Kengtung State
Kengtung (Burmese: ကျိုင်းတုံ; Shan: ၵဵင်းတုင် Chiang Tung; Northern Thai: ᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᨲᩩᨦ), known as Menggen Prefecture (Chinese: 孟艮府) or Möng Khün Chiefdom or Mueng Khuen Fu (Tai Khün: ᨾᩮ᩠ᨦᩨᨡ᩠ᨶᩨ) from 1405[2] to 1895, was a Shan state in what is today Burma. The capital and the residence of the ruler was Kengtung (then known as "Tai Khuen City" 歹掯城) in the centre of the state. It was the only urban area in this mountainous state whose landscape is dominated by the Daen Lao Range.
Kengtung ကျိုင်းတုံ / ᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᨲᩩᨦ | |||||||||||
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State of the Shan States | |||||||||||
c. 1243–1959 | |||||||||||
![]() Kengtung State in blue in a map of the Shan States | |||||||||||
Area | |||||||||||
• 1901 | 31,079 km2 (12,000 sq mi) | ||||||||||
Population | |||||||||||
• 1901 | 190698 | ||||||||||
History | |||||||||||
History | |||||||||||
• Dynasty established by a delegate of King Mangrai | c. 1243 | ||||||||||
• Abdication of the last Saopha | 1959 | ||||||||||
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Kengtung was the largest of the states in present-day Shan State and ranked first in the order of precedence at the time of the invasion of the Shan States by the British Empire. It was also the easternmost of the Southern Shan States, lying almost entirely east of the Salween and stretching eastwards to the Mekong. It was separated from the northern Shan state of Manglon by the Hka River.
Most of the early history of Kengtung is made up of myths and legends. At the time of British rule in Burma the Tai Yai people were the majority of the population in Kengtung state with other groups such as Akha and Lahu, forming sizeable communities. According to Wa tradition, in the distant past the territory had belonged to the Wa people who were displaced around 1229 and were later defeated by King Mangrai. The Wa now form a minority of only about 10% in Kengtung State despite having been —according to their myths— the original inhabitants.[3]
History
Early kingdoms
According to local tradition, Khemāraṭṭha[4] (ခေမာရဋ္ဌ), the predecessor state, was founded in an unknown date in the distant past. It was ruled by the Tai Khün of the Tai Yai (Shan) ethnic background. The current dynasty has its origins in the kingdom that was founded around 1243 by a prince named Mang Kun, said to be a delegate of King Mangrai.[5][6] Despite the ethnic affinity of the ruling Tai with the Siamese to the south,[7] Kengtung was led by Saopha princes who historically preferred to pay tribute to the Burmese kings to the west. The King of Mandalay restricted himself to exacting a yearly tribute, often in the form of offerings of ritual gold flowers, leaving the Kengtung rulers largely alone. The Salween river also acted as a protective natural border in the West hampering communication with Upper Burma. On the other hand, the kingdoms of Lanna and Ayutthaya, as well as the Chinese to the northeast, were closer, more bellicose and had easier access to the territory.
