List of early and legendary monarchs of Burma

This is a list of early and legendary monarchs of Burma (Myanmar). It covers the monarchs of the early polities in Upper Burma, Lower Burma and Arakan, according to the various royal chronicles. The list consists of two types. Some of the dynasties were likely derived from "Indian legends taken from Sanskrit or Pali originals" in order to link the Burmese monarchy to the Buddha. Many others were actual historical figures cloaked in pre-Buddhist legends, and probably existed in a different time period than that described in the chronicles. Moreover, many of these historical-based legendary figures were likely contemporaries of rival small settlements, rather than in the continuous lineage presented by the chronicles.

Unless otherwise noted, the regnal dates in this article are abbreviated to the first Western calendar year only although the Burmese calendar straddles the Western calendar. For example, the start of King Pyinbya's reign, 208 ME (25 March 846 to 24 March 847 CE), is shown here only as 846 (instead of 846/47).

Upper Burma

First Tagaung dynasty

The first Tagaung dynasty was part of the Abhiyaza origin myth that made a "sudden appearance" in central Burma in 1781—in the treatise Mani Yadanabon. The myth was not part of any of the prior central Burmese chronicles and treaties, as well as those immediately after, including the 1798 Yazawin Thit chronicle. But the myth gained ascendancy with the Konbaung kings, and was finally included in the Hmannan Yazawin chronicle in 1832, officially linking the Konbaung and central Burmese kings to the Buddha. The proclamation was part of the regional traditions to link their leaders to the clan of the Buddha. The earliest evidence of such linkage was in Arakan in the 1450s. The Arakanese tradition had grown more elaborate by the early 17th century, and finally reached central Burma in the 18th century. It was embraced by the Konbaung kings who starting in the 1770s began an effort to delink the then prevailing pre-Buddhist origin myth of linking the monarchy to a solar spirit with a more universal (Buddhist) myth.

Monarch	Reign	Relationship	Notes
Abhiyaza	850–825 BCE
Kanyaza Nge	825–?	Son
Zambudipa Yaza		Son
Thingatha Yaza		Son
Weippanna Yaza		Son
Dewata Yaza		Son
Munika Yaza		Son
Naga Yaza		Paternal uncle
Einda Yaza		Brother
Thamuti Yaza		Son
Dewa Yaza		Son
Maheindra Yaza		Son
Wimala Yaza		Son
Thihanu Yaza		Son
Mingana Yaza		Son
Kantha Yaza		Son
Kaleinga Yaza		Son
Thindwe Yaza		Son
Thihala Yaza		Son
Thamuti Yaza		Son
Hantha Yaza		Brother
Wara Yaza		Son
Alaung Yaza		Son
Kawlaka Yaza		Son
Thuriya Yaza		Son
Thingyi Yaza		Son
Taingchit Yaza		Son
Madu Yaza		Son
Minhlagyi Yaza		Son
Thanthu Thiha Yaza		Son
Daninga Yaza		Son
Heinda Yaza		Son
Mawriya Yaza		Son
Beinnaka Yaza		Son

Second Tagaung dynasty

This is the list of kings of the second Tagaung dynasty per in the Hmannan Yazawin chronicle, which provides no reign dates except for the date when the Sri Ksetra Kingdom was founded by two princes from Tagaung. According to Michael Charney, the second Tagaung dynasty is simply a version of the same Abhiyaza myth—Daza Yaza/Dhajaraja is another title of Abhiyaza/Abhiraja—which the chroniclers of the Hmannan must have realized but nonetheless sequenced it as a successor dynasty to circumvent "any superior claim of legitimacy on the part of the royal line of western Burma" [Arakan].

Monarch	Reign	Relationship	Notes
Daza Yaza	c. 600 BCE–?
Thado Taing-Ya
Thado Yahta-Ya
Thado Tagun-Ya
Thado Hlanbyan-Ya
Thado Shwe
Thado Galon-Ya
Thado Naga-Ya
Thado Naga-Naing
Thado Yahawlaw
Thado Paungshe
Thado Kyaukshe
Thado Hsinlauk
Thado Hsinhtein
Thado Taingchit
Thado Mingyi
Thado Maha Yaza			His sons founded Sri Ksetra Kingdom in 483 BCE.

