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Statue of Alaungpaya By Phyo WP

Top 10 Interesting Facts About Alaungpaya

Alaungpaya was born on August 24, 1714, in Moksobomyo and died on May 11, 1760. He was born in the small village of Moksobomyo on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River and given the name of Aung Zeya by his Parent.  

He was the son of Saw Nyein (father) and Min Nyo San (mother). His father was the headman of the village and Aung Zeya succeeded him when he decided to relinquish the post. He married his first cousin  Yun San and they were blessed with 3 children; Naungdawgyi, Hsinbyushin and Bodawpaya.

He was the founder of the Konbaung Dynasty of Burma and conquered Lan Na and drove out the French and British who Restored Hanthawaddy Kingdom. He as well-founded Yangon in 1755.

1. He was the Village Headman

Statue of Alaungpaya By Phyo WP

Alaungpaya was the village headman. The headman has several official duties in the village like leading community meetings, acting as a mediator in disputes and may make a recommendation, in some regions a village headman may be a religious leader for the community as well.

In 1752, when Binnya Dala, the Mon King of Pegu, captured Ava and ended the Toungoo dynasty Alaungpaya was the village headman from the small town of Moksobomyo, North of Ava, the Myanmar capital by then. Alaungpaya refused to become a Mon vassal and organized a resistance movement.

2. Alaungpaya Unified Myanmar

Alaungpaya is considered one of the three greatest monarchs of Burma alongside Anawarahta and Bayinnaung for Unifying Burma. This former chief of a small village in upper Burma unified Burma for the third time in its history.

3. Founded the Konbaung Dynasty

One of the interesting facts about Alaungpaya and remembered to date is the foundation of the Konbaung Dynasty. The Konbaung Dynasty held the power of Burma until 1886 when the British annexed Upper Myanmar.

The Konbaung Dynasty is also known as the Third Burmese Empire, it was formally known as the Alompra Dynasty or the Hunter dynasty. It was the last dynasty that ruled Burma/Myanmar, it ruled from the year 1752-1885. This dynasty created the second largest empire in Burmese history.

4. He Made Shwebo the Capital of his Kingdom

King Alaungpaya made impossible things possible, the smaller town known as Moksobomyo in which he was the headman, made it the Capital of his kingdom.

He designated Shwebo (earlier known as Moksobomyo) to be the capital of his kingdom in 1752. The city was small but the king enlarged the mid-size village into a big city. This shows how creative and innovative king Alaungpaya was.

5. Built Mahananda Lake

Alaungpaya did interesting things for Burma. After enlarging the Shwebo to a big city and making it the Capital of his Kingdom, which was just a mere small village town, that was enough.

The king went out of his way and built Mahananda Lake to supply the Shwebo with water. He did this to ensure the capital of his Kingdom never lucks water since it was a small village before and was not developed. He well-built canals to help in agriculture by damming the Mu River but his work decayed after his death.

6. Founded the Yangon

Statue of Alaungpaya By Phyo WP

The king added a settlement around Dagon township located north of downtown Yangon. The township comprises five wards and shares borders with Bahan Township in the North.

It is home to some of the prominent places of the city like Shwedagon, and Pagoda among others. He then called the enlargement town Yangon.

7. He Inspired People of Burma to do Great Things.

Alaungpaya was a charismatic military leader who believed in the first quality. He ensured anything he does is to perfection and always the best. He deeply inspired his people (Burma) to do greater things.

He was lavish in his praises and rewards but also merciless in failure. He never supported any failure he pushed his people to success. According to GE Harvey 鈥渕en felt that when he led them, they could not fail鈥� and 鈥渢o be named at one of his investitures was the ambition of men鈥檚 lives鈥�.

8. Alaungpaya Came from a Family of Leaders

 Alaungpaya reigned as the King of Burma from 1715-1760. Before he became a king, he was the Headman of their home village, a small city of Moksobomyo on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River.

His father was the headman of the Village as well and when he later decided to relinquish the post is when Alaungpaya succeeded him and become the Headman. This clearly shows that Alaungpaya was born into a family of leaders and that鈥檚 why he become a great King of Burma. 

9. Its Name and a Great Meaning

Statue of Alaungpaya By Phyo WP

Alaungpaya when he was born was given the name of Aung Zeya by his parents. When he was only 22 years, the belief spread among the superstitious people of the countryside that a great leader and courageous one would come from them.

The king who reigned then after hearing the rumours consulted various astrologers and when he learned it was Aung Zeya said to be a great leader, he arrested him. Aung Zeya denied ever becoming a leader and he was released.

He stayed quiet for the next 16 years among his fellow villagers of Moksobomyo, however, in 1752 when Mon who were rivals of Burma and had been inhabitants of the country before the Burmans came, renewed their attacks but Aung Zeya refused to be Mon and organized a resistance movement. Since then, Aung Zeya acquired the title Alaungpaya which means the ruler who will someday become a Buddha.

10. Prohibited drinking of Liquor

One of the interesting facts about King Alaungpaya is that he played a major role in reestablishing or reforming many aspects of Burma, prohibiting the use of spirituous Liquors throughout his dominions was one of them.

This is one of the best things he did since the excessive use of Liquor led to high blood pressure, heart diseases, stroke, liver diseases, and digestive problems among other. He was saving his people from health problems.