BURMA GAZETTEER

SHWEBO DISTRLCT

VOLUME A

COMPILED BY

Ma. A. WILLIAMSON, I.C.S.

SETTLEMENT OFFICER, RANGOON

SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERMENT PRINTING AND STATIONERY,

RANGOON.
LIST OF AGENTS FROM WHOM GOVERNMENT OF BURMA
PUBLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE

IN BURMA

1. CITY BOOK CLUB, 98, Phayre Street, Rangoon.

2. PROPRIETOR, THU-DHAMA-WADI PRESS, 55-56, Tees Kai Maung
Khine Street, Rangoon.
3. PROPRIETOR, BURMA NEWS AGENCY, 135, Anawrahta Street,
Rangoon.
4. MANAGER, UNION PUBLISHING HOUSE, 94, "C" Block, Bogyoke
Market, Rangoon.
5. THE SECRETARY, PEOPLE'S LITERATURE COMMITTEE AND
HOUSE, 546, Merchant Street, Rangoon.
6. THE BURMA TRANSLATION SOCIETY, 520, Merchant Street,
Rangoon.
7. MESSRS. K. BIN HOON & SONS, Nyaunglebin, Pegu District.
8. U Lu GALE, GOVERNMENT LAW BOOK AGENT, 34th Road,
Nyaungzindan Quarter, Mandalay.
9. THE NATIONAL BOOK DEPOT AND STATIONERY SUPPLY
HOUSE, North Godown, Zegyo, Mandalay.
10. KNOWLEDGE BOOK HOUSE, 130, Bogyoke Street, Rangoon.
11. AVA HOUSE, 232, Sule Pagoda Road, Rangoon.
12. S.K. DEY, BOOK SUPPLIER & NEWS AGENTS (In Strand Hotel), 92,
Strand Road, Rangoon.
13. AGAWALL BOOKSHOP, Lanmadaw, Myitkyina.
14- SHWE OU DAUNG STORES, BOOK SELLERS & STATIONERS, No.
267, South Bogyoke Road, Moulmein.
15. U AUNG TIN, YOUTH STATIONERY STORES, Main Road, Thaton.
16. U MAUNG GYI, AUNG BROTHER BOOK STALL, Minmu Road,
Monywa.
17. SHWEHINTHA STONES, Bogyoke Road, Lashio, N.S.S.
18. L. C. BARUA, PROPRIETOR, NATIONAL STORES, No. 16-17,
Zegyaung Road, Bassein.
19. DAW AYE KYI, No. 42-44 (in Bazaar) Book Stall, Maungmya.
20. DOBAMA U THEIN, PROPRIETOR, DOBAMA BOOK STALL, No. 6,
Bogyoke Street, Henzada.
21. SMART AND MOOKRRDUM, NO. 221, Sule Pagoda Road, Rangoon.
22. DAW KYI KYI SINT, STATIONERY MART, Bo Aung Road (E-Road),),
Pyinmana.
23. ZWE LITERARY BOWER, No. 195 (B-I), 33rd Street, Rangoon.
24. B. B. BOWER. NEWS BURMA BOOK STALL, 28-27, Merchant Street,
Bassein.

IN INDIA

1. MESSRS. HIGGINBOTHAMS LTD., Post Box No. 311, Madras (India).

2. MESSRS. THACKER SPINK & CO. (1933) LTD., Post Box No. 54-3,
Esplanade. Fast Calcutta (West Bengal).
PREFACE.

THANKS are due to the officials of the district and others who have provided
material for incorporation in the Gazetteer, in particular to Mr. C. E. Milner,
Deputy Conservator of Forests, who furnished the notes on forests and fauna.

The Gazetteer has been compiled mainly by Mr. D. B. Perch, I.C.S, Assistant
Settlement Officer, some of the material having been collected earlier by Mr.
H. Parker, I.C.S., Assistant Settlement Officer.

A WILLIAMSON,
Settlement Officer, Shwebo.
1st March 1924.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION.

Situation and Area; Boundaries, Physical aspect; Hills; Rivers and

streams-The Irrawaddy, The Mu, Tributaries of the Mu; Lakes;
Canals; Geology; Soils; Climate and Temperature; Rainfall;
Fauna-Elephant; Rhino; Bison: Saing; Tiger and Panther; Bear;
Deer; Serow; Wild Dog; Birds; Snakes 1-10

CHAPTER II.
HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY,
Part I. History.

Early History; 11th, 12th and 13th centuries A.D., The Anawrata
Dynasty; 1298 A.D. 1557 A.D., Shan Domination; 1557 A.D. to
end of the 27th century A.D., Settlement of Prisoners; Manipuri
invasions; Fall of Ava, March 1752. Resistance of Moksobo
(Shwebo); Siege of Moksobo, end of 1752. Encounters with the
Kin-u-so, Nga Chit Nyo. Victories over the Talaings and local
rivals. The building of Yatanatheinga (Shwebo). U Aungzeya
enters Ava at the end of 1753. River battle at Kyaukmyaung, May
1754. Captain Baker's account-U Aungzeya relieves Prome at the
end of 1754 and reaches Dagon (Rangoon). Description of U
Aungzeya-Description of Moksobo in September 1755, 1756-57,
U Aungzeya master of all Burma, Reconstruction of Alaung-
Sithu's Canal, Death of U Aungzeya. Naungdawgyi. Bodawpaya
seizes the throne 1781. The Nga Taw Nge Rebellion. Dr.
Richardson's journey 1857. Description of Moksobo in January
1837. Tharrawaddy Konbaung Min's Rebellion. Mindon Min's
Rebellion. The Padein Prince's Rebellion. Disorder in Thibaw's
reign. Events after the annexation. Shwebo 1885-86. Ye-u, 1886.
Pacification, 1887-88-89 11-49

Part 2.--Archaeology.

Old Towns. Halingyi; Tomb of Alaungpaya; The Pitaka Taik; Pagodas : The
Theinkadaw Pagoda; Shwebawgyun Pagoda; Other pagodas; Inscriptions:
Inscription concerning the Mahananda Tank; Pyu inscription; Other
inscriptions; Figure of Bodhisattva 49-63
CONTENTS
CHAPTER III.
THE PEOPLE.
Population; Migration; Density; Towns; Race; Shans; Bayingyis;
Barnabite Fathers; Burma Moslems, Myedu (Kalas); Other races.
Natives of India; Chinese; Literacy; Depressed classes; Village;
Houses; Food; Dress; Religious edifices and offerings; General
prosperity 63-78
CHAPTER IV.
AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION.
Increase of cultivation; Principal crops; Double cropping; Rice;
Sessamum; Beans; Matpe; Pegya and Pebyugate; Millet; Cotton;
Wheat; Groundnut; Other crops; Toddy palms; Soils; Improvement
and deterioration of soils; Methods of cultivation--(i) Paddy; (ii)
Dry corps; Land tenure; Tenants; Labourers; Land values;
Agricultural indebtedness; Co-operative Societies; Agricultural
loans; Cattle; Other stock; Irrigation-Miajor Canals; Shwebo
Canal; Ye-u canal; Minor works; Irrigation establishment; Private
irrigation works; Tanks; Sand-weirs; Wells; Lift irrigation 78-117
CHAPTER V.
FORESTS AND MINERALS.
Forests; Forest-clad areas; Mu and Shwebo Divisions Types of
Forest; History of the Division; Method of extraction; Other
species; Sawmills; Departmental expenditure; Management; Forest
villages; Keddahs; Lower Chindwin Division; Salt; Coal; Iron;
Gold; Amber; Mineral oils; Road metal and building stone 118-138
CHAPTER VI.
OCCUPATIONS AND TRADE.
Importance of non-agricultural occupation; Traders and petty
traders; Rice mills; Sawmills; Forest occupations; Salt
manufacture; Alkaline earth; Glazed pottery; Unglazed pottery;
Paste and lacquer; Bamboo mats and baskets; Pas; Combs;
Rosaries; Paddy husking mills; Weaving; Other occupations;
Markets; Exports; Imports; Lines of trade - (a) the railway; (b)
Irrawaddy and Mu Rivers; (c) Road routes; Distribution of exports;
Distribution of imports; Weights and measures 138-154
CHAPTER VII.
MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.
Railways; Rivers; Roads; Ferries; Cart hire; Public conveyances;
Rest houses; Posts; Telegraphs; Telephones 155-160
CONTENTS PAGE
CHAPTER VIII.
FAMINE.
Famine and years of scarcity; Improbability of famine conditions
arising 161-164

CHAPTER IX.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.

Administration under Burmese Rule; Military and Marine

Organization; Other Ahmudans; Organization of the distrlct after
the Annexation; Boundaries; Village Administration; Civil
Administration; Departments not under the Deputy
Commissioner's direct control; Military; Military Police; Posts;
Active service; Cost; Civil police; Strength; Cost; Posts; Beat
Patrols; River police; Railway police; Punitive police; Criminal
Tribe; Crime; Preventive Sections; Excise and Opium Cases;
Gambling Act; Rebellion; Criminal Justice; Honorary Magistrates;
Civil Justice; Jail; Registration 164-197

CHAPTER X.
REVENUE ADMINISTRATION.

Revenue administration in Burmese times; Royal lands and

irrigation tax; Fisheries, Ferries, forest tax, and monopolies; Royal
gardens; Thathameda; Royal lands; Ferries and fairs; Revenue
system from the annexation to the introduction of the original
Settlement (1907-08); Original Settlement of unirrigated portion of
the district (1900-06); Settlement of the Shwebo Canal area (1908-
10); Reclassification of Shwebo Canal area (1916-17); Ye-u Canal
area; Revision Settlement of whole district (1918-23); Fluctuations
in land revenue; Fluctuations in thathameda; Land Revenue
establishment; Fisheries; Miscellaneous revenue; Stamps; Excise;
Bait Revenue; Income-tax 197-216

CHAPTER XI.
LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT.

Shwebo Municipality; Constitution; Establishment; Population;

Income and Expenditure; Roads; Conservancy; Street lighting;
Water supply; Municipal garden; Education; Hospital; Ye-u
Municipality, 1890-96; Ye-u Notified Area, 1900; District Fund;
Income and Expenditure; District Council and Circle Boards 216-225
CONTENTS PAGE

CHAPTER XII.
EDUCATION.

Literacy; Education; Controlling agencies; Expenditure; Private

Schools; Public Schools; Middle Schools; High Schools; Anglo-
Vernacular Schools; Roman Catholic Mission Schools; American
Baptist Mission School; Mahomedan School and Chinese School,
National Schools; Elementary Training Class; Survey School. 225-232

CHAPTER XIII.
PUBLIC HEALTH.

Cholera; Plague; Small-pox and Vaccination; Vaccinators, Hospitals;

Shwebo Hospital; Ye-u Hospital; Kanbalu Hospital; Sayas; Sanitation; Water-
supply; Vital Statistics 232-240 232-240

CHAPTER XIV.
MINOR ARTICLES.

Shwebo Town; Shwebo subdivision; Shwebo township; Chiba;

Kyaukmyaung; Kyaywa; Nyaungbintha; Palaing; Seikkun; Sinin;
Tebin; Thalon; Kin-u township; Kin-u ;Thawatti; Thetpe; Wetlet
township; Wetlet; Halin; Hladaw; Singut; Sheinmaga;
Shwebangon; Thakuttaw; Ywatha; Kanbalu Subdivision; Kanbalu
township; Kanbalu; Kyatthin; Male; Myedu; Zigon; Kyunhla
township; Kyunhla; Ye-u subdivision; Ye-u township; Ye-u;
Magyidaw; Zeyawaddi; Tabayin township; Tabayin; Mayagan;
Taze township; Taze; Ywathitkyi Ywama; Captain Baker's
interview with U Aungzeya at Moksobo, September 1755. 240-259

List of Deputy Commissioners who have held charge of Shwebo

and Ye-u Districts 260-261

Bibliography 262

Maps 242
BURMA GAZETTEER

SHWEBO DISTRLCT

VOLUME A

CHAPTER I.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION.

Situation And Area.

Shwebo is one of the seven districts of the North-West Border Division in

Upper Burma. It was constituted in its present form in 1895 by the
amalgamation of the old Shwebo and Ye-u districts. It is 5,714 square miles in
extent and lies between 22° 10' and 23° 52' North and 94° 47' and 96° 1' East.

Boundaries.

On the north it marches with Katha District; on the east with Katha District
(Mogok Subdivision) and Manda lay District; on the south with Sagaing and
Lower Chindwin Districts and on the west with the Upper Chindwin District.
No official notification of the boundaries of the District has been traced, but
they may be described as follows:-

North.-- Starting from a point on the Mu-Chindwin divide, about the

latitude of 23° 50', the boundary follows the Nanbayan chaung south-eastwards
till it falls into the Mu river, and continues southwards along the Mu to the
mouth of the Swele chaung. After ascending the Swele eastwards for five miles
the boundary turns away to the north-east across country till it meets the Thaw
chaung, and thence ascends the Thaw chaung to its junction with the Daungyu
chaung, from which point it follows the Daungyu to Wagyidaw village, a mile
east of the Mu Valley railway line. Thence the boundary turns almost due
south till it again meets the Thaw chaung near Mongaung village, where it
turns eastwards again up that chaung to Yawgon hamlet and finally ascends a
small spur of the Minwun range of hills to the crest of the Mu-Irra waddy
divide.
2 SHWEBO DISTRICT

East.-- Turning south, the watershed is followed till it ends at the mouth of
the Zin chaung on the right or west bank of the Irrawaddy, whence the river
becomes the boundary as far as Singaing, hamlet five miles south of
Sheinmaga, at latitude 22° 12'.

South.-- The boundary goes westwards from Singaing in an irregular line

till it reaches the Mu at Letpanhla village, whence it ascends the Mu until near
Myinthe village. Thence crossing the Mu a complicated line is followed to the
low range of hills midway between Monywa and the Mu, where the boundary
after making a sharp salient into the Budalin township of the Lower Chindwin
District turns northwards and follows a cart track as far as Saingbyin, where it
again resumes its westwards course, reaching a point little more than a mile
from the Chindwin River at the Zingale chaung.

West.-- From this point to the starting point at the head of the Nanbayan
chaung the boundary is the Mu Chindwin divide.

Physical aspect.

The district is roughly rectangular in shape (about a hundred miles from

north to south and sixty miles from east to west) and, with the exception of a
strip a few miles in width along the Irrawaddy, and a small area in the south-
west that drains into the Chindwin, lies wholly within the basin of the Mu
River. On the eastern and western limits of the district there are two parallel
ridges separating the Mu diainage from the drainage of the Irra waddy and the
Chindwin, but the whole of the central basin is a level plain devoid of any
striking physical feature and devoted almost entirely to paddy cultivation. It is
only in the south-east and south-west corners of the district adjoining Sagaing
and Lower Chindwin Districts and on the Irrawaddy-Mu watershed that one
finds that rolling upland country devoted to dry crops, that is typical of the dry
zone.

Hills.

There are two clearly marked systems both running north and south along
the eastern and western limits of the district respectively. In the north adjoining
Katha District both these systems reach a height of 2,000 feet and over. Farther
south they are much less imposing and degenerate into low watersheds
separating the Mu basin from the Irrawaddy and the Chindwin. The eastern
ridge skirting
SHWEBO DISTRICT 3

the right bank of the Irrawaddy continues into Sagaing District and is known as
the Minwun-taung in both districts. The highest point in the eastern system is
Zintaung (2,290) in the Gongs Reserve on the Shwebo-Katha District border.
Hngetpyit-taung (1838) at the south of the Sadwingyi Reserve is the highest
point on a short ridge parallel to the main system. In the western system the
highest point is 2,384 in the Nangyitha Reserve. At the southern end
Okpodaung (897) on the Lower Chindwin border stands out prominently. In
the north both systems are covered with heavy teak bearing forest. Further
south, however, the lower rainfall is reflected in the character of the forest
growth. South of Kongyi the eastern ridge is covered with thin scrub jungle
where it has not yielded to cultiva tion, while the western system carries only
indaing species of poor quality.

Rivers and Streams:-- The Irrawaddy.

The Irrawaddy forms the eastern boundary of the district for some 72
miles. Throughout its course in this district it flows through a comparatively
narrow gorge. Its waters are not used for irrigation and the silt deposited on a
narrow belt of kaing land is courser and less fertile than that left behind in
other districts farther south, where the banks are lower and the velocity of the
silt bearing water less.

The Mu.

Rising in Katha District and joining the Irrawaddy near Myinmu in Sagaing
District the Mu flows from north to south through the heart of Shwebo District.
Before the erection of the canal headworks it was navigable by boats of light
draught during the rains, and it is still used for floating timber. Its chief
importance now is as the source of water supply for the Shwebo and Ye-u
canals, which take off from a common weir at Kubo about half way down its
course and irrigate wide tracts of country to the east and west of the river. The
Mu is a perennial river but from December to June it dwindles down to a
shallow stream fordable everywhere, and in most years even during the
monsoon the flow of water is erratic.

Tributaries of the Mu.

All other important streams in the district are either of the Mu or streams in
the Mu basin which peter out before reaching the river. On the right bank
beginning from the north are the Nanbayam, the Nangyitha,
4 SHWEBO DISTRICT

the Pyaungthwe, with its feeders the Maingwun and Pon hmwa, and the Yabin
all of which are important for timber extraction. The waters of the Pyaungthwe
and Yabin are also utilised for irrigation by means of sand weirs. The next
stream the Paungkadaung has cut too deep a channel to be used for irrigation.
All these streams carry only a trickle of water in the dry season. The remaining
streams having their sources in the high indaing country in the west of the
district all disappear in the central paddy plain before reaching the Mu, and
their shallow sandy beds are dry for the greater part of the year. After heavy
rain they run in spate, and efforts are made to utilise their waters for irrigation
by means of sand weirs. They are all very unstable. When in flood they carry
large quantities of sand and silt in suspension which is deposited whenever the
velocity of the water is checked. The result is that they are constantly changing
their course, eating into paddy fields in one place and heaping up silt and sand
in another. The largest and most violent is the Sipadon which in its lower
course, where it debouches on the Nwabetkyi plain, has shifted its bed across
some five miles of country from north to south. The Shwegu, Sawme and
Ponbaw farther south are similar in type but somewhat less violent. The
Payanpaga chaung, which flows diagonally across the Ye-u canal area from
north-west to south-east, has cut a deeper channel and is more stable as it flows
through tane soil. This stream picks up the drainage water from paddy land
lying to the west of the Ye-u canal area and also acts as the chief drainage
channel for the canal area itself. It flows into the Mu close to the Lower
Chindwin border.

On the left bank of the Mu there are few tributaries of any economic
importance. The Tamyit, the Teinyin and the Indaw or (Hngetpyittaung) may
be mentioned. The last stream has in the past been used for irrigation, but its
sandy bed and violent flooding are obstacles to any perma-nent irrigation
project. It cuts through the old Burmese work the Muhaung canal and enters
the Mu River just north of Kabo. It was the difficulty anticipated in cross ing
this stream that was the chief reason for not taking off the present Shwebo
canal at a point farther north than Kabo. South of the Indaw chaung the streams
from the east are caught up by the Muhaung canal and utilised to
SHWEBO DISTRICT 5

irrigate the strip of land lying between it and the Shwebo canal. Of these
streams the most important is the Kobin chaung which flows into the
Mahananda tank north of Shwebo town.

Lakes.

Though there are numerous tanks large and small throughout the district
there are few sheets of water that are not of artificial formation. Even the Halin
jheel which is in the main a natural lake has a bund at the southern end to
enable it to store up larger supplies of water. The lake is fed by small streams
draining the country to the north-east, by drainage water carried by the old Mu
canal which tails into the north end of the lake and by water released from
paddy fields irrigated by the Mok sogyon branch of the Shwebo canal. It is
about six miles long and three miles broad in the widest part and is no where
very deep even in the rains. Daring the dry weather only a small area in the
centre is covered with water. Almost the whole bed of the lake has been
occupied for mayin cultivation, but ordinarily only a small proportion of the
area is actually cultivated. The lake has a reputation for its wild-fowl shooting
and in most years geese, duck, teal and snipe are abundant from November to
February.

On both banks of the Mu river in its lower course there are numerous
narrow depressions that fill with flood water during the rains. These are old
channels of the Mu and are knows locally as mudeins. They are occasionally
sources of water-supply for mayin cultivation.

Canals.

Irrigation will be dealt with in Chapter IV, but the network of canals and
distributaries, which covers nearly the whole of the central tane basin, may be
mentioned here as an important feature of the landscape in an arid country. In
addition to irrigating the main paddy crop during the monsoon the canals have
proved a great blessing to the inhabitants by assuring an ample supply of
drinking water for man and beast in the dry season in an area where water is
seldom found below the surface at depths to which villagers can sink wells.

Geology.

The greater portion of Shwebo District is covered by alluvium, but to the

west and east of the district hilly country occurs, the rocks of which are in the
main of tertiary age. Probably the rocks of the south-eastern part
6 SHWEBO DISTRICT

of the district belong mainly to the Irrawaddy sand stone series (see Cool.
Mag., LIX, page 492) a formation of upper tertiary age, containing silicified
fossil wood and vertebrate remains. Older tertiary rocks, probably Eocene, are
found in Kyunhla Township, and in the east of the district north of
Thabeikkyin. These rocks, which are described by T. Oldham as mainly
sandstones, conglo merates and clunchy shales, contain coal seams near
Kabwet, and petroleum in the Kyunhla township. If the petroleum, as seems
possible, is of the same age as that of the hills west of Kani in Lower
Chindwin, it must be of upper Eocene age. Similarly the coal measures of
Kabwet are possibly to be regarded as uppermost Eocene (Yaw stage).