Modern history
In 1760, following conflicting claims of political influence over Kengtung State, there was a war between the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty and the King of Burma, Hsinbyushin. In 1802 Kengtung came under the rule of Chiang Mai, but with the help of the Burmese the former ruling dynasty was reinstated in 1814 and Mongyawng (Möngyawng) state was annexed.[8]
Kengtung was historically located at the crossroads of the trade between China and Siam and 19th century sources talk about caravans crossing Kengtung on their way to Chiang Mai totaling yearly 8,000 mules loaded with goods from China.[3] During British rule in Burma the eastern border was demarcated by the colonial powers and the western part of Kengcheng was merged with Kengtung.[9] Historically Kengtung also included the substates of Hsenyawt, Hsenmawng, Monghsat and Mongpu.[8][10]
On 27 May 1942, during World War II, Kengtung State was invaded and its capital captured by the Thai Phayap Army.[11] Following a previous agreement between Thai Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram and the Japanese Empire, in December the same year the Thai administration occupied Kengtung and four districts of Möngpan. The annexation of the trans-Salween territories historically claimed by Thailand was formalised on 1 August 1943 and the northern province of Saharat Thai Doem was established.[12] Thailand left the territory in 1945, but officially relinquished its claim over Kengtung State only in 1946 as part of the condition for admission to the United Nations and the withdrawal of all wartime sanctions for having sided with the Axis powers.[13]
The last ruler of Kengtung abdicated in 1959. The state became then part of Shan State and, despite the independence struggle of the latter, eventually part of Burma. After the 1962 military coup by General Ne Win all the privileges of the saophas were abolished.[14]
Rulers
The rulers of Kengtung bore the title of Saopha; their ritual style was Khemadhipati Rajadhiraja.[15]
The Kengtung Yazawin, also known as 'Padaeng Chronicle' and 'Jengtung State Chronicle', is a history of the rulers of Kengtung written in the 19th century in Burmese language. It was translated into English by Sao Saimong Mangrai.
![](../I/The_family_tree_of_Kengtung's_rulers..png.webp)
# | Rulers[16] | Enthrone | Dethrone | Thai Name | Remark |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1,2 | Mang Khum | 1243 | 1247 | มังคุ่ม | Commoner, appointed by King Mang Rai of Lanna, ruled together with Mang Khian. |
Mang Khian | 1243 | 1253 | มังเคียน | Commoner, appointed by King Mang Rai of Lanna, ruled together with Mang Khum until Mang Khum died. | |
3 | Chao Nam Thuam | 1253 | 1264 | เจ้าน้ำท่วม | A son of King Chai Songkhram of Lanna. |
4 | Chao Nam Nan | 1264 | 1317 | เจ้าน้ำน่าน | A close relative of King Chai Songkhram of Lanna. |
5 | Chao Sam Muen Huai | 1317 | 1324 | เจ้าสามหมื่นห้วย | A member of the royal family of Lanna. |
6 | Chao Ai Lok | 1324 | 1342 | เจ้าอ้ายลก | A member of the royal family of Lanna. |
7 | Chao Sai Nan | 1342 | ? | เจ้าใส่น่าน | A member of the royal family of Lanna. |
— | — | ? | 1350 | — | Kengtung (Chiang Tung) was abandoned. |
8 | Chao Chet Phan Tu | 1350 | 1377 | เจ้าเจ็ดพันตู | A son of King Pha Yu of Lanna. |
9 | Chao Ai On | 1377 | ? | เจ้าอ้ายอ่อน | A son of Chao Chet Phan Tu. |
10 | Chao Bun Chu | 1390 | 1403 | เจ้าบุญชู | A close relative of Chao Chet Phan Tu. (Likely to be an uncle of Chao Ai On) |
11 | Chao Yi Kham Kha | 1403 | 1416 | เจ้ายี่คำขา | A younger brother of Chao Bun Chu. |
— | — | 1416 | 1419 | — | No detail. |
12 | Chao Sam I | 1419 | 1443 | เจ้าสาม ๑ | A younger brother of Chao Yi Kham Kha. |
13 | Chao Sam Seri | 1443 | ? | เจ้าสามเสรี | A son of Chao Sam. |
14 | Chao Ai Lao Kham Tha | 1456 | 1460 | เจ้าอ้ายเลาคำทา | A close relative of Chao Chet Phan Tu |
