Kengtung State

Kengtung, also known as Chiang Tung, Moeng Khün or Menggen, was a Shan state which existed from 1243 to 1895. The capital of the state was Kengtung, 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 Yai people were the majority of the population in Kengtung state with other groups such as Akha and Lahu, forming sizeable communities. 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.

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 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.
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 established as a tusi of the Ming dynasty in 1405.

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 state was annexed.
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. 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. 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.
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.

#	Rulers	Enthrone	Dethrone	Remark
1	Mang Khum	1243	1247	Delegate of Mang Rai, founder of Kengtung State.
2	Mang Khian	1247	1253
3	Sao Nam Tuam	1253	1264
4	Sao Nam Nan	1264	1317
5	Sao Hsam Muen Hwe	1317	1324
6	Sao Ai Lok	1324	1336
—	—	1336	1342
7	Sao Hsai Nan	1342	1350
8	Sao Hsai Yu	1349	1366
—	—	1366	1379
9	Sao Sit Pan Tu	1379	1387
10	Sao Ai Awn	1387	1390
11	Ai Wu Hsa	1390	1403
12	Yi Hkam Hka	1403	1460
13	Sao Hsam	1416	1441
14	Sao Hsam Si-li	1441	1456
15	Ai Lao Hkam Ta	1456	1474
16	Hpaya Lao	1474	1501
17	Sao Naw Kiao	—	—	Son of Ai Lao Hkam.
18	Hsai Hkaw	—	—	Son of Ai Lao Hkam.
19	Hsai Hpom	—	—	Son of Ai Lao Hkam.
20	Sao Hsam	—	—	Son of Ai Lao Hkam.
21	Sao Hkam	—	—	Son of Ai Lao Hkam.
22	Hpaya Kiao	1523	1560	A monk called to rule.
23	Sao Kiao Bun Nam	1560	1598
24	Sao Hkam Town	1598	1620
25	Sao Mong Khet	1620	1637
26	Sao On	1638	1661
27	Sao In Hkam	1662	1678
28	Sao Ram Muen	1678	1686
29	Sao Mong Saik	1686	1703
30	Sao Hsam Hpi	1703	1710
31	Sao Mong Chuen	1710	1728
—	—	1728	1730
32	Maung Myo	1730	1737	Yawnghwe Shan, sent from Ava.
33	Sao Mong Phi	1737	1738
—	—	1738	1740
34	Sao Mong Hsam	1740	1744
35	Sao Karng	1744	1747
34	Sao Mong Hsam	1747	1787
36	Sao Kawng Tai	1787	1802
37	Sao Maha Hkanan	1813	1857
38	Sao Maha Hpom	1857	1876
39	Sao Hseng Hkam	1876	1881
40	Sao Kawng Tai	1881	1886
41	Sao Kawng Hkam Fu	1886	1897
42	Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng	1895	1935
43	Sao Kawng Tai	1935	1937
44	Sao Sai Long	1937	1959

There is another version of Kentung chronicle which was recorded in Khün language and then translated into Thai by Thawi Sawangpanyangkun.

