Laukpya

Laukpya လောက်ဖျား
Lord of Myaungmya
Reign	c. 1350s-1389
Born	c. 1320s[note 1]
Died	1390s?[note 2]
Issue	Nawrahta Ma Pyit Nwe
Father	Saw Zein
Religion	Theravada Buddhism

Laukpya (Burmese: လောက်ဖျား or လောက်ဖြား), the Lord of Myaungmya, was a key figure who started the Forty Years' War (c. 1385–1424) between the Mon-speaking Kingdom of Hanthawaddy (Pegu) and the Burmese-speaking Kingdom of Ava. A brother of King Binnya U of Hanthawaddy,^{[note 3]} Laukpya ruled the Irrawaddy delta like an independent king during his brother's 35-year reign. In 1383, when Binnya U's eldest son Razadarit proclaimed himself king after Binnya U's death, Laukpya refused to submit to his 16-year-old nephew. In 1385, as Razadarit prepared to march to the delta, Laukpya sought assistance from King Swasawke of Ava with the promise of submission to Ava.

Laukpya's wrote to Swasawke:^[1]

Glorious king, the ungrateful son, who was rebel when his father was alive, now has dared to ascend the great Binnya U's throne, assuming the title of "Razadarit". Before he can make his position secure, I beg my lord to attack Pegu both by land and by water. Your humble servant holds both Bassein and Myaungmya, and shall attack Pegu by water. When you have achieved your great triumph, take all the treasures for yourself; as to your humble servant, grant him only the annual revenue.

Swasawke's acceptance of Laukpya's invitation resulted in the Forty Years' War between Ava and Pegu. Swasawke's inaugural invasions of Hanthawaddy in 1386 and 1387 could not break Razadarit's defenses. In 1388/89, Razadarit attacked the delta. Razadarit's army could not take Myaungmya, which was heavily fortified, and was defeated at Bassein which was defended by Laukpya's three sons. Then Laukpya ventured out of his defenses, and was promptly captured by Razadarit's forces. Myaungmya surrendered in 1390. The entire delta followed.^[2] Laukpya's son Nawrahta and son-in-law Pyanchi both fled to Ava. Swasawke welcomed the princes, and made Nawrahta the lord of Salin and Pyanchi, the lord of Prome (Pyay).^[3]

Laukpya had 16 wives and 70 children.^[4]

Notes

1. (Pan Hla 2004: 161): His elder brother Binnya U was born in 1323/24. His father died in 1330 per (Pan Hla 2004: 41).
2. (Phayre 1967: 70) suggests that he died after he was captured, referring him as the "late governor of Myaungmya" afterwards. Standard chronicles Maha Yazawin (Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 299) and Hmannan Yazawin (Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 427) only report that he was captured. But Razadarit Ayedawbon (Pan Hla 2004: 190–194) says he was pardoned; it was his son Ma Pyit Nwe who was executed after capture.
3. (Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 290): Laukpya was also a younger brother of Byattaba, the rebellious governor of Martaban.

References

1. Htin Aung 1967: 88
2. Phayare 1967: 70
3. Harvey 1925: 85
4. Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 290 in editors' footnote

Bibliography

• Harvey, G. E. (1925). History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824. London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd.
• Htin Aung, Maung (1967). A History of Burma. New York and London: Cambridge University Press.
• Kala, U (1724). Maha Yazawin (in Burmese) 1–3 (2006, 4th printing ed.). Yangon: Ya-Pyei Publishing.
• Pan Hla, Nai (1968). Razadarit Ayedawbon (in Burmese) (8th printing, 2004 ed.). Yangon: Armanthit Sarpay.
• Phayre, Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur P. (1883). History of Burma (1967 ed.). London: Susil Gupta.