Mongkawng


Mogaung or Möngkawng was a Shan state in what is present-day Myanmar. It was an outlying territory, located away from the main Shan State area in present-day Kachin State. The state existed until 1796. The main town was Mogaung.

History

According to legend a predecessor state named Udiri Pale had been established in 58 BC. The area was said to have been inhabited by the Tai Long. According to Tai chronicles the kingdom was founded in 1215 by a saopha named Sam Long Hpa who ruled over an area stretching from Hkamti Long to Shwebo, and extending into the country of the Nagas and Mishmis.
Möngkawng was occupied by China between 1479 and 1483, after regaining independence it was again briefly occupied by China in 1495.
From 1651 to 1742 the state was occupied by the Ava-based Kingdom of Burma and following a period of less than thirty years it was again occupied by Burma from 1771 to 1775. Finally Möngkawng was annexed by the Ava Kingdom in 1796.
After becoming part of Burma Möngkawng was ruled by administrators named wuns. During British rule in Burma it became part of the Myitkyina District of the Mandalay Division.

Rulers

The rulers of the state bore the title Saopha.

Saophas