Myanmar (Burma)
 

1752 - 1 Jan 1886                          1 Jan 1886 - 6 Feb 1939      6 Feb 1939 - 30 Mar 1941; 3 May 1945 - 4 Jan 1948      30 Mar 1941 -  1 Aug 1942 (provisional)               1 Aug  1942 - 1 Aug 1943                 1 Aug 1943 - 3 May 1945                       4 Jan 1948 - 3 Jan 1974                          Adopted 3 Jan 1974                 15 May 2008  Proposed flag   Map of Myanmar (Burma) Hear National Anthem "Kaba Ma Kyei" (Till the End of the World,  Myanmar) Adopted 1948 Former Anthem  "Dobama Asiayone" (We Burmans [Our Burma]) (30 Mar 1941 - 3 May 1945) 2008 Draft Constitution (15 May 2008; in Burmese) ------------------------- 1974 Constitution (3 Jan 1974 - 18 Sep 1988) ---------------------------------- 1947 Constitution (4 Jan 1948 - 3 Jan 1974) Capital: Yangoon (Rangoon) (Sagaing 1315-1364, 1760-64; Ava 1364-1750, 1764-1782; Amarapura 1782-1823, 1841-57; Mandalay 1857-1886; Shwebo 1750-1753; Rangoon 1753-1760) Administrative: Naypyidaw (from 27 Mar 2006) Currency: Kyat (MMK) National Holiday: 4 Jan (1948) Independence Day Population: 47,373,958 (2007) GDP: $83.8 billion (2006) Exports: $3.5 billion (2006) Imports: $1.9 billion (2006) Ethnic groups: Burman 55.9%, Karen 9.5%, Shan 6.5%, Rakhine 4%, Han Chinese 2.5%, Indian 2%, Mon 2.3%, Yangbye 2.2%, Kachin 1.5%, other 13.6% (2000) Total Armed Forces: 488,000 (2003) Merchant marine: 34 ships (2006) Religions: Buddhist 72.7%, Christian 8.3%, Muslim 2.4%, Hindu 2%, traditional beliefs 12.6%, other 2% (2000) International Organizations/Treaties: ARF, ADB, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BTWC (signatory), CP, CTBT (signatory), CWC (signatory), EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,  ISO (correspondent), ITU, KP, NAM, NPT, NTBT, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCLOS, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFCC, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Myanmar Index Chronology 1364                       Kingdom of Awa founded. 1559                       Internal dissension shatters kingdom of Awa                               and numerous petty states are established                              (Toungoo, Pegu, etc.). Apr 1752                   Independence of Kingdom of Awa recovered. 1769 -  1 Jan 1886         Awa nominally a tributary of the Chinese Empire. 31 Dec 1784                Arakan annexed by Burma. 11 May 1824                British occupy Rangoon (from Nov 1824, Pegu                               is occupied). 24 Feb 1826                Arakan, Tenasserim, Manipur, Assam, and the                               coastline annexed to British India; Pegu                               restored to Burma. 20 Dec 1852                Pegu annexed to British India. 31 Jan 1862                Arakan, Tenasserim, and Pegu are united                               as British ("Lower") Burma, within                               British India.  1 Jan 1886                Remnant of Kingdom of Awa ("Upper Burma")                               annexed to British India. 26 Feb 1886                Upper and Lower Burma united as Burma, within                               British India.  1 Apr 1937                Burma a separate British colony.  1 Aug 1942 -  3 May 1945  Japanese occupation (in Tenasserim from Dec 1941) Dec 1942 - 1945            Thailand occupies part of Shan States                               [Kyaington and Mongpan] which are annexed                              on 1 Aug 1943.  1 Aug 1943 -  3 May 1945  Republic of Burma   4 Jan 1948                Independence (Union of Burma).  4 Jan 1974                Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma. 23 Sep 1988                Union of Burma 18 Jun 1989                Union of Myanmar¹ Shan and Karenni states States (1947-1974) British (Lower) Burma (1824-1886) Tenasserim (1824-1862)  Pegu (1740-57, 1852-62) Arakan (1698-1862) Taungu (1698-1751) Exile Government (1990-) Historical Maps of Burma

Note: Burmese names are often seen prefixed with U (i.e., U Nu, U Ne Win). This simply means Mr. and therefore this prefix is not included in this record.

