Setkya Min

Maha Thiha Thura Dhammaraja, commonly known as Setkya Min or the Prince of Nyaungyan, was an heir apparent of Burma and son of King Bagyidaw and his consort Hsinbyume. He is worshipped as a weizza along with Bo Bo Aung.

Life

Phe Khin was born on 27 October 1812 in Mingun, near Ava, to the Crown Prince of Sagaing and Hsinbyume. Miraculous events were reported at his birth and his body was said to bear the signs of a future world emperor. King Bodawpaya, his great-grandfather, conferred the title of Thatoe Minhla Shwetaung to him, and gave him the fiefdom of Nyaungyan. His mother died seven days after giving birth. He is recorded as having been very popular with the people and called Sekkyaa Min by them. After Burma's defeat in the First Anglo-Burmese War, it was hoped that he would succeed his father on the throne, drive out the British, and usher in an era of prosperity for Burma and Buddhism.
Setkya Min married Shwetantin Princess, who gave birth to a daughter named Me Tin Gyi. Shwetantin Princess was a daughter of the Prince of Hlaing and the Princess of Danubyu. Therefore, Setkya Prince and Shwetantin Princess were half-siblings.
When Bagyidaw was overthrown by his brother King Tharrawaddy, Setkya Min was executed on 15 April 1838. He was thrown into a river in a velvet sack - an execution method favored by Burmese royalty.

Veneration

Many believed Setkya Min had not been drowned. They said that he had been miraculously rescued by the powerful weizza Bo Bo Aung, who brought him to a hidden sanctuary where he learned esoteric practices and eventually became a weizza himself. Using his spiritual powers, Bo Bo Aung transported Setkya Min to the heaven where future kings are said to bide their time before returning to Earth. Therefore, this legend is an example of the sleeping hero.

Anti-colonial movement

Setkya Min is associated with the anti-colonial movement in Burma. Throughout most of the colonial era, the figure of Setkya Min represented anti-colonial resistance, and a series of rebellions were led by people claiming to be this mysterious personage. After the British had annexed all of Burma and deposed the last Burmese king in 1885, these rebellions largely sought to restore the monarchy and the king to his role as the foremost promoter and supporter of the Buddha's Sasana.