Although the geology of Shwebo has not yet been worked out, it seems
probable that there is here an Eocene group of beds consisting of sandstones,
conglomerates and shales, and containing coal and oil, and an upper tertiary
group of sandstones and conglomerates of fresh water facies resting upon
them. Dykes of greenstone are intruded into the tertiary sandstones in the east
of Shwebo, and are exposed on the banks of the Irrawaddy. The greenstone is
said by T. Oldham to be highly vesicular, almost as much so as pumice. The
best exposure is near Kabwet on the Irrawaddy to the north-east of Shwebo.
From this point the dykes extend inland in a northerly direction. In the east of
the district, the tertiary rocks rest uncon formably upon gneisses, crystalline
limestones, and granites (Mogok Gneiss series) of Archaean age. These
gneissic rocks are exposed near Sheinmaga, in the Nattaung hills north of
Thitseingyi, and to the south of Male. T. Oldham describes the Archaeans
south of Sheinmaga (near Tatywa) as hornblende gneiss with veins of
hornblendic granite traversing the gneiss in an east-westerly direction. To the
south of Male, hornblendic gneisses occur, in which are bands of saccharoid
crystalline limestone similar to that of the famous Sagyin quarries north of
Mandalay. The bands of limestone have an E. N. E - W. S. W. strike.

Excepting these few exposures of Archaeans dose to the banks of the

Irrawaddy, the whole of the district appears to be covered by tertiary beds or.
by recent alluvium.
SHWEBO DISTRLCT 7

Soils.

The soils of the district are dealt with in Chapter IV.

Climate and temperature.

With the exception of a comparatively unimportant area in the north of the

district, which is on the border of the northern wet zone, the climate of the
district is that of the dry zone. There are three clearly marked seasons. The
cold weather begins in November and lasts until the middle of February. The
hot season extends from the middle of March to the end of May. The rains
usually bring relief in June. From June to October, though there are only seven
or eight rainy days a month, the sky is often overcast, and a southerly breeze
makes the climate not unpleasant. There are however periods during Sep
tember and the early days of October when the climate is muggy and
oppressive.

Meteorological observations are not officially recorded at Shwebo, but the

following table shows the average range of temperature at the Civil Hospital,
Shwebo, during the years 1919 to 1923 for the months of December, April and
August :-

December. April. August.

Average maximum 75° 96° 87°

Average minimum 61° 77° 77°

The highest shade temperature recorded in the Hospital in April and May is
102°, but a shade temperature of 106° is not unknown elsewhere in Shwebo
town.

The climate though hot is generally healthy except in the region of higher
rainfall in the north-west of the district where it is very malarious.

Rainfall.

The mean annual rainfall recorded for the twenty years 1903-1922 at the
ten recording stations in the district is 37'76 inches. There is however a fifty
per cent. difference between Kyunhla (48'52 inches) and Wetlet (32'60 inches).
The records indicate a steady increase in rainfall from south to north that is
reflected in the character of the vegetation. Thus, taking the stations in order
from south to north, the average rainfall east of the Mu is Wetlet 32'60 inches,
Shwebo 36'23 inches, Kin-u 36'09 inches,
8 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Kubo 38'99 inches and Kanbalu 39'42 inches; west of the Mu the figures are
Tabayin 34'09 inches, Ye-u 35'71 inches, Tamadaw 35'98, Taze 39'51 and
Kyunhla 48'52 inches Except in the extreme north of the district, Where
Kyunhlain the west (48'52 inches) has a considerably higher rainfall than
Kanbalu in the east (39'42 inches) there is no noticeable difference in the
average rainfall from east to west, though there are important variations from
year to year. September is everywhere the month of highest rainfall. June
provides the next highest, while July and August are usually characterised by
long breaks. The October rain sare usually adequate for paddy cultivation
though some times excessive for sesamum and cotton. The light rains of
November are important for bean crops. Heavy hail storms have been known
to occur in this month and do great damage to standing crops.

The highest mean rainfall recorded during the last twenty years was in
1910 when the district average was 49'77 inches. The lowest mean rainfall was
26'78 inches in 1920. In the former year the non-matured area was the lowest
recorded since the introduction of Land Records. In the latter it was the highest
since the introduction of irrigation. In abnormal years such as these the
statistics of total rainfall are directly reflected in the statistics of cultivation. In
more normal years however the distribution of the rainfall is as important a
factor as its total amount. A season characterised by very heavy falls followed
by long breaks may be less favourable than one in which the rainfall though
lighter is better distributed.

Fauna.

The district containing as it does nearly a thousand square miles of

reserved forests and twice that area of jungle, is naturally still rich in game.
The Maingwun ridge on the east and the Mu-Chindwin watershed on the west
give ample cover to saing, bison, and elephant. The increase in cultivation due
to irrigation has however greatl yreduced the numbers of thamin which living
in scrub jungle in and around cultivation are ruthlessly slaughtered for their
heads in the hot weather and for their flesh in the close season.

Elephant.

There are three main elephant areas :- ,

(i) The Baw tract in the extreme north-east where considerable herds
wander between this district, the Thaw and Budaung Reserves in Katha,
SHWEBO DISTRICT 9

and the kaing swamp along the Meza and Irrawaddy near Tigyaing. In
the autumn these herds raid down as far as Pazigale and Kongyi doing
considerable damage to crops.

(ii) The Hnaw forest in the south-west where herds from the Chindwin
come over in the rains to raid the paddy fields in the west of Tabayin
and Ye-u Townships. In 1920 three were shot near the Mu within 14
miles of Shwebo.

(iii) The large reserves in the Kyunhla Township and extensive kaing areas
along the Mu notably near Panmaye.

A considerable number of good tuskers have been shot in the district since
1912, and at the present time the herds seem mostly to be led by old females or
haings. In 1921 and 1922 two keddah licensees have been working the district
without much success, one man capturing nothing and the other having 13
deaths out of 24 captures.

Rhino.

Rumour has it that an occasional rhino comes over from the Chindwin into
the north-west of Kyunhla Town ship.

Bison.

Bison are found in all suitable localities in the higher and denser jungle but
cannot be said to be common.

Saing.

Considerable numbers of saing occur in all the big reserves and may even
be seen within a few miles of Shwebo, but their chief habitat is the more
inaccessible indaing hills. Rinderpest attacked these herds badly in 1914-15.

Tiger and Panther.

Tiger and panther occur all over the district in moderate numbers, and
thrilling tales are told of the Kyaukmyaung and Kabwet roads, the most
startling being that of a Sub divisional Officer whose pony trap was chased
along the former road by two tigers alternately springing at and missing the
pony. . . Panther indeed would seem judging by the list of annual rewards to
breed profusely near Kyaik thin, one sportsman having claimed 80 rewards in a
season and an ex-police constable having to the writer's knowledge caught
seven in one trap in a period of two months.
10 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Bear.

The tracks of bear may be seen in most jungle streams, but he is a shy animal
and is only rarely bagged in the rains by village shikaris.

Deer.

The sambhur and barking deer are numerous in all suit able localities, and
hog deer occur in places along the Mu-Panmaye, Mugan and Taze. Thamin as
already noted used to be very common all over the southern half of the district
but are rapidly being exterminated.

Serow.

This interesting goat antelope occurs on one or two isolated hill tops a
definition of the position of which would possibly lead to their extermination.

Wild Dog.

This pest is far too numerous especially in Kanbalu and Kyunhla

Townships where they occasionally kill village cattle and ponies, Sabenatha
(1920), near Kyaikthin (1922), Pinde (1922). Local legend has it that wild dogs
live in large packs of a hundred or so ruled by a black king dog and that the
usual pack of ten or fifteen is only an outlying skirmishing party. In the more
distant jungle it is no unusual thing to find the remains of a full grown saing
killed by wild dogs.

Birds.

The district produces some of the finest duck and jungle fowl shooting in
Burma, Wetlet Jheel being a famous centre for duck and geese where
individual bags of 50 duck and 14 geese have been made in an afternoon. An
Xmas party in 1919 obtained 19 different species, 1 goose, 2 snipe and 19
kinds of duck and teal including the rare bronze-capped teal, red-crested
poehard, white eyed and common poehard. The commonest duck are however
gadwall. The Chinese francolin, black breasted quail and brown button quail
occur everywhere, while kholy pheasant and the skulking hill partridge may be
found in the hills. Snipe both pintail and fantail may be obtained round the
jheels from September onwards, and an occasional wood cock is shot in the
Baw tract. The non-game birds are typical of the dry zone, shrikes, cuckoos
and others.

Snakes.

Of poisonous snakes the Russell's viper, cobra and krait are most common.
The Russell's viper is particularly dreaded during harvesting operations. Of
non-poisonous snakes the rat-snake is most common.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 11

CHAPTER II.

HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY.

Part I. History.

Early History.

The modern history of Shwebo begins with the rise of Alaungpaya, the
founder of the last Burmese dynasty, which ruled for nearly a century and a
half, from 1753 to 1885. Before this period Shwebo was called Moksobo and
was a small village in the charge of a subordinate official. References in the
Burmese Chronicle to the village and its neighbourhood in early times are few
and slight, and these, with a few inscriptions and local histories, give but a bare
indication of the trend of events through the centuries. Before the tenth century
all is in the realm of legend. The country appears to have been divided among
numerous petty chiefs. Little is known of the people who inhabited it, and even
their race is obscure.

The village of Male on the Irrawaddy figures in the early migration stories
of the Hmannan Yazawin. It is related that one of the monarchs of the old
Burmese Kingdom of Tagaung, centuries before the Christian era, was driven
from his kingdom by a Chinese invasion and settled at Male. Five centuries
later during the life time of Gautama, Daza Raza who later founded old Pagan,
near Tagaung, and finally rebuilt Tagaung itself, fled from Kapilavastu in
Northern India and settled at Male. Male is also the centre of a strange legend
concerning the birth of Pyusawti who became King of Pagan about the second
century A.D. Myedu, a village of importance for many centuries, is supposed
to have been rounded by an Indian Prince before the time of Gautama, and
Halingyi, twelve miles south of Shwebo, has a wild legend which boasts a line
of 800 kings, the first of whom, King Karabaw, a son of the fabulous
Mahasamata, rounded the kingdom many thousands of years before the
Christian era, in the most delectable spot he could conceive. The place
unfortunately lacked water, and this difficulty he sought to overcome by the
bunding of the Irrawaddy below Kyaukmyaung but was prevented by the
hostility of the nats.
12 SHWEBO DISTRICT

More than ordinary interest attaches to this village of Halingyi, which is

believed to have been a city of importance among the Pyu peoples. The Pyus
were a strong race known to the Chinese up to the 13th century as aio. They
occupied the west bank of the Irrawaddy from Prome as far north as this
district, and also inhabited the Chindwin valley. Inscriptions in Pyu script
found at Halingyi and at Prome have been assigned, on palaeographical
grounds, to the fourth or fifth centuries A.D.

The Pyu Min Pyon Min legend which is strongly implanted at Halingyi is
one of the few surviving traces of Pyu ascendancy. The legend is also told in
connection with the ancient Powindaung caves in the Lower Chindwin and
pervades many other sites up the Chindwin. The Halingyi legend contains the
name Pyusawti, the name of the above mentioned King of Pagan who was born
of an egg which floated down from Male. It seems possible, though this is
mere conjecture, that Pyusawti was King of Halingyi before he overcame the
enemies surrounding Pagan and ascended its throne in the 2nd century A.D.
The striking similarity between the nomenclature of the Kings of Pagan from
Pyu sawti onwards and the rulers of Yunnan at the time is considered to
indicate a common origin probably communality of race. It is probable that for
some time before the welding together of the tribes into a great Kingdom by
Anawrata in the 11th century, the inhabitants of Upper Burma were half Pyu
and half Shan and were all, at least nominally, subject to Nancha'o (Yunnan).

The following outline of the history of the district is derived for the most
part from the Burmese Chronicle known as the Hmannan Yazawin-daw-gyi
and the Konbaung Set Maha Yazawin-daw-gyi. Many of the dates given in the
earlier periods are approximate only. Some have been taken from Phayre,
whose dates have in many cases been found to conflict with those in the
Chronicle.

11th, 12th and 13th centuries A.D. The Anawrata dynasty.

In the Myedu Yazawin is mentioned the expulsion of the Shans early in the
11th century by Anawrata, and the prevalence of tradition concerning later
kings of the Anaw rata dynasty indicates that the district was part of the Pagan
kingdom from this time onwards until overrun by the Shans in 1298. The
names of Kyansittha (1057-1085), Alaung Sithu (1085-1160) and Narapati
Sithu (1167-1204),
SHWEBO DISTRICT 13

which appear frequently in local histories and in connection with the founding
of pagodas, are well known to the people. The legends that have widest
currency are those which relate the work of Alaung Sithu or Narapati Sithu,
during his tours of Upper Burma on his magic raft (Thinkanet-Paung Set-kya).
The Burmese Chronicle notes the confusion between these two names, and' it
is doubtful to Which of the two the numerous works in Shwebo may rightly be
ascribed. The King is variously known in villages throughout the district, as
Alaung Sithu, Narapati Sithu, Namani Sithu, Yamani Sithu, Sithu Min or
Nayawadi Sithu. He is said to have visited Myedu, where he stayed on the hill
known as the Myinkwadaung and rounded many pagodas including the
Shwekugyi, a pagoda famous for its large image of Buddha. While on this hill,
he had the old Mu Canal started at its foot and dug as far as Moksobo. When it
was completed, he floated down to Shwebo on a gilded raft. At Shwebo he
erected the Shweraza Pagoda and granted a piece of land to a hunter named
Nga po on condition that be populated it and looked after the pagoda. The
village founded by Nga Po was called Mokso,Nga-Po-ywa, Hunter Nga Po's
village, shortened in time to Moksobo by which name the village was known
up to Alaungpaya's accession to the throne and the building of the walled city.
To the same king is ascribed the founding of Tabayin at a place where he
found a goat drinking water in the jungle, the name Tabayin being a corruption
of the name "Dioe shin," di meaning "water, "pe "a goat" and shin "jungle." (It
is suggested that the language is Chin). In this area a long narrow sandy ridge,
probably the silted up bed of a small stream, is pointed out as the track left by
the King's magic raft, and almost every village, pagoda and tank in its vicinity
is ascribed to him. The track is known as the Paung-Yo-dan. It passes north
from Methe to Inbin and thence west of Tindeinyan to Hnawgon. About four
miles south of Myedu an old irrigation bund runs east and west on either side
of the Mu River. This is known as the Alaung Sithu Kanyo. The building of
the Kadu Tank is also ascribed to the same King. On his return to his capital he
made "nine images of the Lord out of the Saga-leaf prow of the Thinkanet
boat; and in order that the religion might last five thousand years and all
creatures be profited
14 SHWEBO DISTRICT

he built gus for these nine images one each at Myedu, Sipottaya, and Moksobo;
there they practised piety." No doubt a large number of the traditions current at
the present time have been manufactured out of a false etymology, but there is
usually some foundation for strong traditions, and some of them may well be
genuine. All the religious buildings of Pagan were erected between 1057 and
1227, and it is not improbable that the district was the scene of similar activity,
though on a less maginficant scale, as tradition claims.

The 11th and 12th centuries were thus in all probability periods of peace
and prosperity, but the power of the Anawrata dynasty eventually declined, and
the Mogaung annals claim for Sam Long Hpa,the Mogaung Sawbwa (1215-
1228), the government of the province of Moksobo, early in the 13th century.*
This document may not be reliable, but Shan influence had undoubtedly been
growing in the Burmese kingdom, and, when the Burmese forces suffered a
defeat in 1284 east of Male before the Mongol army of Kublai Khan, and the
King, thereafter known as Tarokpye Min, was driven to Bassein, the kingdom
was partitioned among petty Shan chiefs.

1298 A.D. 1557 A.D. Shan domination.

For the next two and a half centuries the district was under the rule of the
Shan chiefs reigning first at Myinzaing and Panya (south of Ava) and later at
Sagaing and Ava, and its history is that of the incessant wars between these
chiefs and the chiefs of the Shan principalities of Mohnyin and Mogaung in the
north, the district between the Mu and Irrawaddy rivers, which covered the
capitals, being jealously guarded.

The Myedu Yazawin claims that the boundaries of the province of Myedu
were in the west the Chindwin, in the east the Irrawaddy and m the north the
Shan principality of Mogaung. The whereabouts of the southern boundary
Kyauktaga, is unknown. Myedu was governed by Myosas appointed by the
Shan Chiefs.

Thihathu, the youngest of the three Shan brothers who dethroned and
subsequently murdered Kyawswa, the last of the Pagan Kings of the Anawrata
dynasty, eventually attained sole power and established a palace at Panya,
north

* Upper Burma Gazetteer, Part II.

SHWEBO DISTRLCT 15

of Myinzaing. During his reign his son Usana, the Einshe Min, was sent to
repair the fortress of Myedu. Thihathu had another son Athinkaya who became
Governor of Sagaing where he raised large bodies of armed men. * Among his
forces were included 24 horsemen under Myothugyi Nga Yan Naing, a villager
of Taze, as Myingaung.† Athinkaya declared himself independent of Panya at
Sagaing in 1315.

For 49 years the district remained under the successors of Athinkaya ruling
at Sagaing contemporaneously with the kings of Panya, until, in 1364, the
Mogaung Sawbwa descended ,on Tagaung where the reigning king's son
Thadominbya was governor, and followed up his success thereby taking
Sagaing and Panya. Thadominbya, himself a Shan, succeeded in recovering the
kingdom from the northern Shans and founded the new city of Ava. His
successor Mingyiswa-sawke had Myedu repaired and made Thetshekyawdin
and Thinkatha Myosas of Myedu and Tabnyin. * The Mohnyin sa raided
Myedu about 1372. About 1384 Razadirit ascended the throne of Pegu and
Mingyiswa-sawke, who had enlarged his kingdom and already taken Prome,
was incited to invade Pegu. From this invasion dates the great war which raged
intermittently between Burmans and Talaings for 200 years and ended in the
victory of Alaungpaya. The reign of Mingaung I, who succeeded Mingyiswa-
sawke's son, was marked by exhaus ting engagements with Razadirit, who
seriously threatened the kingdom and at one time penetrated as far north as
Tagaung. But throughout the fighting he was distracted by disturbances and
rebellions among the Northern Shans and had to keep garrisons in the district
at Tabayin, Myedu, Sitha, Siboktaya and Ngayane. He rounded the cities of
Mahabo and Myohla and strengthened them into fortresses, the walls of which
are still standing though the sites are deserted. The Mingaung Myaung canal
leading from Myohla to Palaing tank was also constructed in his reign.

In1413 the Shan Chiefs of Mawke and Maw don attacked Myedu, and the
Einshe Min was sent against them. * The two chiefs fled to China, and the
Chinese were induced to interfere on their behalf to recover their wives and
child

* Hmanann Yazawin.
† Myedu Yazawin-
SHWEBO DISTRICT 16

ren who had been taken prisoners. Mingaung died in 1421, and, in 1426, the
Mohnyin Sawbwa usurped the throne and made his younger son Myosa of
Myedu. *† His successors fought continually with the Northern Shans,
Mogaung in particular. Further appointments of Myosas are related in the
Burmese Chronicle and the attack and destruction of Myedu and Ngayane in
1482 is described. The Myedu sa about this time declared himself independent,
thus bringing unfriendly territory nearer to the gates of Ava than the dynasty
had yet known.

In 1502 Thetdawshe the new Myosa of Myedu reported that Salun the
Mohnyin Chief was making continued prepara tions to attack. Myedu and
Ngayane. In the same year Myedu was attacked, and Thetdawshe retired to
Tabayin. For the next twenty years there was desultory fighting in the district,
and in spite of pressing need in the south of his kingdom, where revolutions
had to be suppressed, the King was unable to weaken his garrisons in Tabayin,
Sibok taya and Sitha. * Four years after taking Myedu, Salun, the Mohnyin
Chief, attacked the Tabayin garrison and was bought off by the cession of
Myedu and Ngayane. In 1511 the King, Narapati, invested Myedu but was
beaten off by Shan allies of Salun. Some years later a further encounter with
Salun occurred in which the Burmese were victorious in driving back the
Shans and regaining all the ground lost. In spite of repairs and reinforcements,
however, in 1523 Salun took Myedu, Ngayane and Siboktaya in succession,
and followed to Inbe and Thayaing, taking large numbers of prisoners and
cattle and forcing the garrison at Tabayin, which he had avoided, to retire.
Salun spent the rains in Myedu andmarching on Sagaing next year, burnt
everything in the vicinity and plundered farther south. He returned north again,
but, two years later, again attacked Sagaing from Halin and Hmetti and taking
Ava, placed his son Thohanbwa on the throne and withdrew. *

At this period, the beginning of the 16th century, the country was divided
among the kingdoms of Pegu, which had been independent since the fall of the
Anawrata dynasty, Toungoo, Prome, Burma, governed by the Shan
Thohanbwa, and numerous Shan principalities.,

* Hmannan Yazawin. † Myedu Yazawin.

SHWEBO DISTRICT 17

During the next twenty years after 1523 the fragment of Burma in the
hands of the Shan Chiefs changed hands every few years. Thohanbwa was
heated by both Burmans and Shans and was murdered Many of the Burmans
had taken retuge in Toungoo which now became more Burmese than Burma
and whose king was looked upon as the hope of the Burmese race. Soon after
1540 Tabin Shweti of Toungoo captured Pegu and Pagan and marched on Ava,
but found the Shan confedenacy of the north too strong to be attacked. On his
death his general Bayin Naung, though at first forced to retire to Toungoo,
again took Pegu and Pagan, and, in 1554, succeeded in taking Ava and
Sagaing, then separate principalities. When the Shans became aware that he
intended to attack them, they assem bled in force at Thawutti, on the Mu river
north of Ye-u. There they were defeated by Bayin Naung, who marched up
from Sagaing with his centre on the line Saye, Myingane, Inbe and Halin. The
Shans retired to Myedu leaving the Wuntho Myosa as a rear guard at Taze. The
Myosas of both Siboktaya and Tabayin capitulated, and, in a further attack, the
Shans were driven out of the district, back to the hills, and Bayin Naung was
King of all Burma.

