Colonial Time Periode in Burma & Myanmar

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The trade between "the Golden Land"

and the rest of the world is somehow a story of interaction between Asia and Europe. The pattern over time via colonialism through world war 2 and the problems after are somehow linked together because finally the English blocked any economic and political advancement.

The colonial impact

From very early times travelers from Europe and other countries came to explore the richness in precious stones and timber, mainly teak. There is evidence to suggest that the country was known to Venetian merchants who conducted a lucrative trade in spices by way of the Persian Gulf and the Arabic Peninsular.

The route across Tenasserim in the south known today as Taninthari, through the old capital of Siam, Ayuthaya was one of the great trade routes

between east and west. The first important contact with Myanmar was made by the Portuguese in the early days of the sixteen century. When Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered Malacca in 1511, he sent an ambassador to the King of Pegu / Bago intending to trade with the country. There was no immediate success but ultimately the Portuguese played an important role in trade development.

Portuguese church at Syriam near Yangon

Portuguese church in Syriam near Yangon 18th.jpg

British army at the entrance to the Yangon river colonial times Myanmar Burma
British army storming stockades in Rangoon - Yangon river colonial times Myanmar Burma
British army storming stockades in Rangoon

British navy at the entrance to the Pathein river colonial times Myanmar Burma
British navy at the entrance to the Pathein river colonial times

Early activities are detailed in a narrative by Mendez Pinto, a trader who arrived at the Martaban River during a expedition led by Branginoco. The King of Pegu / Bago was on war with the Kingdom of Martaban.

The King was assisted by four ships commanded by John Cayero. Pinto's ship dropped anchor in the river on the night of March 27th, 1547, intending to proceed to Martaban in the morning.

The visitors were disturbed by the sound of heavy gunfire from the direction of Martaban. Despite unease at not being able to identify the source of the firing, the galleon continued its voyage in the morning.

As the vessel came in sight of the massive walls and numerous towers of the city, the signs of tremendous conflict were revealed. Pinto soon contacted his countrymen who were serving in the Pegu camp.

He found them a nondescript crew, but ''all rich and in good condition.' He was pressed to join them, but preferred the freedom and lack of responsibility of a spectator.

What he saw did not stimulate his national pride. The King of Martaban, after holding out gallantly against tremendous odds, was at length betrayed into a surrender by some Portuguese captains. He threw himself on the neck of his elephant and said: 'Let me not see those ungrateful and wicked men! Kill me or remove them or I will not go further.'

Upon this the Myanmar guard reviled the Portuguese and bade them all retire and shave their heads. 'Not to tell a lie,' observed Pinto, 'I was never more hurt in my life than by this public insult offered to the honor of my countrymen.'

It is easy to believe the veracious chronicler, for the deed of betrayal was vile. Branginoco promised to spare the life of the King and of his women and children.

However, no sooner did he get the unfortunate King into his power than he proceeded to wreak vengeance upon his captive in truly oriental fashion.

The Queen, her children and ladies-in-waiting, numbering one-hundred and forty in all, were suspended by their feet from gibbets until death put an end to their suffering. The King and forty of his nobles were cast into the sea with stones tied to their necks.

So revolting was the whole business that Branginoco's own men rose in protest but the tyrant, having accomplished his end, withdrew to Pegu and so escaped the threat.

Branginoco followed his conquest of Martaban with an attack on Prome. After a siege of five months it was captured, burned and its inhabitants put to the sword. The atrocities which stained his victory at Martaban were repeated.

Portuguese grave Syriam near Yangon 18th Century

Portuguese grave at Syriam near Yangon 18th Century

According to historic sources two thousand children were cut to pieces and given as food to wild animals. The Queen was publicly whipped and killed after horrible treatment at the hand of soldiers. Later the corpse of the ill-fated lady was tied to the person of the King and with this gruesome encumbrance, he was thrown into the river.

A similar fate befell three hundred principal inhabitants of the city. Subsequently a vast army led by Branginoco with around one thousand men laid siege to Ayutthaya. Despite a good defense led by another commander, James Pereyra, Ayutthaya would probably have fallen had not news reached Branginoco of a revolution in Pegu, the siege was raised and the forces marched back.

The Portuguese contributed

to a great turbulence in the region during the latter part of the sixteenth and much of the seventeenth century. The first traders and explorers were followed by a group of adventurers of the worst type ' depraved men of base instincts with no sense of honor. Most of them were buccaneers who ravaged shipping and imposed tolls on the extensive trade in the Indian seas.

They were scattered throughout the countries of the Indian Ocean but at the beginning of the seventeenth century there was a considerable concentration in Arakan, now known as Rakhine. Visitors were attracted by the local king whose name is given as Shimili Shah or Xilimixa. This potentate had made himself master of Pegu and took into his service as many European adventurers as he could secure to help him extend his influence.

One of the Portuguese from Arakan, Philip de Brito, better known as Nicote, established himself at Syriam very close to present day Yangon, nominally as a servant of Shimili Shah. Nicote became de facto ruler of the neighboring kingdom of Toungoo. After failing to remove Nicote by force, Shimili Shah resorted to chicanery to obtain his objective. He proposed as a mark of regard to transfer a port in Arakan to Nicote who then sent a number of his countrymen to settle on the spot. At the same time, Nicote sent his son and a large retinue to the court of the King of Arakan.

As soon as the treacherous monarch had his victims in his power he murdered them all. Meanwhile, the King of Toungoo joined with the King of Ava in an effort to destroy Nicote. A great army laid siege to Syriam and soon made Nicote's position quite desperate. The adventurer was betrayed by one of his officers and died after being impaled by his savage conquerors. His downfall coincided with the rise of another European adventurer a Spaniard named Sebastian Gonzales de Tibao.

If you are somehow interested to know something about this times - almost essential if you are interested in Asian golden Myanmar you must read Siamese White from Maurice Collis, at e-books