#	Rulers	Enthrone	Dethrone	Thai Name	Remark
1,2	Mang Khum	1243	1247	มังคุ่ม	Commoner, appointed by King Mang Rai of Lanna, ruled together with Mang Khian.
	Mang Khian	1243	1253	มังเคียน	Commoner, appointed by King Mang Rai of Lanna, ruled together with Mang Khum until Mang Khum died.
3	Chao Nam Thuam	1253	1264	เจ้าน้ำท่วม	A son of King Chai Songkhram of Lanna.
4	Chao Nam Nan	1264	1317	เจ้าน้ำน่าน	A close relative of King Chai Songkhram of Lanna.
5	Chao Sam Muen Huai	1317	1324	เจ้าสามหมื่นห้วย	A member of the royal family of Lanna.
6	Chao Ai Lok	1324	1342	เจ้าอ้ายลก	A member of the royal family of Lanna.
7	Chao Sai Nan	1342	?	เจ้าใส่น่าน	A member of the royal family of Lanna.
—	—	?	1350	—	Kengtung was abandoned.
8	Chao Chet Phan Tu	1350	1377	เจ้าเจ็ดพันตู	A son of King Pha Yu of Lanna.
9	Chao Ai On	1377	?	เจ้าอ้ายอ่อน	A son of Chao Chet Phan Tu.
10	Chao Bun Chu	1390	1403	เจ้าบุญชู	A close relative of Chao Chet Phan Tu.
11	Chao Yi Kham Kha	1403	1416	เจ้ายี่คำขา	A younger brother of Chao Bun Chu.
—	—	1416	1419	—	No detail.
12	Chao Sam I	1419	1443	เจ้าสาม ที่ ๑	A younger brother of Chao Yi Kham Kha.
13	Chao Sam Seri	1443	?	เจ้าสามเสรี	A son of Chao Sam.
14	Chao Ai Lao Kham Tha	1456	1460	เจ้าอ้ายเลาคำทา	A close relative of Chao Chet Phan Tu
—	—	1460	1474	—	No detail.
15	Chao Lao	1474	1519	เจ้าเลา	A son of Chao Ai Lao Kham Tha.
16	Chao No Kaeo	1519	1523	เจ้าหน่อแก้ว	A younger brother of Chao Lao.
17	Chao Sai Kho	1521	1523	เจ้าสายคอ	A son of Chao Lao. Declared independence from Chao No Kaeo.
18	Chao Sai Phrom	1523	1523	เจ้าใส่พรหม	A younger brother of Chao Sai Kho. Reigned for about 1 month.
19	Chao Sam Chiang Khong	1523	1523	เจ้าสามเชียงคง	A younger brother of Chao Sai Phrom. Reigned for days.
20	Chao Kham Mu	1523	1523	เจ้าคำหมู่	A younger brother of Chao Sam Chiang Khong. Reigned for 1 month and 7 days.
21	Chao Kham Fu	1523	1560	เจ้าคำฟู	A younger brother of Chao Kham Mu.
22	Chao Kaeo Bun Nam	1560	1596	เจ้าแก้วบุญนำ	A son of Chao Kham Fu.
23	Chao Kham Thao	1596	1620	เจ้าคำท้าว	A son of Chao Kaeo Bun Nam.
24	Chao Kiang Kham	1620	1637	เจ้าเกี๋ยงคำ	A younger brother of Chao Kham Thao. Previously ruled Mong Khet.
25	Chao Un	1638	1660	เจ้าอุ่น	A son of Chao Kiang Kham.
26	Chao In Kham	1661	?	เจ้าอินคำ	A maternal grandson of Chao Kaeo Bun Nam.
27	Chao Ram Muen	1678	1686	เจ้ารามหมื่น	A younger brother of Chao In Kham.
28	Chao Kaeo Bun Ma	1686	1703	เจ้าแก้วบุญมา	A son of Chao Ram Muen.
29	Chao Sam II	?	?	เจ้าสาม ที่ ๒	A close relative of Chao Kaeo Bun Ma.
30	Chao Mueang Chuen	?	1728	เจ้าเมืองชื่น	A close relative of Chao Kaeo Bun Ma.
31	Chao Mong Mio	1729	1737	เจ้าหม่องมิ้ว	A paternal half-brother of Chao Mueng Chuen.
32	Chao Tittha Nantharacha	1737	1740	เจ้าติถนันทราชา	A brother of Chao Mong Mio. Previously ruled Mong Phi.
33	Chao Mueang Sam	1740	1766	เจ้าเมืองสาม	A son of Chao Tittha Nantharacha.
34	Chao Kang	1766	1769	เจ้ากาง	A son of Chao Mong Mio.
33	Chao Mueang Sam	1769	1786	เจ้าเมืองสาม
35	Chao Kong Thai	1786	1802	เจ้ากองไท	A son of Chao Mueang Sam.
—	—	1802	1814	—	Kengtung was abandoned after the second invasion by Chiang Mai, to which Chao Kong Thai and many other people were taken.
36	Chao Maha Khanan Duang Saeng	1814	1857	เจ้ามหาขนานดวงแสง	A 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.
37	Chao Maha Phrom	1858	1876	เจ้ามหาพรหม	A son of Chao Maha Khanan Duang Saeng.
38	Chao Kham Saeng	1877	1880	เจ้าคำแสง	A younger brother of Chao Maha Phrom.
—	Chao Thep Mani Kham	—	—	เจ้าเทพมณีคำ	A 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.
39	Chao Chot Kong Thai	1880	1886	เจ้าโชติกองไท	A younger half-brother of Chao Kham Saeng. Previously ruled Chiang Khaeng.
40	Chao Kong Kham Fu	1886	1896	เจ้ากองคำฟู	A son of Chao Chot Kong Thai.
—	Chao Nang Thip Thida	1896	1897	เจ้านางทิพย์ธิดา	A younger sister of Chao Kong Kham Fu. She temporarily ruled over Kengtung while her younger brother, Chao Kon Kaeo In Thalaeng, was too young to be Saopha. She was the only female ruler of Kengtung.
41	Chao Kon Kaeo In Thalaeng	1897	1935	เจ้าก้อนแก้วอินแถลง	A younger paternal half-brother of Chao Kong Kham Fu.
42	Chao Kong Thai	1937	1937	เจ้ากองไท	A son of Chao Kon Kaeo In Thalaeng. Reigned for 162 days.
—	—	1937	1943	—	Vacant, The British Empire did not appoint a ruler for Kengtung State. This occurred while Chao Phrom Lue, who was a leading contender for the Saohpaship, was standing trial for the assassination of Chao Kong Thai. Although Chao Phrom Lue was later acquitted of the crime, he was nevertheless banished from Kengtung and subsequently went to live in Chiang Mai. This left only one remaining eligible successor: Chao Chai Luang, the son of Chao Kong Thai. However, the British still did not appoint Chao Chai Luang as the ruler because he had not yet reached the age of twenty.
—	Chao Phrom Lue	1943	1945	เจ้าพรหมลือ	An elder paternal half-brother of Chao Kong Thai, appointed by Siam between its occupation.
43	Chao Chai Luang	1947	1959	เจ้าชายหลวง	A son of Chao Kong Thai.