1557 A.D. to end of the 17th century A.D. Settlement of prisoners.

The absence of all mention of the district in the Burmese Chronicle through
the next 150 years of the 16th and 17th centuries would indicate peace, though
according to the Mohnyin Chronicle, Sz I, the Mohnyin Chief in the year 1585
"defeated the Burmese at Mithu (Myedu), killing the chief To-naung and, in
1590, the Burmese took revenge for the Mithu afair.* "Also, in 1599, during
the reign of his suc cessor, Bayin Naung's great kingdom collapsed. Mogaung
and Mohnyin again became independent and something like chaos reigned in
the south. Nyaungyan Min, who was tributary King at Ava at the time,
refrained from interfering in the affairs of the lower country, and determined
first to establish his own authority in Burma proper. He ineffec tually attacked
Mogaung and Mohnyin who had refused to pay tribute, but succeeded in
annexing the Indaing Tract of the present Kyunhla Township which, according
to the Indaing Sittan, was paying revenue in gold to Mogaung, This tract had
been occupied by Shans

* Myedu Yazawin.
18 SHWEBO DISTRICT

who are said to have come over from the Mahamyning country on the Upper
Chindwin border. He also removed the prisoners taken in the Shan states,
during his father Bayin Naung's battles, from the village near Ava, where they
had first been quartered, and settled them in Nyaungbin, Ywatha, Hngetpyaw,
Nagasin and Pintha, the five towns making up the governorship in the present
Kanbalu Township known up to the time of the annexation as Pyinsala-nga-
myo. Maha Dhamma Raza (1605-1628) Nyaungyan Min's successor, who
completed the conquest of the Shans, and in the south eventually recovered the
kingdom of Bayin Naung including Pegu, also made many settlements in the
district. While fighting in the south, he attacked De Brito the Portuguese
governor of Syriam in 1613. Most of the leading Portuguese were executed,
but the remainder and many of mixed race were sent as prisoners to Ava and
afterwards settled in the northern districts. These formed the nucleus of the
Christian villages of Chantha, Monhla and Chaungyo in this District. During
Maha Dhamma Raza's reign also, Pathis, or Maho medans, came over,
"voluntarily," according to their Sittans, from Sandoway and Arakan, and were
allotted lands in Myedu, Sithu, Siboktaya and Tab nyin in this district. Quite
probably they were in actual fact prisoners of war. It was they who formed the
nucleus of the Pathi population of the district which is still strong in numbers
at Myedu, Chinbyitkyin, Wetto and Ngayane. In the same reign Talaing
captives from Toungoo were settled at Kyaukning and Yathi in the present
Kanbalu Township, where they were given lands on condition of working iron
for the King.

Prisoners taken between 1625 and 1636, mostly during the reign of
Thalunmintaya-gyi, in Kyaingyon or Keng Hung on the Mekong River and in
the Yun country, Siam, were settled on fertile alluvial land on the banks of the
Mu River at Thapanseik, Toktalok, Letsaunggan, Leywa, Thetpe, Mutha,
Sinin, Wunsi, Yudawmu and Shwebangon and also at Nwabetgyi, Myedu,
Thityabin and Payan. These Kaunghans and Yuns, as they were called, were
required to render service to the King as lictors, and did so up to the time of the
annexation. The majority of their settlements still exist.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 19

Manipuri invasions.

Before the close of the 17th century, the power of Ava began to weaken.
Symptoms of its decline are apparent in successful raids directed from
Manipur. The Manipuris occupied the Kubo valley in the north-west without
any effort being made to oust them.

Thirty years later they defeated on the Manipur frontier a Burmese army
which included mon from this district in the Myauh-bet-myin cavalry and the
Tabnyin and Myedu Regi-ments. In 1735 they actually attacked Myedu and
carried off the" Kaias (Mahomedans) and Burmans" living there. Two years
later the King becoming aware of this activity, sent out two small forces to
reconnoitre-one under the Pontaga Sa. These were both defeated near the Chin
dwin, and the King immediately sent a force, stated to have consisted of 200
elephants, 700 horses and 5,000 men to occupy Kunon and Modaung about 10
miles west of Ye-u. They were attacked there by the Manipuris and, partly
owing to one of their generals being inebriated, were driven back. The
Manipuris then destroyed all the kyaungs, tanks and pagodas from Kunon as
far south as Tabayin and retired. This was in January 1738. The following cold
weather · the generals sent out against this enemy were beaten outside the
district and driven back on Tabayin, where they collected their scattered forces
and spent the rains of 1739. In December 1739 the Manipuris descended in
force and cleverly avoiding Tabayin and Myedu, which had in the meantime
been filled with troops, who were apparently con tent to remain passively on
the defensive within the walls, marched down through Sitha, Moksobo and
Halin, and engaged the force hastily raised from Sagaing and the surrounding
neighbourhood to defend the passage to that town between the Kaunghmudaw
pagoda and the Minwun range of hills. This body they defeated, and, setting
fire to Sagaing, retired, probably because they were unable to cross the great
river; but in Burmese history it is stated that they had come" to fulfil a
prophesy of their great Brahman that if their chief bathed in the Irrawaddy at
Sagaing, all evil would cease in their country." Their object was apparently
plunder and not permanent conquest.

Fall of Ava, March 1752.

Pegu had been under the Burmese Kings for the last hundred years, but the
confusion caused by these raids prompted the governor to declare himself King
in 1740.
20 SHWEBO DISTRICT

He was unpopular and was murdered, but the same year an insurrection began
among the Shan colony, known as the Gwe Shans, at Madaya, and was
supported by the Talaings. The power of Pegu increased and mixed bodies of
Talaings and Gwe Shans made incursions which for the most part the Burmese
were unable to resist. They penetrated beyond Ava and at one time, marching
west to raid Myedu from Male, collided with a body of Manipuris at whose
hands they suffered a severe defeat. About a year later, in 1751, a grand
invasion of Ava was planned, and an army, nominally commanded by the
Uperraja but whose real leader was Talaban, marched up the line of the
Irrawaddy, and, joined by the Talaings and Gwes from the old established
settlement Madaya-Okpo, attacked Ava. Ava fell in March 1752. The King
was taken captive to Hanthawaday, and parties were sent out to all the towns
and villages of the north to receive their allegiance.

Resistance of Moksobo (Shwebo).

The power of Ava had long been declining, and nowhere was the Talaing
victory disputed except at the small village of Moksobo. There, as village
headman over "300 families, inhabiting a little spot where his capital now
stands" lived a man afterwards to be known to history as Alaungpaya
(Alompra) King of Burma and known to the Burmese as U Aungzeya. This
man, although only a common cultivator was undoubtedly a man of character.
A discussion concerning the names, U Aungzeya and Alaungpaya, will be
found in the appendix to J. Stuart's Burma through the Centuries. Burmans
believe that the name U Aungzeya was given him at birth but auspicious names
given at birth are seldom so amply justified by after events. It was probably
assumed later. As regards the title Alaungpaya, it may mean embryo Buddha,
though Payalaung would be expected. Alaung also means corpse. It is possible
that the name. Alaungpaya or Alaungmintayagyi was first applied after his
death when his body was being taken back to the capital. U Aungzeya was not
a "Hunter captain." Moksobo was the name by which Shwebo was known
many centuries before he was born.

When the Talaing Officer with 100 men came to Moksobo to administer
the oath of allegiance "they were told by the Seggee (Thugyi) that he was not
prepared for the performance of that ceremony after a manner that he
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 21

could wish to honour those with, who were to administer it; and therefore
begged that they would please to make their tour to the neighbouring villages
first, and by their return he would make provision for the performance of it,
suitable to the occasion; the Pegu Officer went his rounds accord ingly and
returning to Monchabue was kindly received by his host who was to be sworn
next day." The Burmese Chronicle says that a deputation from the Gwe Shans
at Madaya-Okpo arrived on the same day on a similar errand. The Chronicle
contiasts U Aungzeya's treatment of the two parties. He would not give his
allegiance to either, but when the Talaing party arrived at Halingyi on their
return journey, unescorted, they were sud denly set upon and annihilated. The
Gwe Shans, on the other hand, because the late King of Ava's son was in their
hands were graciously escorted to Kyaukmyaung. News of this treatment
reached the Uperraja, and he sent a party of about a thousand men to compel U
Aungzeya to give his oath. But U Aungzeya had been making prepara tions.
He had surrounded his village, the area where the Shwechettho pagoda, the
Pitaka-taik and the S.P.G. Mission now stand, with a palm tree stockade of 400
tas. The forty-six gaungs of the villages round Moksobo had unanimously
elected him their leader, and they and their followers had been collected
within. When the Talaings drew near, bodies of mounted men with dahs and
spears were hidden in the jungle on either side of the Kyauk myaung road, and
five hundred men with sharpened staves waited in the stockade. Still
dissembling his purpose U Aungzeya had a large mandat erected to welcome
the Talaing Officer and a small party was sent out to meet them and give every
show of submission. The Uperraja had already been led to understand that the
former party had been set upon by bad characters. The Talaings were deceived
until they saw the horsemen surrounding them. Taken by surprise they were
easily overcome. The soldiers in the stockade rushed out and the rout was
complete. Hundreds were killed and wounded and the rest fled.

The rainy season having now begun. U Aungzeya was troubled no more
that year. All the other headmen, myosas, and officials including those of Kin-
u and Nga-so-sin (Kyunhla Township) in the north and Kyaukka, Thazi,
22 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

Amyin and Padon (Alon), on the Chindwin side, had already given way, and to
reduce Moksobo seemed to the Uperraja a matter of little difficulty. He
therefore charged Talaban, his general, with this duty and departed with the
majority of his troops to Hanthawaddy.

About this time a tabaung or prophesy was spread abroad, bdkoHk;bdk wbdk aevdk
xGef;vwHh “Of three ‘bos’ one ‘bo’ will shine like the sun.” Many persons who
had the necessary qualification had hopes or acquiring the throne, but of these
only the Gwe-Gonne-ein, the Gwe Shan of Madaya Okpo, and Nga Chit Nyo,
the Kin-u-sa, born at Nagabo seriously opposed U Aungzeya of Moksobo.
There was also a sagalein current at the time namely "pa-taw-seik" which U
Aungzeya pressed into his service when he made his first move against a third
rival, his neighbour, the Peik-taw-sa. (Note the transposition of vowels.)

Siege of Moksobo, end of 1752.

At the commencement of the dry season the Kin-u-sa joined actively with
the Talaings who sent up an overwhelm ing force, including in its ranks
Burmans pressed into their service, and surrounded the stockade on all sides. U
Aungzeya had prepared for a siege by destroying all the wells in the
neighbourhood and collecting supplies. His men had been reorganized and
pIaced under his 68 Myin-yi-tet, (his 68 braves) whom he dignified with
elaborate titles and later made his wuns and ministers. These are now locally
famous as the Chauk-kyeik-shit. The Talaings attacked repeatedly but only
once succeeded in penetrating the defences, and those that entered were at once
set upon and killed. An attempt to set fire to the stockade was frustrated by an
officer who crept out and lighted the straw before the carts, on which it was
heaped, reached the walls. On the third day a concerted sally made from all
four sides succeeded in driving off the Talaings. They fled in the greatest
disorder, scattered like "sessamum sown broadcast " leaving arms and men,
dead and wounded, strewn along the road to ' Bagning, and losing many who
tried to swim the Irrawaddy when the few boats were filled.

Talaban had seen that the resistance of Moksobo must be taken seriously,
and he now realised that if U Aungzeya succeeded in gathering the
neighbouring villages and pro vinces to his standard the situation would
worsen. He
SHWEBO DISTRICT 23

therefore sent up a force to secure the aid of Tabayin, Amyin, Kawlin and
Wuntho, and, with the Kin-u-sa's following, to confine U Aungzeya's men in
Moksobo. This force, however, U Aungzeya defeated at Myaingwun (now a
deserted village near Shwebo), and it may be noted that after both this battle
and the previous one he diplomatically spared the lives of the Shans and
Burmans pressed into the Talaing service.

Encounters with the Kin- u-sa, Nga Chit Nyo.

U Aungzeya now tried to persuade the Kin-u-sa to join him against the
common enemy, but whether, fearful of his life or respecting his oath of
allegiance or still hoping to become king himself, the latter refused. U
Aungzeya therefore prepared a force which was to march up and destroy Kin-u
as soon as an advance party had set fire to it. But this enterprise failed rather
ignominiously through the party setting fire to a few old zayats outside the
town, instead of the town itself. U Aungzeya on receiving news of the fire had
set out with minstrels playing to witness the defeat of his rival, but, north of
Sitha, he met his men retreating. The honours again fell to the Kin-u-sa in his
next encounter with U Aungzeya's army. He had been raiding cattle from the
neighbourhood of Moksobo, and U Aungzeya had sent up a party of men under
Moksogyon Bo to round them up and drive them back. Nga Chit Nyo, the Kin-
u-sa caught them up as they returned, and his brother, who was riding eagerly
ahead, was killed and beheaded by one of U Aungzeya's men. Instead of
attacking, Nga Chit Nyo called upon them to halt, and issued a challenge to
any one of their generals to single combat. The scene that follows is
reminiscent of a Burmese boxing match. Refusing in return to meet the
Moksogyon, Yinmagan and Yinba Bos, whom he declared unworthy of him,
he eventually accepted Thenat Wun, U Gaung, who with U Aungzeya's two
grown up sons had led the rush from the stockade which raised the Talaing
siege. Now the Kin-u-sa was a lu-sun-gaung (vlpGrf;aumif;) a man of great skill,
and when he spurred his horse to its wildest limit and circled round and round,
now standing on one leg and now lying on his back, now with his legs crossed
and now clinging to his horse's side, the Thenat Wun could only sit timidly
astride his horse, clutching, and pointing at him, his large spear. This scene
was abruptly terminated by the Kin-u-sa flinging his
24 SHWEBO DISTRICT

spear so that it stuck in the Thenat Wun's saddle and gal loping off with a jeer
at the troops who rose to his aid contrary to their promise.

Victories over the Talaings and local rivals.

Defeats of small garrisons by U Aungzeya at Ywathit gyi (west of the Mu)

and on the Chindwin led the Talaing Ngwe-kun-wun, who had superseded
Talaban, as general of the Talaing army, to organize a combined attack from
all sides. Men were sent up to Kyaukmyaung, others up the Mu, a few to the
north to steady and support the Kin-u-sa and a main body up the usual route
from Sagaing. But U Aungzeya defeated the Mu army in a skirmish at
Nyaunghla (south of Ye-u), and the party going north to support the Kin-u-sa
returning disheartened, the scheme failed.

U Aungzeya seized this opportunity to attack Kin-u and at the second

attempt succeeded in entering the town. The Kin-u-sa himself got away under
cover of the mists of the early morning, but, though he gathered together the
remnants of his following, he did not again cause U Aungzeya any
inconvenience. U Aungzeya then marched up to Chaukywa, Nga-so-sin
(Thissi-Chaukywa in the east of Taze Township and the Indaing Tract of
Kyunhla ) and forced them to join him.

All Kyaukka, Thazi, Alon, Amyin (on the Chindwin side) and Tabayin
were induced to join a further force of Talaings which entrenched at Tedaw on
the right bank of the Mu, due west of Shwebo, in the following month of
December 1752. But U Aungzeya despatched a flying column in their rear, and
burnt Alon, Ngabayin and other villages now in the Lower Chindwin District.
The Burmese contingent deserted, and the Talaings in the garrison were easily
overcome. The greater part of the country between the Chindwin and the
Irrawaddy now joined him.

The Gwe Shans of Madaya had meanwhile led the Talaings into a trap by
pretending to offer submission, and tried to play the same trick on U Aungzeya
by sending a minister to offer allegiance. This was made U Aungzeya's excuse
for disposing of his remaining rival. He sent forces against them and after one
unsuccessful attempt, in which a Gwe Shan Lu-sun-gaung, though struck
heavily with a spear, was merely borne back several cubits by the
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 25

force of the blow, remaining quite unhurt, drove the Gwe Gonne-ein to the
hills.

About this time also, the Prince, son of the captive King of Ava who had
taken shelter with U Aungzeya fled from Moksobo suspecting some
treacherous design on his person.

The building of Yatao natheinga (Shwebo).

U Aungzeya with thorough confidence in the future, now laid out his native
village (Moksobo) as the capital of the kingdom and dignified it with the name
of Yatanathein ga, City of the Precious Priesthood. He surrounded it with a
high mud and brick wall and a moat, built a palace, after the plan of the old
Tagaung Kings, on the site where the Deputy Commissioner's office and the
jail now stand, had the Mahananda Tank dug for a water supply, and, the
Konbaung Yazawin continues, at the same time built the Shwechettho pagoda
on the spot where he had been born, built a nat palace, and established a Baho
or drum on which the time was to be beaten. It is possible the two mile square
outer walls were not built until later. Baker it will be seen, states that the walls,
three years later were 1,000 paces in length and this is roughly the size of the
inner walls. The countryside was at this time known, as Konbaung pyi, no
doubt a reference to the Mu embankment built in ages past, and the town now
became known as Konbaung. It was also called Yangyiaung (victory over the
enemy). The present name of Shwebo is probably a corruption of the original
Moksobo (see Chapter XIV).

U Aungzeya enters Ava at the end of 1753.

U Aungzeya spent most of the year in re-organizing and training his army,
and at the end of 1753 he was prepared to attack Ava. An army, under his
second son, surrounded the town which was soon abandoned, and U Aungzeya
proceeded through Thayaing and Samun to Sagaing and entered Ava in formal
procession.

River battle at Kyauk myaung, May 1754.

The Talaing King of Pegu had now lost all that he had gained in the
campaign of 1751-52, but it was not until 1754 that any great effort was made
to resist U Aungzeya's growing power. In May of that year a large army was
sent up to retake Ava, and after defeating U Aungzeya's two sons, moved on
and surrounded the town, a river force carrying on upstream, burning the
villages on either bank. Thitseingyi and even Makauk, Mala ,Singu and
Kuledwin had been burnt by the advance boats of this force before
26 SHWEBO DISTRICT

U Aungzeya, with a fleet of 35 war boats, carrying 30 to 40 men each, met and
defeated them in a great river battle just south of Kyaukmyaung. Pursuing
them he came up with the main fleet at Thentaik Island, some little way down
stream, under Talaban, who, as his men were discouraged, thought fit to retire.
A Burmese sally from Ava completed the rout, and the Talaing army retreated
in haste to Prome and its commander to Pegu.

Captain Baker's account. U Aungzeya relieves Prome at the end of 1754.

An account of the next twelve months is given by Captain George Baker

who arrived at Moksobo in September 1755 having been sent by Mr. Brooke,
Chief of the British Settlement at Negrais, with "orders for the concluding of a
treaty of Friendship and Alliance" between "the King of the Buraghmahns" and
"our Honourable Masters" "In November 1754, on the Peguers (Talaings)
having put the King of the Buraghmahns to death, the Buraghmahns in Prome
massacred all the Pegu officers, soldiers and com mon people of that nation
then and there as there was no Pegu garrison above that town, they despatched
a messen ger to Momchabue, to beg the Great Man (U Aungzeya), to come to
their assistance; assuring him of their readiness to receive him as their
sovereign, on which he made as speedy preparations as possible, and after
having sent a body of troops under one of his principal officers, into the Siam
dominions, to oppose the lineal heir to the crown, and Quois (Gwe Shans) both
of which were now his enemies, he despatched for Prome; where he arrived
very seasonably for the relief of that place, it being then closely besieged by
the Peguers, which siege however he found means to raise, after having killed
and taken many of their troops, and caused the rest to retire down, within two
days journey of Syriam, at a place called Panlang or Sinya gong."

And reaches Dagon (Rangoon).

"Being thus successful in the wars he began now to take a prince-like state
on him, and to receive the compli ments, and courtesies usually paid to
sovereigns in this country (which before he absolutely refused, saying God
would send the people a prince, he for his part was only as an introduction to a
revolution). Having now made himself master of this important place, where
he got many boats, and had abundance of people flock to him, he resolved to
push his conquest, and accordingly attacked
SHWEBO DISTRICT 27

the Peguers again, at Panlang, which he carried by storm, and those escaped of
that party retiring to Syriam; he followed them to Dagon, where he pitched his
camp, and here (as there had many before) abundance of Buraghmahns which
were hithento with the Peguers, deserted them, and came to him; here he
continued till some time in June 1755, when finding it necessary to find
himself with more fighting boats, and to collect the people together, many of
which yet lay about in by places, where they and their families, had hid
hitherto during the troubles; he resolved to go in person, and give the necessary
orders for it; and having appointed about 15,000 men to maintain the post at
Dagon, set out accordingly; and as he passed by every place, gave orders for
them respectively to call in the former inhabitants, and obliged them to build a
number of fighting boats, in proportion to the number of the people; many of
which I saw in my way down, and all of which will probably be ready by the
time he returns to Dagon, which he proposed to do in November, with as he
said, 1,000 boats and 1,000,000 men but by the best information I can get, his
boats will not exceed 500, nor his troops, both by land and water, not above 30
or 40 thousand which perhaps with the army now at Dagon, may make the
whole body about 50,000."

Description of U Aungzeya.

"This is the rise of the present King of the Buraghmahns (for he is now
generally allowed as such, all officers taking their oaths of allegiance to him,
and none now durst put him in mind of his having said ' God would appoint
another King '. He is about 45 years of age, about 5 feet 11 inches high, of a
hale constitution, and sturdy, though clean make, and of a complexion, full as
dark as the generality of Buraghmahns, his visage somewhat long, though not
thin not prominent, and coarse features, a little pitted with the small-pox, his
aspect somewhat grave, when serious and when seated in his throne I thought
he supported majesty with a tolerable grace; his temper (if I have made right
inferences from my conversations with the people, for though he were a fiend
from the lower regions, his subjects through fear, as a conqueror, would extol
his virtues) is hasty; and disposition severe, or rather cruel; I don't remember to
have heard any instance of his justice (though he himself administers it in
almost every case) that
28 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

deserves to be more remembered for its impartiality than serverity, though the
former never fails to meet with encomiums flora them about him; for he
a1ways causes and often sees, all corporal or capital punishments to be
executed to the utmost rigour of the sentence, which generally argues rather a
barbarous than humane disposition.

"As to his courage, his actions have often proved un daunted, and lesolute;
which with that strictness of discipline he keeps in his army, has won him his
crown; he has nine legitimate children by one wife, the three first, sons, the
eldest married, and is about 22 years of age, the second about 19 and is married
also; he has also abundant relations and dependents, which he generally
employs in posts of trust, or consequence, and so many of the principal men of
the country have lent a hand to his cause, and are now become interested in it
that if he happens to complete his conquest of the Peguors this season, as
(putting by the assistance the French may render them) has certainly much
probability in it, it will in all human appearance be more than the fugitive
prince can do, to retrieve his rights until some unforeseen contingendes may
come to pass, or the hearts of the people, which is often seen to change, shall
happen to be united, in a disposition to favour his restoration."

