Question

Write information about Myanmar's independence.

Answer 1

1. In 1599, the Portuguese defeated the king of one of the kingdoms in Myanmar. However, in 1611 various dynasties ruling in Myanmar got together, defeated the Portuguese and amalgamated their kingdoms.
2. United Myanmar adopted an expansionist policy and conquered Manipur and Assam. It meant that the British Indian territory was under threat of being invaded, a situation that caused three wars between the British and Myanmar.
3. The first war in 1826 was won by the British and they took over Assam and Manipur. They also defeated Myanmar in the second war. At about the same time the French had taken over the regions of ‘Upper Burma’. In the third war, the British won this region too, thereby ruling over the entire Myanmar.
4. The British administration annexed Myanmar as a province of British India. In 1935, it was again separated from India and was granted autonomy. After 1937 the people in Myanmar created an organisation called ‘Burma Independence Army’ under the leadership of Aung San.
5. This organisation helped the Japanese during Second World War. It looked like a downslide for the British. However, they strengthened their hold in Myanmar once again with the help of America in 1945.
6. The British learnt their lesson that as administrators, they could not afford to neglect the popular opinion in a country. They appointed Aung San as Vice President.
7. The British granted independence to Myanmar on 4th January 1948.