Min Pale (, ; 1330 – 1402) was governor of Paukmyaing in the Kingdom of Ava in the late 14th century. He was a grandson of King Uzana I of Pinya, and was one of the four top commanders of King Swa Saw Ke of Ava. He was the paternal grandfather of King Mohnyin Thado. All the kings of the Konbaung Dynasty claimed descent from him.
Brief According to the 18th century Alaungpaya Ayedawbon chronicle, Min Pale's father Yandathu was descended from kings Naratheinkha and Sithu II of Pagan Dynasty while his mother Mway Medaw was a daughter of King Uzana I of Pinya.AA 1961: 12 The 19th century Hmannan Yazawin chronicle identifies his personal name as Nga Shwe.Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 380, 435Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 205, in-line commentary by the editors, confirming that Nga Shwe was Min Pale. He had at least one younger sister named Saw Chit Ke,Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 82 who was the wife of Min Letya of Nyaungyan.Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 436 Pale was married to Shwe Einthe, daughter of King Kyawswa I of Pinya (r. 1344–50).Hmannan (Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 380) gratuitously states that Shwe Einthe married late because her face was full of scars from chickenpox, and that her parents were resigned her to be single until Min Pale came along. The couple had at least one son, Saw Diga.
Kyawswa I appointed his son-in-law governor of Paukmyaing, a small town in modern Kyaukse Township.Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 382 He was reappointed at the position at the accession ceremony of King Swa Saw Ke.Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 405 Pale rose to become one of the four highest ranking generals(MSK Vol. 13 1973: 134–135) and (Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 435): The other three top generals were Thilawa of Yamethin, Theinkhathu Saw Hnaung and Tuyin of Inyi. in the Royal Army although his ascent to the top echelon came late in his life. He was first mentioned as a commander only in 1390.
Pale most probably had died by 1402 when King Minkhaung I appointed Sithu as the new governor of Paukmyaing.Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 443 He was the paternal grandfather of King Mohnyin Thado (r. 1426–39). King Alaungpaya, the founder of Konbaung Dynasty, claimed descent from him.
Military service The following is his military service as a commander.
CampaignDurationTroops commandedNotes Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1385–1391) 1390–91 1 regiment Commanded a regiment in the riverine force (12,000 men in 12 regiments)Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 430 Mohnyin–Ava War 1392–93 1 regiment Commander of armored infantry corpsHmannan Vol. 1 2003: 432–433
Ancestry The governor was descended ultimately from the Pagan royalty.
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