46 
Sir Arthur P. Phayre —On the History of Pegu. 
[No. 1, 
was then appointed ; but he was killed by a bullet almost immediately, and 
his army broke up and dispersed. The king now in despair shut himself up 
in Dunwun city, which was situated between Muttama and Tsit-taung. 
Byat-ta-ba, though so far successful, knowing that many of the people 
of Muttama were not well inclined towards him, sent a letter and messengers 
to the king of Zimme, asking for assistance, and offering to hold Muttama 
as his general and deputy. Hearing of this, Binya-u seeing that his posi¬ 
tion was becoming desperate, himself sent messengers and presents to the 
king of Zimme and offered one of his daughters in marriage. This was 
accepted ; the march of the Zimme troops was stopped, and Binya-u, though 
unable to recover what he had lost, was not disturbed at Dunwun. There he 
remained for six years. Byat-ta-ba in the meantime strengthened his posi¬ 
tion, and at length gained possession of Dun-wun by a stratagem. The 
king fled on an elephant almost alone, and came to the city of Pegu. This 
was in the year 732 (A.D. 1370), being the twenty-second of his reign. 
Byat-ta-ba had now firmly established himself in Muttama, and to show his 
sympathy with the southern T’hai people, made his subjects shave their heads 
in the Siamese fashion. The only opposition to this order was shown in 
Dunwun. 
Binya-u now turned his attention to the districts of Pegu which were 
put in order, and walls were built round the chief cities. After a time, by 
tacit understanding, there was peace between him and Byat-ta-ba. The king 
caused the great pagodas, Shwe Maudau and Shwe Dagun to be repaired. 
His son Binya-nwe caused him much anxiety by his intrigues. The king 
wished one of his younger sons to succeed him, hut did not formally appoint 
him heir-apparent. Binya-nwe finding his father under the influence of the 
queen against him, began to gather friends to support his interests. Hav¬ 
ing secretly engaged followers, he left the city at night and joined them. 
He took possession of the town and pagoda at Ta-kun, where he engaged 
the services of some western foreigners. # This was in the month Na-yun 
745 (A. D. 1383), when there was an eclipse of the sun. The king was 
now too ill to make any exertions to uphold his authority, and all orders 
were issued by the queen. An army was sent against the prince, which 
he went out and defeated. He did not feel strong enough to attack the 
capital until he had collected a larger force. He then marched, and while 
on the way heard of the death of his father. This event stopped all 
resistance. Thamin Paru, the general who had been employed against 
him, attempted to escape, hut was made prisoner and put to death. Binya- 
nwe ascended the palace in the month Tabodwe, 747, A. D. 1385.f 
* Most probably Muhammadan, adventurers from India or the Persian Gulf. They 
had been coming to this coast for many years past. 
f In the Burmese history, this event is placed in the year 745. See Journal, As. 
Soc. of Bengal, Yol. XXXVII, for 1869. 