Sri Ksetra Kingdom BCE 483-84

Monarch	Reign	Relationship	Notes
Maha Thanbawa	483–477 BCE	Son of Thado Maha Yaza of Tagaung
Sula Thanbanwa	477–442	Brother
Duttabaung	442–372	Son of Maha Thanbawa	Historical figure believed to have ascended the throne in 739 CE
Duttayan	372–350	Son
Yan Baung	350–300	Son
Yan Man	300–250	Son
Yetkhan	250–219	Son
Khanlaung	219–181	Son
Letkhaing	181–147	Son
Thirikhan	147–119	Son
Thiriyit	119–110	Son	Last of Duttabaung's line
Taba	110–59	Adopted son
Papiyan	59 BCE–7 CE	Son
Yan Mukha	7–22	Son
Yan Theinkha	22–25	Son
Yan Monsaleinda	25–40	Son
Bereinda	40–52	Brother
Monsala	52–57	Son
Ponna	57–60	Son
Thakha	60–63	Brother
Thathi	63–66	Son
Kan Nu	66–67	Younger brother
Kan Tet	67–70	Elder brother
Beizza	70–74	Elder brother
Thumondari	74–81	Not stated
Atitya	81–84	Son
Thupyinnya	84–94	Brother	End of the Sri Ksetra dynasty

Early Pagan

Formative Early Pagan

The following is the list of Pagan kings as given in the main royal chronicles.

Name	Reign per Zatadawbon Yazawin	Reign per Maha Yazawin, Yazawin Thit, and Hmannan Yazawin	Relationship with the predecessor
Thamoddarit	80–125	107–152	Nephew of Thupyinnya of Sri Ksetra
Yathekyaung	125–140	152–167	Caretaker
Pyusawhti	140–222	167–242	Son-in-law of Thamoddarit
Hti Min Yin	222–249	242–299	Son
Yin Min Paik	249–334	299–324	Son
Paik Thinli	334–371	324–344	Son
Thinli Kyaung I	371–415	344–387	Son
Kyaung Tu Yit	415–440	387–412	Son
Thihtan	440–477	412–439	Son
Thuye	477–492	439–494	Usurper
Tharamun Pya	492–514	494–516	Grandson of Thihtan
Thaik Taing	514–521	516–523	Son
Thinli Kyaung II	521–530	523–532	Son
Thinli Paik	530–535	532–547	Brother
Khan Laung	535–545	547–557	Brother
Khan Lat	545–557	557–569	Brother
Htun Taik	557–570	569–582	Son
Htun Pyit	570–586	582–598	Son
Htun Kyit	586–613	598–613	Son

Middle Early Pagan (AD 613-846)

All four main chronicles are in agreement with the regnal dates in this period.

Name	Reign per Zatadawbon Yazawin, Maha Yazawin, Yazawin Thit, and Hmannan Yazawin	Relationship with the predecessor
Popa Sawrahan	613–640	Usurper
Shwe Ohnthi	640–652	Son-in-law
Peit Thon	652–660	Brother
Peit Taung	660–710	Son
Nga Khwe	710–716	Brother
Min Kywe	716–726	Usurper
Theinga	726–734	Elected by court; of royal blood
Thein Khun	734–744	Son
Shwe Laung	744–753	Son
Htun Htwin	753–762	Son
Shwe Hmauk	762–785	Son
Htun Lut	785–802	Brother
Saw Khin Hnit	802–829	Son
Khelu	829–846	Son

Late Early Pagan (846-1044)

The chronicles again do not agree with the dates for this period. The dates in later chronicles Yazawin Thit and Hmannan Yazawin now depart from Maha Yazawin dates from 846 CE forward.

Name	Reign per Zatadawbon Yazawin	Reign per Maha Yazawin	Reign per Yazawin Thit and Hmannan Yazawin	Relationship with predecessor(s)
Pyinbya	846–886	846–858	846–878	Brother
Tannet	886–904	858–876	878–906	Son
Sale Ngahkwe	904–934	876–901	906–915	Usurper
Theinhko	934–956	901–917	915–931	Son
Nyaung-u Sawrahan	956–1001	917–950	931–964	Usurper
Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu	1001–1021	950–971	964–986	Son of Tannet
Kyiso	1021–1038	971–977	986–992	Son of Nyaung-u Sawrahan
Sokkate	1038–1044	977–1002	992–1017	Brother

