The last ruler of the Pagan Kingdom, who surrendered to the Mongols in 1287, marking the end of the kingdom and the beginning of a new era in Burmese history. He's known for his failed attempts to resist the Mongol invasion.
Kyawswa, pronounced "tzw," was the king of the Pagan dynasty of Burma (Myanmar) from 1289 to 1297, a tumultuous period marked by the collapse of the Pagan Empire. He is known for being one of the many kings who emerged after the empire's downfall, attempting to restore its former glory.
Born on August 2, 1260, Kyawswa was the son of King Narathihapate and Queen Shin Hpa. He grew up during a time of great turmoil, with the Mongol invasion of 1287 leading to the collapse of the Pagan Empire.
In 1285, Kyawswa served as the governor of Dala (modern-day Twante) when his father, King Narathihapate, fled to Lower Burma. After his father's assassination in 1287, Kyawswa won the approval of the powerful dowager queen Pwa Saw and was anointed king on May 30, 1289.
Kyawswa's reign was marked by the fragmentation of the Pagan Empire. The Mongols controlled the northern regions, while the central region was governed by the three brothers of Myinsaing, who were nominally Kyawswa's viceroys. The new king's power was limited to a small area surrounding Pagan city.
In an attempt to secure his position, Kyawswa decided to become a vassal of the Yuan dynasty, receiving recognition from the Yuan in March 1297. However, this move ultimately led to his downfall, as the three brothers of Myinsaing ousted him from power in December 1297.
Kyawswa was eventually killed, along with his son Theingapati, on May 10, 1299. His short-lived reign was marked by his failed attempts to revive the Pagan Empire, which had ceased to exist as a unified entity.
Despite his unremarkable reign, Kyawswa's legacy serves as a reminder of the tumultuous period in Burmese history, when the once-mighty Pagan Empire was torn apart by internal conflicts and external pressures.
Kyawswa's story serves as a testament to the complex and turbulent nature of Burma's history, a period marked by the rise and fall of empires, and the struggle for power and survival.
Born in 1030
A powerful king who unified Burma and expanded its borders, known for his military conquests and patronage of Buddhism.
