2003-10-24

Royal Commonwealth Society Library. Cambridge University Library. University of Cambridge.

Image

270 x 205 mm. Showing soldiers of the Devonshire Regiment outside the stockade, with a bugler and a wounded man in the foreground. The photograph, judging by the static postures of the figures, is a reconstruction after the event. Situated between the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers, the state of Wuntho was not absorbed into British administration after the Third Burmese War of 1885-86. The Sawbwa (hereditary ruler of a Shan state) at this period was Maung Aung Myat who had taken over the leadership in 1881. Consistently ill-disposed towards the British the Sawbwa had allowed his lands to become a place of refuge for dacoits (robbers) fleeing the British and in February 1891 open rebellion broke out when British troops entered northern Wuntho in pursuit of bandits. A number of British police posts were attacked and British troops moved into the area. On February 21 news came that the Sawbwa had stockaded himself at Kyaing-Kwintaung, situated about midway between Kawlin and Wuntho and on February 22 a force under the command of Captain T.A.H. Davies attacked the stronghold and killed 50 dacoits. A similar action at Okkan on the same day crushed the rebellion.

Sagaing (Asia, Myanmar)

start=1891; end=1891; scheme=DCTERMS.W3CDTF