NOTE 2.—MIEN is the name by which the kingdom
of Burma or Ava was and is known to the Chinese.
M. Garnier informs me that Mien-Kwe or Mien-tisong
is the name always given in Yun-nan to that kingdom,
whilst the Shans at Kiang Hung call the Burmese Man
(pronounced like the English word).
The title given to the sovereign in question of King
of BENGAL, as well as of Mien, is very remarkable.
We shall see reason hereafter to conceive that Polo
did more or less confound Bengal with Pegu,
which was subject to the Burmese monarchy up to the
time of the Mongol invasion. But apart from any
such misapprehension, there is not only evidence of
rather close relations between Burma and Gangetic
India in the ages immediately preceding that of our
author, but also some ground for believing that he
may be right in his representation, and that the King
of Burma may have at this time arrogated the title
of “King of Bengal,” which is attributed
to him in the text.
Anaurahta, one of the most powerful kings in Burmese
history (1017-1059), extended his conquests to the
frontiers of India, and is stated to have set up images
within that country. He also married an Indian
princess, the daughter of the King of Wethali
(i. e, Vaicali in Tirhut).
There is also in the Burmese Chronicle a somewhat
confused story regarding a succeeding king, Kyan-tsittha
(A.D. 1064), who desired to marry his daughter to
the son of the King of Patteik-Kara, a part
of Bengal.[1] The marriage was objected to by the
Burmese nobles, but the princess was already with
child by the Bengal prince; and their son eventually
succeeded to the Burmese throne under the name of
Alaungtsi-thu. When king, he travelled all over
his dominions, and visited the images which Anaurahta
had set up in India. He also maintained intercourse
with the King of Patteik Kara and married his daughter.
Alaungtsi-thu is stated to have lived to the age of
101 years, and to have reigned 75. Even then
his death was hastened by his son Narathu, who smothered
him in the temple called Shwe-Ku ("Golden Cave"), at
Pagan, and also put to death his Bengali step-mother.
The father of the latter sent eight brave men, disguised
as Brahmans, to avenge his daughter’s death.
Having got access to the royal presence through their
sacred character, they slew King Narathu and then
themselves. Hence King Narathu is known in the
Burmese history as the Kala-Kya Meng or “King
slain by the Hindus.” He was building the
great Temple at Pagan called Dhammayangyi, at
the time of his death, which occurred about the year
1171. The great-grandson of this king was Narathihapade
(presumably Narasinha-pati), the king reigning
at the time of the Mongol invasion.
