List of capitals of Myanmar

History of Myanmar

Prehistory of Myanmar 11,000–200 BCE Pyu city-states 200 BCE–1050 CE (Sri Ksetra Kingdom, Tagaung Kingdom) Mon kingdoms 825?–1057 Arakanese kingdoms 788?–1406
Pagan Kingdom 849–1297 Early Pagan Kingdom 849–1044 Warring states period Upper Burma 1297–1555 Myinsaing and Pinya Kingdoms 1297–1364 Sagaing Kingdom 1315–64 Kingdom of Ava 1364–1555 Prome Kingdom 1482–1542 Hanthawaddy Kingdom 1287–1539, 1550–52 Shan States 1215–1563 Kingdom of Mrauk U 1429–1785 Toungoo Dynasty 1510–1752 First Toungoo Empire 1510–99 Nyaungyan Restoration 1599–1752 Restored Hanthawaddy 1740–57 Konbaung Dynasty 1752–1885
British colonial period 1824–1948 Anglo-Burmese wars 1824–85 Nationalist movement 1900–48 Japanese occupation 1942–45
Modern era 1948–present Union of Burma 1948–62 Socialist Republic 1962–88 Union of Myanmar 1988–2010 Political reforms 2011–12
Timeline List of capitals Leaders Royal chronicles Military history

The current capital of Myanmar (Burma) is Naypyidaw. The following is a list of political capitals of notable states in Burmese history from the 9th century to the present. The list is generally organised in dynastic and chronological orders. National capitals are shown in bold.

List of capitals

State	Capital	Period	Duration	Notes
Pagan Kingdom	Pagan (Bagan)	23 December 849 – 17 December 1297	7010141372648000000♠447 years, 359 days	^{[note 1]}
Myinsaing Kingdom	Myinsaing, Mekkhaya and Pinle	17 December 1297 – 13 April 1310	7008388800000000000♠12 years, 117 days	^{[note 2]}
Myinsaing Kingdom	Pinle	13 April 1310 – 7 February 1313	7007890352000000000♠2 years, 300 days
Pinya Kingdom	Pinya	7 February 1313 – 26 February 1365	7009164263680000000♠52 years, 19 days	^{[note 3]}
Sagaing Kingdom	Sagaing	15 May 1315 – 26 February 1365	7009157111920000000♠49 years, 287 days	^{[note 4]}
Ava Kingdom	Ava (Inwa)	26 February 1365 – 22 January 1555	7009599289840000000♠189 years, 330 days	^{[note 5]}
Prome Kingdom	Prome (Pyay)	c. November 1482 – 19 May 1542	59 years, 6+ months	^[1]
Hanthawaddy Kingdom	Martaban (Mottama)	4 April 1287 – 1363	76+ years	^{[note 6]}
	Donwun	1363 – 1369	~6 years	^{[note 7]} ^[2]
	Pegu (Bago)	1369 – c. November 1538	169+ years	^{[note 8]}
	Pegu	late June 1550 – 12 March 1552	1 year, 8+ months	^{[note 9]}
Mrauk-U Kingdom	Launggyet	18 April 1429 – 16 November 1430	7007498744000000000♠1 year, 212 days	^{[note 10]}
Mrauk-U Kingdom	Mrauk-U	16 November 1430 – 2 January 1785	7010111754512000000♠354 years, 47 days	^{[note 11]} ^[3]
Toungoo Dynasty	Toungoo (Taungoo)	16 October 1510 – 1539	28–29 years	^{[note 12]}
	Pegu	1539 – 30 April 1550	~11 years	^[4]
	Toungoo	11 January 1551 – 12 March 1552	7007368280000000000♠1 year, 61 days	^{[note 13]}
	Pegu	12 March 1552 – 19 December 1599	7009150757200000000♠47 years, 282 days	^[5]
	Ava	19 December 1599 – 14 May 1613	7008422863200000000♠13 years, 146 days	^{[note 14]}
	Pegu	14 May 1613 – 25 January 1635	7008684828000000000♠21 years, 256 days	^[6]
	Ava	25 January 1635 – 23 March 1752	7009369725040000000♠117 years, 58 days	^[7]
Restored Hanthawaddy Kingdom	Pegu	November 1740 – 6 May 1757	16 years, 6 months	^[8]^[9]
Konbaung Dynasty	Shwebo	29 February 1752 – 26 July 1760	7008265248000000000♠8 years, 148 days	^[10] ^[11]
	Sagaing	26 July 1760 – 23 July 1765	7008157507200000000♠4 years, 362 days	^[12]
	Ava	23 July 1765 – 13 May 1783	7008561880800000000♠17 years, 294 days	^[13]
	Amarapura	13 May 1783 – 22 November 1821	7009121586400000000♠38 years, 193 days	^[14]
	Ava	22 November 1821 – 10 February 1842	7008638064000000000♠20 years, 80 days	^[15]
	Amarapura	10 February 1842 – 23 May 1859	7008545292000000000♠17 years, 102 days	^[16]
	Mandalay	23 May 1859 – 29 November 1885	7008836913600000000♠26 years, 190 days	^[17]
British Burma	Mawlamyaing (Moulmein) and Sittwe (Akyab)	24 February 1826 – 20 December 1852	7009113397840000000♠35 years, 341 days	^{[note 15]}
	Mawlamyaing Sittwe Yangon (Rangoon)	20 December 1852 – 31 January 1862	7008287647200000000♠9 years, 42 days	^{[note 16]}
	Yangon	31 January 1862 – 7 March 1942	7009252763200000000♠80 years, 35 days	^{[note 17]}
	Yangon	3 May 1945 – 4 January 1948	7007843696000000000♠2 years, 246 days
Japanese Burma	Yangon	7 March 1942 – 3 May 1945	7007995976000000000♠3 years, 57 days
Burma	Yangon	4 January 1948 – 6 November 2005	7009182522160000000♠57 years, 306 days
Burma	Naypyidaw	6 November 2005 – present	11 years, 1 month and 1 day

