungoo rulers moved their capital from southern Burma. They started a second dynasty in Ava, known as the Nyaungyan or Restored Toungoo Dynasty (1597–1752).

Bayinnaung's grandson, Anaukpetlun (1605–1628), brought Burma back together in 1613. He also defeated Portuguese attempts to take over Burma. Anaukpetlun's successor, Thalun (1629–1648), helped the country recover from war. In 1635, a survey showed that about 2 million people lived in the Irrawaddy valley.

The dynasty continued for another 150 years. It ended with the death of King Mahadhammayaza in 1752. The city of Bago rebelled against Ava, encouraged by the French in India. This weakened the state, and it fell in 1752. The Toungoo dynasty ended due to problems within the government and royal family. Also, changes in trade and prices affected the income of the leaders.

Governance and Reforms

During the Toungoo dynasty, the Burmese kings made many changes. These changes helped the dynasty stay strong for a long time. The first Toungoo empire had brought different kingdoms together. The Restored Toungoo kings were even better at controlling the lowland areas directly.

Important princes from these areas had to live in the capital. This allowed the king to watch them closely. The special symbols of these local rulers were also made less important. Other changes included:

• Direct control over local leaders.
• Better connections with village chiefs.
• Expanding the ahmudan system, which was a way to get people to serve the king.

Starting in 1635, the Burmese kings began to count all the people. This helped them get more soldiers and collect taxes better. The Buddhist monks in Upper Burma also came under closer control.

See also

In Spanish: Dinastía Toungoo para niños