Kings
Apr 1752 - 11 May 1760     Alaungphaya                        (b. 1714 - d. 1760)
11 May 1760 - 28 Nov 1763  Naungdawkyi                        (b. 1734 - d. 1763)
29 Nov 1763 - 10 Jun 1776  Hsinbyushin                        (b. 1736 - d. 1776)
10 Jun 1776 -  5 Feb 1782  Singu Min                          (b. 1756 - d. 1782)
 6 Feb 1782 - 11 Feb 1782  Maung Maung                        (b. 1763 - d. 1782)
11 Feb 1782 -  5 Jun 1819  Bodawphaya                         (b. 1745 - d. 1819)
 5 Jun 1819 - 15 Apr 1837  Bagyidaw                           (b. 1784 - d. 1846)
15 Apr 1837 - 17 Nov 1846  Tharawadi Min                      (b. 1787 - d. 1846)
17 Nov 1846 - 18 Feb 1853  Pagan Min                          (b. 1811 - d. 1880)
18 Feb 1853 -  1 Oct 1878  Mindon Min                         (b. 1808 - d. 1878)
 1 Oct 1878 - 29 Nov 1885  Thibaw Min                         (b. 1859 - d. 1916)
29 Nov 1885 -  1 Jan 1886  Hlutdaw (National Council)
Chief Commissioners
31 Jan 1862 - 16 Feb 1867  Arthur Purves Phayre               (b. 1812 - d. 1885)
16 Feb 1867 - 18 Apr 1871  Albert Fytche                      (b. 1820 - d. 1891)
18 Apr 1871 - 14 Apr 1875  Ashley Eden                        (b. 1831 - d. 1887)
14 Apr 1875 - 30 Mar 1878  Augustus Rivers Thompson           (b. 1829 - d. 1890)
                             (acting to 30 Apr 1877)
30 Mar 1878 -  2 Jul 1880  Charles Umpherton Aitchinson       (b. 1832 - d. 1896)
 2 Jul 1880 -  2 Mar 1883  Charles Edward Bernard (1st time)  (b. 1837 - d. 1901)
                             (acting to 4 Apr 1882)
 2 Mar 1883 - 25 Sep 1886  Sir Charles Haukes Todd            (b. 1835 - d. 1915)
                             Crosthwaite (1st time) (acting)
25 Sep 1886 - 12 Mar 1887  Charles Edward Bernard (2nd time)  (s.a.)
12 Mar 1887 - 10 Dec 1890  Sir Charles Haukes Todd            (s.a.)
                             Crosthwaite (2nd time)
10 Dec 1890 -  3 Apr 1895  Alexander Mackenzie                (b. 1842 - d. 1910)
 3 Apr 1895 -  1 May 1897  Frederick William Richard Fryer    (b. 1845 - d. 1922)
Lieutenant governors
 1 May 1897 -  4 Apr 1903  Frederick William Richard Fryer    (s.a.)
 4 Apr 1903 -  9 May 1905  Sir Hugh Shakespaer Barnes         (b. 1853 - d. 1940)
 9 May 1905 - 19 May 1910  Sir Herbert Thirkell White         (b. 1855 - d. 1931)
19 May 1910 - 28 Oct 1915  Sir Harvey Adamson                 (b. 1854 - d. 1941)
15 May 1913 -  1 Nov 1913  Sir George Shaw (acting for Adamson)
28 Oct 1915 - 22 Sep 1917  Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler        (b. 1869 - d. 1938)
                             (1st time)
22 Sep 1917 - 15 Feb 1918  Walter Francis Rice (acting)       (b. 18.. - d. 1941)
15 Feb 1918 - 21 Dec 1922  Sir Reginald Henry Craddock        (b. 1864 - d. 1937)
21 Dec 1922 -  2 Jan 1923  Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler        (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
Governors
 2 Jan 1923 - 20 Dec 1927  Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler        (s.a.)
20 Dec 1927 - 20 Dec 1932  Sir Charles Alexander Innes        (b. 1874 - d. 1959)
28 Oct 1930 -  2 Aug 1931  Saya San (Ya Gyaw)                 (b. 1876 - d. 1931)
                             (self-proclaimed 'king', in rebellion)
20 Dec 1932 -  8 May 1936  Sir Hugh Landsdowne Stephenson     (b. 1871 - d. 1941)
 8 May 1936 -  6 May 1941  Sir Archibald Douglas Cochrane     (b. 1885 - d. 1958)
 6 May 1941 - 31 Aug 1946  Sir Reginald Hugh Dorman-Smith     (b. 1899 - d. 1977)
                             (May 1942 - Oct 1945 in exile at Simla, India)
Japanese military commanders
20 Apr 1942 - 18 Mar 1943  Shojiro Iida                       (b. 1888 - d. 19..)
18 Mar 1943 - 30 Aug 1944  Masakazu Kawabe                    (b. 1886 - d. 1965)
30 Aug 1944 - 15 Aug 1945  Heitaro Kimura                     (b. 1888 - d. 1948)
Head of the Burmese Administration
 1 Aug 1942 -  1 Aug 1943  Ba Maw                             (b. 1893 - d. 1977)
Chief of State (Adipati)
 1 Aug 1943 -  3 May 1945  Ba Maw                             (s.a.)
Allied Military governors
 1 Jan 1944 - Oct 1945     Louis Mountbatten,                 (b. 1900 - d. 1979)
                             Duke of Mountbatten
Oct 1945 - 31 Aug 1946     Sir Hubert Elvin Rance             (b. 1898 - d. 1974)
Governor
31 Aug 1946 -  4 Jan 1948  Sir Hubert Elvin Rance             (s.a.)
Presidents
 4 Jan 1948 - 16 Mar 1952  Saw Shwe Thaik                     (b. 1896 - d. 1962)  AFPFL
16 Mar 1952 - 13 Mar 1957  Ba U                               (b. 1887 - d. 1963)  AFPFL
13 Mar 1957 -  2 Mar 1962  Win Maung                          (b. 1916 - d. 1989)  AFPFL
 2 Mar 1962 -  9 Nov 1981  Ne Win (Shu Maung)                 (b. 1911 - d. 2002)  Mil;
                            (chairman Revolutionary Council to 2 Mar 1974)         1972 PSPB
 9 Nov 1981 - 25 Jul 1988  San Yu                             (b. 1918 - d. 1996)  PSPB
25 Jul 1988 - 12 Aug 1988  Sein Lwin                          (b. 1924 - d. 2004)  PSBP
12 Aug 1988 - 19 Aug 1988  Aye Ko (acting)                                         PSBP
19 Aug 1988 - 18 Sep 1988  Maung Maung                        (b. 1925 - d. 1994)  PSBP
Chairmen of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)
18 Sep 1988 - 23 Apr 1992  Saw Maung                          (b. 1928 - d. 1997)  Mil
23 Apr 1992 - 15 Nov 1997  Than Shwe                          (b. 1933)            Mil
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)
15 Nov 1997 -              Than Shwe                          (s.a.)               Mil

