Burmese royal titles are the royal styles that were in use by the Burmese monarchy until the disintegration of the last Burmese monarchy, the Konbaung dynasty, in 1885. These titles were exclusively used by those of royal lineage, or more formally, Maha Zi Maha Thwei.
Kings in Burma assumed a distinctive regnal name and title, usually a combination of Pali and Sanskrit, upon ascending to the throne. The King was known by a variety of titles, including the following:
In the early days of the Konbaung Dynasty, Kings had at most, three Senior Queens. Innovations of a fourth Senior Queen and four lesser queens dated to the last quarter of the 1700s. Queens of first rank were called Nanya Mibaya. The expansion and ranKing of Senior Queens was an innovation during the reign of King Singu Min. In order of precedence, they were as follows:
Chief Queen or Queen of the Southern Palace - As the Chief Queen, she alone had the right to a white umbrella and to sit with the King on the royal throne. She was also variously known as Taung Nyazan, Ashin Nanmadaw Hpaya. and Nanmadaw
Queen of the Northern Palace
Queen of the Central Palace
Queen of the Western Palace
Queens of second rank were known as Ahsaungya Mibaya. These ranks were created during the reign of King Tharrawaddy Min. In order of precedence, they were as follows:
Queen of the Southern Apartment
Queen of the Northern Apartment
Queens of third rank were known as Shweye Hsaungya Mibaya. These were innovations dating to the reign of King Bodawphaya. In order of precedence, they were as follows:
Queens of fourth rank were considered minor consorts:
Myosa Mibaya
Ywaza Mibaya
Royal concubines were typically the daughters of officials and tributary princes. They received no rank and in order of precedence were as follows:
Kolottaw
Chedawtin
Maungma
Consorts were granted titles based on rank, divided into two grades. The styles of queens contained the following words based on rank, as follows :
Devī
Mahe or Hesī
Sīri
Su
Min
The styles of royal concubines contained the following words based on rank, as follows :
Devī
Vatī
Rujā
Pabhā
Kesā
Candā
Mālā
Muttā
Princes
Royal princes included the sons and brothers of the King who were ranked, as follows :
Crown Prince - the Heir Apparent, who was appointed by the King and second only to the King in precedence. He was also known as the Uparaja.
Great Princes - First-grade princes. There were 18 Great Princes at any given time, divided into 9 of the left and 9 of the right.
#Shwe Kodawgyi Awratha : The eldest son of the King, by his chief Queen
#Shwe Kodawgyi Razaputra : The younger sons of the King, by his chief Queen
#Shwe Kodawgyi : The sons of the King, by his senior Queens
Middle Princes - Second grade princes born of lesser queens. There were 18 Middle Princes at any given time, divided into 9 of the left and 9 of the right.
#Kodawgyi : The sons of the King, by his junior wives
Princes - Minor princes born of concubines
Non-royal princes were individuals of non-royal lineage who were promoted to the rank of prince, and were divided into there ranks, each of which consisted of 18 princes at any given time, divided into 9 of the left and 9 of the right.: They were ranked, as follows :
Great Princes - The first grade of non-royal princes
Middle Princes - The second grade of non-royal princes
Cavalry Captain Princes - The third grade of non-royal princes
Princely titles were granted based on the prince's rank, which divided into three grades, as follows :
Dhammaraja - usually suffixed to the prince's title.
*First rank - granted a title of 10 syllables
*Second rank - granted a title of 9 syllables
*Third rank - granted a title of 8 syllables
*Fourth rank - granted a title of 6 syllables
Thado - usually prefixed to the prince's title.
*Fifth rank - granted a title of 8 syllables
*Sixth rank - granted a title of 6 syllables
*Seventh rank - granted a title of 5 syllables
*Eighth rank - granted a title of 3 syllables
Minye - usually prefixed to the prince's title.
*Ninth rank - granted a title of 7 syllables
*Tenth rank - granted a title of 6 syllables
*Eleventh rank - granted a title of 4 syllables
*Twelfth rank - granted a title of 3 syllables
Princesses
The ranks of the King's daughters were determined by the rank of their mothers. These ranks in order of precedence were as follows:
Hteik Hkaungtin - The unmarried daughters of the King, by his minor consorts
Hteik Hta Mibaya - The married daughters of the King, by his junior wives
The Crown Princess in line to become chief queen, specially designated to wed the Crown Prince was known as the Tabindaing Minthami or as the Einshe Hteik Hta Mibaya.
Ranking officials
High-ranking court officials were also ranked into 9 ranks, representing their place at the Great Audience Hall during obeisance ceremonies, as follows :
Sitthugyi – commander-in-chief
Neyalutne - dignitaries above rank, including the tributary princes
Sawbwagyi Naukne
Tawchun
Taw
Du
Sani
Atwin Bawaw
Apyin Bawaw
Said officials also received 11 types of titles commensurate with their rank, as follows :
Thado, from Sanskrit satviva shaktidhara
Mingyi
Mahā
Min Thon Hsin Bwe - title containing three Min
Min Hna Hsin Bwe - title containing two Min
Min Ta Hsin Bwe - title containing one Min
Nemyo Min
Nemyo
Nawrahta
Shwedaung
Ordinary titles
The wives of some high-ranking officials also received rank, as follows :