Description of Moksobo in September 1755.

Captain Baker also describes Shwebo in a "Short account of the

Buraghmah country."

"Momchabue is the place where the present prince resides; it is a walled

town, built with brick and mud, about 12 feet thick, and 20 high, and as I
compute, about 1,000 paces each side, being a regular square; and contains
about 4,000 families. It is seated in an even country, about 12 miles from the
water side, but a very sandy soil, though it abounds in many places with a sort
of black earth, which when boiled and otherwise prepared, produces great
quantities of salt, and out of the neighbouring parts is got, with but a
reasonable degree of trouble, good saltpetre, of which too there might be great
quantities had, if people were employed on it."

1756-57 U Aungzeya Master of all Burma.

As Baker expected, U Aungzeya did succeed in conquering all Pegu,

though it took him two seasons to do it instead of one. After his occupation of
Dagon where he rounded Rangoon he spent some months at Shwebo and set
out early in 1756 to take Syriam. This town for want of provisions was obliged
SHWEBO DISTRICT 29

to surrender, and U Aungzeya "carried way into his Dominions all the
foreigners found in the place." Many of these were French and Dutch
Christians and there can be no doubt that they were sent to join the Portuguese
Christians captured early in the 17th century and already settled in many
villages in this district and in other parts of Upper Burma (see Chapter III).

By June 1757 he had taken Pegu "whence all the artificers of the City were
sent to Moksobo,"* and he was practically Master of all Burma.

A petty village official, he had raised himself to the throne of his country
and established a dynasty which reigned up to the time of the British
annexation. "He found his country conquered and oppressed by a foreigner;
and he left it extending from Manipur in the north-west to Mergui in the south-
east. Nor was his time wholly occupied with conquests; he prohibited
gambling and the sale of intoxicating liquors and he improved the
administration of justice and forbade the decision of cases in the private houses
of the magistrates; every judical order was passed in public and duly
registered."

Reconstruction of Alaung Sithu's canal.

At the end of 1758 on his return from a small expedition to Manipur

(Cassay) in which he found no one to fight as the Raja and people had fled to
the mountains, U Aungzeya, as Alaung Sithu had done before him, ordered a
canal (the old Mu) to be dug from near Myedu to the Mahananda Tank and the
Mu river to be bunded. When this work was completed he floated down to
Moksobo in a boat built for the purpose in Myedu.

Death of U Aungzeya.

Very shortly after this he was called away to suppress a rebellion in Pegu,
and from thence he marched on his last adventure in Siam where he died in
May 1760.

Naungdawgyi.

Alaungpaya was succeeded by his eldest son, Naungdaw gyi, who had
accompanied him through ten years of fighting. At Shwebo between the
present cantonments and the Maha nanda Lake, Naungdawgyi built the
Shwebawgyun Pagoda in commemoration of his father's victories. A silver
scroll found inside states that relics and images of Buddha were deposited
inside with Humerous other treasures, and

* The pottery workers of Shwedaik a mile south of Kyauk my aung are

descendants of Talaings captured by U Aungzeya at Pegu.
30 SHWEBO DISTRICT

that figures of elephants, horses and soldiers armed with swords, spears, guns,
bows and arrows were placed with them to protect them. Some of these brass
soldiers in obviously European dress are still to be seen in a museum in the
Shwe taza Pagoda to which they have been removed. Naungdaw gyi moved the
capital to Sagaing and from that time, except for a short period in the reign of
the Myedu Min, Maung Louk, who assumed the names of Sinbyushin on
succeeding him, Shwebo ceased to be the capital of Burma.

Bodawpaya seizes the throne, 1781.

Bodawpaya, the fourth son of Alaungpaya, who had resided in well

assumed love of retirement sometimes at Ava and sometimes at Moksobo
(Shwebo) in 1781 organized the usurpation of the throne of Singu Min,
Sinbyushin's successor, by an idiot boy Paung-ga-sa Maung Maung. As soon
as Singu Min had been put out of the way, Bodawpaya left Shwebo where he
had gathered 4,000 men and marched to Sagaing. There, probably in
accordance with prearranged plans, he received deputations from the leading
personages entreating him to come and assume the reins of government which
Maung Maung had been found unworthy to hold. This he did, and Maung
Maung having reigned for one week was executed in the usual way, being sunk
in the river between two jars.

The Nga Taw Nge rebellion.

The reign of Bodawpaya (1781-1819) was marked by the rebellion of Nga

Taw Nge, a posthumous son of Paung-ga-sa Maung Maung, which is described
in full in Appendix C of the Shwebo Settlement Report, 1906. At the age of 22
Maung Maung's son, whose real name was Maung Yaik, fled from the palace
at Amarapura and wandered about following the profession of a tattooer until
1805, when, after collecting followers, he marched down the old Mu Canal
(Myaung-baung-yo of Alaung Sithu) to Myedu, invest ed the town, and,
leaving a detachment of his army encamped to the north of Myedu, and the
main body at Lebyinkye plain south of Sittaw, proceeded with a small force to
Kyunhla. There he erected a temporary palace and a stockade on the hill on
which the police-station and the Myook's Court now stand and set up eight
white umbrel las, open, in taken of his sovereignty.

The Indaing Shwehmu and the people of the villages in the Pyaungthwe
valley flocked to his standard, but the Shwehmu of Upper Kyauksin, Katha
District who had been
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 31

unsuccessfully attacked by the pretender at an earlier date, reported the

rebellion to Bodawpaya. The latter was at first incredulous that a boy from the
jungle (Taw-ga thunge) should attempt to seize the kingdom, but at last was
convin ced by confirmation of Maung Po's report about the white umbrellas,
and sent a force against Maung Yaik, now nick-named Nga Taw Nge from
Bodawpaya's disparaging remarks. The rebels were defeated near Sittaw south
of Kyunhla, Maung Yaik was captured later near the Chin dwin, and burned to
death at Ava, being of royal blood. The Pyaungthwe Valley whose inhabitants
had supported Maung Yaik, was mercilessly harried, the villages laid waste
and the people put to the sword. The rebels with their wives and families were
collected and burned to death in huge bamboo cages, called "Milaungdaik" at
Kyunhla, Thayetpin, Mawke and Ponzu.

Dr. Richardson's journey 1837.

Although Tenasserim and Arakan had been annexed early in Bagyidaw's

reign (1819-1837)very little was known of Shwebo, Captain Baker being the
only European, other than the Roman Catholic French Missionaries, who had
visited the district. In 1837 Dr. Richardson, who was at the court at Ava with
the British Resident, Major Burney, had, in the words of Captain Yule "the
opportunity of visit ing part of Burma Proper, previousiy unexplored, being
permitted to travel from Ava through the districts of Mout-sho-bo and
Dabayin." Parts of his diary are interesting and are reproduced verbatim below.
Dr. Richardson marched by land from Sagaing by the usual route, passing east
of the Yemyetgyi Lake to Ketka (the present Railway Station), and from there
through Onhnebok, Kanbe, Inbe and Thayaing, to Halin where he stayed the
night of the 22nd 23rd January. Next morning:

Description of Moksobo in January 1837.

"8 a.m. leave Halin, immediately after which cross for a few minutes some
high broken ground, at the foot of which cross some marshy grounds in the salt
fields; at 8-30 the paddy fields and cattle of the village; 9-30 grassy plain and
open jungle; 9-40 jungle closes; 10 h. pass a small village of 10 or 12 houses
called Tha-men-khyet-tsain, or cooked rice shop, where three people may dine
well for ¼ of a tikal, the inhabitants of this place belong to Mout-sho-bo; and
come out here, and to some other villages of the same name in the
neighbourhood in the fine monsoon, to keep
32 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

these shops : 10-30 a small village or station with its paddy ground and cattle;
11-50 arrived at Mout-sho-bo, famous as the birthplace of Alompra, a walled
city of two miles souare; the walls principally of bricks, partly of a kind of
slate, are still in pretty good repair, though the city was at one time, since
Alompra, entirely abandoned, and has only of late years been reoccupied; it is
said to contain 1,000 houses, which I should think rather under than over the
true estimate, though there are extensive paddy fields (amongst which many of
the descendants of Alorepra are living by their labour) to the northwards and
westwards, between the inner brick walls and the outer wall, or earthen mound,
round which is the ditch. To the southward, there is no earthen wall, and the
ditch is close to the brick walls. The inner small fort or rather palace enclosure
(for it is without flanking defences of any sort, as indeed, is the large one to
any extent) is entirely without inhabitants. The old palace nearly all down and
overgrown with long grass and creepers. It must have always been confined, as
the Lhwot-tau and platform for the gong for striking the hours are divided from
it, within the same enclosure by the brick wall. The large pagoda called the
Shwetaza, or Nae-wadi-see-thoo-koung-mhoo-dau, is of considerable size, but
no gilding is now visible on it. 12-20 start and 1-25 pass out of the Kathee gate
of the outer wall; the ditch, which on the south side is empty, and might be
crossed without notice, is here in tolerable repair and between the gateways to
right, full of water. (Note. I was told that the ditch could at any time be filled
from the Kandau-gyee or great Royal Lake, which lies about two or three miles
to the north-east.) 2-35 a small village (Tha-men-khyet-tsain): 3h. pass
Kadoum (Kadaung) a village of fifty or sixty houses :at four halt at Kyayowa
Village of about 200 houses. In first part of to day's march has been less under
cultivation from Mout-sho-bo; hitherto it has been almost continued; cattle and
water abundant, the road good throughout. 24th 8 a.m. leave Kyayowa; 9-15
pass the second Kyayowa of which there are three established by Bundoola
when he was Myowoon of Dabnyin, and governor of the northern provinces;
pass a small grassy lake and the third Kyayowa; 10-30 pass Men doon
(Myindaung?). In the jungle to the north of this, which is scantily inhabited,
there is a herd of 50 to 60 elephants
SHWEBO DISTRICT 33

which are exceedingly destructive to the crops in the neigh bourhood. 12-45
came on the banks of the Moo River now easily fordable on horseback but of
much greater extent and depth in the lains. There are now two streams of
nearly equal size with an extent of perhaps 100 yards of land be tween ; the
whole from bank to bank cannot be less than 400 yards. Crossing which river
and waiting at Ye-u, a larger village on the western bank for some fresh horses
detained us till 2-5 p.m. and at 3-15 halt at Pha-langoun (Palangon). Paid my
respects in the evening to the Tabayin Myowoon (a relation of the Queen's)
who is a Mingyee and in addition to his Myowoonship also governs the
northern provinces; he is a man of about 45 years of age of intelligent and
rather prepossessing appearance; he was engaged in the usual important duty
of witnessing a Pwe (or hatch) on the occasion of calling Thadoo to a new
pagoda many of which edifices and some magnificently gilded, with
Phoungyee houses and tank attached, have been constructed by him and his
prede cessor, proclaiming the richness of his government."

"The hills to the northward were visible till noon since which I had not
seen them, inhabitants, cattle, cultivation and water plentiful, and roads good
for any description of carriage at this season."

"25th. Halt at Pha-lan.-goun (Palangon), which is a larger scattered village

of probably one hundred and fifty houses (I discovered on my return that I had
considerably underrated the population of this part of the country); the
Governor of the northern provinces has now his residence here. The city of
Debay-en (Tabayin), from which he takes his title, is situated about six miles to
the south-westward; it is nearly depopulated, and the walls entirely out of
repair. He (Myo Woon) furnishes from his government (which extends now
since the removal of the Myo Woon of Mout-sho-bo, from the Tsa-gain
territory to the Khyen-dwen) three thousand and six hundred soldiers and six
bos or officers. Three hundred of them have been exercising with muskets last
evening and today, assisted by some natives of British lndia, six of whom left
Ava three months ago, receiving twenty-five tikals each. They say they have
been drilling recruits to the northward, and are now about to return to Ava.
Grain here is plentiful and tolerably cheap; paddy at from fifteen to twenty
tikals per hundred baskets; cholun
34 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

(pyaung), ten tikals per hundred baskets, and sesamum-oil one quarter tikals
the viss, and palm-sugar (a large quantity of which is made here, and sent to
the other parts of the country, even exported to Rangoon; the season for
entering on the manufactory commences the end of next month, February). I
understand it sells for fifteen tikals the hundred viss. Though cattle are so
plentiful here, I am told that as much as eighty tikals is sometimes given for a
good caste bullock, with the proper marks; but cows and the common bullocks
sell from five to eight or ten tikals; and for common draught cattle, from ten to
fifteen."

"Got some good coolies and horses here."

"26th. Left Pha-lan-goun (Palangon) at 8-55. Pass Sedi Mee (Sithemye) a

village of 30 houses 9-25 Way They (Wathe) of the same size; 10-10
Yowatheet about 100 houses, which is called Ywama or chief village
(Ywathitgyi Ywama) from which many nameless villages in their
neighbourhood are offsets; 11-25 cross a small nala and 8-12 halt at Myago
(Myegu)."

"The whole march today has been one uninterrupted sheet of cultivation;
the soil rich clayey loam, the crops heavy and close, and the whole country
studded with palm trees, round which the paddy is sown with no more loss of
room than the size of their trunks. The trees most numer ous in the jungle are
the theet-tse (the wood-oil tree), which were in full flower on my return on the
19th February."

"27th. Leave Myegu 7-35 pass a small village where sugar is made; 9-30
another small village of 5 or 6 houses, small stream cross the wide bed of a
nameless mountain stream in which the stream of water at this season is not
ankle deep; from this there is a slight gradual ascent; at 4 pass the village of
Yowa-ngay (Ywange) 20 houses, 4-50 halt at Benthee in the jungle. No village
and very little water, the road has been good as usual, but entirely in the
jungle."

"With the exceptions of the little village Yowa-ngay we have seen neither
inhabitants, cultivation, nor cattle, and the palmyra has entirely disappeared;
the jungle has been open, principally composed of en trees; some teak of fair
size, and a great number of theet-tse trees." In a note he adds, of Ywange: "this
is the only village left of several
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 35

very large ones, which were situated here and were destroy ed by robbers
before Bundoola, who immediately preceded the present Governor, was
appointed to this province. They came from Lado (Hladaw), about eleven
miles south-east of Mout-sho-bo. Their chiefs, wearing gold ehattahs
ransacked the country sometimes with two thousand followers. Bun doola,
however, cleared the country, which has remained quiet since, and travelling
now is perfectly safe."

Tharrawaddy Konbaung Min's rebellion.

In 1837 while Major Burney was still Resident at Ava, Shwebo was again
the scene of rebellion. An account of this is given by Yule (page 224). "On a
certain occasion, the ministers under the influence of Menthagyi "(the queen's
brother, formerly a fishmonger) ' ordered a military force to search the house
of the Tharrawaddy Prince for a desperado, who was reported to be secreted
there. The Prince's people having first driven off the assailants with disgrace,
he fled, with his partisans, across the river to Sagaing, and thence to Mout-sho-
bo. This was on the 24th February 1837."

"From Mout-sho-bo, Tharrawaddy sent out his emissaries in all directions

to stir up discontent, or (in his own words to Burney) "to set all the country a-
boiling and abubbling."

"A large rabble army of such as flocked to David at Adullam gathered

rapidly to his standard. Thousands of men were hastily collected by the
alarmed Government; but they had no stomach for fighting in that cause, and
speedily dwindled away."

The troops sent up from Ava did some fighting south of Shwebo near
Saingnaing. The Paukkan Bo, Siboktaya Bo, Thalon Sitke, Thitseingyi
Ywathugyi, Tabayin Myook, Ngayane Myothugyi, the Pathi (Mahommedan)
Thwethauk, the officials of Lower Myedu, and the Indaing Bo are mentioned
as the first to join Tharrawaddy with their followers. The Pyinsala Wun was
apparently against him. The account continues :-

"Burney's timely council had been neglected when it might have saved the
Government; and it was too late when they at last declared themselves
dependent on him alone for council and assistance. Though in shattered health,
he undertook to go to Mout-sho-bo, to bring the Prince to terms. But the time
was past." (Major Burney went up to the
36 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

camp at Thayaing south of Halin gyi and arranged a truce and then proceeded
to Shwebo where he saw Tharrawaddy.) "Tharrawaddy listened to him, but
was now confident of success, and scouted compromise; and the bandits who
surrounded him were hot for the plunder of the city. The sack was, however,
averted by the Resident's cxertions, which extorted a pledge flora Tharrawaddy
that the city should be spared and no life sacrificed, if the ministers should
surrender. Early in April the city and all the ministers and princes were in the
hands of the insurgent. Tharrawaddy at first called himself only King of
Yadanathin ga or the Konbaung*; but at the end of the month he pro claimed
that his brother had resigned the authority into his hands, and he took
possession of the palace. In June the King left the city in charge of Maung
Thaung Bo, a notorious robber, and proceeded up the Irrawaddi to
Kyaukmyaung carrying with him the whole court, a large part of the
population the ex-King and Queen, and the wretched Minthagyi. The King
after several months' residence at Kyaukmyaung, where he had purposed to
establish his capital, abandoned that whim and returned to Amarapura, which
he proceeded to reoccupy."

While at his temporary palace at Kyaukmyaung, the Konbaung-set History

notes that he re-organized the distri bution of military service in the Myin-ne of
Yadanathinga (Shwebo). There were four Gaungsus one horseman was
supplied by every 10 houses and for each 100 horsemen one Mythgaung and
ten Myinsis were appointed.

Tharrawaddy's son and successor Pagan Min was in his turn deposed by
Mindon Min, a great grandson of Alaung paya, and "the only thoroughly
respectable man of Tharra waddy's numerous family." He too in accordance
with family precedent made Shwebo his starting point.

Mindon Min's rebellion.

Mindon Min was living at the capital with his brother Kanaung Min when
in 1852, during the 2nd Burmese war a dacoity took place, of which, after an
irregular inquiry some Shwebo followers of Mindon were accused. The
Prince's officials were ordered to arrest these men, but the manner in which the
business was being conducted persuad ed him that a conspiracy was on foot
against himself and

* Two of the five names of Shwebo of which Mout-sho-bo is a third. He is

popularly known as Konbaung Min or Shwebo Min.
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 37

his brother. They already had a following in the towns and villages of tha north
including Madaya, Singu, Kyaukmyaung Shwebo, Myedu, Dabayin, Pyinsala
and Tantabin towns and, a few of the officials, the Kyaukmyaung Myook for
one, were friendly also.

In December 1852 they escaped together from the capital at night with
their wives and families and made their way via Madaya to Singu, gathering
followers on the way and not a little harassed by the force sent by the King to
capture them. On arrival at Singu all crossed in haste taking the Singu Myook
with them bound, and leaving 60 men with just enough boats to cross. On the
Kyaukmyaung side they lit lamps and beat gongs and succeeded in giving the
appearance of a large army encamped. Their pursuers alarmed at the array
moved a few miles south and crossed at Makauk and Mala, and then, marching
north, walked straight into an ambush of Mindon's men and were badly cut up.
Mindon at once sent a party forward to take Shwebo which was strongly held
by the Myo Wun and his gaungs. The first attempt failed, but they fired the
houses, and on a second attack entered the town. The Wun escaped, and
Mindon occupied his house pending the erection of a temporary palace. He
was joined by Nga Shwe Byin, the Hladaw Bo, (who subsequently became
famous as Shwebo Kayaing Wun under Mindon and Thibaw, and whose son
was appointed Myook at the annexation, and later an Extra Assistant
Commissioner) and also by most of the remaining officials of the Shwebo
province, and, with their assistance, he was able to defeat a force sent against
him at To-on and Halin. Bo Hlaing, the old Myedu Wun, was sent to round up
Tabayin, Pyinsala Tantabin and Myedu and soon the majority of Shan
Sawbwas, the Myosas, M. yooks, Wuns, Myingaungs, Myinsis and Thugyis in
the north acknowledged hin.

On the 1st January 1853 Min don's troops under his brother whom he had
made Einshe Min, arrived in Amarapura and on the 18th February entered the
fort. Mindon remained during this time at Shwebo and on the occupation of
Amarapura was proclaimed King. He had been all along against the war with
the British, and, while still at Shwebo, he sent envoys down the river to treat
with General Godwin.
38 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

Although he would sign no treaty, the British Government was satisfied with
his expressions of good will and a declaration of peace followed. Before
leaving for Amarapura in November he had the chief tanks near Shwebo, the
Mahananda Tank and the Yinba, Gyogya, Singut, Kadu and Palaing tanks,
repaired, and set up a stone inscription on the embankment of the Mahananda
Tank, a translation of which is given below. He continued to take an interest in
the district, and in 1866 ordered the repair of the canal known at the present
day as the Muhaung (the Myaung-baung of Alaung Sithu) from Myinkwa-
daung north of Myedu down to the Mahananda Tank, and its continuation
thence, east of Shwebo, to Halin and the Yemyetgyi Lake in Sagaing District.
This work was carried out by villagers ordered out from Yatanathinga
(Shwebo), Myedu, Kawthandi, Ngayane, Tantabin, Tabayin and Pyinsala
provinces under the supervision of the Einshe Min and other officials.

The Padei Prince's Rebellion.

The District was to see yet one more rebellion, that of the Padeinsa Mintha
in 1866. The Padein-sa was the son of the Einshe Min, murdered by the
Myingun Prince in his unsuccessful palace revolt of that year. All Shwebo,
Tabayin, Myedu and Pyinsala rose to join him and the Tabayin Wun took
charge of a part of his army which set off via Sheinmaga for the capital. The
Pyinsala Wun, Maung Aung Myat, commanded a force which marched down
the east bank of the river, where most opposition was met, and heavy fighting
occurred near Madaya. A further force marching down on the west of the river
was under the Tabayin Sitke. The rebellion was quickly crushed, but was
followed by no such reprisals as marked the defeat of Nga Taw Nge. The lands
of the rebels were, however, confiscated and the district was disarmed, all arms
being handed over to the local officials who were made responsible for the
maintenance of law and order.

Disorder inThibaw's reign.

