his article explores the three Anglo-Burmese Wars, their causes, and consequences, and the eventual annexation of Burma into British India.
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Anglo-Burmese Relations
First Burma War (1824-26)
The war was triggered by Burmese expansion westward and occupation of Arakan and Manipur, threatening Assam and the Brahmaputra Valley.
The British expeditionary forces occupied Rangoon in May 1824 and approached 72 km from the capital at Ava.
Peace was established with the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826, which included the following terms:
Burma was to pay one crore rupees as war compensation.
Burma ceded its coastal provinces of Arakan and Tenasserim.
Burma abandoned claims on Assam, Cachar, and Jaintia.
Burma recognized Manipur as an independent state.
Burma was to negotiate a commercial treaty with Britain.
Burma agreed to accept a British resident at Ava and post a Burmese envoy at Calcutta.
Second Burma War (1852)
The war was driven by British commercial interests and imperialist policies under Lord Dalhousie.
British merchants sought control over upper Burma's timber resources and further access to the Burmese market.
The British occupied Pegu, the remaining coastal province of Burma, and faced intense guerrilla resistance before establishing control over lower Burma.
Third Burma War (1885)
Following the death of King Bhindan, his son Thibaw succeeded to the throne and was hostile towards the British.
Thibaw's actions included negotiating with rival powers and imposing a fine on a British timber company, which led to Dufferin ordering the invasion and annexation of upper Burma in 1885.
The British faced a strong guerrilla uprising and a nationalist movement after World War I, leading to Burma's separation from India in 1935 and its eventual independence on January 4, 1948, under U Aung San.
Anglo-Burmese Relations
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