Deputy Chairmen of the Executive Council
 1 Apr 1937 - 20 Feb 1939  Ba Maw (1st time)                  (s.a.)
20 Feb 1939 - Sep 1940     Maung Pu                           (b. 1881 - d. 19..)  UP 
Sep 1940 - 19 Jan 1942     Saw                                (b. 1900 - d. 1948)  NP
19 Jan 1942 - Mar 1942     Sir Paw Tun                        (b. 1883 - d. 1953)  PP
Mar 1942 - May 1942        Tun Oke 
                            (Head of the Central Government)
May 1942 -  3 Jun 1942     Vacant
 3 Jun 1942 -  3 May 1945  Ba Maw (2nd time)                  (s.a.)
 3 May 1945 - 28 Sep 1946  Vacant
28 Sep 1946 - 19 Jul 1947  Aung San                           (b. 1915 - d. 1947)  AFPFL
24 Jul 1947 -  4 Jan 1948  Nu                                 (b. 1907 - d. 1995)  AFPFL
Prime ministers 
 4 Jan 1948 - 12 Jun 1956  Nu (1st time)                      (s.a.)               AFPFL
12 Jun 1956 -  1 Mar 1957  Ba Swe                             (b. 1915 - d. 1987)  AFPFL
 1 Mar 1957 - 29 Oct 1958  Nu (2nd time)                      (s.a.)               AFPFL
29 Oct 1958 -  4 Apr 1960  Ne Win (1st time)                  (s.a.)               Mil
 4 Apr 1960 -  2 Mar 1962  Nu (3rd time)                      (s.a.)               UnP
 2 Mar 1962 -  4 Mar 1974  Ne Win (2nd time)                  (s.a.)               Mil/PSBP
 4 Mar 1974 - 29 Mar 1977  Sein Win                           (b. 1929)            Mil/PSPB
29 Mar 1977 - 26 Jul 1988  Maung Maung Kha                    (b. 1920 - d. 1995)  Mil/PSPB
26 Jul 1988 - 18 Sep 1988  Tun Tin                            (b. 1930)            Mil/PSBP
21 Sep 1988 - 23 Apr 1992  Saw Maung                          (s.a.)               Mil
24 Apr 1992 - 25 Aug 2003  Than Shwe                          (s.a.)               Mil
25 Aug 2003 - 19 Oct 2004  Khin Nyunt                         (b. 1939)            Mil
19 Oct 2004 - 12 Oct 2007  Soe Win                            (b. 1949 - d. 2007)  Mil
18 May 2007 -              Thein Sein                         (b. 1945)            Mil
                             (acting to 24 Oct 2007 [for Soe Win to 12 Oct 2007])