— | — | 1460 | 1474 | — | No detail. |
15 | Chao Lao | 1474 | 1519 | เจ้าเลา | A son of Chao Ai Lao Kham Tha. |
16 | Chao No Kaeo | 1519 | 1523 | เจ้าหน่อแก้ว | A younger brother of Chao Lao. |
17 | Chao Sai Kho | 1521 | 1523 | เจ้าสายคอ | A son of Chao Lao. Declared independence from Chao No Kaeo. |
18 | Chao Sai Phrom | 1523 | 1523 | เจ้าใส่พรหม | A younger brother of Chao Sai Kho. Reigned for about 1 month. |
19 | Chao Sam Chiang Khong | 1523 | 1523 | เจ้าสามเชียงคง | A younger brother of Chao Sai Phrom. Reigned for days. |
20 | Chao Kham Mu | 1523 | 1523 | เจ้าคำหมู่ | A younger brother of Chao Sam Chiang Khong. Reigned for 1 month and 7 days. |
21 | Chao Kham Fu | 1523 | 1560 | เจ้าคำฟู | A younger brother of Chao Kham Mu. |
22 | Chao Kaeo Bun Nam | 1560 | 1596 | เจ้าแก้วบุญนำ | A son of Chao Kham Fu. |
23 | Chao Kham Thao | 1596 | 1620 | เจ้าคำท้าว | A son of Chao Kaeo Bun Nam. |
24 | Chao Kiang Kham (Chao Mueang Khak) | 1620 | 1637 | เจ้าเกี๋ยงคำ (เจ้าเมืองขาก) | A younger brother of Chao Kham Thao. Previously ruled Mong Khet (Mueang Khak). |
25 | Chao Un | 1638 | 1660 | เจ้าอุ่น | A son of Chao Kiang Kham. |
26 | Chao In Kham | 1661 | ? | เจ้าอินคำ | A maternal grandson of Chao Kaeo Bun Nam. |
27 | Chao Ram Muen | 1678 | 1686 | เจ้ารามหมื่น | A younger brother of Chao In Kham. |
28 | Chao Kaeo Bun Ma | 1686 | 1703 | เจ้าแก้วบูญมา | A son of Chao Ram Muen. |
29 | Chao Sam II | ? | ? | เจ้าสาม ๒ | A close relative of Chao Kaeo Bun Ma. |
30 | Chao Mueang Chuen | ? | 1728 | เจ้าเมืองชื่น | A close relative of Chao Kaeo Bun Ma. |
31 | Chao Mong Mio | 1729 | 1737 | เจ้าหม่องมิ้ว | A paternal half-brother of Chao Mueng Chuen. |
32 | Chao Tittha Nantharacha | 1737 | 1740 | เจ้าติถนันทราชา | A brother of Chao Mong Mio. |
33 | Chao Mueang Sam (1st reigning) | 1740 | 1766 | เจ้าเมืองสาม | A son of Chao Tittha Nantharacha. |
34 | Chao Kang | 1766 | 1769 | เจ้ากาง | A son of Chao Mong Mio. |
33 | Chao Mueang Sam (2nd reigning) | 1769 | 1786 | เจ้าเมืองสาม | |
35 | Chao Kong Thai | 1786 | 1802 | เจ้ากองไท | A son of Chao Mueang Sam. |
— | — | 1802 | 1814 | — | Kengtung (Chiang Tung) was abandoned after the second invasion by Chiang Mai, to which Chao Kong Thai and many other people were taken. |
36 | Chao Maha Khanan Duang Saeng | 1814 | 1857 | เจ้ามหาขนานดวงแสง | A younger brother of Chao Kong Thai. |
37 | Chao Maha Phrom | 1858 | 1876 | เจ้ามหาพรหม | A son of Chao Maha Khanan Duang Saeng. |
38 | Chao Kham Saeng | 1877 | 1880 | เจ้าคำแสง | A younger brother of Chao Maha Phrom. |
39 | Chao Chot Kong Thai (Chao Chiang Khaeng) | 1880 | 1886 | เจ้าโชติกองไท (เจ้าเชียงแขง) | A younger brother of Chao Kham Saeng. |
40 | Chao Kong Kham Fu | 1886 | 1896 | เจ้ากองคำฟู | A son of Chao Chot Kong Thai. |
— | Chao Nang Thip Thida | 1896 | 1897 | เจ้านางทิพย์ธิดา | A younger sister of Chao Kong Kham Fu. She temporarily ruled over Kengtung while her younger brother, Chao Kon Kaeo In Thalaeng, was too young to be Saopha. She was the only female ruler of Kengtung. |
41 | Chao Kon Kaeo In Thalaeng | 1897 | 1935 | เจ้าก้อนแก้วอินแถลง | A younger paternal half-brother of Chao Kong Kham Fu. |
42 | Chao Kong Thai | 1937 | 1937 | เจ้ากองไท | A son of Chao Kon Kaeo In Thalaeng. Reigned for 162 days. |
— | — | 1937 | 1943 | — | Vacant. The British Empire did not appoint anyone to rule Kengtung during the time when Chao Phrom Lue was being prosecuted as a suspect who was involved in the killing of Chao Kong Tai. Chao Phrom Lue was later found innocent. |
— | Chao Phrom Lue | 1943 | 1945 | เจ้าพรหมลือ | An elder paternal half-brother of Chao Kong Thai, appointed by Siam between its occupation. |
43 | Chao Chai Luang | 1947 | 1959 | เจ้าชายหลวง | A son of Chao Kong Thai. |
Saophas
- Chinese records
Mang Kun and Mang Kyin were Yonnaka governors sent by Mang Lai. Marquess of Kengtung refers to a son of Mang Lai.