But for this outbreak the district was peaceful throughout Mindon's reign.
He organized its administration and as is instanced above interested himself in
its prosperity. But on his death in 1878 and the succession of King Thibaw the
whole condition of the country changed. In Tabayin and Myedu where the
Wun, U Mo, had ruled peacefully and with a certain measure of honesty for
some thirty years,
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 39

dacoity broke out on all sides. Maung Hla U was the chief leader, and he with
seven celebrated Boa under him, occupied the Payanpaga Taw Gyi with his
headquarters at or near Tantabin-Magyiok. Bo Mye Gyi with a like following
lived in the Hnaw forest. Bo Thaung and Nat Shin Ywe Bo were sent up with
troops from Mandalay in 1884 to restore order, but the dacoit Boa retired into
the jungle only to appear again when the King' a troops had retired. Al though
Hla U was induced to come in and was imprisoned by Thibaw, the disorders
had in no way abated when the British moved up the Irrawaddy to annex
Upper Burma. The Linzin Bo who was Wun, was called away to Mandalay and
his successor, on being attacked by dacoits bent on seizing his thathameda
collections, fled to Alert. The Shwebo Myin Ne on the east of the Mu River
was quieter being under a stronger Wun, Bo Shwe Byin, whose son actually set
off after they had heard of Thibaw's removal, to pay in the thathameda
collected to the new Government.

Events after the annexation. Shwebo 1885-86.

After the occupation of Mandalay by British forces on 3rd December 1885,

Shwebo was first visited by Brigadier-General Norman who arrived there on
15th December. General Norman found all the villagers quiet and friendly and
returned to Mandalay whence two companies of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
were sent up to occupy the town.

This small force arriving on 23rd December found that in a week the
situation had entirely changed. The alteration was due to the Minthas (Princes)
Teiktin Hmat and Teiktin Thein, who had escaped from Mandalay early in
December, and following the precedent of Alaungpaya's house, had fled to
Shwebo to raise rebellion there. The Kayaing Wun Bo Shwe Byin, had been
forced to leave the town: The British force attacked Shwebo at once and
captured the town, and for the next few days were continually engaged with
the enemy. Mr. Calogreedy of the Bombay Burma Trading Corporation, who
had been 15 years resident in this part of the country, had fled to Mutha and
induced the inhabitants to come over to the British. Aided by these friendlies
the small garrison on the 28th December attacked and temporarily dispersed
the personal following of the Prince Maung Hmat near Siboktaya north-west of
Kin-u.
40 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

In spite of this defeat resistance increased in volume, and the state of the
district is described by the Chief Com missioner, in a telegram to the
Government of India dated 10th January 1886 as follows:-

"In the Shwebo District two princes of Alaungpaya's house, who escaped
shortly after annexation have raised standard of rebellion. They have 2,000
followers and the countryside is declaring for them. Our force at Shwebo
defeated them once or twice, and we hope to attack them with guns and cavalry
by combined movement from here and Shwebo about 16th or 18th. Country
north and west towards Chindwin in a state of anarchy. Officials have either
fled or joined dacoits. We hope to send troops there after Shwebo District is
cleared. We have Civil Officers at Shwebo who will organize district police."

By the 12th January the garrison had been reinforced by 50 Royal Welsh
Fusiliers and two companies of the 12th Madras Infantry, and on this day
Maung Hmat's new force mentioned above was attacked near Kadu Kunitywa.
"Five hundred dacoits with muskets were posted in a pagoda which had a
strong wall five feet high all round it. These were under Bo Thaung, a well
known dacoit leader in Mindon's time. Another force of 1,500 armed with das
and spears was assembled at some distance away and with them was Maung
Hmat. Our troops opened a very hot fire on the pagoda and advanced quickly
to the attack as at Shwebo. The enemy's fire must have been well directed, for
the first volley wounded three of our officers, Colonel Simpson, Lieutenants
Carnegy and Gywnne. The wall was taken without further loss of men and the
dacoits fled." (Grattan Geary.)

The Mintha Maung Thein was killed towards the end of January by
friendlies acting under the Sitke of Male, but Maung Hmat was reported to
have managed to join forces with the famous Hla U. The latter had been
released from prison by Thibaw arid ordered to fight the British with the help
of his old followers whom the King summoned by proclamation. But, instead
of this, he had returned to his old haunts on the Tagayin-Alon border. These
two with their combined forces were attacked on January 26th in theft position
on the Mu River. The "fighting Welshmen"
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 41

crossed the river, rushed their stockade and killed 53 of them and returned at
11-30 to get out of the hot sun.

The Hlutdaw had been invited to carry on the provisional administration of

Shwebo District, together with that of Sagaing, Ava and Mandalay Districts,
on behalf of the British Government, and they had gone to the extent of
proposing to place the Shwe-win-daw-hmu, Bo Byin, in charge of the Shwebo
or Yatanatheinga kaysing with five companies of police armed with muskets to
assist him, each company consisting of one Tathmu, two Thwethauks, 10
Akyats and ninety ahmudans. Bo Byin was too old, and difficulties arose over
the pay of the police, and in February the scheme broke down and was
abandoned. Many of the Burmese officials had, however, co-operated loyally
in attempting to put down the disorder, notably Sitke Maung Tun, Bo Byin's
son, who was made Kayaing Myook. He accompanied the troops on many of
their expeditions with his mounted" friendlies "whom he hastily collected
together when asked to support, and later furnished much invaluable
information and assistance in the appointment of reliable officials to carry on
the administration. He was afterwards appointed Extra Assistant Commissioner
and now lives in retirement at Hladaw.

In consequence of the decision to carry on direct govern ment, Mr. W. N.

Porter was posted to Tabayin District, but being directed to proceed to Shwebo
and assume change pending the arrival of the Deputy Commissioner Mr. Eales,
he took over from the Officer Commanding there on April 2nd. Almost
immediately after taking over, Mr. Porter started off with 300 men to attack
Maung Hmat who was reported to be at Uyin on the west bank of the Mu with
3,000 followers. All Tabayin had embraced his cause, the Kabo Myinsi was
rumoured to have joined him, and his outposts had crossed and burnt several
villages on the east side and surrounded the Madaingbin Thwethaukgyi, who
was firm in his allegiance to the British. At Mutha on the 4th Mr. Porter's force
under Captain Smith heard that the rebels had recrossed the Mu and were in
force at Kawthandi, Mogaung and Chinbyitkyin between the old Mu and the
Mu River west of Tangon. The friendlies from Mutha, who had been joined by
Bayingyi Kalas (Christians) from Chantha on the Tabayin side, drove off a
post at Thawutti,
42 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

and on the 7th the main column attacked Chinbyitkyin. The enemy fled in
confusion across the river losing about 30 killed and several prisoners.
Kawthandi and Mogaung were attacked next day, but the rebels, reported to
number 2,700, made no stand and were pursued by cavalry, Maung Hmat, the
Mintha, fleeing towards Wuntho. The good effect of this expedition was
evidenced by the submission of' a number of previousiy recalcitrant officials of
the Shwebo and Myedu circles and by the receipt of overtures of surrender on
behalf of several dacoit leaders. About this time Mr. Porter reported that the
country to the north and east of Shwebo was richly cultivated and thickly
populated, but most of the villages had been dacoited and British influence
nowhere extended beyond the radius of 15 miles.

During Mr. Porter's absence, .Mr. Eales arrived on the 6th April and his
first report noted that in addition to the followers of Maung Hmat and Hla U
there was a third strong gang of dacoits in the district under the leader ship of
Nga Yaing. This gang of about 1,000 or more was operating in the south and
had looted Halingyi, while in the north another gang was equally strong under
Maung Pyan Gyi, ex Wun of Singu. On the 17th Major Atkin, R.A.,
accompanied by Mr. Eales, started with a force of 60 rifles of the Royal Welsh
Fusiliers, 60 rifles 12th Madras Intantry, 20 mounted infantry, 30 cavalry and
two guns, with the object of surprising Pyan Gyi at Kin-u. The rebels (1,500 in
number) were caught completely unprepared and driven on the morning of the
18th from two strongly walled enclosures; the cavalry pursued and 69 of the
enemy, including one Bo, were killed, with only one casualty to the attackers.
On the return of this expedition they found that during their absence a small
body of mounted dacoits had set fire to the outskirts of Shwebo Town,
penetrated to the jail, and released 15 prisoners.

On the 26th an expedition moved out to attack Nga Yaing, but the gang
dispersed before it was attacked.

The villages had, in many instances, displayed the greatest eagerness to

accept British rule, but they were badly armed and unable to make headway
against the numerous gangs which were committing ravages on all sides. Mr.
Eales therefore proposed to disarm all hostile and suspected
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 43

villages and give the arms to trustworthy persons and "friend lies "on pass.
Sanction was given for the provisional entertainment of a force of about 500
local police to be organized and led by Mr. Calogreedy, who had expressed
eagerness to do so, and rewards were offered for the leading Sos, accompanied
by an offer of a free pardon to all who were not actually leaders and who made
complete submission and returned to peaceful occupations. Meanwhile Maung
Tun had been made a Myinsaye on Rs. 150 a month and under him it was
proposed to appoint a Myauklet and a Taunglet Bo on Rs. 100 supported by
Myingaungs.

The district was quieter in May 1886, and the garrison detailed for Ye-u
was able to move out. At the end of the month the first batch of 69 Military
Police arrived; only eight of them, however, were trained men. Soon after,
Maung Tun defeated a large force under Nga Yaing which attacked him in his
own village at Hladaw and later dispersed the combined forces of Pyan Gyi
and Maung Hmat in the north. A post was formed at Sheinmaga in June and,
with the object of putting a stop to the frequent dacoities and attacks on the
mail runners on the Kyaukmyaung-Shwebo Road, a raid on suspects was made
and the village of Ategyi burnt, An attack by "friendlies" was made in July on
a gang at Yatha and Tantabin, and 33 were killed and 92 captured. By these
and many minor operations the district was by August brought under control,
except in the extreme north and at a point in the south-east where Nga Yaing
was operating. Work on the Kyaukmyaung-Shwebo Road, which was put in
hand when Mr. Eales arrived, was progressing apace and thathameda for the
Shwebo and Chaukywa circles was nearly all collected. Before the end of the
year Rs. 3,000 had been collected and the district organized into townships and
local officials appointed.

In November another action in which a large number of dacoits were

concerned occurred at Sabenatha, where Mr. Balfour of the South Yorkshire
Regiment was killed, and Mr. Rae, Assistant Superintendent of Police, who
had taken a prominent part in many previous fights, was severely wounded
before the dacoits were driven off. After this the establishment of a post at
Tantabin served to prevent further concentrations of large rebel forces in the
north. But in the
44 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

south-east, in the area round Sheinmaga, Nga Yaing continued for many
months to cause trouble. Not being able to face the trained troops he was up
against, he adopted different tactics. He made it generally known that he would
punish any persons aceepting service under the British, giving them
information or supplies, or assisting in any way. He attempted to attack Maung
Tun. He executed a head man, and ordered the villagers of Sheinmaga to
evacuate the village and cut off supplies from the British garrison there.
Sheinmaga did not comply and on the night of October in execution of his
threat, he slipped in by the north gate and burned the village to the ground
under the very noses of the Gurkhas stationed on the hillocks overlooking the
place. He always had forty or fifty men with him, but at any time he was able
to raise his band to three hundred. River patrols co-operated to keep him from
escaping across the Irrawaddy and prevent new followers joining him from the
east. He was repeatedly chased but never waited to fight.

Ye-u, 1886.

Meanwhile on the west of the Mu the work of pacification had progressed

more slowly. As mentioned above the Ye-u garrison only marched out on May
1st 1886 and arrived there on the 3rd of that month, finding satisfactory
quarters in the Chantha kyaung. The town, and many villages around about,
were found burnt to the ground, not one of the 400 houses in Ye-u being left
standing, and only 25 families remaining. Prince Maung Hmat had rallied east
of the Mu at Chinbyitkyin, Tinkokgyi and Naungbinseik and was proposing to
join Hla U. This junction had been prevented hitherto by the excellent
behaviour of the Mutha, Madaingbin and Toktalok "friendlies." The Mutha
people had recently defeated Hla U's gang and killed 55, Toktalok had beaten
off an attack by Maung Hmat, but, owing to the treachery of Maung Mya, the
Inkokka Thugyi, had on 30th April been taken and burned, the dacoits throw
ing the dead bodies into the wells to poison the water. The experience gained
in the actions at Chinbyitkyin on the 27th April and at Kin-u on the 18th had
proved beyond doubt that the only effective means of dealing with the dacoits
was by means of cavalry. The dacoit bands were ranging themselves along the
east bank of the Muthreatening and occasionally attacking the friendly villages
on the
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 45

west. These the infantry were too cumbersome and slow to defend. It was
necessary to convince the dacoits that they could be swiftly and surely attacked
at any time and in any place, and for this only cavalry were suitable. A hundred
Military Police were promised, but the ponies were to be raised locally, a
matter of great difficulty, as those possessed by the friendly villages were
required by them to mount their own men. The number of mounted infantry
was quite inadequate to deal with the situation. The friendly levies, foot and
mounted, did invaluable work, especially those of Madaingbin, Taze and
Toktalok, already mentioned, who were organized in Taze under Mr.
Calogreedy of the Bombay-Burma Corporation. At the latter's request support
was given on the 15th May to an attack by these villagers on Tinkokgyi (on the
east bank of the Mu), where the Bo of Kawthandi had collected 800 men,
intending to make a combined attack on Taze the following morning, together
with the Inkokka Thugyi Maung Mya and his following of 500. The
"friendlies" under the Madaingbin Thwethauk who later became Taze Myook,
succeeded in driving the dacoits out into the open and" the cavalry and police
charged through and through them for upwards of three quarters of an hour
killing over a hundred."

By the middle of the month the Military Police had arrived, but of the one
hundred and eleven men only fifteen were trained. Fifteen Burmans had by this
time been recruit ed and mounted, and ponies were found for a few of the
natives but these did not largely augment the effective strength of the force.

In the south of the District Hla U had firmly established himself south of
the Payanpaga chaung. He did not worry the force at Ye-u. After his defeat at
the hands of the Shwebo garrison he had not again attempted to cross the Mu.
He contented himself with raising revenue from the villagers under his rule and
preventing them from going over to the British. The whole area was
completely terrified of him, having experienced his "rule" for several years. He
regarded himself as a Mingyi if he did not aspire to the throne. Before he died
he built a Pagoda at these people's expense. It may still be seen in the
compound of the Irrigation Bungalow at Magyiok.
46 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

In the Mahamyaing Forest 30 miles west of Ye-u Maung Mye Gyi, another
noted dacoit, together with Zawgyi Bo, was in hiding, but he too was an
unimportant factor in Tabayin politics of the moment. It was realized,
however, that neither of these two would be above attacking Ye-u should it be
left inadequately garrisoned, and a large pro portion of the force was thus tied
to the town and unable to join in the protection of the Taze area, which was
constant ly being threatened and attacked by Maung Hmat's following. A
number of thugyis from all parts had offered submission, but for the present it
could not be accepted as their safety could not be guaranteed. The Deputy Com
missioner was very anxious to establish a post at Taze, but the reinforcements
he required were not forthcoming. For the protection of Taze a force of 600
dacoits was attacked on 29th May in Kyundawgon. They lost heart and fled. If
they had cared to resist they could have inflicted large casualties on the
attackers as the village was clearly fortified to withstand the attack of British
troops. "It had three stout high stockades, one within the other, about 25 feet
apart and each stockade was defended by innumerable bullet proof log
barricades and crow's nests at a distance of about fifty feet apart." This
movement and subsidiary actions by the friendlies, kept the area quiet for a
fortnight but Taze was always threatened. At 5 a.m. on the morn ing of 12th
June, 3,520 dacoits, including 42 cavalry, armed with 633 muskets and two
brass jingles, dahs and spears, attacked Taze. Mr. Calogreedy and his friendlies
resisted them but were eventually driven out. Pillage and burning had hardly
started, however, when a body of 20 Royal Welsh Fusiliers and some mounted
infantry and Military Police arrived on the scene. They had slept the night at
Pontaga and by good fortune arrived in the nick of time. The dacoits were
driven out and followed for two miles. Ninety were killed, and numerous arms
and four standards were taken. On two of the standards were painted tigers and
the words "Wuntho" in Burmese. From this and the statements of the prisoners
who said that the force was mainly from Myedu, Wuntho and Indauktha, it was
inferred that the Wuntho Sawbwa was aiding Maung Hmat in his depredations.
The defeat was evidently severe, though the Shans, who had fled at the first
sign had suffered few casual-
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 47

ties. Of fifty men Ywathitgyi Village had been forced to supply only 19
returned. Nevertheless by the end of the month Maung Mya, the Inkokka
Thugyi, who it appeared Prince Maung Hmat had earlier appointed Myedu
Wun, and who had taken a leading part in this action, had sufficiently
recovered to surround Taze and burn eight villages containing 750 houses to
thesouth of it. A force marched out from Ye-u expecting to find Taze burnt,
but the dacoits did not stand. After their dispersal a circular tour through
country not hitherto visited up the edge of the Mahamyaing Forest, was
sufficient to quieten the area for a considerable period.

As yet the only collision with Hla U had been when Maung Kyauk Ke
(who, with the Madaingbin Twethauk gyi, had been appointed a Thwethaukgyi
on Rs. 50 a month) met and killed one of his lieutenants at a village where he
was raising revenue at Rs. 1-8 a house for Hla U. Between Hla U and Bo Mye
Gyi in the Hnaw forest there had long existed bad feeling arising out of
jealousy, and shortly after the above event a skirmish between their two
advance guards occurred at Inbin, in which Hla U's party was worsted. In
revenge Hla U advanced up from Yedwet burning villages friendly to Nga
Mye Gyi and in a fight between their two main bands at Nagadwin on I7th July
Nga Mye Gyi was completely defeated. On hearing of this opportunity Mr.
Porter, the Deputy Commissioner, wired to Alon for co-operation, and
immediately set out in pursuit of Hla U with a force of 80 Madras Infantry, 60
Military Police, 50 Burman Police and mounted friendlies. On 24th July they.
drove in Hla U's outpost at Pagan and Letti, and later surprised 500 dacoits in
the act of burning Kanbya, and attacked them with 100 mounted men.

On the 28th they occupied Magyiok (Tantabin), Hla U's headquarters, but
the rains had now set in and further pursuit was difficult.

The situation now being in hand, a post of about 150 men was placed at
Nwabetkyi (Taze being considered too near Ye-u) to prevent any further
massing of dacoits on a large scale in the north. In the south, a post of 200 men
was stationed at Mayagan in September for the same purpose. Vigorous
operations begun early in November entirely broke Hla U's power before the
end of the year, though he himself eluded Capture, and during the last few
weeks of
48 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

1886 the Deputy Commissioner received the submission of a large number of

dacoit leaders and their followers, who came in and surrendered their arms.

Pacification 1887-89.

Hla U was killed by his own men in April 1887, and after this except for an
outbreak in the Hnaw forest in July 1887 large organized bands were unknown.
This rising was headed by two pretenders, Maung Maung Te and Maung Min
O. They had raided Zeyawadi, Linbyu and Paungdaung-u before a force from
Magyiok and Kunon attacked them and drove them into the jungle. A
concerted attack was then organized from four quarters from Nwabetgyi in the
north, from Paungdaung-u, Kunon and Magyiok, and the rising was quickly
suppressed.

In August a report from Hluttaik (North of Kyunhla) stated that the Thin-
ka-Yaza Mintha, another pretender who had been causing some trouble in that
area, had died of fever. Prince Maung Hmat had also died and Maung Mye Gyi
had been killed in an encounter with the Civil Police.

The success of the disarmament policy, which consisted of taking the guns
from the bad characters and arming. respectable inhabitants is shown by the
figures from Ye-u district for the year 1887. By the end of that year 1,088 guns
had been collected, 19 leaders and 197 other dacoits had been captured and
474 dacoits had voluntarily surrendered. Of those who surrendered more than
half had been branded in Burmese times as professional dacoits, but the great
majority of these men settled down to a peaceful life after surrender. Such
dacoit leaders as remained were driven into the forests on the north and their
power was gone, but minor operations were still necessary before the last Bos
surrendered or were killed. Security of life and property was already so firmly
established by the end of 1887 that many families which had migrated to
Lower Burma in the later years of King Thibaw's reign began to return to their
old villages. Tabayin which had been destroy ed in 1886 was rebuilt in this
year.

In 1888 the most troublesome dacoits were Nga Aga in Shwebo, Ye-u and
Alon districts, and Nga Yangyi Aung, Nga Pelu and Nga Thet She, who
haunted the Hnaw Forest in the west of Ye-u District, but spread their
depredations to the south. These were the leaders of the gang who cut up a
Military Police picket at Ywashe in March of that
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 49

year. After dacoiting the village of Letti they had a dispute which ended in
Yangyi Aung killing Nga Thet She and severely wounding Pelu. Pelu was
subsequently killed by a brother dacoit in the Alon District.

In 1889 both Civil and Military Police distinguished themselves in

encounters with different dacoit gangs which were at large at the close of the
year.

The pacification was complete in 1890, Bo Kan Baw being captured in the
Lower Chindwin, Kyauk Lon killed by his own men, while Nga Thon and Aga
surrendered. Violent crimes in the two districts of Ye-u and Shwebo fell below
30 in this year.

Some trouble was caused by the shelter afforded by Wun tho Shan State to
a few dacoits, and this trouble was brought to a head at the end of 1890 by the
resistance offered by the Sawbwa to a small column operating against Nga
Hmat and Po Thein. Rebellion followed, quickly suppressed by combined
operations from Shwebo and Katha. The rebellion over, the greater part of
Wuntho State was incorporated in Katha district, two small areas on the south
being added to Shwebo and Ye-u. The pace of the districts was thenceforward
unbroken.

Part II.-- Archaeology.

Old Towns.

