British rule in Burma

British colonial rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948. It began with a series of wars called the Anglo-Burmese Wars and ended when Burma gained independence. During this time, the British controlled areas such as Arakan, Tenasserim, and Lower Burma. Later, they also took over Upper Burma.

In 1886, after the Third Anglo-Burmese War, Burma became a part of British India. It was known as British Burma. In 1937, Burma was separated from British India and became its own colony, managed by the Burma Office. However, during World War II, much of the country was occupied by Japan.

Burma achieved full independence from British rule on 4 January 1948. The region was sometimes called "the Scottish Colony" because many Scots helped govern it, including a notable figure named Sir James Scott. Indian immigrants also played a big role in managing the colony.

Before the British conquest

Burma was a wealthy place because it was on important trade routes in Southeast Asia. Many Indian merchants traveled along its coasts and rivers, especially the Irrawaddy River, and many became part of the local Burmese community. Burma was one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to adopt Buddhism widely, and it remained the main religion there.

The country was ruled by the Konbaung dynasty. The king was the main leader but could only give orders, not make new laws. There were two sets of laws called the Dhammathat and the Hluttaw. The government had three parts: finance, leadership, and courts. The king oversaw everything, but his orders needed approval from the Hluttaw first. Provinces were led by governors chosen by the Hluttaw, and villages were managed by leaders approved by the king.

Arrival of the British

See also: Britons in Myanmar

Burma and the British started fighting when Burma tried to move into lands near British areas. This led to the First Anglo-Burmese War from 1824 to 1826. The British captured the city of Rangoon and made Burma give up some land. The war ended with the Treaty of Yandabo.

Later, in 1852, the British began the Second Anglo-Burmese War because they wanted control of the teak forests and ports in southern Burma. They kept fighting until they took all of Lower Burma.

Finally, in 1885, the British started the Third Anglo-Burmese War. They said the king of Burma was treating people badly. British soldiers entered the city of Mandalay, and soon all of Burma became part of British India on January 1, 1886.

Early British rule

After the British took control of Burma, they made many changes. They introduced new laws and a new way of governing, which was different from the old Burmese ways. This sometimes caused problems between different groups of people in the region.

The British also brought new schools, teaching in English and Burmese. They encouraged Christian teachers to come and start schools, which helped some people learn new things. The British also worked to end practices like forced labor, although this took time to change.

Administrative divisions

The province of Burma after 1885 was divided into several parts:

1. Ministerial Burma (Burma proper)
2. Tenasserim Division including areas like Toungoo and Thaton
3. Arakan Division with districts such as Akyab
4. Pegu Division covering places like Insein
5. Irrawaddy Division including Bassein
6. Scheduled Areas known as Frontier Areas
7. Shan States
8. Chun tracts
9. Kachin tracts

The Frontier Areas were home to ethnic groups like the Chin, Shan, Kachin, and Karenni. They were managed separately by the British.

By 1931, Burma had 8 main divisions, each with several districts.

Economy

Before British rule, Burma’s economy focused on local trade and farming. With the British coming, the economy shifted to focus on exports, especially rice, which was needed in Europe. The British cleared land in the Irrawaddy delta to grow more rice.

Many Burmese people moved to the delta for work. However, they often needed loans from Indian moneylenders, and these loans had high interest rates.

At the same time, many Indian workers moved to Burma and took jobs that Burmese farmers had held. This change caused hardship for many Burmese people.

The British built railways and steamboats to help move goods, but these were owned by the British. Although Burma’s economy grew, many Burmese people did not benefit from it. The country’s resources were often sent abroad, and many people became poorer.

Burmese nationalism

Early days

In the early 1900s, Burmese people started forming groups to help their country. One group was called the Young Men's Buddhist Association, and it began in 1906. They opened schools to educate people. Later, another group called the General Council of Burmese Associations formed, linking many local village groups.

Some leaders went to study in London and thought changes could make life better in Burma. In the 1920s, small changes were made to give Burma a little more control. But many people felt these changes were too slow and wanted things to move faster.

The rise

In 1930, a protest over taxes by a man named Saya San grew into a big movement against British rule. This event, called the Galon Rebellion, lasted two years and needed many British soldiers to stop. During this time, some future leaders became well-known.

In 1936, students at Rangoon University protested when leaders Aung San and Ko Nu were punished. Their actions helped form unions and brought more people to work for Burma's future.

Separation from India

Main articles: Government of India Act 1935, Separation League, and Anti-Separation League

See also: Myanmar's relationship with Northeast India

In 1937, the British made Burma separate from British India. Burma got its own rules and a new government building.

In 1938, workers in Burma started protests because they lost jobs unfairly. The protests grew big and are called the 1300 Revolution. Sadly, some people were hurt during these protests, and a student named Bo Aung Kyaw died. Today, December 20 is remembered as Bo Aung Kyaw Day in Myanmar to honor him.

World War II

Main article: Japanese occupation of Burma

See also: Japanese invasion of Burma, Burma Campaign, and Saharat Thai Doem

In December 1941, Japan invaded Burma. By the end of 1942, Japan controlled much of the country. In 1943, a new government was set up in Rangoon, led by Ba Maw, but it was under Japan's control. Japan could not control all of Burma, and there was resistance. By 1945, British forces, mostly from the British Indian Army, took back control and recaptured Rangoon in May.

After Japanese surrender

When Japan surrendered, Burma was ruled by the British military. The British wanted to punish Aung San and others for helping Japan, but they knew this would make many people angry. The British governor came back to help rebuild the country and delay talks about independence. This made the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL) unhappy because they did not support the government.

A new governor arrived, and there were strikes by police and government workers. The governor talked with Aung San, and they agreed to work together. This helped calm things down. They began talking about how Burma could become independent, and they reached an agreement in January 1947. Not everyone liked this agreement, and there were disagreements among leaders. Aung San worked with different groups to keep Burma united. Later, elections showed that most people supported Aung San and his team.

Aung San's assassination

On 19 July 1947, a political leader named U Saw arranged for the killing of Aung San and some of his government members during a meeting. Since then, this day is remembered in Burma as Martyrs' Day. Thakin Nu was asked to lead a new government, and Burma became fully independent on 4 January 1948, choosing to be a republic instead of staying under British control, unlike India and Pakistan at that time.

Main article: Martyrs' Day
Main articles: Burma Independence Act 1947, British Dominion

Colonial independence

Main article: Union of Burma (1948–1962)

Burma became an independent republic on 4 January 1948. Soon after this, fighting began between different groups, and this conflict has continued in various ways since then.