Saopha | Khuen name | Enthrone | Dethrone | Chinese name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mang Kun | 1263 | 1267 | ||
Mang Kyin | 1267 | 1273 | ||
Marquess of Kengtung | 1273 | 1284 | ||
Sao Nannan | 1284 | 1317 | ||
Sao Shanmuwei | 1317 | 1324 | ||
Sao Lai | 1324 | 1342 | ||
Sao Sainan | 1342 | 1360 | ||
Sao Yu | 1360 | 1370 | ||
Sao Xipantu | 1379 | 1387 | ||
Sao Ai'ao | 1387 | 1390 | ||
艾乌萨 | 1390 | 1403 | ||
伊康伽 | 1403 | 1416 | Dao Ai[17] | |
Sao Shan | 1416 | 1441 | Dao Jiao[18];
Dao GUang[19] | |
Sao Shan Sili (Sri?) | 1441 | 1456 | 庆马辣[20] | |
艾劳康 | 1456 | 1474 | ||
Ai Lao (艾劳) | 1474 | 1501 | 招禄[21] | |
Sao Naojiang | 1501 | 1503 | 招帕雅?[22] | |
赛考 | 1503 | ? | ||
赛蓬 | ? | ? | ||
绍山 | ? | ? | ||
绍康木 | ? | 1523 | ||
比亚江 | 1523 | 1560 | ||
绍蒙卡 | 1560 | 1598 | ||
绍康陶 | 1598 | 1600 | ||
绍蒙伽 | 1620 | 1637 | ||
绍温 | 1637 | 1650 | ||
绍因康 | 1650 | 1659 | ||
Sao Ao | 1659 | ? | ||
Sao Mengsai | ? | 1682 | ||
Sao Shanpi | 1682 | 1721 | ||
Sao Mangxin | 1721 | 1739 | ||
Sao Maung Nyo | 1739 | 1749 | ||
Sao Mangshan | 1750 | 1787 | ||
Sao Kaotai | 1787 | 1813 | ||
绍摩诃加那 | 1813 | 1857 | ||
绍摩诃蓬 | 1857 | 1876 | ||
绍康胜 | 1876 | 1881 | ||
绍考泰 | 1881 | 1886 | ||
绍考康 | 1886 | 1897 | ||
绍考江因塔楞 | 1895 | 1935 | ||
绍考泰 | 1935 | 1937 | ||
绍赛隆 | 1937 | 1959 |
- Burmese records
- 1243–1247: Man Kun (1st Saopha) (?–1247)
- ?–?: Sao Awk (28th Saopha)
- ?–1730: Sao Möng Lek (1646–1730)
- 1730–c.1735: Sao Maung Hkawn (1st time) (1706–17??)
- c.1735–1739: (vancant)
- 1739–1742: Sao Maung Hkawn (2nd time) (s.a.)