Shwebo, Halingyi, Myedu, Tabayin, Siboktaya, Sitha Kawthandi, Ngayane

and Male were myos, walled towns, in Burmese times, and remains of the old
walls still exist, though some are scarcely traceable. Shwebo, founded by
Alaungpaya, is mentioned further in Chapter XIV. The old wails and moat of
Myedu are still to be seen though they are very overgrown. According to
tradition the first walls were built before the time of Gautama Buddha, by a
noble of the court of Bodaw Insana of Kapilawutpyi (Benares). There is record
of their having frequently been repaired. For the history of the town see
Chapter XIV. The same Chapter mentions the history of Tabayin. The old
moat of this town is clearly visible on three sides and parts of the walls are also
to be seen. Siboktaya is said to have been built in Dwuttabaung's time (4th
century A.D.). Sitha was built as a Kanmyo by Narapati Sithu as a defence
50 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

against Shan raids ( 12th century A.D.). Apart from refer ence to Ngayane and
Kaw thandi in the Hmannan Yazawin, the "Glass Palace Chronicle of the
Burmese Kings," the history of these towns is unknown. Other walled towns
were Konmyo, Hngetpyaw, Tantabin and Ywatha in the old Pyinsala
jurisdiction, Myohla and Mahabo, founded by King Mingaung I (15th century
A.D.)and Kinthamyo, said to have been founded at the same time as Tabayin.
The last three are now deserted. The walls of Myohla and Mahabo are
traceable near old courses of the Mu River in the west of Shwebo Township,
Myohla being near the northern end of the Mingaung Myaung. Kinthamyo is a
small island in the midst of Mudein chaungs, a mile and a half north-east of
Satthe (the topographical maps shew the loop of water round the town). Of the
nine towns said to have been rounded at the same time as Myedu, only Aung
swa can be identified, though the whereabouts of others is vaguely known.
Aungswa walls are almost completely washed away by erosion by the Mu
river.

Halingyi.

Halingyi, twelve miles south of Shwebo, is one of the most important

prehistoric sites in Burma, It was visited in 1904 by Mr. Taw Sein Ko and his
report is given in the Report of the Superintendent of Archaeological Survey
for 1904-05. Its mythical history is given in Chapter XIV. Taw Sein Ko
attributes the decline of the town to the shifting of the bed of the Mu, which he
thinks formerly joined the Irrawaddy at Thitseingyi. That Halingyi was a
flourishing place some centuries ago is evidenced by some big tamarind trees
between Halingyi and Ngapio. These are 24½ and 18 feet in circumference.
Tamarind trees of similar dimensions at Pagan are placed at 1059 A.D. There
are no villages within the city walls, and the land is partially cultivated. The
locality is singularly, devoid of ruined pagodas (for the Tawyagu on the
western wall is a pagoda of comparatively modern construction): The salt
industry which requires large quantities of fuel has caused the denudation of
vegetation, and no big trees are found. Traces of a moat are clearly visible on
the northern, eastern and western faces. The city is rectangular in form, and
measures about 9,600 feet from north to south and 5,800 feet from east to west.
Nowhere do the walls remain standing; the bricks are strewn almost on the
level of the
SHWEBO DISTRICT 51

natural ground. Judging by the area covered by the broken bricks, the breadth
of the walls would appear to be about 16 feet. Breaches in the walls and heaps
of bricks at regular intervals mark the places where gates stood at one time.
The villagers, who cultivate the fields between the city walls, are said to find,
from time to time, objects of antiquarian value, such as gold and silver coins,
bronze figures, ornaments, etc., but these have been disposed of to others or
melted down for the sake of the metal. A few of the coins and ornaments have
been preserved to adorn the necks of children. The coins are of equal size and
are about seven-eighths of an inch in diameter and in thickness about one-third
of a two-anna piece. Their obverse face appears to represent the Dharmachakra
and the reverse the Buddhist trisula. These coins were probably brought over to
Halingyi by Indian Buddhist immigrants from Gangetic India. In the Report of
the Superintendent for 1915 further comments on coins found at Halingyi are
made. "The obverse represents the rising sun. The symbol on the reverse is,
perhaps, meant for the two principles of good and evil symbolized as serpents."
This writer suggests the 17th or 18th century, but the Superintendent
comments "The date suggested for the coins appears to be much too late. It is a
remarkable fact that they were found at Halingyi, Yamethin and Prome which
were occupied by the Pyu, a tribe of people who have been merged into the
Burmese." In addition to a strong local tradition concerning the Pyu Kings, an
inscription in Pyu supports the theory that Halingyi was a Pyu city. The
inscription is discussed below.

Tomb of Alaungpaya.

The tomb of Alaungpaya is situated in the new Sessions Court compound.

A wooden pyatthat was erected over it in 1898 and a marble tombstone with an
inscription in English and Burmese, was laid on the tomb. A contemporary
account by Captain Alves of Alaungpaya's death and cremation is to be found
at pages 361-2 of Dalrymple's Oriental Repertory, Volume I :-

"I heard a report of the Buraghmah King being dead, and of his eldest son
having taken the Government of the kingdom on him, and that he had sent for
all the great men in his kingdom to come to Muxabooe (Moksobo)
52 SHWEBO DISTRICT

his capital and swear allegiance to him; on enquiring of Antony he told me he

believed it to be true, for that the Buraghmah King on his expedition to Siam,
which place he had been before some time, was obliged to raise the siege on
account of fever and flux he had himself; as likewise one half of his forces, and
return home, but he has no other authority for anything he said than common
report.

He then told me that the late King died on his return from Siam about the
middle of May; however the generals that kept with the main body of the army
kept the King's death private as long as possible, and sent notice of his death to
his eldest son, whom they pro claimed King, and sent his father's body with
great pomp to Muxabooe, where it was burned."

The Pitaka Taik.

The Pitaka talk, or repository for Buddhist scriptures is situated near the
Shwe-chet-tho pagoda in Shwebo. It was built by Bodawpaya in 1770 and
books were selected and placed there by a Pongyi U Wimala at his order. It
was destroyed by fire in 1888. U Aungzeya's Bahosi bell, and other bells may
be seen there. The inscriptions thereon are of no special interest.

Pagodas. The Theinkadaw Pagoda.

By far the oldest and most venerated pagoda in the district is the
Theinkadaw Pagoda at Thihadaw village on the Irrawaddy, three miles south
of Thabeikkyin, an island in the rainy season. Tradition ascribes its foundation
to Asoka in the third century B.C. It has been repaired successively by Alaung
Sithu, King of Pagan (1112-1167 A.D.). Alaung paya (1753-1760 A.D.),
Bodawpaya (1781-1819 A. D.), and Mindon (1853-1878 A .D .); up to the time
of Singu Min (1775-1781 A.D .) it was a favourite place of pilgrimage for the
Kings of Ava. An image of Buddha made of fragrant Thayetkin wood was
enshrined in the pagoda by Alaung Sithu ( 1115 A .D .). At the time of the
British occupation of Mandalay, the image was found in the palace. It was
subsequently transferred to the custody of the trustees of the Shwekyimyin
Pagoda, Mandalay. Mr. Oldham visited the pagoda in 1855 and the following
account is given in Colonel Yule's" Narrative of the Mission to the Court of
Ava in 1855."

"About thirty miles above Tsengoo is Thika-dan a small village of not

more than eighteen houses on the west
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 53

bank and exactly opposite to a small island in the stream, on which is situated
an old pagoda and some kyaungs, · which occupy all its surface. The upper end
of the island is protected by large piles and a framework of timber, but even
with this precaution it appears to be gradually wearing away. Round about the
pagoda on Thika-daw island are some very good bells, not very large, but very
well cast. Of these there are seven and they form very nearly a correctly
attuned chime. In fact a little filing from one of them would put them in perfect
tune. They are sufficiently near being in tune to give by no means an
unpleasing effect when struck in succession in chimes."

"Having gone over the island I returned to my boat where a sight awaited
me, that I confess astonished me more than anything I have ever seen before."

"One nearing the island as we descended the river the headman in the boat
had commenced crying out ' tet-tet' 'tet-tet' as hard as he could, and on my
asking him what he was doing, he said he was calling the fish. My knowledge
of Burmese did not allow me to ask him further particulars, and my interpreter
was in the other boat unwell ."

"But on my coming down to the boat again, I found it surrounded on both

sides with large fish, some three or four feet long; a kind of blunt-nosed,
broad-mouthed dog fish. Of these there were, I suppose some fifty. In one
group which I studied more than the others there were ten. These were at one
side of the boat, half of their bodies, or nearly half, protruded vertically from
the water, their mouths all gaping wide. The men had some of the rice prepared
for their own dinners and with this they were feeding them, taking little pellets
of rice, and throwing these down the throats of the fish. Each fish, as he got
something to eat, sank, and having swallowed his portion came back to the
boat side for more. The men continued occasionally their cry of 'tet-tet' ! 'tet-
tet' and, put ting their hands over the gunnel of the boat, stroked down the fish
on the back precisely as they would stroke a dog."

"This I kept up for nearly half an hour moving the boat slightly about and
invariably the fish came at call and were
54 SHWEBO DISTRICT

fed as before. The only effect which the stroking down or patting on the back
of the fish seemed to have was to Cause them to gape still wider for their food.
During March I am told there is a great festival here, and it is a very common
trick for the people to get some of the fish into the boat, and even to gild their
backs by attaching some gold leaf, as they do in the ordinary way to pagodas,
etc. On one of these fish remains of the gilding were visible. I never was so
amused or astonished. I wished to have one of the fish to take away as a
specimen, but people seemed to think it would be a kind of sacrilege, so I said
nothing more on the point. The Phoongyis are in the habit of feeding them
daily, I was informed. Their place of abode is the deep pool formed at the back
of the island, by the two currents meeting round its sides. And it is, it appears,
quite a sight, which the people from great distances come to see, as well as to
visit the pagoda which is said to be very ancient and much venerated."

Shwebawgyun Pagoda.

The following is extracted from an article in the Annual Report 1902-04 of

the Archaeological Survey of India, "Ancient Relics found in Shwebo":-

"To the north of Shwebo Cantonment is the Shwe bawgyun Pagoda built
by King Naungdawgyi (1760-63 A.D.) the eldest son of Alaungpaya. At each
angle of the platform a small pagoda was built by each of his four queens.
Three of these small pagodas are standing though in ruins, while the fourth,
namely, that of the south-western corner has been removed bodily at some time
or other. In December 1902, the central pagoda and the small one to the south-
east were dug into by some natives of India and their treasure chambers were
rifled. The thieves were detected and sentenced to imprisonment. As the two
smaller pagodas, which were still left intact, occupied an unsafe position, the
Burmese elders of Shwebo decided to open these and remove their contents to
a place of safety

Of the objects of religious interest found therein the most important was
the series of enclosed boxes or bowls with lids, containing relics. The outer
bowl was of brass, the next of copper, the next of silver, the next of pinchbeck,
the
SHWEBO DISTRICT 55

next of gold, set with emeralds, and the innermost of amber. Inside the amber
bowl was a small quantity of fine gravel, with a few small pearls and pieces of
gold, which a pious Buddhist regards as relics of the body of Buddha. There
were silver boxes, one apparently of Maltese work, and another crescent
shaped, a silver candle-holder, and gold and silver scrolls covered with
inscriptions."

The following is a translation of one of the silver scrolls :-

"In the month of Tagu of the 2295th year of the era of the Religion and the
l ll3th year of the Burmese era (April 1751 A.D.), the Empire of Ava, which
had been under the sway of the ten Kings of the Nyaungyan dynasty, was
subverted, and Alaungpaya, the patron of Buddhism revived the line of
Burmese Kings, and re-established the centre of Buddhist influence, by
founding the city of Ratanasingha, with its palace, moat, and walls, at
Moksobo, where the Shwetaza Pagoda still commemorated the dwelling place
of Buddha, when he was born as a white stag. His Majesty ascended the throne
in the 2297th year of the era of the Religion and the 1115th year of the
Burmese era (1753 A.D.). The founder of the new dynasty died in Kason 1121
(June 1759). The eldest prince, Sirisu dhammaraja, who wasthe heir-apparent,
succeeded to the throne. White and red elephants were presented to him and he
assumed the title of "Lord of White and Red Elephants,"
Siripavaramahasudhammarajadhipati. The boundaries of His Majesty's empire
are as follows :-

South.-- The sea.

West.-- The hill ranges separating Burma from Arakan, Chittagong and
Assam.

North.-- The tracts inhabited by the Shans and Kachins.

At Shwebawgyun which is about 500 tas (5,250 feet) to the north-east of

the royal city, His Majesty built a pagoda in which the relics and images of
Buddha were enshrined . . .” A list of treasures follows closing,
56 SHWEBO DISTRICT

with the words "at the four points of the compass as well as at the intermediate
points, figures in silver and brass, of elephants, horses and soldiers armed with
swords, spears, guns, bows and arrows facing outwards for the purpose of
safeguarding the dedicated treasures in the relic chamber; and figures of armed
men and infantry soldiers were interspersed between those of elephants and
horses."

The article continues:-- " The secular objects embraced a large number of
curiosities illustrating the dresses of the soldiery, the kinds of weapons used
and the various forms of boats and rifles used in the wars between the Burmese
and the Talaings. Most of the figures and models are of brass, while some are
of copper, and others of silver. There are numerous soldiers engaged in warlike
exercises; some, with long coats and three cornered hats of regulation pattern
are kneeling on one knee taking aim with their rifles; others, differently attired,
are practising with lances. Models of guns too are in profusion, and many of
them are labelled with the inscription "Mohein" or "Welkin" resounding
(weapon)." Among the numerous boats and rafts, the largest in size and the
first in interest, is a large brass vessel, sup posed to represent Alaungpaya on
one of his numerous campaigns in the delta of the Irrawaddy. It has three masts
each surmounted by a flag; and there is a figure seated in the stern occupied in
steering. A sailor half as high as the mast, is climbing up the foremast, and
another is standing on the main mast on the look-out. The captain is at the bow
with a telescope to his eye. If Alaungpaya is on board he must be below." This
boat together with soldiers in three cornered hats, a gun, numerous images of
Buddha and some of the other figures may now be seen in the museum in the
Shweraza pagoda where the elders of Shwebo decided to place them. Thieves
have in turn broken into this museum, but it is now securely barred and locked,
the keys being held by the pagoda trustees.

"Naungdawgyi who built the Shwetaza pagoda, reigned from 1760-63.

Being the eldest son of Alaungpaya, he immediately assisted his father in
overthrowing the power of the Talaing, in making the whole of Burma under
one rule, and in founding the last Burmese dynasty, which was
SHWEBO DISTRICT 57

subverted by the British in 1885. In these wars the belligerents were still armed
with bows and arrows and fire arms decided the fate of battles. These weapons
were supplied by the English and French East India Companies."

Other Pagodas.

Of the pagodas of Shwebo five are mentioned in the well known lyrical
poem composed in the Meza Shweli jungle in Katha by Letwethondra,
Minister, who had been deported on suspicion of intrigue by Sinbyushin-.
These are the Zibyusimi, the Shwelinbin, the Shwekugyi, the Shwechin the and
the Shwezedigyi pagodas.

More revered than any of these is the Shwetaza Pagoda at Shwebo, built by
Narapati Sithu of Pagan (1173-1210). The image of Buddha is said to be made
of fragrant wood obtained from Malaysia. The articles of historic and religious
interest found in the relic chambers of the Shwebaw gyun pagoda (q.v.) have
been placed within this pagoda under the care of the Trustees. The calcined
bones of Buddha and his disciples unearthed from the other Shwe bawgyun
relic chambers were divided into three portions and re-enshrined in the
Shwetaza, Shwebawgyun and Myodaung pagodas.

The Shwechettho Pagoda at Shwebo was built in 1755 by Alaungpaya on

the site where his chet or placenta was buried. It was repaired by Sagaing Min,
son of Alaung paya in 1760.

The Maw-daw-myin-tha or Myo-daung-seti at Shwebo is situated at the

north-east corner of the walls, and is visible from the railway where it crosses
the east moat. It was built by Alaungpaya in 1755 to celebrate his victory over
the Talaings. "He proceeded to his capital, where he held a grand festival and
surrounded by his court went to worship at the pagoda. He also founded a new
pagoda, depositing immense treasure in the relic-chambers." (Phayre). A
number of sacred relics, and an emerald alms-bowl said to be that of Gautama
Buddha were also enshrined in it. The Trigonometricai Survey of India lopped
off the pinnacle of this pagoda and established a station for taking bearings. It
has since been given a new hti.
58 SHWEBO DISTRICT

The Shwekugyi Pagoda at Myedu was built by Nara, pati Sithu, King of
Pagan (12th century). The image of Buddha is 22½ feet high is made of Saga
wood.

The Yokson Paya at Kywede was built in 1758 A.D. by Alaungpaya on his
march to Manipur to settle the succession to the throne in that country.
Pagodas of a commemorative nature were erected at all the principal camps
along the line of march. The shrine takes its name from the fact of its being
ornamented with brick figures of bilus and other fabulous monsters.

The Payagyi Pagoda at Palangon was built in 1822 A.D. by Nan-ma-daw

Me Nu, chief Queen of Bagyidaw and mother of Supayalat, King Thibaw's
chief Queen, Palangon being the place of her birth. The pagoda is 100 feet
high, and the diameter of the base is 92 feet.

The Sinbyudet Pagoda at Sheinmaga was built in 1795 to commemorate

the spot where King Bodawpaya mounted the white elephant presented from
Tagaung on his return to the capital from Sabenago.

The Tedawya Pagoda at Ngapatkyaung village on the Irrawaddy was built

by the Mohnyin Mintaya on his way down the Irrawaddy to invest Ava in 1426
A.D.

The Shwemottaw Pagoda at Male is ascribed to Pyusawti Min who lived

early in the Christian era.

The Shwekugyi Pagoda at Shagwe, the Mo-su taung at Alesho, the

Shwegathit at Thaukkan and others are ascribed to Kyansittha, King of Pagan
(11th century A.D .).

The Sawpu Pagoda at Sin-in was built by Mingaung I's Queen, Baw Lu
(15th century A.D.) and the Myohla Myasigon Pagoda at Zibyugon was built
by Mingaung I.

The Kala Kyaung Pagoda between Hladaw and Kyigan was built by
Kyaswa (13th century A.D .).

The pagodas ascribed to Narapati Sithu (12th century A.D.) are

innumerable. Some have been mentioned. Others of interest are the Shwe-
myin-wun at Kanthit sur rounded by figures of ponies, the Kubyin at Myegu to
which Mindon added a brick pavilion, and the Sudaungpyi at Bokywa where a
large annual festival is held.
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 59

Inscriptions.

Almost without exception the inscriptions found in, or concerning, the

district refer to the founding of pagodas and the dedication of lands thereto,
and do not contain any other matter of interest. The inscription in the
compound of the Court-house at Shwebo is of this nature. It was erected by
King Sinbyushin, second son of Alaung paya in 1765 A.D. to commemorate
the building of a monastery.

Inscriptions concerning the Mahananda Tank.

Near the second mile to the north of Shwebo town is an inscription, dated
1852 A.D. which was erected by King Mindon. It records the repair of the
Mahananda Tank, and being of interest the translation given in the Upper
Burma Gazetteer, Part II, Volume II, is reproduced below.

After a conventional opening concerning religion the inscription

continues:-

"The guardianship of religion free from harm rested with the Kings. When
Narapa-hti became King he did his royal duty well, like King Dwetabaung,
who brought Buddhism from Arimandana to Mandalay, to Sagaing, to
Shwebo, and to the towns of the south, and like Prince Theddhatta (Siddartha),
who with the powers of Mandap pa King brought Buddhism into Raja-griha
and Mount Meru, where lust no more exists, thus also did Narapa-hti. Thus
also did his great descendant, the descendant of the Mighty Conqueror of the
World, Mintaya Gyi (King Min don). On Friday, the eighth waxing of Pyatho
1214 (17th December 1852), he went forth from Amarapura to Yatana theinga
(Shwebo) with his brother, the Ein-shemin and with a great army of men. He
marched throughout the islands; he desired the spread of religion and the con
sequent prosperity of his people. With his young brother he put a stop to the
sale, import, and export of liquor, and, because the King of Amarapura was a
grasping man and one with little power, he bore the Buddha's teaching in mind
and subjugated the whole country, and so obtaining supremacy, proclaimed
himself King on the eleventh waxing of Tabaung of the same year (17th
February 1853) and all crimes were thus put an end to. Thus King Mindon
became Emperor over one hundred and ten kings that were tributary to him,
and yet, powerful as he was, he knew that he would die the death and that his
live could not
60 SHWEBO DISTRICT

endure for ever. Therefore he bethought him that he must follow the example
of the most excellent who had gone before him, and to further the cause of
religion he carried out the following acts of charity. He built a num ber of
monasteries and he fed the Thathanabaing, the Sadaws, and many thousands of
rahans living in the towns and hills of Yatanatheinga. He fed them daily, and
the chief of the monasteries were the Weluwun and the Pyopayon. Also he
repaired the five ancient pagodas the Shwetaza, the Shweku-gyi, the
Shwechinthe, the Shwebaw gyun, and the Shwesimi; five caves also he set in
order and four sacred buildings and eighty-two sacred places at zayats in all,
built by his forefathers, did he set in order; the posts also of the ancient palace
of Shwebo he caused to be sculptured into one hundred and five images of
Gautama and ninety-eight images of rahans, and these he caused to be covered
with gold and he worshipped before them. Nor was he content with such acts
of charity on which many millions were spent. Like Minlinzaw, who was the
elder brother of Narasura, the son of Alaung-sithu who caused money to be
taken out of the Royal Treasury in 513 (1151 A.D.), and like Alaungpaya, who
carried out works of irrigation; like these great kings of old, he caused the
Mahananda tank to be repaired under the direction of the Ein-she-min and of
the Myodaung Myosa, Thado Mingyi, Maha-minhla-gyaw. And this was
begun on the third waxing of the month of Kason 1215 (9th April 1853). This
great tank was first dug by King Alaungpaya in 1115 (1753) under the
supervision of the Kyonwun Maha-thiri Oktama-yaza Thingyan. And the like
was to be dug as far north as Myin-kwa-taung, so the length of the
embankment from the south-east corner of the tank to the Myinkwa hill is
twenty-two thousand tas, and the breadth of the embankment at the bottom is
fifteen tas, and at the top it is ten tas and at first the height of it was twenty one
cubits, but King Mindon raised it to twenty-six cubits. And the number of the
sluices is more than two score and the water from the hills flow into it through
the Bawdi and the Yeshin, the Teikchinwa and the Indaw streams, and it
irrigates a vast tract of country, and the King caused all kinds of lotuses to be
sown there and many sorts of water plants were planted, and it became the
drinking
SHWEBO DISTRICT. 61

place of the birds of the air and of all wild animals and human beings, and
when it was finished it was like the Nandawun lake in the country of the nats
and it became world-famous. And at the same time with the Mahananda there
were repaired the Gyo-gya-u tank which was dug by Pyu Min and Pyon Min,
the Prome Princes; the Singut Tank, which was constructed by the Ein-she-
min, the son of Alaungpaya; the Kadu tank, which was made by the King
Narapa-hti Sithu; the Palaing tank which Patama Mingaung had completed;
and the Yinba tank, which was the work of Dutiya Mingaung. All these were
completely restored and, when all were done, the King made an order that no
birds or animals were to be killed or snared on the Mahananda Lake nor on any
of the lakes. Such were the royal orders carried out by Tazein Wun Minhla
Thihathu and he inscribed them on this stone. And the inscription was
composed by Nemyo Minhla Nawra-hta. The solar King who had compassion
on his subjects; who was replete with all the kingly duties; whose kingdom
resembled Nagara in Mount Meru; who spread abroad religion; who was
respected by all his brother kings; who suppressed all crimes and civil wars,
was most like unto a Buddha. May these Royal Orders be for everlasting."

