| Hsenwi သဵၼ်ႈဝီ | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of the Shan States | |||||||||
| 7th century–1888 | |||||||||
 Hsenwi in a map of the Shan States | |||||||||
| Area | |||||||||
• | 22,654.35 km2 (8,746.89 sq mi) | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
• Sivirattha State founded | 7th century | ||||||||
• Split into two states | 1888 | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Hsenwi (Shan: သဵၼ်ႈဝီ; Tai Nuea: ᥔᥦᥢᥲ ᥝᥤᥴ), also known as Theinni (Burmese: သိန္နီ), was a Shan state in the Northern Shan States in what is today Burma. The capital was Hsenwi town.
Most Tai Yai chronicles begin with the story of two brothers, Khun Lung and Khun Lai, who descended from heaven in the 6th century and landed in Hsenwi, where the local population hailed them as kings.[1]
According to tradition, the predecessor state of Siviraṭṭha was founded before 650 AD.
Hsenwi was the largest of the cis-Salween Shan states, and at one time included all of what are now the present states of North and South Hsenwi, Kehsi Mansam, Mong Hsu, Mong Sang, and Mong Nawng.[2] It held Mongnai State until c. 1802.[3][circular reference] It also held Mang Lon and other Wa states east of the Salween[2] in a protectorate-like arrangement, but during Burmese times, the state lost control of these areas.
During the Sino-Burmese War (1765–69) the Qianlong Emperor of China invaded the area of Hsenwi. The main Chinese army, led by Ming Rui, was to approach Ava through Hsenwi, Lashio and Hsipaw down the Namtu river. The main invasion route was the same route followed by the Manchu forces a century earlier, chasing the Yongli Emperor of the Southern Ming dynasty. The second army, led by Gen. E'erdeng'e, was to try the Bhamo route again.[4] The ultimate objective was for both armies to clamp themselves in a pincer action on the Burmese capital of Ava.[5] The Burmese plan was to hold the second Chinese army in the north at Kaungton with the army led by Ne Myo Sithu, and meet the main Chinese army in the northeast with two armies led by Maha Sithu and Maha Thiha Thura.[6]
At first, everything went according to plan for the Qing. The third invasion began in November 1767 as the smaller Chinese army attacked and occupied Bhamo. Within eight days, Ming Rui's main army occupied the Shan states of Hsenwi and Hsipaw.[6] Ming Rui made Hsenwi a supply base, and assigned 5000 troops to remain at Hsenwi and guard the rear. He then led a 15,000-strong army in the direction of Ava. In late December, at the Goteik Gorge (south of Hsipaw), the two main armies faced off and the first major battle of the third invasion ensued. Outnumbered two-to-one, Maha Sithu's main Burmese army was thoroughly routed by Ming Rui's Bannermen. Maha Thiha Thura too was repulsed at Hsenwi.[7][8] The news of the disaster at Goteik reached Ava. Hsinbyushin finally realized the gravity of the situation, and urgently recalled Burmese armies from Siam.[9]
Having smashed through the main Burmese army, Ming Rui pressed on full steam ahead, overrunning one town after another, and reached Singu on the Irrawaddy, 30 miles north of Ava at the beginning of 1768. The only bright spot for the Burmese was that the northern invasion force, which was to come down the Irrawaddy to join up with Ming Rui's main army, had been held off at Kaungton.[7]
At the time of the annexation following British rule in Burma, Hsenwi was composed of five de jure divisions; but the administration of the area was in chaos, with no central control.
After the pacification of the region in March 1888, the colonial administration divided Hsenwi into two states:[2][10]
The rulers of Hsenwi bore the title Saopha.[11]
| Reign | Ruler |
|---|---|
| 1686–1721 | Hso Hung Hpa |
| 1721 | Se U III -Regent (2nd time) |
| 1721–1724 | Han Hpa Hko Hkam Hung -Regent |
| 1724–1730 | Hpawng Mong Long Hsung Wat |
| 1730 | Mong Hkam -Regent |
| 1730 | Hkam Hong -Regent (1st time) |
| 1730–1746 | Sao Hkam Hsawng Hpa |
| 1746 | Hkam Hong -Regent (2nd time) |
| 1746 – c.1747 | Sao Hkun Hseng Hong |
| c.1747 – 1750 | Mahadevi Wing Hsup Pang -Regent |
| 1750 | Hkam Hong -Regent (3rd time) |
| 1750–1751 | Sao Mang Te |
| 1751–1752 | Hkam Hong -Regent (4th time) |
| 1752–1761 | Vacant |
| 1761–1767 | Hkun Hseng Awng Tun |
| 1767–1770 | Myauk Win Hmu -Regent |
| 1770–1772 | Sayawadi Wun |
| 1772–1773 | Sety-taw Wun |
| 1773–1775 | U Teng Pong Nya |
| 1775–1775 | Vacant |
| 1778–1800 | Sao Hswe Cheng (Kon) |
| 1800 | Hsup Pang -Regent |
| 1800–1815 | Sao Hsö Kaw |
| 1815–1819 | Mogaung Wun -Regent |
| 1819–1821 | Sao Naw Möng |
| 1821–1824 | Hkun Hkam Hkawt |
| 1824–1827 | Sao Hkam Pak |
| 1827–1831 | Sao Hkam Nan |
| 1831–1838 | Sao Hkun Maung Lek |
| 1838–1845 | Sao Hkam Leng (Hsö Hkan Hpa) (d. 1847) |
| 1845–1848 | Sao Hseng Naw Hpa (1st time) (d. 1864) |
| 1848–1853 | Vacant |
| 1853–1855 | Sao Hseng Naw Hpa (2nd time) |
| 1855–1858 | Vacant |
| 1858–1860 | Sao Hpa Mawng Hpa (1st time) (d. 1891) |
| 1860–1863 | Vacant |
| 1863–1864 | Sao Hpa Mawng Hpa (2nd time) (s.a.) |
| 1864–1866 | Shwe Pyi Bo |
| 1866–1867 | U Ma Nga |
| 1867–1869 | Sao Hseng Naw Hpa (3rd time) (s.a.) |
| 1869–1873 | Vacant |
| 1873–1874 | Win Hmu |
| 1874–1875 | Sao Hseng Naw Hpa (4th time) (s.a.) |
| 1875–1876 | Natsu Letya |
| 1876–1879 | Sao Hseng Naw Hpa (5th time) (s.a.) |
| 1879 – Mar 1888 | Hkun Hsang Tone Hung (b. 1852 – d. 1915) |
