Theiddat
Encyclopedia
Theiddat was the heir-presumptive of Ava from 1401 to 1407 during the reign of King Minkhaung I
of Ava. Theiddat was the key figure in securing his elder brother Minkhaung I
's claim on the throne of Ava. In the early days of Minkhaung's reign, Theiddat personally led an army to put down a major rebellion. When Minkhaung named his eldest son Minyekyawswa
heir apparent in 1407, Theiddat felt betrayed, and fled south and joined the service of King Razadarit of Hanthawaddy Pegu, which was amidst fighting the Forty Years' War
(1385–1424) with Ava.
It turned out that Theiddat could not betray his brother. In 1409, Theiddat, who was with a special group of Hanthawaddy forces who were waiting to ambush Minkhaung, gave a warning to his brother at a critical moment, allowing him to escape. Theiddat was duly executed by Razadarit for his warning.
by Saw Teza whom he had met during one of his military campaigns. As their mother was a commoner, they were not in line for the throne. Swasawke had designated Prince Tarabya
as crown prince.
died and Tarabya ascended to the throne. Seven months later, circa September 1401, Tarabya was assassinated by Nga Nauk Hsan, the governor of Tagaung who tried to seize the throne. The ministers put the usurper to death, and gave the throne to Minkhaung. His ascension was greeted by a major rebellion led by Maha Pyaut the lord of Yamethin
. Maha Pyaut marched to Ava with a force of 10,000 men, 60 attack elephants and 800 horses. Theiddat led Ava's defenses, and defeated the stronger rebel force, killing Maha Pyaut. In gratitude, Minkhaung gave Theiddat Sagaing
to rule but stopped short of declaring him heir-apparent. The younger brother was never satisfied with the reward he received for his help, and held a lingering resentment that would rear its ugly head later.
Minkhaung I
Minkhaung I of Ava was the fourth king of Ava from 1401 to 1422. Minkhaung is best remembered in Burmese history for his epic struggles against King Razadarit of Hanthawaddy Pegu in the Forty Years' War , and for being the father of Crown Prince Minyekyawswa, who did most of the fighting.Minkhaung...
of Ava. Theiddat was the key figure in securing his elder brother Minkhaung I
Minkhaung I
Minkhaung I of Ava was the fourth king of Ava from 1401 to 1422. Minkhaung is best remembered in Burmese history for his epic struggles against King Razadarit of Hanthawaddy Pegu in the Forty Years' War , and for being the father of Crown Prince Minyekyawswa, who did most of the fighting.Minkhaung...
's claim on the throne of Ava. In the early days of Minkhaung's reign, Theiddat personally led an army to put down a major rebellion. When Minkhaung named his eldest son Minyekyawswa
Minyekyawswa
Minyekyawswa was crown prince of Ava from 1407 to 1417, and commander-in-chief of Ava's military from 1410 to 1417. He is best remembered in Burmese history as the courageous general who waged the most fierce battles of Forty Years' War against King Razadarit of Hanthawaddy Pegu.The prince, who...
heir apparent in 1407, Theiddat felt betrayed, and fled south and joined the service of King Razadarit of Hanthawaddy Pegu, which was amidst fighting the Forty Years' War
Forty Years' War
The Forty Years' War was a military conflict fought between the Burmese-speaking Kingdom of Ava and the Mon-speaking Kingdom of Hanthawaddy Pegu. The war was fought during two separate periods: 1385 to 1391 and 1404 to 1424, interrupted by two truces of 1391–1404 and 1406–1407...
(1385–1424) with Ava.
It turned out that Theiddat could not betray his brother. In 1409, Theiddat, who was with a special group of Hanthawaddy forces who were waiting to ambush Minkhaung, gave a warning to his brother at a critical moment, allowing him to escape. Theiddat was duly executed by Razadarit for his warning.
Early life
Minkhaung and Theiddat were sons of King SwasawkeSwasawke
Swasawke was the second king of Ava, who reigned from 1368 to 1400. When he was elected by the ministers to succeed King Thadominbya who left no heir, Swasawke took over a kingdom that was less than four years old, and still faced external and internal threats...
by Saw Teza whom he had met during one of his military campaigns. As their mother was a commoner, they were not in line for the throne. Swasawke had designated Prince Tarabya
Tarabya of Ava
Tarabya was the third king of Ava, who reigned for seven months in 1401. Tarabya was crown prince during his father King Swasawke's reign, and ascended in January 1401 . But he was assassinated seven months into his rule by his one-time tutor, Nga Nauk Hsan, the governor of Tagaung...
as crown prince.
Minkhaung's ascension to throne (1401)
In 1401 (762 ME), their father SwasawkeSwasawke
Swasawke was the second king of Ava, who reigned from 1368 to 1400. When he was elected by the ministers to succeed King Thadominbya who left no heir, Swasawke took over a kingdom that was less than four years old, and still faced external and internal threats...
died and Tarabya ascended to the throne. Seven months later, circa September 1401, Tarabya was assassinated by Nga Nauk Hsan, the governor of Tagaung who tried to seize the throne. The ministers put the usurper to death, and gave the throne to Minkhaung. His ascension was greeted by a major rebellion led by Maha Pyaut the lord of Yamethin
Yamethin
Yamethin is a town in central Burma in Yamethin District, Mandalay Region. Yamethin provides a market and processing for local agriculture production of rice and beans, as well having a small textile industry, and serving as a railroad shipping point on the Rangoon – Mandalay...
. Maha Pyaut marched to Ava with a force of 10,000 men, 60 attack elephants and 800 horses. Theiddat led Ava's defenses, and defeated the stronger rebel force, killing Maha Pyaut. In gratitude, Minkhaung gave Theiddat Sagaing
Sagaing
Sagaing is the capital of Sagaing Region in Myanmar. Located on the Ayeyarwady River, 20 km to the southwest of Mandalay on the opposite bank of the river, Sagaing with numerous Buddhist monasteries is an important religious and monastic center. The pagodas and monasteries crowd the numerous...
to rule but stopped short of declaring him heir-apparent. The younger brother was never satisfied with the reward he received for his help, and held a lingering resentment that would rear its ugly head later.