Hsenwi (; ), also known as Theinni (), was a Shan state in the Northern Shan States in what is today Burma. The capital was Hsenwi town.
History 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.Historical Studies of the Tai Yai: A Brief Sketch in Lak Chang: A Reconstruction of Tai Identity in Daikong by Yos Santasombat
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. It also held Mang Lon and other Wa states east of the Salween 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. The ultimate objective was for both armies to clamp themselves in a pincer action on the Burmese capital of Ava. 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.
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. 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. The news of the disaster at Goteik reached Ava. Hsinbyushin finally realized the gravity of the situation, and urgently recalled Burmese armies from Siam.
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.
British rule and division of the state 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:Burma Journal-1925 Page 120
North Hsenwi, assigned to a successful adventurer, Hkun Sang, of Ton Hong. South Hsenwi which went to Nawmong, of the old Shan ruling house.
Rulers The rulers of Hsenwi bore the title Saopha.Shan and Karenni States of Burma
Saophas Reign Ruler1686–1721 Hso Hung Hpa1721 Se U III -Regent (2nd time)1721–1724 Han Hpa Hko Hkam Hung -Regent1724–1730 Hpawng Mong Long Hsung Wat1730 Mong Hkam -Regent1730 Hkam Hong -Regent (1st time)1730–1746 Sao Hkam Hsawng Hpa1746 Hkam Hong -Regent (2nd time)1746 – 1747 Sao Hkun Hseng Hong1747 – 1750 Mahadevi Wing Hsup Pang -Regent1750 Hkam Hong -Regent (3rd time)1750–1751 Sao Mang Te1751–1752 Hkam Hong -Regent (4th time)1752–1761 Vacant1761–1767 Hkun Hseng Awng Tun1767–1770 Myauk Win Hmu -Regent1770–1772 Sayawadi Wun1772–1773 Sety-taw Wun1773–1775 U Teng Pong Nya1775–1775 Vacant1778–1800 Sao Hswe Cheng (Kon) 1800 Hsup Pang -Regent1800–1815 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)
Rulers of united Hsenwi +#Scott, James George, Sir (January 1967). "Hsenwi State Chronicle".The Guardian. Retrieved 2024-04-12.RulerBeginEndDetails1Hkun Lu Hkam8258452Hkun Lai Hkam8459153Sao Tai Hkan Hpa9159524Sao Tai Pong9529755Sao Tai Long97510196Sao Noi Hkè101910287Sao Noi Myen102810768Sao Noi Hsan107610969 - (Ai Hsawng)10961127Younger brothers Yi Hsawng was Mongmit sawbwa and Hsam Hsawng was Monglong sawbwa10Hkun Kang Hkam11271152North Hsenwi chronicle told this birth name of Hso Hkan Hpa11Hso Hkan Hpa1152?12Hso Wat Hpa?123213Hso Pem Hpa12321255Son of Hso Wat Hpa14Hkam Wat Hpa12551274Son of Hso Pem Hpa15Hso Hom Hpa12741291Brother of Hkam Wat Hpa16Hso Yep Hpa1291130217Hso Hom Hpa13021320Son of Hkam Wat Hpa18Hkam Tet Hpa13201356Son of Hso Hom Hpa19Hkam Pem Hpa1403/041405/06Scott 1967: 2020Hkam Pöt Hpa1405/061407/08Brother21Hkam Hkai Hpa1407/081412Son22Hkam Yawt Hpa14121444/45Son23Hkam Wat Hpa1444/451459/6024Hkam Hep Hpa1459/601495/9625Hkam Hsen Hpa1522153226Hkam Hken Hpa1532153727Hkam Pak Hpa1537154128Hkam Hsen Löng Hpa1541157029Hkam Hküng Hpa15701632Subjugation of Hsenwi Löng by Hso Hung Hpa Mong Mit sawbwa30Hkam Hso Nan Hpa1632164031Hkam Kai Noi Sao Kin - (Hso Hsen Hpa)16401651Have Hso Hung Hpa his son, Nang Hkam Höng his daught32Hkam Hso Hung Hpa16511680Son of Hkam Kai Noi Sao Kin33Hso Sün Hpa1680168634Hso Hüng Hpa - (Hkam Li, Hso Naw Hpa)1686172135Han Hpa Hko Hkam Höng1721172436Hpawng Mawng Löng Hsunt Wat1724173037Hkam Hsawng Hpa1730174638Hkun Hseng Höng17461750Married with Nang Hseng Pu, the niece of Hke Sa Wa, Yawnghwe sawbwa39Sao Mang Te17501761Brother of Hkun Hseng Höng40Hkun Hseng Awng Tun1761176741Myauk Win Hmu1767177042Sayawaddy Wun1770177243Set-taw Wun1772177344U Têng Pöng Nya17731776——17761778Vacant45Hso Wei Hpa - (Hswe Kön Cheng)17781800His two daughters, Hseng Santa and Shin Hsansi became King Badon's queen consort46Hso Kaw Hpa1800181547Mogaung Wun1815181948Sao Naw Möng1819182149Hkun Hkam Hkawt1821182450Sao Hkam Pak18241827Killed in first Burmese war51Sao Hkam Nan18271831Brother of Sao Hkam Pak52Sao Hkun Mawng1831183853Sao Hkam Lêng - (Hso Hkan Hpa)1838184554Hso Naw Hpa — 1st time1845185355Hso Nan Hpa1853185656Sikkè Sinkadan1856185857Sao Hpa Möng Hpo — 1st time1858186058Phagyi Wun1860186157Sao Hpa Möng Hpo — 2nd time1861186259Bo Maü1862186357Sao Hpa Möng Hpo — 3rd time1863186460Shwe Pyi Bo1864186661U Ma Nga1866186754Hso Naw Hpa — 2nd time1867186962Wundauk U Shwe Kyo — 1st time1869187063Sikkè U San Min1870187162Wundauk U Shwe Kyo — 2nd time1871187364Win Hmu1873187454Hso Naw Hpa — 3rd time1874187565Natsu Letya1875187654Hso Naw Hpa — 4th time18761879Retired to Möng Sit in 187966Hkun Hsang Tön Höng18791888
Popular culture
Hsenwi is a playable nation in the strategy video game Europa Universalis IV.
See also Hsenwi Yazawin Sino-Burmese War (1765–69)
References
Bibliography
External links The Imperial Gazetteer of India "Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan states"
Hsenwi (Shan Princely State)