The map, reproduced at the end of this volume on a scale of one-quarter of

that of the original, was executed on parabaik in 1881 by the She-win-daw-
mhu, the Shwebo Wun, at King Thibaw's order. It shows the irrigation system
of the Shwebo Myinne, the Mu embankment and the Mahananda Tank. The
original gives the names of some 80 pipes. It also shows villages and village
jurisdictions.

Pyu Inscription.

An inscription in Pyu was found at Halingyi. It is incomplete and

untranslated. This is almost the only evidence that the Pyu, the P'iao of the
Chinese, who, with their capital at Prome, occupied the right bank of the
Irrawaddy, extended as far north as Shwebo. They were subjugated by King
Anawrata in 1057 A.D. and disappeared completely as a nation in the 13th and
14th centuries. Most of the Pyu inscriptions they are few about
62 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

fifteen--are very short, being on funeral urns discovered near Prome. The
Halingyi inscription is discussed in the Report of the Superintendent of
Archaeological Survey for the year ending March 1915 and tentative
transcriptions given. It can be "deciphered but, in the absence of a reliable
dictionary or vocabulary, cannot be translated. It may be referred to the 4th
century A.D. or earlier." The second and fourth lines on the inscription "belong
to a period earlier than the rest of the inscription. It would appear that the older
inscription existed on the stone before the other one was engraved."

Other Inscriptions.

A List of inscriptions found in Burma, Part I (Rangoon 1921) mentions

some thirty to forty inscriptions collected from different parts of the district in
the time of Bodaw paya. This King "noticing the shrinkage of the income of
the Royal Exchequer due to the large extent of Wut tagan lands or religious
endowments, ordered the collection of inscriptions dedicating lands to pagodas
with the object of curtailing the area and re-dedicating the lands so cur tailed."
The new inscriptions engraved by command of the King were deposited in the
Arakan Pagoda. A num ber of the originals have been found and placed in the
Patodawgyi Pagoda, Amarapura. These inscriptions refer to five pagodas of
Thabuttaw village: a pagoda and monastery of Kadu village: a pagoda in
Thayaing; the Taungpato Pagoda and a monastery of Thawutti; pagodas in
Inbe, including the Zingyan pagoda; the Shwegyaung monastery, Inbe; the
Kyaukmyatgyi Pagoda, in Shwebo; pagodas at Thalaing; the Mingala-wuttana
Pagoda, Taung myo; the Zedihla Pagoda; the Thitsaya Pagoda, Shwebo; the
Tedawya monastery, Ngabatchaung; the Zigon Pagoda, Onhnebok; the
Neikpanseik-u Pagoda and Bonsantalut Monastery, Shwebo; and the repairing
of the Gyogya-u, Mahananda, Singut, Palaing, Kadu and Yinba Tanks by King
Mindon. There are other inscriptions to be found in the district, such as on the
bells at Palangon and at Shwebo and elsewhere, but none of great interest have
been discovered.

Figure of Bodhisattva.

In the Lawka-u Pagoda at Palaing is the figure of a Bodhlsattva such as is

commonly found at Pagan. The
SHWEBO DISTRLCT 63

Assistant Superintendent of Archaeological Survey, Burma, who examined this

figure recently says: "The local people who do not appear to have ever heard of
the cult of Bodhisattvas have taken the figure to be that of a King, Narapati
Sithu, King of Pagan (1173-1210 A.D.), because, they say that there is on one
of its figures the mark of a whitlow, from which the King was once suffering
intensely. A Bodhisattva, or future Buddha, is generally represented with a
regal dress, either seated or standing. In the present instance, the figure is
kneeling and wears a crown with ear-rings and a necklace. It is in wood and
what the local people think is the mark of a whit low is in reality the fold of the
upper robe closely clad and held between its thumb and the fore-finger. This
hand holding the robe is raised to its breast with the palm in ward and the other
hand is hanging down. From the style of the figure it appears to belong to
about 12th-13th century A.D. Quite possibly it was one of those imported from
Pagan."

CHAPTER III.

THE PEOPLE.

No accurate idea of the population of the district in early times can be

formed as there are no sources from which the information may be obtained.
Colonel Yule made an estimate of the density of population. in the country
through which Dr. Richardson travelled on his way to the Chindwin in 1837,*
namely, the portion of Sagaing Dis trict lying north of Sagaing, Shwebo
Subdivision, the thickly populated centre of Ye-u Subdivision, and the sparsely
populated jungle in the west of the district.

"Taking Dr. Richardson's itinerary from Ava to Kendat, which extended

through what he considered one of the most populous parts of inland Burma,
and also through a

* See Chapter II.

64 SHWEBO DISTRICT

badly peopled part near the Kyendwen, we find that it gives thirty-seven
villages in a line of 221 miles, or, according to the reduced distances as
protracted by Colonel Burney, in176 miles. The latter distance gives one
village in 4'75.The number of houses is not always stated by Richardson, but
filling up such deficiencies conjecturally from the general character ascribed to
each village, I find in the 37 villages, 3,326 houses, or 90 in each village. And,
supposing the villages to be no further apart in other directions than on the line
of march, we shall have four per square mile or, say, twenty souls." This figure
may be compared with the density ascertained at the census of 1891, namely,
41 persons per square mile.

During the disorders of Thibaw's reign and the early years after the
annexation large numbers are known to have left the district, but before the
census of 1891 many of these had returned. The population of the district in
1891 and at subsequent census periods was as follows :-
Percentage increase in

Percentage increase in
natural population.
actual population.

1891 * 230,779 41 … 261,294 … 41,068 8,748

1901 286,891 51 24 331,030 26 53,175 9,036
1911 356,363 62 24 382,006 15 37,868 12,225
1921 391,284 68 10 405,471 6 33,240 19,053

The most noticeable feature of this table is the rapid increase in the actual
population. Although, during the first decade so many persons migrated to
Lower Burma

* Adjusted for alteration in district boundary.

SHWEBO DISTRICT. 65

and elsewhere and so few strangers came to settle in the district that the actual
population increased by only 24 per cent., while the number of people born in
the district (i.e., the natural population)increased by 26 per cent., conditions
altered during the next twenty years to such an exient, that in spite of the
increase of natural population being low, as it was throughout the rest of the
province, the actual population maintained its high rate of increase for another
decade and dropped only to 10 per cent. in the last decade. The new conditions
which increased immigration and checked emigration were the extension of
irrigation and the improved facilities for marketing produce by road and rail.
At the same time, the supply of suitable waste land culturable without large
capital expenditure in the Delta becoming exhausted, fewer persons were
attracted to Lower Burma. The Canal areas have naturally absorbed most of the
10 per cent. increase of actual population during the last decade, the population
in the Shwebo Canal area having increased by 26 per cent. and in Ye-u by 24
per cent. The unirrigated tracts show an increase of only 3½ per cent., afigure
below that for the natural population, 6 per cent. The census year 1921,
however, brought the worst harvest that has been experienced in thirty years,
while 1911 was a favourable year. In 1921 large numbers deserted the
unirrigated tracts in search of employment, some carting produce in the canal
areas and some working in the forests of Kanbalu Subdivision or of Katha and
Upper Chindwin Districts. Large though these temporary migrations were, the
figures may be taken to indicate some permanent change. While the unirrigated
tracts of Shwebo Subdivision show actually a decrease of 5 per cent. and a
large area in the south-east of Kanbalu Township an even greater decrease, the
unirrigated areas of Ye-u Sub division show an increase of 11 per cent. The
increase in the figures for the villages along the railway line accounts for the
general increase in the rest of Kanbalu Township, which, in spite of temporary
immigration to work in the forests, otherwise shows a decrease. Kyunhla
Township shows an increase of 7 per cent., and the group of villages round
Kyunhla and Indaing shows an increase of 15 per cent.
66 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Migration.

The abovementioned changes in immigration into and emigration from the

district are illustrated by the following table:-

Immigration Emigration

Number of hun- Number of hundreds

dreds of persons of persons born in
District born in the dis Shwebo and enu-
tricts shown in roerated in the dis-
the margin and tricts shorn in the
enumerated in margin
Shwebo

1891 1901 1911 1921 1891 1901 1911 1921

Lower Burma * 6 6 15 15 275 341 247 178

Mandalay 16 18 22 19 90 66 26 47
Katha 2 7 5 8 48 44
5 64
Ruby Mines … 1 26 38 26
Sagaing 2 5 29 59 8 9 9 10
Lower Chindwin 8 14 13 44 2 1 2 1
Upper Chindwin … 1 … 3 9 6 4
Northern Shan States … 1 … … 2 2 10
Bengal … 5 7 9
Madras … 6 7 6
United Provinces … 2 2 8
Punjab … 6 6 5 Not known.
Other parts of India … 7 3 2
China … 1 2 6
England … 7 5 …
Elsewhere (not … 6 6 13 8 18 17 18
including persons
emigrating to places
outside Burma).

* Principally Hanthawaddy, Toungoo and Pyapon Districts (in that order).

Over 1,000 persons were also enumerated in Ma-ubin, Myaungmya, Henzada
and Tharrawaddy.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 67

Although census migration figures cannot altogether be relied upon, since

they shew only the whereabouts of persons at the actual moment of the census,
no matter how temporary the change of residence or the visit may be, they do
indicate general movements of population with sufficient accuracy. The
decrease of emigration to Lower Burma is clearly illustrated above. In 1911,
66 per cent. of the total emigrants from the district were enumerated in Lower
Burma, but in 1921 only 53 per cent. were found there. The 1921 census shows
a considerable increase in the emigration to Mandalay (chiefly Mandalay City)
and the Northern Shan States, but Katha still absorbs the largest number of
emigrants from Shwebo. Much of this emigra tion to adjoining districts is of
course temporary, as the enumeration is made in March when many residents
of the unirrigated tracts in this district are seeking casual employ ment
elsewhere. In 1891 and 1901 the Lower Chindwin was the only district in
which the balance of migration was in favour of Shwebo. Since the opening of
the canals however immigration from both Sagaing and the Lower Chindwin
has greatly exceeded emigration to these districts. Part of this immigration is
temporary, due to cartmen coming north to sell their wares and purchase
paddy, but · there has undoubtedly been a substantial increase in the number of
immigrants from these districts who have settled down permanently in
Shwebo.

Density.

The following figures indicate the increase of population and the relative
density in townships. Kanbalu and Kyun hla and Tamadaw Townships include
immense areas of jungle. The eastern portion of Tamsdaw, including Ywa
thitgyi Village-tract visited by Richardson, is more thickly populated than Ye-u
Township, one village seldom being more than a quarter of a mile from its
neighbour, but when the jungle of the west is included the density figure is
very low.

Density per square mile

Township Year

1891 1901 1911 1921

Shwebo 102 114 141 147

Wetlet (Sheinmaga) 70 84 107 127
68 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Density per square mile

Township Year

1891 1901 1911 1921

Kin-u (Chaukywa) 115 129 137 146

Male* 13 10
Kanbalu (Myedu) 24 38 34 36
Kyunhla (Indaing) 7 9 15 14
Ye-u 143 173 210 133
Tamadaw (Shwegyin) * 23 33 40 43
Tabayin (Mayagan) 54 64 75 89
Taze 37 53 58 63

Shwebo District 41 51 62 68

* Now abolished.

The density of the area included in the old Ye-u Township is high, being
exceeded in Upper Burmaonly by theMandalay and Amarapura Townships of
Mandalay District,the Pakokku and Yezagyo Townships of Pakokku
District,the Myaung Township of Sagaing District, Kyaukse Township and
Myingyan Township. In Lower Burma, excludingRangoon Town, it is
exceeded by only one in every eighttownships and among them are included
Akyab, Syriam,Insein and Moulmein.

TOWNS.

The population of the district is almost purely agricultural, the only urban
settlement of any size being Shwebo Town, with a population of 10,605
persons. Ye-u, the headquarters of Ye-u Subdivision and formerly the
headquartersof Ye-u District, with a population of 2,742 persons is anotified
area under the Burma Municipal Act. The only village-tracts of more than 500
houses are Seikkun, Chiba,Madaingbin, Taze, Wayange, Kaduma, Sanzwe,
Halin, Kin-u, Thetpe, Kanbalu and Ngayane of which only Wetlet, Kin-u, and
Kanbalu, on the railway, can be said to have important interests other than
agriculture.
SHWEBO DISTRLCT 69

The bulk of the people of the district belong to the Race main. Burmese
stock. In the foot-hills of the north-east, in the north and the extreme west and
north-west, the people are of more mixed descent, but ninety-nine per cent of
the people speak Burmese and ninety-seven per cent. are Buddhists.

The census figures for 1921 were as follows:-

Population classified by Language

Burmese Shan Karen Kachin Mani- Chin Indian Chin- Eng- Oth-
Puri langu- ese lish ers
ages

387, 140 11 *176 47 11 11 3,492 295 97 9

* Engaged in Keddah operations.

Population classified by Race

Burman Indian Chinese Others

379,934 9,076 441 1,833

Population classified by Religion

Total
--- Popula- Buddh- Hindus Maho Chris- Others
tion ists medans tians

Shwebo 10,065 8,004 970 877 448 306

Town
Ye-u 2,752 2,314 185 70 131 42
Town
The Dist 377,937 368,148 1,383 6,663 1,429 316

District 391,284 378,464 2,538 7,610 2,008 664

total

Besides the Burmese there are three classes of indigen ous-inhabitants, the
Shans, the Bayingyis (Christians) and the Pathis (Mahomedans) or Myedu
70 SHWEBO DISTRICT.

Kalas. Of the 7,610 Mahomedans in the district only 1,004 were ire migrant
Indians; 5,164 were Burma Moslems ;1,423 were Zerbadis and 19 Chinese.
Ninety-eight out. of every hundred Christians were born within the Province.

Shans.

The Shan settlements in Burma, and in this district in particular, date from
the reigns of Nyaungyan Min, Maha Dhamma Raza, and Thado Dhamma
Raza, in the 50 years between 1599 and 1648 A.D., and originally consisted of
captives taken in war by these three kings and their predecessor Buyin Naung.
According to the sittans, or depositions of village officials, and the annals of
the Hlutdaw, the Shans from Mogaung and Mohnyin, captured by Buyin
Naung, were first quartered at Makaw (probably near Ava) and afterwards
removed to Nyaungbin, Ywatha, Hnget pyaw, Nagasin and Pirntha, in what is
now the Kanbalu Sub division of this district. This tract of country allotted to
the Shans, by Nyaungyan Min, was called the Pyinsala Nga Myo up to the
annexation.

Nyaungyan Min also annexed the tract of the indaing Shwehmu, in the
north-west of the district, inhabited by Shans, and added it to the Central Gold
tract, Shwe-ale-gyaung which was part of the district. Some Siamese cap tives,
also called Shans were settled about this time along the Mu, and also at
Nwabetgyi, Myedu, Thityabin and Payan. Many of these settlers are said to
have returned to their country at the time of the great famine in Bodaw paya's
reign (1811-1816). The descendants of the Shan and Siamese captives are now
hardly distinguishable in language and appearance from the Burmese
population. The Shan language is never used by them, though a number of the
older people speak Burmese with a Shan accent.

Bayingyis.

The name Bayingyi is the Burmese of the word Feringi the Indian term for
Christian, and is now applied solely to Christians of the Roman Catholic faith.
The native Bayin gyis of Shwebo District are, for the most, descendants of
Christians taken prisoner in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. These
were chiefly Portuguese, French, Dutch and Goanese or their offspring by
mixed marriages.

In 1613, Syriam, where the Portuguese had established themselves, was

captured by Maha Dhamma Raza, second King of the Nyaungyan Dynasty
(1605-18), and a number of the followers and companions of De Brito, the
Portuguese
SHWEBO DISTRICT 71

adventurer, were spared and sent to Ava. Afterwards 'the number of the
foreigners living about the place (Ava) gave some uneasiness to the Burmese
Government. A cer tain number of the ablest of the captives were ketp at Ava
and had for business to teach the Burmese what they knew about military
matters. As the Burmans scarcely knew anything about gunnery, the Christians
of the Capital were entrusted with the management of the artillery, and to this
day they have remained the chief gunners or artillery men in Burma. The other
Christians were removed to the distant provinces of Tabaring (Tabayin) and
Ahlong (Alon), in the Lower Chindwin District) between the rivers Kyin douin
and Mu. As will hereafter be noticed they settled in villages. They were
exempt from the payment of tribute, but had to bear the weight of military
service in the same way as they do now" (Bishop Bigandet, History of the
Burmese Mission).

In 1756 Syriam was attacked by the Burmese this time under Alaungpaya.
Both British and French had factories established there at the time, but the
British had been im prisoned by the Talaings and were released by the
Burmans. Several EurOpean seamen from the French ship "Galette," which
Alaungpaya had seized, were sent up-country and were added to the Christian
communities already formed.

The original villages in which the Bayingyis were settled were Chantha,
Monhla, Chaungyo, Saingbyin, Kyundaw and Nagabo. In these villages in
Bodawpaya's reign (1811-1816) the number of Christian households was 55,
48, 24, 16,20, and 17 respectively. There were also 18 Bayingyi households in
Tabayin in his reign. Their religion has been maintained by Italian and French
missionaries, but "many villages, owing to the scarcity of pastoral visits, have
become apostate. They have not embraced paganism though they follow many
of its practices in deference to the Burmans." (Bigandet). For this reason, and
because they have tended to collect together in the larger villages, the numbers
in all the villages except Chantha, Monhla and Chaungyo had dwindled by
1867 to three or four or none at all. Chantha had 105 households in 1867, and
has now 120 or about 600 persons. Monhla has risen from 64 households in
that year, to 70 with some 483 persons.
72 SHWEBO DISTRICT

The Bayingyis have largely intermarried with the Burmese population and
have now lost all trace of their original names and language. Their mixed
descent is however in many cases obvious from their features. The general
opinion is that the infusion of Portuguese blood is highest in Monhla. The
ancestors of the Chantha Bayingyis were more probably Indian Christians.

At the annexation their villages were all destroyed by dacoits, and, in

November 1886, a number were given lands to cultivate near Ye-u on the
understanding that they gave one-fifth of the produce as revenue.

Barnabite. Fathers.

Of the Barnabite Fathers labouring in the district the sole records

concerning the district are that Pio Gallizia died of dropsy at Shwebo in 1765;a
few years later Ambrosio Miconi died at Kyundaw; Butiromonti died at
Chantha after one year's work in 1788; Father Joseph D'Arnato, who resided at
Monhla throughout the greatest part of his long apostolic career of forty-nine
years, remained alone in charge of the several congregations of Upper Burma
during his last years and died at Monhla in 1832; Father Andrieno, whose
brother was an official at Burmese court, died at Chantha in 1882. Detailed
records of the mission are not available as they had been stored in the church at
Chantha, which was totally destroy ed by fire in 1840 during the absence of the
Rev. Father Polignani, then engaged in erecting a missionary's house at
Monhla. A "seminary for the education of young natives destined to become
catechists and valuable auxilia ries of the missionaries" was established at
Monhla in the seventeen-seventies. It was later removed to Nabet.

Owing to the activities of the Roman Catholic mission aries Bayingyi

communities have been formed since the annexation at several villages other
than those already mentioned, and also at Shwebo. The largest Christian
settlements are now at Monhla (243) in Kanbalu township, Chantha (363) and
Kanwun (19) in Ye-u Township, and Shwebo Town (324).

Burma Moslems. Myedu Kalas.

The third non-Burman community settled in the district is that of the

Myedu Kalas, Moslems born in the country whose language and dress are both
Burmese. They them seves believe that their ancestors came to Burma in the
reign of Thado Dhamma Yaza (Thaluh Mindayagyi,) but it
SHWEBO DISTRICT 73

is more probable that they were prisoners of war taken in the campaign of
Buyin Naung against Pegu in 1538-39 A.D. and in the invasion of Arakan by
Tabin Shwe Ti in 1546 A.D. when Sandoway was occupied. One of their
sittans dated 1164 B.E., states that 280 of their ancestors came over voluntarily
from Arakan and Sandoway in the reign of Buyin Naung and were allotted
land at Myedu, Sitha, Siboktaya and Tabayin in this district and also at
Toungoo and Yamethin. In return for the allotment of land they rendered
service as palace guards at Ava. Subsequently in the reigns of Alaungpaya,
Naungdawgyi, and Sinbyushin of the Shwebo dynasty they continued to serve
as mus keteers and received additional allotments of land in Ngayane, Kintha
and Setkaba jurisdictions.

Of the 7,610 Mahomedans enumerated in the district in 1921, 5,164 were

Burma Moslems. They reside mainly in villages in which they were originally
set led and in a few adjoining villages, though some new settlements have also
been formed in the Shwebo canal area as at Kanthagon near Nyaungbintha.
The largest settlements are Myedu, Sagon, Thabutkon, Chinbyitkyin, Bugyi,
Kyizu, Wetto and Kyigon village tracts in Kanbalu township. Of these Myedu,
Sagon, Thabutkon, Bugyi and Wetto villages are predominantly Mahomedan.

