Kengtung (; ), also known as Chiang Tung (), Moeng Khün (Tai Khün: ) or Menggen (), was a Shan state which existed from 1243 to 1895. The capital of the state was Kengtung (then known as "Tai Khuen City" 歹掯城), located in a valley in the center of the Daen Lao Range.
Kengtung was the largest of the states in present-day Shan State and ranked first in the order of precedence at the time of the invasion of the Shan States by the British Empire. It was also the easternmost of the Southern Shan States, lying almost entirely east of the Salween and stretching eastwards to the Mekong. It was separated from the northern Shan state of Manglon by the Hka River.
Most of the early history of Kengtung is made up of myths and legends. At the time of British rule in Burma, the Tai Khün, Tai Lü, and Tai Yai formed the majority of the population in the valleys of Kengtung, with other groups such as Akha, Lahu, and Wa forming sizeable communities in the hills. According to Wa tradition, in the distant past the territory had belonged to the Wa people who were displaced around 1229 and were later defeated by King Mangrai. The Wa now form a minority of only about 10% in Kengtung State despite having been —according to their myths— the original inhabitants.Donald M. Seekins, Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar), p. 251
History Early kingdoms According to local tradition, Khemāraṭṭha (), the predecessor state, was founded in an unknown date in the distant past. It was ruled by the Tai Khün of the Tai Yai (Shan) ethnic background. The current dynasty has its origins in the kingdom that was founded around 1243 by a prince named Mang Kun, said to be a delegate of King Mangrai.Keng Tung RoyalKengtung (Kyaington) (Shan State) Despite the ethnic affinity of the ruling Tai with the Siamese to the south, Kengtung was led by Saopha princes who historically preferred to pay tribute to the Burmese kings to the west. The King of Mandalay restricted himself to exacting a yearly tribute, often in the form of offerings of ritual gold flowers, leaving the Kengtung rulers largely alone. The Salween river also acted as a protective natural border in the West hampering communication with Upper Burma. On the other hand, the kingdoms of Lanna and Ayutthaya, as well as the Chinese to the northeast, were closer, more bellicose and had easier access to the territory.
The state was designated as a tusi of the Ming dynasty in 1405.The seventh month of 1405 (Datong calendar). Chapter 313: Liezhuan CCI - Tusi of Yunnan I § Menghen of History of Ming
Modern history
In 1760, following conflicting claims of political influence over Kengtung State, there was a war between the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty and the King of Burma, Hsinbyushin. In 1802 Kengtung came under the rule of Chiang Mai, but with the help of the Burmese the former ruling dynasty was reinstated in 1814 and Mongyawng (Möngyawng) state was annexed.Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 15, p. 200.
Kengtung was historically located at the crossroads of the trade between China and Siam and 19th century sources talk about caravans crossing Kengtung on their way to Chiang Mai totaling yearly 8,000 mules loaded with goods from China. During British rule in Burma the eastern border was demarcated by the colonial powers and the western part of Kengcheng was merged with Kengtung. Historically Kengtung also included the substates of Hsenyawt, Hsenmawng, Monghsat and Mongpu.Sir Charles Crosthwaite "The pacification of Burma" Between 1849 and 1854, Siam invaded Kengtung thrice; the invasions were repulsed with Burmese and Shan military assistance.
On 27 May 1942, during World War II, Kengtung State was invaded and its capital captured by the Thai Phayap Army. Following a previous agreement between Thai Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram and the Japanese Empire, in December the same year the Thai administration occupied Kengtung and four districts of Möngpan. The annexation of the trans-Salween territories historically claimed by Thailand was formalised on 1 August 1943 and the northern province of Saharat Thai Doem was established.Shan and Karenni States of Burma Thailand left the territory in 1945, but officially relinquished its claim over Kengtung State only in 1946 as part of the condition for admission to the United Nations and the withdrawal of all wartime sanctions for having sided with the Axis powers.David Porter Chandler & David Joel Steinberg eds. In Search of Southeast Asia: A Modern History. p. 388
The last ruler of Kengtung abdicated in 1959. The state became then part of Shan State and, despite the independence struggle of the latter, eventually part of Burma. After the 1962 military coup by General Ne Win all the privileges of the saophas were abolished.
Rulers The rulers of Kengtung bore the title of Saopha; their ritual style was Khemadhipati Rajadhiraja.
