Empire · 1510–1752 · Southeast Asia
Toungoo Empire (Burma)
Also known as Ava, Burmese kingdoms
The Toungoo dynasty began in the small principality of Taungoo, which grew strong as refugees fled wars elsewhere in Burma. King Tabinshwehti, from 1530, united Upper and Lower Burma and took the Mon port of Pegu, using Portuguese mercenaries and firearms.
His brother-in-law Bayinnaung built the largest empire in the history of Southeast Asia, subduing the Shan states, Manipur, Lan Na, Lan Xang and Ayutthaya, which he took in 1569. It was held together by personal loyalty and could not survive him: under Nanda Bayin it collapsed by 1599. Anaukpetlun and Thalun rebuilt a smaller, sturdier kingdom, and the capital moved to Ava in 1635. Weakened by Manipuri raids and a Mon rebellion, the restored kingdom fell when the Mons captured Ava in 1752.
- Years
- 1510–1752
- Capital
- Taungoo, then Pegu (Bago), then Ava from 1635
- Greatest extent
- 1580, about 1.30 million km²
- Region
- Southeast Asia
Rough estimate under Bayinnaung, including Ayutthaya, Lan Na, Lan Xang and the Shan states; no scholarly area figure found
Legacy
The Toungoo kings laid the foundations of a unified Burmese state, and Bayinnaung is still celebrated as one of Myanmar's greatest rulers.
Rulers
- Mingyi Nyo 1510–1530
Founder, made Taungoo independent of Ava
- Tabinshwehti 1530–1550
United Upper and Lower Burma
- Bayinnaung 1550–1581
Built the largest empire in Southeast Asian history
- Nanda Bayin 1581–1599
Lost the empire to rebellions and invasions
- Anaukpetlun 1605–1628
Restored the kingdom
- Thalun 1629–1648
Moved the capital to Ava and reorganised the state
- Mahadhammaraza Dipadi 1733–1752
Last king, captured when the Mons took Ava
Realms on the map
- First Toungoo Empire 1502–1599