Notes

↑ The date of fortification (6th waxing of Pyatho 211 ME) per Zatadawbon Yazawin (Zata 1960: 41) given as the date of foundation. Zata (Zata 1960: 53) says the city of Arimaddana was founded in 190 CE (Sunday, 15th waxing of Tagu 112 Pyu Era) while the palace was moved to Thiri Pyissaya in 390 (Thursday, 1st waxing of Pyatho 312 Pyu Era). Hmannan Yazawin (Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 185–188) gives 107 CE as the date of foundation of Pagan. According to scholarship, Pagan was founded in mid-to-late 9th century, and fortified in the late 10th century at the earliest. (Aung-Thwin 2005: 185): radiocarbon dating shows the earliest human settlement in Pagan dates only to c. 650 CE. (Aung-Thwin 2005: 38): radiocarbon dating of Pagan's surviving walls yields dates no earlier than 980 CE, with more likely dates c. 1020 CE. It means the Pyu Era dates claimed by Zata may have been Burmese Era dates. If true, Pagan was founded on 16 March 751 (15th waxing of Late Tagu 112 ME) and the palace was moved to Thiri Pyissaya on 12 December 950 (1st waxing of Pyatho 312 ME).
(Than Tun 1959: 119–120): King Kyawswa was dethroned on 17 December 1297 (13th waxing of Pyatho 659) according to inscriptional evidence. Chinese records show that the dethronement occurred in June-July 1298.
↑ (Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 369) states that King Yazathingyan, ruler of Mekkhaya, died after having reigned for five years. But (Than Tun 1959: 123) quotes an inscription which says two brothers Yazathingyan and Thihathu were still alive after the eldest brother Athinhkaya died on 13 April 1310.
↑ (Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 370) gives Wednesday, 15th waxing of Tabaung 674 ME, which translates to Saturday, 10 February 1313. But 15th waxing is most probably a copying error since it is highly uncommon to say 15th waxing instead of full moon. The date was probably 12th waxing of Tabaung, which correctly translates to Wednesday, 7 February 1313. Burmese numerals 2 (၂) and 5 (၅) are similar and can easily be miscopied.
↑ (Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 375): Saw Yun began his reign at Sagaing on 12th waxing of Nayon 677 ME (15 May 1315).
↑ Ava fell to Toungoo forces on 22 January 1555 (Tuesday, 2nd waxing of Tabaung 916 ME) per (Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 221). Ava had two prior dynastic changes both wrought by the men from Mohnyin. The founding Thado Minbya dynasty (သတိုးဆက်) fell on 20 May 1426 (14th waxing of Nayon 788 ME) to forces led by Mohnyin Thado per (Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 62). The Mohnyin dynasty (မိုးညှင်းဆက်) in turn fell to the forces of the Confederation of Shan States led by Sawlon on 14 March 1527 (12th waxing of Late Tagu 888 ME) per (Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 113).
↑ (Pan Hla 2004: 25–26) says per Mon records King Wareru proclaimed independence on Thursday, 6th waning of Tagu 648 ME (16 March 1286). But 648 ME is most probably a typographical error. The date is more likely 6th waning of Tagu 649 ME (4 April 1287) since Mon records themselves say Wareru, who was born on 20 March 1253, came to power at age 34 (35th year). Moreover, Burmese records recognize Full moon of Tabodwe 649 (18 January 1288), which Pan Hla conjectures as the date of coronation.
↑ (Phayre 1967: 66) says King Saw Zein moved his capital to Pegu soon after he came to power in Thadingyut 685 ME (2 September 1323 to 30 September 1323). (Pan Hla 2004: 39–41) only states Saw Zein first had to reacquire Pegu but does not mention a move. According to Pan Hla, Saw Zein' successor ascended the throne at Martaban in 1330. As for the move to Donwun, (Pan Hla 2004: 57–59) gives 1363 citing Mon sources, and states that Burmese sources give 10 years earlier, 1353.
↑ Chronicles give only 900 ME (30 March 1538 to 29 March 1539) as the date when Pegu fell to Toungoo forces. (Harvey 1925: 368) translates that to year 1539. (Harvey 1925) generally adds 639 when translating from the Burmese calendar to the Western calendar for Ava and early Toungoo periods, which is highly inaccurate. (The Burmese calendar straddles the Western year. In the 16th century, a little over 75% of the Burmese year fell on the Western year arrived at by adding 638. The book does revert to adding 638 in later periods.) Nonetheless many history books on Burma follow (Harvey 1925)'s dates. (Than Tun's books are an exception.) The date Pegu fell is almost always given as 1539 in Western history books although the actual chronicle text clearly indicates that Pegu fell early in the dry season of 1538–1539 (probably c. November/December 1538), and plenty of fighting ensued after Pegu's fall.
↑ (Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 197): Smim Sawhtut took over Pegu a little over a month and a half after Tabinshwehti's assassination on 30 April 1550. Per the Shwezigon Pagoda Bell Inscription (Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 339), Bayinnaung took Pegu on 12 March 1552 (Saturday, 3rd waning of Late Tagu 913 ME).
↑ Rakhine Razawin Thit (Sandamala Linkara Vol. 2 1999: 11) says Min Saw Mon took Launggyet on Thursday, 1st waning of Kason 791, which translates to Monday, 18 April 1429.
↑ The founding date of Mrauk-U appears differently in different sources. The Burmese encyclopedia (Myanma Swezon Kyan Vol. 9 1964: 425) gives the date as Sunday, 1st waxing of Natdaw 792 ME (16 November 1430). But (Harvey 1925: 139) gives 1433, and (Sandamala Linkara Vol. 2 1999: 13) gives Sunday, 1st waxing of Tawthalin 792 ME (20 August 1430).
↑ (Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 179): Mingyi Nyo declared independence from Ava on Tuesday, Full moon of Tazaungmon 872 ME, which translates to Wednesday, 16 October 1510. (Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 196): Tabinshwehti moved his capital to Pegu in 901 ME (30 March 1539 to 29 March 1540).
↑ (Maha Yazawin 2006: 201): Bayinnaung took Toungoo on 11 January 1551 (Sunday, 5th waxing of Tabodwe 912 ME). (Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 339): He took Pegu, and moved his capital on 12 March 1552 (Saturday, 3rd waning of Late Tagu 913 ME).
↑ (Hmannan Vol. 3 2003: 172–173): The Burmese chronicles do not state that King Anaukpetlun officially moved the capital to Pegu. But Anaukpetlun arrived at Pegu in early May 1613 as part of his war operations and hosted the first function at his temporary palace on 14 May 1613 (10th waning of Kason 975). He did not go back to Ava afterwards.
↑ Mawlamyaing/Moulmein was the capital of the Tenesserim Division while Sittwe/Akyab was that of the Arakan Division of British India. The start date is counted from the date of signing of the Treaty of Yandabo. Arakan, Tenasserim and Pegu were united as British Burma within British India on 31 January 1862.
↑ Yangon/Rangoon became the capital of Pegu Division after the Second Anglo-Burmese War.
↑ Yangon became the capital of the Province of Burma of British India on 31 January 1862.