The Kengtung Yazawin, also known as 'Padaeng Chronicle' and 'Jengtung State Chronicle,' is a history of the rulers of Kengtung written in the 19th century in Burmese language. It was translated into English by Sao Saimong Mangrai.
+#RulersEnthroneDethroneRemark1Mang Khum12431247Delegate of Mang Rai, founder of Kengtung State.2Mang Khian124712533Sao Nam Tuam125312644Sao Nam Nan126413175Sao Hsam Muen Hwe131713246Sao Ai Lok13241336——133613427Sao Hsai Nan134213508Sao Hsai Yu13491366——136613799Sao Sit Pan Tu1379138710Sao Ai Awn1387139011Ai Wu Hsa1390140312Yi Hkam Hka1403146013Sao Hsam (I)1416144114Sao Hsam Si-li1441145615Ai Lao Hkam Ta1456147416Hpaya Lao1474150117Sao Naw Kiao——Son of Ai Lao Hkam.18Hsai Hkaw——Son of Ai Lao Hkam.19Hsai Hpom——Son of Ai Lao Hkam.20Sao Hsam (II)——Son of Ai Lao Hkam.21Sao Hkam——Son of Ai Lao Hkam.22Hpaya Kiao (Sao Town Fu)15231560A monk called to rule.23Sao Kiao Bun Nam1560159824Sao Hkam Town1598162025Sao Mong Khet (Mang Kyin Hpa)1620163726Sao On1638166127Sao In Hkam1662167828Sao Ram Muen (Sao Ok Sighn)1678168629Sao Mong Saik (Hsa Le Mang)1686170330Sao Hsam Hpi1703171031Sao Mong Chuen17101728——1728173032Maung Myo17301737Yawnghwe Shan, sent from Ava (then was a royal court of Toungoo dynasty).33Sao Mong Phi17371738——1738174034Sao Mong Hsam (1st)1740174435Sao Karng1744174734Sao Mong Hsam (2nd)1747178736Sao Kawng Tai1787180237Sao Maha Hkanan (Sao Dong Hseng)1813185738Sao Maha Hpom1857187639Sao Hseng Hkam1876188140Sao Kawng Tai (I)1881188641Sao Kawng Hkam Fu1886189742Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng1895193543Sao Kawng Tai (II)1935193744Sao Sai Long19371959 There is another version of Kentung chronicle which was recorded in Khün language and then translated into Thai by Thawi Sawangpanyangkun.
+#RulersEnthroneDethroneThai NameRemark1,2Mang Khum12431247มังคุ่มCommoner, appointed by King Mang Rai of Lanna, ruled together with Mang Khian.Mang Khian12431253มังเคียนCommoner, appointed by King Mang Rai of Lanna, ruled together with Mang Khum until Mang Khum died.3Chao Nam Thuam12531264เจ้าน้ำท่วมA son of King Chai Songkhram of Lanna.4Chao Nam Nan12641317เจ้าน้ำน่านA close relative of King Chai Songkhram of Lanna.5Chao Sam Muen Huai13171324เจ้าสามหมื่นห้วยA member of the royal family of Lanna.6Chao Ai Lok13241342เจ้าอ้ายลกA member of the royal family of Lanna.7Chao Sai Nan1342?เจ้าใส่น่านA member of the royal family of Lanna.——?1350—Kengtung (Chiang Tung) was abandoned.8Chao Chet Phan Tu13501377เจ้าเจ็ดพันตูA son of King Pha Yu of Lanna.9Chao Ai On1377?เจ้าอ้ายอ่อนA son of Chao Chet Phan Tu.10Chao Bun Chu13901403เจ้าบุญชูA close relative of Chao Chet Phan Tu. (Likely to be an uncle of Chao Ai On)11Chao Yi Kham Kha14031416เจ้ายี่คำขาA younger brother of Chao Bun Chu.——14161419—No detail.12Chao Sam I14191443เจ้าสาม ที่ ๑A younger brother of Chao Yi Kham Kha.13Chao Sam Seri1443?