Arakan Library - The First Burmese War. by- Maung Boon

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The First Burmese War. by- Maung Boon

Translated by San Shwe Bu

J.B.R.S Vol.XIII, Part 3. 1923

Translator’s Note:

Of the three Anglo Burmese Wars the first is perhaps the most interesting, the most written-about and the most widely known. Most of the papers relating thereto have been examined and published. But in spite of all our knowledge there still remains a phase of this war-the operations in Arakan-which is not so well known to the general public. Many years ago Mr. Robertson, the civil officer in charge of the expedition, published a small volume. “The political incidents of the First Burmese War,” in which he gave a clear and valuable account dealing with the main incidents of the operations. Unfortunately this book is very rare and not easily obtained by the general public. But besides Robertson an Arakanese scholar also wrote about the same thing. In the accidents they record they are substantially in agreement; but the latter’s account is of greater value to us since it was given us a greater wealth of details concerning events and places, enabling us to visualize and thoroughly understand the whole of the military transactions in Arakan. This account has now been translated and published for the first time in the hopes that a greater knowledge and appreciation of the subject may be achieved thereby. Maung Boon, the author, was a friend and tutor of Henry Hopkinson, the commissioner of Arakan who succeeded Sir Arthur Phayre. His account is very concise and clear and distinguished by the absence of those extravagances sometimes indulged in by Arakanese historians of a former age.

I, Maung Boon, who am the tutor of Henry Hopkinson, the commissioner of Arakan, will here relate the history of the war between the East India Company and the Burmese.

In the Naaf River which forms the dividing line between the British and the Burmese territories, there lies a small island known as Shinmapru (Shapoori Island). The representatives of both the countries hotly disputed as to who should own this island. But owing to the extreme avarice and the unreasonable nature of the demands made by the Burmese Governor of Arakan, the two countries were compelled to resort to open hostilities. So with a view to invading Arakan the English sent their troops both by land and by sea. The officers who where concerned in the conduct of this invasion were General Morrison, Commissioner Robertson, Bo MC Kenzie, Bo Palin, Captain Pringle and others. Native troops of all descriptions were mobilized from places such as Madras, Calcutta, Benares, Bombay, Lucknow, and so on. They consisted of 13 platoons. There was also a company of Pioneers together with an Arakanese Contingent and Bengali coolies of all descriptions. The whole numbered about 100,000. There were also vessels of all kinds having one mast, two masts, stitched boats and so on numbering about 100. Those of the natives who accompanied the English in this venture were from the Arakanese: Chowdhury Maung Nyo, Chowdhury Chin Daung, Chowdhury Rai Hpaw Thay, the former Governor of An, Governor of Thandaung, Teingyabo, Do Aung Gywe, Interpreter Thet Htin Pru, Aung Gyaw Rhi, Interpreter Rai Phaw, Interpreter San Ra Phwe, Interpreter Hla Phaw, and a Minister of the King of Tippara whose name was Diwan Chitsuba. These men were ordered to accompany the English throughout the Province of Arakan, to Mrohoung, Ramree, Mananung, Sandoway etc. Beyond these Limits also they were ordered to serve overseas in Rangoon, as well as to penetrate as far as the Burmese capital of Ava. These remarks are merely general, but I will now relate the details concerning this war.

In the year 1184 (1822 A.D.), in the month of Nadaw, the Burmese Governor of Arakan ordered Bo Maung E and his assistant Maung Daw with 20 soldiers to occupy and guard the island of Shapoori belonging to the British. Gaung Zauk Ke, a servant of Chowdhury Maung Nyo who lived in the village of Sabyin, went in a boat loaded with paddy to trade with the village of Ramu. As he was passing through the channel between the Chittagong coast and the island of Shapoori he was fired at and killed by the Burmese outpost on that island. When Gaung Zauk Ke died the crew of the boat abandoned it and ran away. When they reached home they reported the death of Gaung Zauk Ke to their lord. Whereupon Chowdhury Maung Nyo reported the matter to the Dowraga stationed to look after the country along the Naaf river. The Dowraga went to the scene of crime, and after examining the locality carefully, discovered the dead body of Gaung Zauk Ke. After having made plans of the locality very carefully the Dowraga reported the matter to the Magistrate at Chittagong. Wa-Naung-That-Takan (0g;aemifowfocif),The Magistrate at Chittagong, in his turn reported the matter to the Governor-General at Calcutta. After careful consideration he decided that the matter was one requiring serious consideration and that Robertson would be the most suitable person to cope with the matter. Accordingly, Robertson was sent to Chittagong, after being appointed a Magistrate and Collector of the Place.

