1869.] On the History of the Burma race. 3< 



By this pedigree Meng-kyi-tswa was only on his mother's side 

 descended from the family of the famous three Shan brothers. His 

 father Meng Sheng Tsau, was the son of the deposed king of Pugan, 

 the last of the ancient race who held sovereign authority. From the 

 internal evidence of the history, this appears very doubtful, as the 

 chief influence in the government is evidently among those of Shan 

 race. It is probable that this pedigree has been arranged in later 

 times. 



Of the early history of Meng-kyi-tswa and his father, it is stated, 

 that during the disturbances after the second invasion by the Chinese, 

 and the murder of king Kyau-tswa by the three Shan brothers, the 

 king of Arakan invaded the province of Tharet-myo, where Meng- 

 Sheng-Tsau, a son of king Kyau-tswa, was governor. He and his 

 family were all taken prisoners and carried to Arakan. After a 

 time they were released, and Meng-Sheng-Tsau brought his family 

 to Pan-ya. His youngest son was sent to Tsa-gaing, where Ta-ra-bya- 

 ngai was then king. The son became a favourite with that king, 

 and his former name was then changed to Ta-ra-bya. He received an 

 appointment, and gradually acquiring much influence, was at length 

 made governor of the province of Amyin. The year after Meng- 

 kyi-tswa obtained the throne, he went out with a large retinue to 

 repair the great tank of Meit-hti-la, which had burst its banks. While 

 digging there, they found several golden images with inscriptions, 

 which showed, they represented the sons and daughters of the race 

 of the Leng-dzeng kings of Siam. The king on inquiring from an 

 old man of the place, was told there was a tradition that these had 

 been buried by king Aloung-tsi-thu (who died A. D. 1160), who 

 originally dug or embanked the tank ; and it was said the images 

 were those of the rulers who should come hereafter. In the year 

 732, Tsheng-phyu-Sheng-Bingyaii, king of Hanthawa-ti, sent am- 

 bassadors with a letter and presents to Meng-kyi-tswa. The two 

 kings agreed to have a friendly meeting on the border of the two 

 countries. This was done. They gave mutual pledges of friendship, 

 exchanged presents, feasted together, and then separated. The same 

 year the chiefs of Ka-le and Mo-nhyin fought together. Each ap- 

 plied to the king of Ava for aid, and tendered his allegiance. But 

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