British Residents at Ava (from 1857 Mandalay)
Oct 1796 - Jul 1797        Hiram Cox
1829 - 1838                Henry Burney                       (b. 1792 - d. 1845)
1838? - 1840               William C. Macleod                 (b. 1805 - d. 1880)
1840 - 1862                Vacant
1862 - 1864                Clement Williams                   (b. 1834 - d. 1879)
1864 - 1869                Edward Bosc Sladen                 (b. 1827 - d. 1890)
Jan 1868 - 1868            Manook (acting for Sladen)
1869 - 1872                MacMahon
1872 - 1875                Stroven
1875 - 1878                Duncan
1878 - 13 Jun 1879         Robert Barkley Shaw                (b. 1839 - d. 1879)
1879                       Horace Browne (acting)
1879 -  8 Oct 1879         E.L. St. Barbe
 8 Oct 1879 -  1 Jan 1886  Vacant
Agents in Bhamo
1869 - 1872                Stroven
1872 - 1873                Spearman
1873 - 1877                Cooke
1877 - 1878                Cooper
1878 - 1879                E.L. St. Barbe
Japanese Superintendents 
15 Mar 1942 - 24 Jul 1942  Nasu Yoshio
25 Jul 1942 - 30 Nov 1942  Isayama Haruki
 1 Dec 1942 -  1 Aug 1943  Naka Eitaro
Supreme Adviser (Japanese Proconsul)
1942 - 1945                Gotara Ogawa
 

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB)

Prime minister
18 Dec 1990 -              Sein Win                           (b. 1944)            NLD
                            (in Manerplaw, Burma exile to Jan 1995;
                            from 1995 Washington, DC)

 ¹Not strictly a name change, just a new version to be used internationally of the same Burmese name (Pyeidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw) that before 1989 was translated as Union of Burma; this decision was not approved by any sitting legislature and is not recognized by the U.S., also the capital Yangoon is still officially recognized by the U.S. as Rangoon. 