When Robertson arrived at Chittagong in the month of Pyatho of the same year he ordered a detachment of soldiers under the command of Subada Mardowin to be stationed on the island of Shapoori. The Burmese under Bo Maung E and his assistant Maung Daw and followers numbering about 1000 came to the British outpost in the month of Tabaung and attacked it. Jemadar Hari Singh and 10 men were captured and taken away to Burmese territory. As for the Subadar Madowin he escaped capture because he ran away in time. This Subadar reported the matter to the Dowraga at Tek Naaf. The Dowraga, in his turn, made a careful report of the incident and informed the Magistrate at Chittagong, Mr. Robertson, that not only were the men belonging to the outpost captured by the Burmese but that the latter were openly and actively showing that they meant to be hostile towards any body attached to the British. When the matter was finally reported to the Governor-General, he, knowing that the Burmese were very dishonest and crooked in their dealings, decided that they should be severely punished. With this end in view he ordered General Morrison to invade Arakan and to annex it to the British Dominions in India.

In the month of Pyatho of the year 1185, a large number of soldiers left Calcutta and passing through Chaittagong stationed themselves at Ramu. These men stationed themselves very carefully, with defensive works, at source of the Ramu creek. The advance post consisted of 80 men and 2 officers. Besides this, at a place called Santhwankan a similar outpost was also stationed. At another place called Re-ngan-don near Tek Naaf a similar outpost was also stationed. The Arakanese elders, such as the former Governors of An, Thandaung, Interpreters Aung Gyaw Rhi, Rai Hpaw, Chowdhury Chin Daung, Chowdhury Maung Nyo, Interpreters San Ra Phwe, Teingyabo and his assistant Aung Gywe, Bo-min Ran Saik Aung were summoned before the Magistrate and were asked to supply the English with suitable men to serve in the expedition. So these elders went about collecting the most suitable men for the purpose, men who were primarily distinguished for their valour and bravery.

A complete platoon having been mobilized from amongst the Arakanese, the following men were appointed to serve as officers for them:-

Zaw Ge, Hta We, Myat Pyaw, Munita, Thuauk Kra, Htwe San, Pha Htwe, They Hnan, and Shwe U. The Arakanese contingent consisted altogether of 400 men. While the expedition was being planned and on the eve of departure, the Burmese the Governor of Arakan having appointed Maung Loon as the officer in charge, sent a detachment of soldiers to station themselves at Maungdaw and to keep a guard along the frontier. Meanwhile the Governor sent the following letter to King Bagyidaw at Ava: - I, Maung San Byaw, the Governor of Arakan, with deep respect and humility beg to make the following report:-

“The island of Shapoori which has by right belonged to the Kings of Burma for several generations past has now been forcibly occupied by the British. They have not only done this but they are now contemplating an organized invasion of Arakan. We do not at present possess sufficient numbers to oppose this aggression, but if you wish your servant to subjugate these people and send them to Ava as your Majesty’s humble slaves I beg of you to speedily send reinforcements from Ava.”

King Bagyidaw having considered the matter very carefully decided that the English were a people who never understood what precedent was, that they were a race who did not respect the old established laws of a country, and that they dealt crookedly in the ordinary transactions of life. So that if peace was to be attained in the future the best thing that could be done in the circumstances was to attack and take over Bengal from the hands of the English. With this end in view he summoned Maha Bandoola to his presence and after explaining all the details of the affair in Arakan he appointed him Commander-in-Chief of the forces to be sent.

Accordingly Maha Bandoola, accompanied by some distinguished officers such as Maung Khine, Maung Zan and so on, with upwards of 10,000 men came over to Arakan. But before this contingent arrived in Arakan, Maung Aung, the Governor of Sandoway, Re Hla, the Governor of Manaung, Maung Yin Galay, Governor of Ramee and Maung San Byaw, the Governor of Mrohaung, with 1,000 men went and occupied the small island of Na-Khaung-do near Maungdaw with the object of keeping careful watch over the frontier. Meanwhile the Governor of Lemro and others, wishing to gain time, represented matters to Robertson saying that from time immemorial Arakan and Bangal had always been friendly, that trade relations had always been established between the two countries from which both of them had always benefited. If, as now appeared, there were going to be hostilities between the two countries, it would greatly mar their future relations. They proposed that to avoid this shameful thing it would be best to talk over matters and settle them amicably.

Robertson, after consulting other people at Chittagong, agreed to the proposal to settle the dispute by arbitration and accordingly sent a trusty messenger to the Burmese. The matter contained in the letter was as follows:-

“The Burmese and the British have always been friends in the past. There should never be any obstacle to spoil this friendship and to interrupt the friendly commercial relation between the two people. I am very willing to talk over matters with this end in view. At the same time it is nothing but right that the island of Shapoori should be given over to the British. If this concession can be made, there is reason to hope that there can be no matter or cause of dispute between the two people.” This letter was sent by the Burmese messenger Maung Nu who was kept waiting at Chittagong for the purpose.