Lower Burma

Thaton Kingdom

Monarch	Reign	Relationship	Notes
Thiha Yaza	?–543 BCE		Died in the year the Buddha died; came from India
Dhamma Thawka I
Titha			Tissa
Dhamma Pala
Dhamma Daza
Einkura
Upadewa Yaza
Thiwa Yaza
Zawta Kumma
Dhamma Thawka II
Uttara
Katha Wunna
Maha Thala
Araka
Narathu I
Maha Beinda
Adara
Angula
Urunnata
Thuganda I
Thuganda II
Bramah Datta
Manya Yaza
Adika
Maradi Yaza
Thaduka
Dipa Yaza I
Athinkha Yaza
Bomma Yaza
Manda Yaza
Mahintha Yaza
Dhamma Sekka Yaza
Thusanbadi
Baddara Yaza
Narathu II
Zambudipa Yaza
Ketharit Yaza
Wizaya Kumma
Mani Yaza
Tekka Min
Athinkha Yaza
Kutha Yaza
Dipa Yaza II
Nara Yaza
Yaza Thura
Seitta Yaza
Diga Yaza
Ottama Yaza
Thiri Yaza
Dhamma Yaza
Maha Seitta Yaza
Ganda Yaza
Zeya Yaza
Thumana Yaza
Maddaka Yaza
Aminna Yaza
Udinna Yaza
Manuha	?–1057 CE

Early Hanthawaddy

The list here is per Harvey who reported it from the Shwemawdaw Thamaing (lit. "History of Shwemawdaw Pagoda"); the dates are unattested. Other Mon Chronicles give a similar list of rulers from 573 to 781 with no records thereafter, leaving a gap of 276 years to Pagan's conquest of Pegu in 1057. Harvey's list better synchronizes with historically confirmed Pagan dates. But according to Michael Aung-Thwin, pre-Pagan Mon kingdoms of Lower Burma are later 15th century legends, unattested by evidence. Pegu as a place name only first appeared in a 1266 Old Burmese inscription.

Monarch	Reign	Relationship	Notes
Thamala	825–837		Founds Pegu (Bago) in 825
Wimala	837-854	Brother
Atha	854–861	Nephew
Areindama	861–885	Son
A monk	885–902
Geinda	902–917
Migadeippa I	917–932
Geissadiya	932–942
Karawika	942–954
Pyinzala	954–967	Son
Attatha	967–982	Brother
Anuyama	982–994	Nephew
Migadeippa II	994–1004
Ekkathamanda	1004–1016
Uppala	1016–1028
Pontarika	1028–1043		Founds Dagon
Tissa	1043–1057

Rulers of Arakan

See also: Arakan and Dhanyawadi

First Danyawaddy (2666–825 BCE)

Monarch	Reign	Relationship	Notes
Mara Yu	2666–2604
Mara Zi I	2604–2572	son
Mara Onlin	2572–2519	son
Mara Rwaylin	2519–2471	son
Mara Bin	2471–2416	son
Mara Zi II	2416–2383	son
Mara Kin	2383–2351	son
Nga Sha Po	2351–2330		usurper
Dwara Sanda	2330–2290		son of Mara Kin
Thola Sanda	2290–2257	son
Sanda Thuriya Sanda	2257–2220	son
Kala Sanda	2220–2180	son
Ti Sanda	2180–2149	son
Madhutha Sanda	2149–2129	son
Zeya Sanda	2129–2089	nephew
Mokkha Sanda	2089–2063	son
Gunna Sanda	2063–2051	son
Three Nobles	2051–2050		usurpers; reigned 7 days, 3 months, and 8 months successively
Kan Raza I	2050–2009		grandson of Gunna Sanda
Kan Raza II	2009–1973	brother
Athurinda Thuriya	1973–1938	uncle
Tharameta	1938–1880	son
Thuriya	1880–1849	son
Min Thi	1849–1827	brother
Min Ba	1827–1805	son
Si Aung	1805–1777	son
Tataingthin	1777–1746	brother
Kyaw-Khaung Win	1746–1715	son
Thuriya Nandameit	1715–1694	son
Athu Yindabaya	1694–1663	son
Letya Sithugyi	1663–1631	son
Thihaka	1631–1588	son
Min Bun Than	1588–1557	son
Thayet Hmwe	1557–1508	son
Zeya Nandathu	1508–1457	son
Tekkathu	1457–1411	son
Lekkhana	1411–1374	son
Gunnarit	1374–1326	son
Thiwarit	1326–1285	son
Min Hla Hmwe	1285–1254	son
Marinda	1254–1192	son
Theiddat Kumara	1192–1170	son
Min Hla I	1170–1123	son
Min Hla II	1123–1099	brother
Nga Sarit	1099–1061	son
Myet-hna Wun	1061–1030	son
Let Thut Kyi	1030–1003	son
Thiri Kamma Thunda	1003–972	brother
Nanda Kotabaya	972–945	son
Min Nan Phyu	945–925	son
Min Manu	925–897	son
Minkhaung	897–878	son
Laukkhaung Raza	878–838	son
Min Nge Pyaw-Hla-Si	838–832	son
Three nobles	832–825		usurpers