Territorial Disputes: Over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic groups who have substantial numbers of kin in neighboring countries; Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic rebels, illegal cross-border activities, Karen and other refugees, and asylum seekers from Burma; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween River near the border with Burma; in 2004, international environmentalist pressure prompted China to halt construction of 13 dams on the Salween River which flows through China, Burma, and Thailand; India seeks cooperation from Burma to keep Indian Nagaland separatists, such as the United Liberation Front of Assam, from hiding in remote Burmese Uplands; Burmese Rohingya Muslim refugees reside in two camps in Bangladesh.

Party abbreviations: NLD = National League for Democracy (social-democratic, leader: Aung San Suu Kyi, won 27 May 1990 election, party then banned); TS = Taingyintha Silonenyinyutye (National Unity Party, dictatorial, pro-military, est.1990); Mil = Military; 
- Former parties: AFPFL = Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (nationalist, anti-Japanese); NP = National Party; PP = Patriotic Party; PSPB = Party of the Socialist Program of Burma ("Lanzin", socialist, only legal party 1974-1988); UnP = Union Party; UP = United Party

1298                       Kingdom of Pinya
1364                       Incorporated into Awa (Burma).
1599                       Kingdom of Taungu (Toungoo).
1751                       Reicorporated into Awa.

Kings
1698 - 1714                Thiri Maha Thihathura Thudhamma
1714 - 1733                Thiri Pawara Mahadhammaraja Dibati
                             Hsengphyusheng
1733 - 1751                Mahadhammaraja Dibati

11 May 1824                British occupy Rangoon (from Nov 1824 Pegu occupied).
24 Feb 1826                British annex Arakan, Tenasserim, Manipur, Assam, and the 
                             coast to British India. Pegu is restored to Burma.
20 Dec 1852                British annex Pegu.
31 Jan 1862                Arakan, Tenasserim and Pegu are united as British
                             ("Lower") Burma, within British India.
 1 Jan 1886                Remnant of Kingdom of Awa ("Upper Burma") annexed
                             to British India.
26 Feb 1886                Upper and Lower Burma united, within British India.
 

Tenasserim

Military commander
11 May 1824 - 1826         Sir Archibald Campbell             (b. 1769 - d. 1843)
Commissioners
1826 - 1828                Sir Archibald Campbell             (s.a.)
1828 - 1833                Anthony de la Combe Maingy         (b. 1795 - d. 1865)
1833 - 1843                Edmund Augustus Blundell
1843 - 1844                George Broadfoot                   (b. 1807 - d. 1845)
1844 - 1846                Henry Marion Durand                (b. 1812 - d. 1871)
1846 - 1849                John Russell Colvin                (b. 1807 - d. 1857)
1849 - 1858                Archibald Bogle                    (b. 1805 - d. 1876)
1858 - 1865                Albert Fytche                      (b. 1820 - d. 1891)
1865 - 1868?               David Brown
1872 - 1876                Edward Bosc Sladen                 (b. 1827 - d. 1890)
c.1882                     A.G. Duff
c.1883                     W.C. Plant
1876 - 1886                ....

                        to 1757

825                        (Mon) Kingdom of Talaing (Pegu) comprises part of
                             present-day southeastern Burma and west-central Thailand.
1044 - 1287                Under rule of Kingdom of Pagan.
1539 - 1580                Burmese occupation.
1551                       Burmese occupation; part of Kingdom of Awa. 
1740                       Kingdom of Pegu briefly recovers independence during
                            the collapse of Awa.
1757                       Re-incorporation into Awa. 
20 Dec 1852                Annexed to British India.