[Saophas]

;Chinese records
Mang Kun and Mang Kyin were Yonnaka governors sent by Mang Lai. Marquess of Kengtung refers to a son of Mang Lai.

#	Saopha	Khuen name	Enthrone	Dethrone	Chinese name
1	孟昆 –	Mang Khum / Mang Kun	1263	1267
2	孟钦 –	Mang Khian / Mang Kyin	1267	1273
3	Marquess of Kengtung	Sao Nam Tuam	1273	1284
4	绍南南 –	Sao Nam Nan	1284	1317
5	绍山木维 –	Sao Hsam Muen Hwe	1317	1324
6	绍赖 –	Sao Ai Lok	1324	1342
7	绍赛南 –	Sao Hsai Nan	1342	1360
8	绍育 –	Sao Hsai Yu	1360	1370
9	绍西潘图 –	Sao Sit Pan Tu	1379	1387
10	绍艾奥 –	Sao Ai Awn	1387	1390
11	艾乌萨 –	Ai Wu Hsa	1390	1403
12	伊康伽 –	Yi Hkam Hka	1403	1416	刀哀 –
13	绍山 –	Sao Hsam	1416	1441	刀交 – ；刀光 –
14	绍山斯里 –	Sao Hsam Si-li	1441	1456	庆马辣 –
15	艾劳康 –	Ai Lao Hkam Ta	1456	1474
16	艾劳 –	Hpaya Lao / Sao Lao	1474	1501	招禄 –
17	绍瑙江 –	Sao Naw Kiao	1501	1503	招帕雅 – ?
18	赛考 –	Hsai Hkaw	1503	？
19	赛蓬 –	Hsai Hpom	？	？
20	绍山 –	Sao Hsam	？	？
21	绍康木 –	Sao Hkam	？	1523
22	比亚江 –	Hpaya Kiao / Sao Hkam Fu	1523	1560
23	绍蒙卡 –	Sao Kiao Bun Nam	1560	1598
24	绍康陶 –	Sao Hkam Town	1598	1600
25	绍蒙伽 –	Sao Moung Khet	1620	1637
26	绍温 –	Sao On	1637	1650
27	绍因康 –	Sao In Hkam	1650	1659
28	绍奥 –	Sao Ram Muen	1659	？
29	绍蒙赛 –	Sao Mong Saik	？	1682
30	绍山皮 –	Sao Hsam Hpi	1682	1721
31	绍芒辛 –	Sao Mong Chuen	1721	1739
32	貌纽 –	Maung Myo	1739	1749
33	绍芒山 –	Sao Mong Hsam	1750	1787
34	绍考泰 –	Sao Kawng Tai	1787	1813
35	绍摩诃加那 –	Sao Maha Hkanan	1813	1857
36	绍摩诃蓬 –	Sao Maha Hpom	1857	1876
37	绍康胜 –	Sao Hseng Hkam	1876	1881
38	绍考泰 –	Sao Kawng Tai	1881	1886
39	绍考康 –	Sao Kawng Hkam Fu	1886	1897
40	绍考江因塔楞 –	Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng	1895	1935
41	绍考泰 –	Sao Kawng Tai	1935	1937
42	绍赛隆 –	Sao Sai Long	1937	1959

;Burmese records

#	Saophas	Beginning and End of Reign	Detail
1	Man Kun	1243 – 1247	? – 1247
—	—	—	No detail
28	Sao Awk	? – ?
29	Sao Möng Lek	? – 1730	1646 – 1730
30	Sao Maung Hkawn	1730 – c.1735	1706 – 17??
—	—	c.1735 – 1739	Vancant
30	Sao Maung Hkawn	1739 –1742
31	Sao Möng Hsam	1742 –1786	? – 1786
32	Sao Kawng Tai I	1787 –1802	1769 – 1813
32	Sao Kawng Tai I	1814 –1815
33	Sao Maha Hkanan	1815 –1857	1781 – 1857
34	Sao Maha Pawn	1857 –1876	1814 – 1876
35	Sao Hseng	1877 – 1881	1818 – 1881
36	Sao Kawng Tai II	1881 – 1885	1829 – 1885
37	Sao Kawn Kham Hpu	1886 – 1895	1874 – 1895
38	Sao Kawng Kiao Intaleng	7 May 1895 – 21 July 1935	1874 – 1935, administrator to 9 Feb 1897
39	Sao Kaung Tai	21 July 1935 – August 1935	1899 – 1935
40	—	1935 – 1942	British administration
41	—	1942 – 1945	Annexed by Siam
42	Sao Sai Long	1945 – 1962	1927 – 1997

Thai Military governor

Following the Thai occupation, a military governor was appointed for the administration of the annexed territories of Kengtung and Möngpan by Thailand.

December 1942 – 1945: Phin Choonhavan