Second Danyawaddy (825 BCE–146 CE)

Monarch	Reign	Relationship	Notes
Kan Raza III	825–788
Thila Raza	788–740	son
Wasa Thura	740–709	son
Nandawi Thura	709–669	son
Puna Thuriya	669–637	son
Thuranda	637–614	son
Sandima	614–577	son
Thiri Sanda	577–537	son
Thiha Ran	537–491	brother
Thiha Nu	491–471	son
Payaka	471–440	son
Nela Gun	440–399	son
Rohaha Gun	399–368	son
Thiri Gun	368–344	son
Thamaza	344–309	nephew
Kummara	309–289	son
Thet Htin Phyu	289–249	son
Tha Bin U	249–207	son
Teza Wun	207–171	brother
Munzayaba	171–137	son
Kummara Withuddi	137–50	uncle
Wathu Mun Dala	50–16	son
Thurinda	16 BCE–15 CE	son
Ralamayu	15–37	brother
Nalamayu	37–68	son
Wada Gun	68–90	son
Withu Raza	90–111	son
Thiri Raza	111–146	son

Third Danyawaddy (146–788 CE)

Monarch	Reign	Relationship	Notes
Sanda Thuriya	146–198
Thuriya Dipati	198–245	son
Thuriya Patipat	245–298	son
Thuriya Rupa	298–313	son
Thuriya Mandala	313–375	son
Thuriya Wunna	375–418	son
Thuriya Natha	418–459	son
Thuriya Wuntha	459–468	son
Thuriya Banda	468–474	son
Thuriya Kalyana	474–492	son
Thuriya Mokkha	492–513	son
Thuriya Teza	513–544	son
Thuriya Ponnya	544–552	son
Thuriya Kala	552–575	son
Thuriya Pabba	575–600	son
Thuriya Sitya	600–618	son
Thuriya Thehta	618–640	son
Thuriya Wimala	640–648	son
Thuriya Renu	648–670	brother
Thuriya Gantha	670–686	son
Thuriya Thagya	686–694	uncle
Thuriya Thiri	694–714	son
Thuriya Kethi	714–723	son
Thuriya Kutta	723–746	son
Thuriya Ketu	746–788	son

Waithali (788–1018 CE)

Monarch	Reign	Relationship	Notes
Maha Taing Sanda	788–810	founder	son of Thuriya ketu
Thuriya Taing Sanda	810–830	son
Mawla Taing Sanda	830–849	son
Pawla Taing Sanda	849–875	son
Kala Taing Sanda	875–884	son
Tula Taing Sanda	884–903	son
Thiri Taing Sanda	903–935	son
Thinkha Taing Sanda	935–951	son
Chula Taing Sanda	951–957	son
Amyahtu	957–964		Chief of Myu people
Pe Phyu	964–994	nephew
Nga Pin Nga Ton	994–1018		son of Chula Taing Sanda

References

• Aung-Thwin, Michael (2005). The mists of Rāmañña: The Legend that was Lower Burma (illustrated ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-2886-8.
• Charney, Michael Walter (2002). "Centralizing Historical Tradition in Precolonial Burma: The Abhiraja/Dhajaraja Myth in Early Kon-baung Historical Texts". South East Asia Research. 10 (2): 185–215. doi:10.5367/000000002101297053. ISSN 0967-828X. S2CID 143753605.
• Charney, Michael W. (2006). Powerful Learning: Buddhist Literati and the Throne in Burma's Last Dynasty, 1752–1885. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan.
• Hall, D.G.E. (1960). Burma (3rd ed.). Hutchinson University Library. ISBN 978-1-4067-3503-1.
• Harvey, G. E. (1925). History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824. London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd.
• Kala, U (1724). Maha Yazawin Gyi (in Burmese). Vol. 1–3 (2006, 4th printing ed.). Yangon: Ya-Pyei Publishing.
• Lieberman, Victor B. (2003). Strange Parallels: Southeast Asia in Global Context, c. 800–1830, volume 1, Integration on the Mainland. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-80496-7.
• Phayre, Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur P. (1883). History of Burma (1967 ed.). London: Susil Gupta.
• Royal Historical Commission of Burma (1832). Hmannan Yazawin (in Burmese). Vol. 1–3 (2003 ed.). Yangon: Ministry of Information, Myanmar.
• Than Tun (1964). Studies in Burmese History (in Burmese). Vol. 1. Yangon: Maha Dagon.