Kings
1740 - 1747                Smim Htaw Buddhaketi 
1747 - 1757                Binnya Dala                        (d. 1773)
Commissioners
20 Dec 1852 - 31 Jan 1862  Arthur Purves Phayre               (b. 1812 - d. 1885)
c.1868                     R.D. Ardagh
1862 - 1886                ...

                   to 31 Dec 1784

3325 BC                    Kingdom of Arakan founded according to legend.
c.825 AD                   First recorded dynasty.
31 Dec 1784                Conquered by Awa (Burma).
24 Feb 1826                Annexed by Britain, part of British Lower Burma
                            (which is part of British India).
 1 Apr 1937                Part of separate British colony of Burma.
 4 Jan 1948                Part of independent Burma.

Kings
1698 - 1700                Naradipati I
1700 - 1706                Sandawimala I               (d. 1734)
1706 - 1710                Sandathuriya I
1710 - 1731                Sandawizaya I               (d. 1731)
1731 - 1734                Sandathuriya II
1734 - 1735                Naradipati II
1735 - 1736                Narapawara
1737                       Sandawizaya II (Sandawizala)
1737                       Katya
1737 - 1742                Madarit
1742 - 1761                Nara Apaya
1761                       Thirithu
1761 - 1764                Sandaparama
1764 - 1773                Apaya
1773 - 1777                Sandathumana
1777                       Sandawimala II
1777 - 1782                Sandathaditha
1782 - 31 Dec 1784         Thamada
31 Dec 1784 - 24 Feb 1826  annexed by Awa
British Political Officer
1825 - 1826                Thomas Campbell Robertson          (b. 1789 - d. 1863)
Commissioners 
1826 - 1829                George Hunter
1829 - 1830                Charles Paton                      (d. 1830)
1830 - 1837                Thomas Dickinson
1837 - 1849                Archibald Bogle                    (b. 1805 - d. 1876)
1849 - 1852                Arthur Purves Phayre               (b. 1812 - d. 1885)
1852 - 1858                Henry Hopkinson
 6 Dec 1858 -  9 Apr 1867  G. Verner
10 Apr 1867 - 23 Apr 1867  E.M. Ryan (1st time) (acting)
24 Apr 1867 - 24 Oct 1872  J.F.J. Stevenson (1st time)
25 Oct 1872 - 23 Jan 1873  H.N. Davies (1st time) (acting)
23 Jan 1873 - Dec 1873     J.F.J. Stevenson (2nd time)
Dec 1873 -  7 Feb 1876     E.M. Ryan (2nd time)
 8 Feb 1876 - 29 Feb 1876  H.N. Davies (2nd time) (acting)
 1 Mar 1876 - 13 Sep 1878  Edward Bosc Sladen (1st time)      (b. 1827 - d. 1890)
14 Sep 1878 - 10 Dec 1878  W.C. Plant (1st time) (acting)
11 Dec 1878 -  6 Jun 1880  G.J.S. Hodgkinson
 7 Jun 1880 - 22 Jun 1880  W.C. Plant (2nd time) (acting)
23 Jun 1880 - 31 Aug 1880  W. de Courcy Ireland (acting)
 1 Sep 1880 - 26 Oct 1880  G.J.S. Hodgkinson
27 Oct 1880 - 12 Aug 1883  Edward Bosc Sladen (2nd time)      (s.a.)
13 Aug 1883 - 13 Nov 1883  G.A. Strover (acting)
14 Nov 1883 -  3 Nov 1885  Edward Bosc Sladen (3rd time)      (s.a.)
 4 Nov 1885 - 17 Dec 1885  J.K. Macrue
18 Dec 1885 - 26 Jul 1886  G.D. Burgess