- 1742–1786: Sao Möng Hsam (1744–1786)
- 1787–1802: Sao Kawng Tai I (1st time) (1769–1813)
- 1814–1815: Sao Kawng Tai I (2nd time) (s.a.)
- 1815–1857: Sao Maha Hkanan (1781–1857)
- 1857–1876: Sao Maha Pawn (1814–1876)
- 1877–1881: Sao Hseng (1818–1881)
- 1881–1885: Sao Kawng Tai II (1829–1885)
- 1886–1895: Sao Kawn Kham Hpu (1874–1895)
- 7 May 1895 – 21 July 1935 Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng: (b. 1874–1935) (administrator to 9 Feb 1897)
- 21 July 1935 – August 1935: Sao Kaung Tai (1899–1935)
- 1935–1942: British administration
- 1942–1945: annexed by Thailand
- 1945–1962: Sao Sai Long (1927–1997)
Thai Military governor
Following the Thai occupation, a military governor was appointed for the administration of the annexed territories of Kengtung and Möngpan by Thailand.
- December 1942 – 1945: Phin Choonhavan (1891–1973)
References
- Mi Mi Khaing, Kanbawsa - A Modern Review
- The seventh month of 1405 (Datong calendar). Chapter 313: Liezhuan CCI - Tusi of Yunnan I § Menghen of History of Ming
- Donald M. Seekins, Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar), p. 251
- Society, Royal Geographical (1857). The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society: JRGS. Murray.
- Keng Tung Royal
- Kengtung (Kyaington) (Shan State)
- "The Migration and History of Tai Yai". Archived from the original on 2015-03-24. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
- Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 15, p. 200.
- "The Tai Of The Shan State". Archived from the original on 2013-11-27. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
- Sir Charles Crosthwaite "The pacification of Burma"
- "Thailand and the Second World War". Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- Shan and Karenni States of Burma
- David Porter Chandler & David Joel Steinberg eds. In Search of Southeast Asia: A Modern History. p. 388
- "WHKMLA : History of the Shan States". 18 May 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
- Ben Cahoon (2000). "World Statesmen.org: Shan and Karenni States of Burma". Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- สว่างปัญญางกูร, ทวี (1990). พงศาวดารเมืองเชียงตุง (in Thai). Chaing Mai. pp. 33–62.
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: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - 《Ming Shilu·Taizong Shilu》Chapter 44:(永乐三年秋七月)癸丑,设孟艮府,隶云南都司,以歹掯土官刀哀为知府,给印诰及赐冠带。时刀哀遣人来朝,请设治所,故有是命。
- 《Ming Shilu·Taizong Shilu》Chapter 182:(永乐十四年十一月)丙辰,云南老挝宣慰使司宣慰使刀线歹、孟艮府土官知府刀交各遣头目贡马及方物,赐赉有差。
- 《Ming Shilu·Xuanzong Shilu》Chapter 77:(宣德六年三月)壬辰,云南孟艮府土官知府刀光遣头目招板陆等贡马及金银器皿方物。
- 《明实录·大明英宗睿皇帝实录·废帝郕戾王附录》卷一百八十四载:(正统十四年冬十月辛未)云南孟艮府故土官知府舍人庆马辣遣头目孟赛等来朝贡马及银器方物,赐宴并彩币表里等物有差。
- 《明实录·大明宪宗纯皇帝实录》卷九十五载:(成化七年九月壬申)云南孟艮府土官舍人招禄遣头目板新等来朝贡马及方物,赐衣服彩叚等物有差。
- 《明实录·大明孝宗敬皇帝实录》卷八十三载:(弘治六年十二月辛未)云南孟艮府署府事舍人招帕雅......遣头目猛笼等来朝贡方物,赐彩叚衣服等物有差。
Bibliography
- G. J. Younghusband, The Trans-Salween Shan State of Kiang Tung, ISBN 9789749575789
External links
Media related to Kengtung State at Wikimedia Commons
- "Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan states"
- The Imperial Gazetteer of India