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The statute of Maha Bandula in Mandalay Palace photo by Kantabon –

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Maha Bandula

General, title and rank of a senior army officer, usually one who commands units larger than a regiment or its equivalent or units consisting of more than one arm of the service. Frequently, however, a general is a staff officer who does not command troops but who plans their operations in the field.

One such general who was a key figure in the dynasty鈥檚 combat is General Maha Bandula, a key figure in the Konbaung Dynasty鈥檚 policy of expansion in Manipur and Assam.

Here are the top 10 Amazing facts about Maha Bandula

1. He was born Maung Yit in Dabayin

Maha Bandula was born Maung Yit on 6 November 1782 in Dabayin, the firstborn son of a minor gentry family of Pauk Taw and his wife, Nyein. He had three siblings, brother Aye, sister Dok and brother Myat Ne.

As customary with Burmese boys of the era, Maha from age six received education at the local Budhut monastery. He had to quit his studies before turning 13 after his father died of illness. He had to take on early responsibilities in his youth since then.

2. Maha had a son named Kyan Gyi

After the death of his father, Bandula worked the Sesame fields with his mother and looked after his younger siblings. He got married a few years later to Shin Min Bu. Their matrimony was blessed with a child, a son named Kyan Gyi.

3. He was one of the crown prince鈥檚 bodyguards

Thado Minsaw, Crown Prince and son of Bodawpaya photo by Wagaung –

In his youth, Bandula moved to Amarapula, then the Kingdom鈥檚 capital to serve as the lowest grade retainer in the royal service of crown prince Thado Minsaw, who had his hometown Dababyin in fief. Stockily built and loud, based on his body armour, his height is estimated to be about 173 cm.

Maha proved a quick learner in martial arts, horseback riding and war elephant riding and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the crown prince鈥檚 bodyguards in 1806.

It was here as a royal bodyguard that Maha became exposed to military arts receiving further education in Military strategy and tactics.

4. Bandula punched a fellow guardsman to get noticed

Photo by Hermes Rivera on

When crown prince Thado Minsaw died in April 1808, Maha was no longer in the inner circle of the new crown prince, the prince of Sagaing although he continued to be part of the palace guard. He dutifully served in the background for the next four years but still was not noticed. Deeply frustrated, Maha made a bold move to be noticed.

One day in late 1812 he punched a fellow guardsman Nanda Bala for no apparent reason. He was arrested and brought before the Crown Prince, Maha explained that he just wanted to be called 鈥淣ga Yit鈥� by the crown prince just once and that he would gladly go to prison for his behaviour.

Impressed by Maha鈥檚 bold behaviour, the crown prince pardoned him and made him a messenger in his privy council.

5. He was appointed governor of his hometown Dabyin

After the new crown prince, Prince of Sagaing pardoned Maha for punching his fellow guardsman Nanda Bala, he made him a messenger in his privy council. Bandula did not disappoint.

In about six months, In June 1813, he was appointed governor of his hometown Dabayin with the title of Ne Myo Thura Yegaung.

In the following decade, Maha would participate in the expansionist wars of king Bodawpaya and his successor King Bagidow.

6. Maha鈥檚 regiments participated in the capture of the Manipuri capital

Maha鈥檚 first battlefield experience came in Manipur on 15 February 1814, a 20,000-strong Burmese army left their forward bases along the Chindwin to invade Manipur to place their nominee on the Manipur throne.

Maha served under the command of co- commander in chief, Ne Myo Yazathu and commanded the regiments (3000 men).The Burmese forces easily overran Manipuri defences.

Maha regiments participated in the capture of the Manipuri capital. Maha was noticed for his leadership skills.

7. Bandula fought in the first Anglo-Burmese war

One of the battles in First Anglo Burmese War called battle of Wettigan photo by Myanmar鈥檚 Defence Services Museum –

In 1822, the conquest of Manipur and Assan brought a long border between British India and the kingdom of Ava. Bandula was part of the war party at Bagyidow鈥檚 court, which also included Queen Me Nu and her brother, The lord of Salin.

Bandula believed that a decisive victory could allow Ava to consolidate its gains in its new western empire in Arakan, Manipur, Assam, Cachar and Jaintia as well as take over eastern Bengal.

In January 1824, Bandula sent in one of his top lieutenants, Thado Thiri Maha Uzana into Cachar and Jainitia to chase away the rebels. The British sent in their force to meet the Burmese in Cachar resulting in the first clashes between the two.

The war formally broke out on 5 March 1824, following border clashes in Arakan.

8. He died in Battle

On 1 April 1825, the British launched a major attack pounding down on the town with their heavy guns and raining rockets on every part of the Burmese line. Bandula was killed by a mortar shell.

Bandula had walked around the fort to boost the Morale of his men, in his full insignia under a glittering golden umbrella, discarding the warnings of his generals that he would prove an easy target for the enemy鈥檚 guns.

9. Bandula was commander in chief of the Burmese Armed forces

General Maha Bandula was commander-in-chief of the Royal Burmese armed forces from 1821 until his death. Bandula was a key figure in the Konbaung dynasty鈥檚 policy on expansionism during the war and the beginning of the downfall of the dynasty.

As the commander in chief of the Royal Burmese armed forces, Maha Bandula was supported by twelve of the country鈥檚 best battalions including one under his command, totalling ten thousand men and five hundred horses.

His general staff included some of the country鈥檚 most decorated soldiers, men like the lord of Salay and the governors of Danyawaddy, Wuntho and Tangoo.

10. He remains the most famous general in Burmese history

Bandula photo by Zin Nay Lwin –

Bandula remains extremely popular in Burmese imagination and is often the only general ranked alongside famous Burmese kings. His popularity is perhaps dues to his skills as a military commander. A statue erected in his honour stands in Yangon, Burma.