Burmese Sketches - Khamkoo

126
^ VRMESE SKETCHES.
a widow and mother of three children,* accompanied her
husband to Ava (1425 A.D.), and there made the acquaintance
of Dhammadhara and Dhammafiana, whose intelligence and
nationality induced her to become their supporter. After the
death of Thihathu, Shin Sawbu, was not satisfied with her life
in the Palace. The intrigues, political convulsions, and rapid
changes of Kings, brought about through the intrumentality
of her rival, Shin Borne, appear to have bewildered her and
made her feel that her position was precarious in the extreme.
She, therefore, lono^ed to be once more in her native land, and
secured the assistance of the two Taking monks, Dhammadhara
and Dhammafiana, in the prosecution of her object.
Amidst much danger and under great difficulties, the party left
Ava in a country boat and arrived safely at Pegu in 1429 A.D.,
where Byinnyayan had become king under the title of Byinnyayankaik.
Twenty-six years later, in the absence of male heirs of
Yazadarit, Shin Sawbu became Sovereign of Pegu by popular
choice under the title of Byinnya T^avv.
Dhammadhara and Dhammafiana were well provided for, in
token of the Queen's appreciation and gratitude for the services
rendered by them during her flight to Pegu. Subsequently, the
former, who was a native of Martaban, of obscure parentage,
and who was then known as the Leikpyingysiung-pongi/i, but
who had unfrocked himself at her request, was appointed to be
her Heir Apparent, while the latter was put in prison for
harbouring evil designs against his Sovereign.
In her choice of a successor, and in excluding her own blood
relations from the succession, Shin Sawbu was guided by her
knowledge of human nature, and actuated by a noble desire to
secure to the Kingdom of Ramanfiadesa firm and wise administration
under an able and competent ruler ; and Dhammadhara
was eminently qualified for the task.
The only opposition against which the Heir Apparent had
to contend was that of Byinna Ein, Governor of Bassein, a son-
in-law of Shin Sawbu. He headed a rebellion, but was shortly
after slain in battle.
Shin Sawbu entrusted Dhammadhara with the affairs of the
Government, while she retired to Dagon (Rangoon) to pass
her remaining days in doing religious works and in peaceful
* A son and two daughters. The son, Byinnya TarA, saccaoded his uncle and
adoptive father, Byinnyayan-kaik, in 1416 A.D. The elder daughter was married to
Byinnya Ein, Governor of Bassein, and the younger to Dhammacheti,