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Sir Arthur P. Phayre —The History of Pegu. 
[No .2 
a Rah an, but threw off his monastic habit and became a layman. He then 
took the name of Tliaminhtau, and began to collect followers in the delta of 
the Erawati, where the Mun race was most numerous, and where a rebel 
force could most easily avoid attack. He was at first very successful, 
having taken Dala and even Syriam; he then marched boldly to attack 
Makau, a fort only sixteen miles south of the capital. Here he was 
attacked by troops sent from Hanthawati, and was defeated. He retreated 
to Syriam, where Bureng Naung routed his followers. He fled westward, and 
Bureng Naung followed him up, and fixed his head quarters at Dala, from 
whence he sent out parties in all directions to hunt down the fugitives. 
During this confusion, the emperor was under the care of the governor of 
Tsit-taung, who had the title of Thamin-tsau dwut, or Thamindurit. Pie is 
called by the Portuguese historian 1 Xemin of Zatan.’ This young man also 
was a scion of the Shan royal family of Pegu. He had been educated at 
the same kyoung as Thaminhtau, and was strongly recommended to the 
emperor by the Phungyi, or abbot, of the monastery. He was soon taken 
into favour, and was entirely trusted by Bureng Naung. His two younger 
brothers had appointments in the palace, one being commander of the 
emperor’s bodyguard. The emperor had gone for change to a temporary 
palace at Pantarau, when a report was brought, no doubt to draw him away 
to a remote place, that a white elephant had been seen east of the Tsit-taung 
River, near the ancient city of Katha. To capture a white elephant at this 
juncture would have a good effect on the whole people, and the emperor was 
easily inveigled into the jungle at the foot of the mountains. There he was 
murdered by one of the brothers of Thamindwut, in May, 1550. The latter 
at once proclaimed himself king at Tsit-taung, and soon after took possession 
of Hanthawati, where he was consecrated according to ancient custom. 
Tabeng Shwe lit! had reigned ten years in Taungu, his native kingdom, 
and ten years as emperor in Hanthawati. The Talaing history records 
that he made great gifts to the national pagodas of Shwe-maudau and 
Shwe Dagun ; and that he constructed a road between Pegu and Taungu, 
with wells, zayats, and gardens for the use of travellers. This road, which 
was well raised above the level of ordinary floods, still exists. He built a 
pagoda at Taungu, which was completed only the year before his death, as 
has been proved from an inscription on a silver scroll, discovered at that city 
a few years ago. The pagoda was built for the benefit, by means of the 
merit acquired by building it, of himself and family, and in memory of his 
father. He was only thirty-six years of age when he died. 
Bureng Naung was at Dala when these events occurred, and finding 
the strength of the country against him, determined to march to Taungu. 
On the way he was joined by his wife who managed to escape from the 
city. When arrived at Taungu, lie found that his brother Thi-ha-thu 
