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Top 10 Facts about Hsinbyushin

To conquer is to gain control of or subdue mostly by military force and defeat opponents in war by application of military tactics.

Military tactics encompass the art of organizing and employing fighting forces on or near the battlefield. They involve the application of four battlefield functions which are closely related-kinetic or firepower, mobility, protection or security and shock action.

Tactics are a separate function from command and control and logistics. In contemporary military science, tactics are the lowest of three levels of warfighting, the higher levels being the strategic and operational levels.

Conquest is the act of military subjugation of an enemy by force of arms. With the application of military tactics in the conquest, an opponent is defeated. 

Hsinbyushin was a feared conqueror during his reign, one of Alaungpaya鈥檚 sons to reign over the Konbaung dynasty of Burma. Here are the top 10 facts about Hsinbyushin.

1. Hsinbyushin raised the Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda, Great Dagon Golden Pagoda. The most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar. Yangon, Myanmar. photo by Vyacheslav Argenberg –

Hsinbyushin raised the Shwedagon Pagoda to its current height in April 1775. 

2. He is the second son of Konbaung founder, Alaungpaya

Statue of Alaungpaya in front of the National Museum photo by Phyo WP –

The future king was born Maung Ywa to Aung Zeya and Yun San in Moksobo, a large village in the Mu river valley located about 60 miles northwest of Ava, on 12 September 1736. He is the second son of the Konbaung dynasty founder Alaungpaya.

His father was the chief of the village of a few hundred households and was part of the gentry families that had administered the Mu valley for generations. His father came from a huge family and was related by blood and by marriage to many other gentry families throughout the valley.

Aung Zeya claimed descent from a 15th-century cavalry commander and ultimately the pagan royal line. 

3. Hsinbyushin was given the overall command to recapture Ava at 17

The 17-year-old prince was given the overall command to recapture Ava. The prince鈥檚 assault on 3 January 1754 succeeded in forcing Hanthawaddy troops to withdraw in disarray. Pleased, Alaungpaya made his second son the governor of Ava. 

4. He is known as the prince of Myedu

A Prince of Burmah in court dress photo by Gordon, M.D. –

Hanthawaddy troops invaded Ava and forced the Konbaung forces back. This time the Hanthawaddy forces were on their full might during the battle. Konbaung forces led by Hsinbyushin and his elder brother, Naungdawgyi were badly defeated at present-day Myingyan District city against a siege by the invaders.

In April 1754, Hsinbyushin broke the siege of Ava and pushed the retreating Hanthawaddy armies down to Minbu. Alaungpaya granted Hsinbyushin the town of Myedu in fief, for the latter鈥檚 successful defence of Ava.

He would be known as the prince of Myedu from then on.

5. Hsinbyushin made a blatant attempt to take over the throne

Alaungpaya was succeeded by his eldest son Naungdawgyi. Alaungpaya had pronounced that all his six sons by his first wife would become king in the order of seniority.

At Alaungpaya鈥檚 deathbed, Hsinbyushin had promised his father to uphold his wish, but right after his father鈥檚 death, Hsinbyushin made a blatant attempt to take over the throne.

He asked the top military command to support him but he failed to receive sufficient support. Naungdawgyi forgave his brother at the queen’s mother鈥檚 intercession because he needed to deal with an insurrection by General Minkhaung Nawrahta, a highly decorated commander with whom Naungdawgyi had a long difficult relationship.

The general was the one who led the rear guard action in slam, as well as a rebellion by his uncle Thado Thein Khathu, the Viceroy of Toungoo.

6. He was the third king of the Konbaung dynasty

Naungdawgyi, Hsinbyushin鈥檚 elder brother had to deal with insurrection in his region. Hsinbyushin, now officially the heir-apparent per Alaungpaya鈥檚 wish, watched his brother the king try to put down the rebellions and offered no help.

However, Naungdawgyi managed to neutralize the threats and his authority was unrivalled Hsinbyushin was prepared to stay as the heir-apparent for the long haul. Then in November 1763, Naungdawgyi, only 29, suddenly died.

On 28 November 1763, the ambitious Hsinbyushin, now 27 years old ascended to the throne. His full royal style at the coronation ceremony on 16 May 1764 was Thiri Thuriya Dhamma Razadhipati Hsinbyushin.

He later assumed the new reign name of Thiri Thuriya Dhama Mahadhammaraza Razadhipati on 3 January 1768.

7. Hsinbyushin relocated the kingdom鈥檚 capital to Ava 

The first order of the business was to build the ruined city of Ava, which he wished to make his capital. By the royal order issued on 27 November 1764, the relocation of the Kingdom鈥檚 capital to Ava from Sagaing was announced.

The gates of restored Ava were named after the conquered states: on the east side; Chiang Mai, Martaban, and Mogaung on the south; Kaingma, Hanthawaddy, Myede, Onbaung (Thibaw) on the west; Gandalarit, Sandapuri(Viengchang), Kenghung on the north; Tenasserim and Yodaya(Siam).

He officially moved to Ava in April 1765 after his return from the Manipuri campaign.

8. He was only 39 when he died

Hsinbyushin was only 39 years old when he died. He left 20 queens and 41 children. Singu鈥檚 right to the succession was in direct conflict with Alaungpaya鈥檚 edict that all his sons become king in the order of seniority.

Even though four of his brothers were still alive, Hsinbyushin had ignored his father鈥檚 will and made his eldest son Singu the heir-apparent. With Maha Thiha Thura鈥檚 backing, Singu ascended the throne without incident.

The new king killed off potential rivals to the throne as soon as he came to the throne.

9. Hsinbyushin鈥檚 victories over the Chinese and the Siamese are famous

Hsinbyushin is one of the most famous kings in Burmese history, known for his victories over the Chinese and the Siamese. The victory against the Chinese is generally regarded as the greatest victory in Burmese military history and the 1967 victory over the Siamese probably ranks a close second. 

10. He鈥檚 considered the most militaristic king of the Konbaung dynasty

Statue of Alaungpaya in front of the National Museum photo by Phyo WP –

The second son of the dynasty鈥檚 founder Alaungpaya is best known for his wars with China and Siam. He is considered the most militaristic king of the dynasty. His successful defence against four Chinese invasions preserved Burmese independence.

His invasion of Siam (1765-1767) ended Siam鈥檚 Ayutthaya dynasty. The near-simultaneous victories over China and Siam have been referred to as testimony 鈥渢o a truly astonishing elan unmatched since Bayinnaung.鈥