Yazathura of Talok (, ; or more commonly known as Yazathu, ) was governor Talok (in present-day central Myanmar) during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. A son-in-law of King Swa Saw Ke of Ava, Yazathu also served as a regimental commander in the Royal Ava Army. He participated in the first three wars against the southern Hanthawaddy kingdom.
Brief According to the royal chronicles, Yazathura (often shortened to Yazathu) was born to Princess Saw Min Hla of Pinya and Min Maha of Nyaungyan during the Pinya period.Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 206Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 436 He was descended from the Pagan royal line through his father, and from both Pinya and Pagan royal lines through his mother. His paternal grandfather Min Letya was governor of Nyaungyan and ten towns,Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 168Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 380 and his maternal grandfather was King Kyawswa I of Pinya (r. 1344–1350).
Yazathu was married to Princess Min Padamya, the eldest daughter of King Swa Saw Ke of Ava (r. 1367–1400). He was appointed governor of Talok, about 80 km southwest of Ava (Inwa), .
As a loyal vassal, Yazathu served as a regimental commander in the Royal Ava Army, and participated in the first three wars against the southern Hanthawaddy kingdom between 1385 and 1413, and the 1406 conquest of Arakan.
Military service The following is a list of campaigns in which the governor of Talok or Yazathu is reported to have participated between 1385 and 1412/13 in the chronicles.
CampaignDurationStrengthNotes Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1385–1391) 1385–1386 1 regiment Commanded a regiment in the 2nd ArmyMaha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 291Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 196Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 417–418 Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1385–1391) 1386–1387 1 regiment Commanded one marine regiment in the invasion navyMaha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 295Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 198Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 422 Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1385–1391) 1390–1391 1 regiment Commanded one marine regiment in the invasion navyMaha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 301Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 202Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 429–430 Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1401–1403) November 1401–April 1402 1 regiment Defended his fortified town of Talok, one the 12 Ava forts along the IrrawaddyMaha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 311Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 446–447 Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1401–1403) Battle of Thaymathauk December 1402 1 regiment (1000 troops) Commanded a regiment in the Vanguard Army led by Thado of Myohla; Driven back at Thaymathauk by the Hanthawaddy ArmyMaha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 319–320Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 219Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 458–459 Ava–Launggyet War (1406) November 1406 1 regiment (1000 troops) Commanded a regimentYazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 224Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 444–445 Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1408–1418) First Ava invasion of Hanthawaddy April–August 1408 1 regiment (1000 troops) Commanded a regiment in the Vanguard ArmyMaha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 334Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 229Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 476–477 Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1408–1418) Battles of Prome and Talezi December 1412–March 1413 1 regiment (1000 troops) Commanded a regiment in the Royal Main ArmyPan Hla 2005: 278
Family Ancestry Yazathu was descended from the Pagan royal line on his father's side, and from Pinya and Pagan royal lines on his mother's side.
Descendants Yazathu had at least three daughters.
Min Shwe Pan, wife of Maha Thinkhaya I. According to the Hmannan Yazawin, Min Shwe Pan was a great grandmother of King Mingyi Nyo, the founder of the Toungoo Dynasty.Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 173 Unnamed daughter, wife of Sawbwa Htaw Hmaing Gyi of Nyaungshwe, married in 1405/06Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 318–319Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 224–225Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 456–457 Unnamed daughter, wife of Smin Bayan, married in 1415; Duchess of LegaingYazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 253Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 30
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