Burmese wars

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Burmese wars. The British in India fought three wars against the Alaungpaya dynasty (1752–1885), kings of Burma. The first, between 1824 and 1826, was a reaction to Burmese expansion which had reached Assam and was considered to threaten Calcutta. Following a victory notable for its heavy casualties, the East India Company annexed Assam, Arakan, and Tenasserim and established a resident at the royal court. The second war in 1852 was provoked by a revolt against interference in Burmese affairs by the resident and led to the annexation of Pegu. The third war, in 1885–6, was a response to the throne's attempts to promote anti-British sentiments and to establish friendly relations with the French in Indo-China. In its wake, the dynasty was displaced, upper Burma was annexed, and the whole of the country was ruled directly as a province of British India.

David Anthony Washbrook