When the Burmese officers received the reply, they pretended to be satisfied with the proposals and sent the messenger back with a letter notifying their consent. Robertson, believing the message, agreed to meet the Burmese officers at a conference and he accordingly set out to Naaf. At the conference the Burmese finally agreed that Shapoori Island should belong to the English and that the old trade relations between the two countries should continue on a firm basis, thereby promoting feeling of respect and honour towards each other. The meeting terminated on the 5th waxing of Tabodwe of the year 1185 B.E. On the eve of departure to their own homes the Burmese suggested that they should each burn their own defensive works as an indication of mutual trust. To this Robertson also agreed, and burnt his defensive works on the Shapoori Island. But the Burmese, instead of doing the same on their part, piled up great quantities of straw and set fire to them and thereby deceived the English. Robertson then withdrew his forces from the place and, on his return home, left behind an officer with 80 men to keep watch at Re-ngan-don. Besides this he retained the military outpost at Tsan-thwan-gan and Byinbutaung which is at the source of Ramu creek. At Ramu itself the Arakanese levy, with upwards of 4000 others and a few officers (names unrecognisable) were left behind.

Robertson and the General went back to Chittagong with the remainder of the forces. Shortly after, 7 ships arrived from Bombay. Out of these a Jalia with 3 cutters was stationed at Naaf River. The remainder of the vessels went on to Rangoon via Cheduba. Meanwhile the Burmese officers stationed at Maungdaw whose names were Nga San, Maung Lon and Maung E, repeatedly visited the British officers on board the ship guarding the channel at Shapoori Island. With presents and sweet words the Burmese made friends. After some time the Burmese invited these English officers to their own home, representing to them that they were very anxious to show them hospitality in their own fashion. The invitation being cordially accepted by the British, a day was fixed on which the visit was to be made. The Burmese returned to Maungdaw happily and when they arrived there they made preparations to arrest the English officers when they came. The unsuspecting officers, on the appointed day, wishing to keep their promise, went to Maungdaw. No sooner were they perceived from a distance than the Burmese leaders went out to meet them as a sign of true hospitality and reiterated their friendship and goodwill. While thus talking and laughing in friendly fashion, the English officers were led into the Burmese stockade. Immediately afterwards they and their followers were overpowered and disarmed. They were then severely bound together and sent to Maung San Byaw, the Burmese Governor of Mrohaung. The officers arrested were Chew and Ross and their followers.

On their arrival it was suggested to the Governor that if something could be done to the Captain by way of Yadaya it would be impossible for the white kalas to conquer their country. The Governor was an ignorant and short-sighted man. He readily believed in the possibility of the suggestion and enquired how it could be done. His advisers informed him that in accordance, with the ancient practice certain mantras should be repeated over them so as to make their natal star dwindle and so their power of victory. While these plans were being discussed the Minister of Interior, Maung Zan, being appointed by Bandoola to post himself with some men at Aungdet suddenly arrived. To this officer, the English captives were sent by the Governor. On enquiries being made as to the circumstances of their capture, the Minister Maung Zan severely blamed and scolded Maung San Byaw, the Governor of Mrohaung, for his act of treachery. He said, “Since at a former meeting with the English, you agreed to certain terms and promised to end the dispute definitely, you should not have done so disgraceful an act. You are positively base-born and a dishonourable man. You are now the sole cause and originator of the quarrel with the English because you have not only treacherously captured them but treated them with undue severity. I therefore order you to release them at once and treat them with proper respect and consideration until the arrival of Bandoola.” Maung San Byaw did as he was ordered.

When Bandoola arrived at Aungdet, which is close to Maung-U (Mrohaung) he immediately ordered the English officers and their followers to be safely conducted to their ship in the Naaf River.

This was done on the 14th waning of Tabodwe of the year 1185 B.E. On their arrival the officers wrote to Robertson complaining about their treatment by the Burmese. When Robertson learnt the true facts of the case he wrote a report to the Governor-General to the effect that the Burmese were a dishonest, untruthful and promise breaking people and that the previous agreement entered upon by them was made with a view to deceit.

Meanwhile, in the month of Tagu 1185 B.E. Bandoola ordered the Minister Maung Wa and the Governors of Mrauk-U, Sandoway, Ramree and the Cheduba to march into the English territory, his object being to attack Chittagong. But Rai Hla, the Governor of Cheduba, informed Bandoola that he could not carry out the orders because in the channel that separated the island from the main land there were many war vessels of all descriptions belonging to the enemy. He was therefore excused and permitted to remain where he was. In the same way the Governor of Ramree excused himself and remained where he was after making his position as secure as possible against a likely attack. The remaining leaders concentrated their troops, which totaled about 15,000 and on the 8th waxing of Tagu of the year 1185 B.E. they occupied Shapoori Island and planted the Burmese flag on it.