Hsipaw


Hsipaw, also known as Thibaw, is the principal town of Hsipaw Township in Shan State, Myanmar on the banks of the Duthawadi River. It is north-east of Mandalay.

History

The capital of Hsipaw was originally On Baung. From the 1450s, it was a faithful vasal of the Kingdom of Ava. After the fall of the latter before the Shans, a prince of On Baung, Sao Hkhun Mong, was crowned King of Ava. A few decades later, King Bayinnaung, who reigned in Hanthawaddy Kingdom, sent an army against On Baung, whose prince, like the other Shan princes, had to recognize his sovereignty to keep his throne. The shans also had to cede part of their states, including Mogok, but the prince of On Baung obtained confirmation of his pre-eminence over the other shans princes.
The dynasty of On Baung was maintained, paying tribute to the successive Burmese dynasties: Toungoo dynasty then Konbaung dynasty. In 1714, its capital was transferred to Hsipaw. Sao Kya Tung was his Saopha for the King of Burma Mindon Min, as a reward for his help against Pagan Min.

Shan Saopha

Hsipaw State was perhaps one of the most well known and powerful saopha Shan States. According to the biography of Sao Nang Hearn Hkam, Hsipaw, along with Kengtung and Yawnghwe were the wealthiest and most powerful saopha states in Shan State.
The Saophas played fluctuating roles in regional Shan and national Burmese politics from the 11th century all the way until the 1962 military coup by General Ne Win.
Hsipaw is famous for the Bowgoy Pagoda, situated in Bowgoy Village about away from Hsipaw.

Princes of Hsipaw

Gallery