My Second Hero Alaungpapya

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

After Anawrahta people would think of Kyanzittha
He inherited the depressed and devastated Burma
Wrecked by Nga Yaman Kan’s forays every where
Kyanzittha resurrected it from ruins to royal splendor
Pagan became once more a great centre of ancient Burma
Really, he deserved to be considered next in my calendar.

(Statues of Kyanzittha, Bayinnaung and Alaungpaya)

However, he was just assembling what was left of Anawrahta
So was Bayinnaung who already was General and King’s brother
When King Tabin Shwe-hti was assassinated in a palace coup de’ tat
I would consider another who was a brave and self made leader
He was U Aung Zeya of Moksobo or Shwebo Ywa (village)
He outshone others in ability, leadership and stamina.

(Map of Burma showing the Situation of

Shwebo or Moksobo)

He was a great Burman who rose from obscurity to overt power
The whole country was trampled and trodden by the Ramanna
Burmese spirit was down and its royalty was gone the gutter
Who could have thought of arising against such a big powerful Armada?
Mon had powerful and proven generals like General Dalapan et cetera
It's amazing Aung Zeya rose from a villager to a victorious conqueror!

(King Alaungpaya Statue)

He literally fought all his enemies with his bare hands to conquer
Setting personal example in manual and moral courage endeavors
I marvel at his spirit in the duel fights with Nga Chit Nyo, the usurper
Also breaking the encirclement and annihilation of the Mon schemers;
Encouraging and enabling the Burman to rise as one in the encounter
He won all the battles from Moksobo, Ava, down the Irrawaddy River
He was thus dubbed by many historians, Alaungpaya the Conqueror
He regained what was formerly of the Burma’s Empire.

( Shwedagon today belongs to Alaungpaya who named Dagon

as Yankon or Rangoon meaning the "end of strife")

He also conquered Assam, Manipur and Mao-Shan areas
It was unfortunate to liquidate his campaign against Ayutthya
Well, he died during the retreat from it from cholera in Kin-ywa
Some said he died of wounds from artillery shells in the battle there;

(Ayutthya that Alaungpaya failed to conquer, only his son

Sinbyushin conquered it.)

Yet, he bequeathed a Burma State in good shape to his valiant sons
They ruled it for over a hundred years with decorum
We also owe a debt of gratitude to him for belonging to his Nainggan
In term of country’s size, might, culture, morale and momentum
Of course, we were colonized by British by time of his great great grandson.

(Attacking Rangoon Stockade during the Second Anglo-

Burmese War)

Many historians are amazed by his courage, determination and diplomacy
He confronted the enemy bit by bit from the position of under dog and timidity
He feigned obeisance to the more powerful enemy while he was enlisting his troops
He ambushed the enemy while they were least suspecting and on the high mood
He imposed strict disciplines for his men, yet allowing them to enjoy won fruits
His men loved him as a leader, father and comrade-in-arms in one scoop;

(Modern Kandawgyi Boat Race patterned after King

Tharawaddy's March to Rangoon)

But, he was not hesitant to punish those who failed to perform their duties
He would make them pay like standing in the sun all day for their follies
O” Alaungpaya! You were so called as you were modeling after the Buddha to-be.
You are the only man to stand up against odds and vanquished the enemy!

In his duel fight with local swordsman Nga Chit Nyo
The latter lassoed him and pulled his neck to strangle with gusto
He had to grab the rope by one hand and another severing the lasso
Only his stamina saved him by cutting the rope in to to.

(Shwebo Myodaunt Cedi)

On another occasion, Nga Chit Nyo rode through his security guards
He was aiming to cut him waving wantonly his unsheathed sword
Aung Zeya stood bravely in position to engage him with sceptre on guard
Nga Chit Nyo blinked and rode away inexplicably to end a bloody saga
His mother lamented he had squandered his chance to be king of Burma
Only one, Aung Zeya or he, could be the king in the same era!

(Reconstructed Shwebo Alaungpaya Palace)

He did not kill Nga Chit Nyo though he had opportunity
He just wanted him to be a great commander in his army
He offered him many promises and proposals to come and join him
But, the latter refused telling him he always fought to win
Even if defeated, he would not kowtow to another Burman
He did not know he was confronting a greater destined person
He was later killed by Mon General Dalapan for not obeying them.
It was a sad story to see the demise of such a brave man.

(Shwebo Temple of Steam where Steam Engines are used

for Dehusking Rice)

During the siege of Pegu to conquer the city and royal family
King of Hanthawaddy set him three baskets of royal white orchids
Stating that he would present his daughter to be queen of Alaungpaya
And to spare him from death and dethroning from King of Ramanna
Alungpaya sent him back one orchid basket to pay homage to Buddha
But, he would not agree to his terms and would conquer the Ramanna

Actually, Moksobo and Pegu fought not on racial basis
As both sides had Burman and Mon equally mixed
Mon King U Aung Hla was actually a Burman
He had been offered the Governor of Pegu, then
He was made King with the deportation of the Ava King.

(British-Burma Diplomatic Contacts During the Konbaung Era)

At Negrais Island incident, the British tried to have a foothold
They first established a trading post with various goods in store
But, they broke their promises when Alaungpaya wanted them so
Alaungpaya sent soldiers in simple peasants’ guise and settled scores
A remarkable success by killing all the concealed British soldiers in tow
It was a remarkable feat and yet he punished his fellows for being slow
The British never set foot again in his life to come back on shore.

When Dr Ba Than took Professsor Keswani to Shwebo
He showed the latter the birthplace and village of Moksobo
He also told the exploits of U Aung Zeya uplifting the Burmese ego
Keswani was humbled by the bravery of Burmese Stalwart supremo.

During his reign, no forein power dared to challenge him

British retreated from the Negrais and sent a mission

Englishman wrote Aungzeya was six foot tall with grace

Alert with keen eyes, brown complexion and stern face

There were some pock marks and spoke slowly

He looked so confident of himself solemnly.

(Alaungpaya's Empire and Its Environs Today)

U Aung Zeya had five valiant sons
He promised his kingdom one by one
In order of seniority not to be quarrel-some
His elder three sons became Kings in order
4th son Bodawphaya had the longest tenure
It’s tragic the latter progeny did not meet the standard
British Imperialists conquered and defeated the laggards
Thus we were colonized by three wars to become backwards.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
15.11.2008