เจ้าสามเสรีA son of Chao Sam.14Chao Ai Lao Kham Tha14561460เจ้าอ้ายเลาคำทาA close relative of Chao Chet Phan Tu——14601474—No detail.15Chao Lao14741519เจ้าเลาA son of Chao Ai Lao Kham Tha.16Chao No Kaeo15191523เจ้าหน่อแก้วA younger brother of Chao Lao.17Chao Sai Kho15211523เจ้าสายคอA son of Chao Lao. Declared independence from Chao No Kaeo.18Chao Sai Phrom15231523เจ้าใส่พรหมA younger brother of Chao Sai Kho. Reigned for about 1 month.19Chao Sam Chiang Khong15231523เจ้าสามเชียงคงA younger brother of Chao Sai Phrom. Reigned for days.20Chao Kham Mu15231523เจ้าคำหมู่A younger brother of Chao Sam Chiang Khong. Reigned for 1 month and 7 days.21Chao Kham Fu (Phraya Kaeo Yod Fa Narit)15231560เจ้าคำฟู (พระญาแก้วยอดฟ้านริท)A younger brother of Chao Kham Mu.22Chao Kaeo Bun Nam15601596เจ้าแก้วบุญนำA son of Chao Kham Fu.23Chao Kham Thao15961620เจ้าคำท้าวA son of Chao Kaeo Bun Nam.24Chao Kiang Kham (Chao Mueang Khak)16201637เจ้าเกี๋ยงคำ (เจ้าเมืองขาก)A younger brother of Chao Kham Thao. Previously ruled Mong Khet (Mueang Khak).25Chao Un16381660เจ้าอุ่นA son of Chao Kiang Kham.26Chao In Kham1661?เจ้าอินคำA maternal grandson of Chao Kaeo Bun Nam.27Chao Ram Muen (Chao Ok Singha)16781686เจ้ารามหมื่น (เจ้าอกสิงห์)A younger brother of Chao In Kham.28Chao Kaeo Bun Ma (Chao Cha Le Mang)16861703เจ้าแก้วบุญมา (เจ้าชะเหล่มาง)A son of Chao Ram Muen.29Chao Sam II??เจ้าสาม ที่ ๒A close relative of Chao Kaeo Bun Ma.30Chao Mueang Chuen?1728เจ้าเมืองชื่นA close relative of Chao Kaeo Bun Ma.31Chao Mong Mio17291737เจ้าหม่องมิ้วA paternal half-brother of Chao Mueng Chuen.32Chao Tittha Nantharacha (Chao Mueng Phi)17371740เจ้าติถนันทราชา (เจ้าเมืองพี)A brother of Chao Mong Mio. Previously ruled Mong Phi (Mueang Phi).33Chao Mueang Sam (1st reigning)17401766เจ้าเมืองสาม (ครั้งที่ 1)A son of Chao Tittha Nantharacha.34Chao Kang17661769เจ้ากางA son of Chao Mong Mio.33Chao Mueang Sam (2nd reigning)17691786เจ้าเมืองสาม (ครั้งที่ 2)35Chao Kong Thai17861802เจ้ากองไทA son of Chao Mueang Sam.——18021814—Kengtung (Chiang Tung) was abandoned after the second invasion by Chiang Mai, to which Chao Kong Thai and many other people were taken.36Chao Maha Khanan Duang Saeng18141857เจ้ามหาขนานดวงแสงA younger brother of Chao Kong Thai. He fled to Mong Yang between Chiang Mai's invasion, and standing there until he was appointed by Burmese to rule Kengtung.37Chao Maha Phrom18581876เจ้ามหาพรหมA son of Chao Maha Khanan Duang Saeng.38Chao Kham Saeng18771880เจ้าคำแสงA younger brother of Chao Maha Phrom.—Chao Thep Mani Kham——เจ้าเทพมณีคำA younger half-brother of Chao Kham Saeng. He previously ruled Chiang Khaeng, and was subsequently appointed to rule Kengtung. He then arranged for his full brother, Chao Chot Kong Thai, to take his place as the ruler of Chiang Khaeng. Chao Mani Kham then traveled to the Burmese capital to present himself to the king and receive the official documents for his appointment. However, on his journey from the capital back to Kengtung, he fell ill and passed away in Muang Nai. The Burmese authorities consequently appointed Chao Chot Kong Thai to become the ruler of Kengtung instead. For this reason, Chao Thep Mani Kham appears in Burmese documents as the ruler of Kengtung, but he is often not recorded as the ruler in the historical documents of Kengtung itself.39Chao Chot Kong Thai (Chao Chiang Khaeng)18801886เจ้าโชติกองไท