Royal Burma

Burma has an ancient royal history which has left behind many magnificent monuments across the country. The Konbaung dynasty, founded by King Alaungpaya in 1752, was the 3rd Burmese empire and throughout their reign Burma reached her peak of size and power. For about a century Burma dominated the region but in the 1800's a series of wars broke out with the British. The last native King of Burma was Thibaw Min who reigned from 1878 to 1885. After his defeat in the Third Anglo-Burmese War he was deposed by the British and shipped off to exile in India after which Burma became part of the British Empire of India. Mandalay was the last royal capital and is still regarded as the cultural heart of Burma with many breathtaking monuments, temples and a rebuilt palace complex.