References

↑ (Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 213): 5th waxing of Nayon 904 = 19 May 1542
↑ Harvey 1925: 368
↑ (Maung Maung Tin Vol. 2 2004: 2-25): Sunday, 8th waning of Pyatho 1146 ME = 2 January 1785
↑ (Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 257): Wednesday, 1st waning of Kason 912 = 30 April 1550
↑ (Hmannan Vol. 3 2003: 102): Sunday, 4th waxing of Pyatho 961 = 19 December 1599
↑ (Hmannan Vol. 3 2003: 223): 7th waxing of Tabodwe 996 = 25 January 1635
↑ (Hmannan Vol. 3 2003: 392): 8th waxing of Old Tagu 1113 = 23 March 1752
↑ (Zata 1960: 44): Natdaw 1102 ME = 19 November 1740 to 17 December 1740
↑ (Maung Maung Tin Vol. 1 2004: 128): 4th waning of Kason 1119 = 6 May 1757
↑ (Maung Maung Tin Vol. 1 2004: 52): Full moon of Tabaung 1113 = 29 February 1752
↑ Buyers: King Naungdawgyi
↑ (Maung Maung Tin Vol. 1 2004: 278): Tuesday, 7th waxing of Wagaung 1127 = 23 July 1765
↑ (Maung Maung Tin Vol. 1 2004: 395): Tuesday, 13th waxing of Nayon 1145 = 13 May 1783
↑ (Maung Maung Tin Vol. 2 2004: 223): Thursday, 13th waning of Thadingyut 1183 = 22 November 1821
↑ (Maung Maung Tin Vol. 3 2004: 33): 1st waxing of Tabaung 1203 = 10 February 1842
↑ (Maung Maung Tin Vol. 3 2004: 193): Monday, 7th waning of Kason 1221 = 23 May 1859
↑ Htin Aung 1967: 263

Bibliography

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