Other races Natives of India.

At the 1921 census Mahomedans born outside Burma numbered 1,004

persons. Hindus numbered 2,538 persons of whom 603 were born in the
Province. As opposed to the Burma Moslems the immigrant Indians engage
little in agriculture either as cultivators or labourers and are em ployed chiefly
as shop-keepers, contractors, masons and coolies. They generally reside in the
towns and villages along the railway line, though a few are also found in the
larger villages in the interior of the district. Since the 1911 census the Hindu
male population has decreased, but this is due, as the decrease in the male
Christian population is also due, to alterations in the composition of the
military popu lation of Shwebo Cantonment. The increase in the number of
Hindu females from 464 to 613 between 1911 and 1921 indicates that the
settled Hindu population has in reality increased.

Chinese.

Chinamen are few and are to be found only in the towns and larger villages
on the railway line and in Ye-u. They
74 SHWEBO DISTRLCT

are contractors, shopkeepers, paddy traders and carpen ters. Their number has
nearly quadrupled during the last decade and the rise in the figure for Chinese
females from 10 to 83 shows the more permanent character of the Chinese
population.

Literacy.

Census literacy figures are discussed in Chapter XII. Shwebo, Katha and
Sagaing Districts rank much the same, but do not compare favourably with the
rest of Central Burma and the Delta. The figures indicate that the im migrant
natives of India are of a slightly better class than in other parts of Burma and
that the Zerbadi who forms a large proportion of the indigenous Mahomedan
population, is not so well educated as his brothers elsewhere.

Depreased classes.

Although caste systems and class distinctions would, seem to be non-

existent and the slavery of Burmese times at an end, a relic of the past is found
in the Magyiok taungsas, professional beggars, or, more properly, pagoda
slaves. At Magyiok, a village in the Kyi village tract of Tabayin township fifty-
three households supplement the small return they get from their fields by
begging through out the neighbouring villages as far as Ye-u and Monywa. A
revenue document dated 1876 concerning Tabayin Wun ship exempts from
assessment under the heading kyun (slaves), 44 households of Magyiok and
also 11 households in the Mayagun thwethauk-ship, one at Pagan and one at
Thinbanbya. These professional beggars may be met with at all times roaming
about the country or staying in zayats. but at present Magyiok is their only
permanent residence in this district. They are a race apart; other Burmans will
not eat rice with them nor intermarry with them. It is believed locally that if
they attempt to conceal their origin they are soon found out. Their ruling nat
sees to that. If they go away to another place and pose as lugaungs and marry,
their children will always give them away. The child cries and, on the parents
consulting the local saya according to custom, the says, after making the usual
cal culations, finds that what the baby is crying for is the bag lwe-eit and tabo-
kauk, habitually carried by taungsas. Professional beggars are found also in a
few places in Lower Chindwin District and elsewhere and it is stated
concerning them that "their origin as is manifest from copies of the old
Kyauksas, or lithic inscriptions, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .
SHWEBO DISTRICT 75

was not Burmese. The dedicated persons are in some inscriptions stated to be
foreigners, and in others, although the fact of a foreign origin is not recorded in
the inscrip tion, the names are Indian names translated into Burmese. No doubt
they were captives taken in war, and the separa tion is not one which arose
among the people of one race." They, together with the other classes of
Sandals, the grave-diggers and others, were under the Ayut wun in Burmese
times, the "governor of degraded classes."

At the 1921 census ninety per cent. of the population of the district was
classified as rural, but several of the areas classified as urban are hardly even
semi-urban. At the 1918-1923 settlement there were 1,558 villages in the dis
trict situated in 640 village tracts. Almost all villages are compact and fenced
with thorns. Those lying along the banks of the Mu River are usually
pleasantly situated, but in the central plain shade trees are few and villages are
bare and unattractive. Many of the houses stand in their own enclosures, but
the available space is usually required for a threshing floor or for stabling for
cattle, and villagers rarely attempt to improve their surroundings or to add to
their food supply by gardening. Within the village roads are narrow, seldom
allowing two carts to pass easily. Owing to the overcrowding of the village site
and the inflammable materials with which houses are built serious fires are not
infrequent.

Houses.

Over the greater part of the district houses are raised above the ground
level. In the south, however, where the rainfall is low and building materials
are scarce, huts on the ground are not uncommon, and in villages adjoining the
Lower Chindwin they are the general rule. Houses are usually built of mat
walls, plank floors and thatched roofs. Thetke is the usual thatching material
except in palm sugar areas where toddy palm leaves are used. Substantial
wooden houses are found only in villages close to forests and in the wealthier
canal villages. A considerable number of houses of this type have recently
been erected or are in course of erection in Shwebo Town and in the minor
trade centres along the railway line, evidence that the middle men are sharing
in the prosperity brought to the district by irrigation.
76 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Food.

Rice is almost everywhere the staple article of diet. Millet is regularly eaten
only in the ya area in the south-west of Tabayin Township, and even there rice
is consumed as much as millet. In other southern villages millet is eaten in
years of scarcity, and in the jungle tracts indigestible roots are occasionally
mixed with rice to make it go further, but this is considered a hardship and is
not the general rule. In canal areas the superior and expensive lonthe rice is
eaten. In unirrigated tracts cultivators cannot ordinarily afford to be so
particular. They seldom grow lonthe varieties them selves, and in years in
which they have to purchase their stock of wunza from irrigated tracts they buy
bu saba which is not only cheaper but also swells into bigger bulk when
cooked. Beans, usually red beans (pegyani) and common peas (sadawpe), are
also eaten by every household. Ngapi and dried fish imported from Lower
Burma or Katha are used everywhere. Fresh fish is scarce. There are 32
slaughter houses in the district, and, though there has been some de crease in
consumption in recent years owing to the cam paign against cattle slaughter,
beef is still hawked about the bigger canal area villages nearly every day.
Dried beef imported from India and euphemietically called dried venison is
another common article of diet. Vegetables such as gourds, tomatoes and
brinjals are purchased from itinerant traders who obtain them, in villages along
the banks of the Mu or in Chaung-u Township in Sagaing Dis trict. For
cooking-oil inferior grades of groundnut oil are ordinarily used, unless the
cultivator grows his own sesa mum. In the irrigated tracts however most are
able to afford either sesamum oil or the better grades of ground nut oil. There
are no village shops in the district away from the railway line, and few can
afford to spend money on tinned foods such as biscuits, sardines and
condensed milk which are extensively consumed in Lower Burma. There is
however a demand for sweetmeats usually made of rice flour and jaggery, and
the number of sweetmeat vendors in every big canal village indicates that there
is surplus income available to spend on minor luxuries of this sort.

Dress.

Clothing is still very largely home-woven. At the 1921 census 37,057

looms were enumerated in the district, an average of nearly one loom to every
two households. For every day wear cotton longyis and jackets of coarse cotton
SHWEBO DISTRLCT 77

(pyin) are the rule, but for festive occasions there is usually a good cotton
longyi with a silk pattern running through it and jacket of pin ai, which has
now almost universally displaced the white cotton jacket formerly worn. Silk
longyis purchased in the bazaars are also fairly common in canal areas, but
they are seldom home woven except in the neighbourhood of Chiba and
Seikkun. Outside the towns European shoes and stockings are seldom seen.

Religious edifices and offerings.

Every village has its kyaung and in most cases these are substantial
wooden buildings. In canal areas both pago das and kyaungs are generally in
good repair. In unhrigat ed tracts the monasteries are often in a sad state of dis
repair, and new pagodas are more often than not the work of natives of the
village who have made good elsewhere.

Outside the towns and richer villages the offerings made to the monks are
much less elaborate than those made in Lower Burma. Apart altogether from
the poverty of the bulk of the inhabitants of this district there are far more
weavers of the robe to share the loaves and fishes than in a Lower Burma
district. Thus at the 1921 census there were 4,983 pongyis, upazins, nuns and
ministers of religion supported by the community or one to every 79
inhabitants as compared with one to every 164 persons in Pegu Division and
one to every 210 persons in Irrawaddy Division. Here it is no uncommon
practice for the donor to purchase at the kyaung a set of robes previously
presented by someone else and offer them for a second time.

General prosperity.

In a district the staple crop of which is quite unsuited to the capricious

rainfall the general level of prosperity is naturally low. At the 1918-1923
revision settlement the average net annual income of cultivators in unirrigated
tracts was found to be Rs. 162 per household and average expenditure Rs. 157
excluding unusual expenditure on ceremonial occasions. In canal areas the
average income was Rs. 339 and average expenditure Rs.299, The figures are
not entirely trustworthy owing to the fluctuations in money values that have
taken place during the period covered by the enquiries, but they illustrate the
great
78 SHWEBO DISTRICT

improvement in the condition of the people who reside in the portion of the
district served by the major canals. Not only do they have also more leisure
than they could afford to enjoy formerly. Nowadays they can live in their own
homes the whole year round if they choose. Before the introduc tion of
irrigation they were compelled, as many cultivatiors in unirrigated tracts still
are, to leave their villages after the paddy crop was harvested and supplement
their scanty income from the land by non-agricultural employment elsewhere.
Partly owing to a somewhat infertile soil, partly owing to the charge for water
which they have to meet, they are less prosperous than cultivators in the
wealthy delta districts. Nevertheless they have undoubtedly achieved a
reasonable standard of comfort. What advance in prosperity there has been in
unirrigated tracts it is difficult to estimate. Expenditure on living though still
low has increased by 75 per cent. between the original settlement of 1900-1906
and the revision settlement of 1918-1923, but this increase is in the main due to
the general depreciation in the value of money, the purchasing power of which
is estimated to be fully 66 per cent lower than it was at ori ginal settlement.
Observers who were present at both settlements are convinced that there has
been a distinct improvement in the standard of living since original settle ment
even in the unirrigated portion of the district, Food is more varied. Houses are
better equipped with utensils, and clothing is superior. But as long as
cultivation is a gamble in rainfall, and cultivators stake everything on a single
crop of rice there is little prospect of prosperity for the greater part of the
district lying outside canal irrigated tracts.

CHAPTER IV.

AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION.

Increase of cultivation.

Agriculture is the chief occupation of the inhabitants of the district.

According to the classification adopted at the
SHWEBO DISTRICT 79

1921 census 79 per cent of the total population is sup ported primarily by
cultivation. Reliable statistics of areas and crops are not available until the year
1907-08 when the Land Records system was introduced into the district. Under
Burmese rule the area under the Muhaung Canal and the land lying in the
centre of Ye-u Township and south of Taze Township was very fully
cultivated, as it is to-day, but elsewhere there have been large extensions in the
cultiva ted area not confined to the areas irrigated by the major canals, though
they have been larger there than elsewhere. Much of this increase in cultivation
resulting from settled rule had already taken place before 1907-08. Irrigation
from the Shwebo Canal had begun in 1906-07. Even since 1907-08, there has
been considerable progress. Between that year and the year 1922-23 the area
occupied for cultivation has risen according to Land Records figures from
994,472 acres to 1,103,106 acres, an increase of 108,634 acres or eleven per
cent. In a dry zone district, however, where 40 per cent. of the occupied area is
ordinarily fallowed, progress is to be tested by increase in the cultivated area
rather than by increase in the occupied area. In the quin quennium 1908-12 the
average net cultivated area was 549,410 acres. In the following quinquennium
it averaged 634,224 acres, an increase of 15 per cent, while in the quin
quennium 1918-1922 it rose to 657,846 acres, an increase of only four per
cent. on the middle period. The unusually unfavourable seasons experienced in
the last three years of the period have however masked the increase that would
be found in a normal season now. Only 28 per cent of the occupied area of the
district is irrigated by reliable major works. Outside this area the percentage of
fallows and failures in most years is very high. Between 1908 and 1922 the
average area annually fallowed was 426,871 acres or 41 per cent. of the
occupied area. In the same period the average area on which crops failed to
mature was 123,657 acres, or over 20 per cent of the total cultivated area
irrigated and unirrigated.

Principal crops.

The following table shows for each 1,000 acres cultivated the average
number of acres under each of the
80 SHWEBO DISTRICT

principal crops for the quinquennial periods (a) 1908-12, (b) 1913-17 and (c)
1918-22.

(a) (b) (c)

Rice 834 845 784

Sesamum 81 76 83
Pulses 53 53 97
Millet 21 17 22
Cotton 3 4 9
Wheat 2 2 6
Groundnut … … 3
Others 7 8 9

Total 1,001 1,005 1,013

Double cropped 1 5 13

These statistics indicate an extension of the cultivation of pulses, cotton,

wheat and groundnut. The exceptionally unfavourable rainfall of three years
of the last quinquennium partly accounts for the contraction in the proportion
of the cultivated area under rice. Under normal conditions the area under rice
should not be less than 80 per cent of the cultivated area. The large increase in
the area cultivated with pulses is due partly to the high level of prices obtained
in recent years and partly to successive unfavourable mop Boons forcing
cultivators to substitute matpe, penauk and gram for paddy on embanked land.

Double cropping.

True double cropping is not very extensive and is con fined to early
sesamum followed by bears on alluvial land near the Mu and Sipadon. Mixed
cropping is however extensive,, and the area shown in the statistics as double
cropped (24,689 acres in 1922-23) is due to mixed crop -- ping being treated
for statistical purposes as double-crop ping when the two crops mature at
different assessment seasons. On unembanked alluvial land late sesamum and
pegyi or maize and pegya are the most frequent combina tions, but the most
common form of mixed-cropping is matpe or penauk sown broadcast in the
maturing paddy, after the last water has been released, and plucked up by hans
about two months after the paddy has been harvested.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 81

Rice.

With the exception of the ya tracts in the extreme south east and south-west
corners of the district, and the kaing areas along the banks of the Mu and
Irrawaddy and near the Sipadon, rice is every where the crop of supreme
importance. The result is that the effects of an unfavourable monsoon are felt
more severely in the unirrigated tracts of this district than in the ordinary dry
zone district where, owing to the multiplicity of crops grown, all are not likely
to fail in the same year. Mayin, kaukti, kankyin, kauklat and kaukkyi are all
represented in the paddy cultivation of the district. The area under the first
three types is small and averages only 7,607 acres. The average area under
winter rice between 1908 and 1922 has been 501,728 acres. The maximum
area 579,546 acres was recorded in 1914-15, the lowest 387,971 acres in 1907-
08 when climatic conditions were unfavourable and irrigation from the
Shwebo Canal was only beginning. The figures vary within wide limits from
year to year according to the character of the season, but with the extension of
irrigation from major works there has been a definite increase in the average
area cropped with winter rice.

Of the two main divisions of winter rice, long lived rice (kaukkyi) and rice
with a medium life periled (kauklat), the former preponderates in canal areas,
the latter in unirriga ted tracts. The varieties of rice grown in the district are
numerous. Among the short-lived or kaukyin varieties are ngayenwe, thalebyu
and paungmalaung. Of the kauklat varieties the most common are bombadewa,
mezawgale, tak shan, kaukthwe and ngagyin ; among the kaukkyi varieties,
ngayunwa, anbaw, yathe, ngasauk, kalagyi, mezawgyi, mwezwe,
taungdeikpan, sawbwagyi, hmawdaik, ngasein, babwyut and ngathalun. Of
these varieties ngayunwa paddy is from many points of view the most
important. Originally grown for home consumption, its cultivation has
extended rapidly since about 1915 as a result of the pre mium placed on it by
the small millers, until it now occupies more than half the area cultivated with
rice in the Shwebo canal area. Ngayunwa has a small slender grain with a thin
husk. Cultivators estimate that it ordinarily yields about twenty per cent less
than coarer varietes. On the ether hand it has a high millig percentage and
commands a high price in the rice market as Shwebo lonthe. Rice millers
82 SHWEBO DISTRICT

ordinarily pay from Rs. 15 to Rs. 20 per hundred baskets more for it than for
other varieties. Being a soft-grained paddy it is liable to damage by insect pests
and disease, and it is somewhat doubtful whether in view of its lower yield it
really pays cultivators to grow it. Preference for a variety for which there is
known to be a ready market can however be understood. Of the other varieties
bombadewa paddy with a short plump grain is the most extensively grown. It
is found both in irrigated and mogaung areas. Anbaw is the chief kaukkyi
variety in mogaung tracts. It is not so long-lived as yathe, a high yielding
variety, which however is usually grown in favourable situations. Ngathalun is
a variety of red rice common only in the tanegyan basin of the Ye-u, Canal
area. This variety is broadcasted. Its merit lies in its strongly developed root
system which enables it to withstand drought on a tane soil.

Sesamum.

After paddy the next most important crop is sesamum. The average area
under this crop between 1908 and 1922 has been 49,098 acres or 8 per cent. of
the cropped area. It is grown all over the district and is practically confined to
unembanked land. In the southern ya tracts and in land along the Mu it is
grown sufficiently extensively to allow of some surplus for export. Elsewhere
it does not suffice for local requirements for cooking oil. The reasons for the
popularity of the crop are obvious. In the first place the cultivator prefers to be
self-supporting in his foodsupply of which cooking oil is an important item.
Secondly the culti vation of sesamum calls for little labour. After the prepara
tion of the soil and the sowing of the seed nothing re mains to be done but
harvest the crop. Finally, though the crop is most precarious-heavy rain in the
early days of its growth will destroy it as readily as drought-there is always the
chance of drawing a prize in the shape of bumper crop. Almost all the
sesamum grown is of the late variety, only five per cent of the crop being early
sesamum. The latter variety is grown chiefly on alluvial soils on the high banks
of the Mu or near the Sipadon. The late variety is grown on all ya soils. There
are two chief types, one with a life period of about 75 days-thadunbyu-the
other with a period of about 95 days.

Beans.

The group of bean crops now covers a greater area than sesamum. During
the ten years 1907-08 to 1916-17 the
SHWEBO DISTRICT 83

average area under beans was 29,620 acres. The succeed ing five years have
witnessed in Shwebo as elsewhere a rapid increase in the area under the
various bean crops. In 1917-18 it rose to 53,701 acres, and the average for the
period 1917-18 to 1921-22 has been 61,416 acres or an increase of more than a
hundred per cent on the average for the previous ten years. Beans have always
been the most important crop grown on alluvial soils in this district, but the
war trade in white beans was a powerful incentive to this form of cultivation,
and although the cultivation of the small white bean (pebyugale) was generally
abandoned when the market disappeared, the cultivation of other varieties has
continued to make headway, the level of prices being far above the pre-war
standard.

Matpe.

Matpe is the most extensively cultivated of the bean group. It is not a new
staple, but it has become important only since 1917. Previousiy its place was
taken by penauk, a plant of similar habit and appearance but with a longer pod
and smaller beans. Penauk was however grown for home consumption and is
still cultivated with this object. Matpe is not consumed locally but is grown for
export. When grown on unembanked land it is usually found on heavy low-
lying alluvial soils from which water is late in draining off. The great bulk of
the crop is however grown on embanked land either as a single crop or mixed
with the growing paddy. It is found all over the central lane plain, the black
soil of which retains moisture long enough to mature winter crops.

Pegya and Pebyugale.

The average area under pegya (red bean) for the ten years 1908-17 was
9,994 acres. Owing to the pebyu gale boom the acreage fell in 1917-18 to
7,543 acres, and in 1918-19 to 7,106 acres, but with the passing of pebyu gale
it has risen to 17,518 acres in 1921-22. Figures for pebyugale are available
only from 1916-17. In that year the area under this crop was 9,128 acres. The
following year it rose to 22,670 acres and reached its maximum 28,437 acres in
1918-19. By 1919-20 cultivators had rea lised that the demand for pebyugale
had ceased, and the area under the crop dropped to 10,406 acres or little more
than a third of the acreage of the previous year. Pegya was substituted for
pebyugale, and the area under that variety increased by nearly a hundred per
cent. to 13,998 acres.
84 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Since 1919-20 pegya has continued to make headway at the expense of

pebyugale. Cultivators are however unwilling to give up entirely a crop that
has paid them so well in the past. Ever since 1919-20 prices have generally
been rather more favourable for the white than for the red bean. The demand
for the former is however by no means steady, and the cultivator prefers to
grow the red bean which is consumed locally and can therefore be sold readily.
Further the red bean is a hardier plant than the white bean and is generally held
to give a somewhat larger outturn if grown on similar soils. It is also less liable
to deteriorate when stored.

Millet.

Both red and white millet are grown. The grain of the former is sometimes
eaten, but the crop is usually grown for fodder. White millet is grown as a food
grain. Between 1908 and 1922 the average area under millet as a food grain
was 6,371 acres, as a fodder crop 5,303 acres. With the failure of the paddy
crop in recent years there has been a considerable increase in the area under
both varieties of millet, but the present tendency is for the area under the
fodder crop to exceed the area under the food crop. The chief millet area is the
south-west corner of the district adjoining the Lower Chindwin, and it is there
that most of the white variety is grown. In this area it is not confined to ya land
but is sometimes found on the black soil of embanked land, as the rainfall is
often insufficient to permit paddy cultivation. Elsewhere millet is usually a
fodder crop grown in small patches for the cultivator's own cattle. It is
confined to the southern half of the district. Within recent years the pwinbyu
pest has spread across the Lower Chindwin border into this district, but so far
the damage is not very widespread and is kept in check by fallowing and
rotation of crops.

Cotton.

The average annual area under cotton in the period 1908-1918 was 2,113
acres. In the year 1918-19 the acre age rose by three hundred per cent to 7,124
acres, and in 1919-20, 9,357 acres were under cotton. The large increase in
these two years was due to the high price obtained for cotton in the two
preceding years. With lower prices in more recent years some headway has
been lost. The chief cotton areas are in the south-east of Wetlet Township and
south-west of Tabayin Township. In these areas it is grown
SHWEBO DISTRICT 85

for sale to mills outside the district. Elsewhere it is grown only to a very
limited extent and spun at home. The variety grown is the white Burmese
wagale which is grown as an annual. In the areas where it is extensively
cultivated, cotton usually follows sesamum in the annual rotation, but the area
under cotton is much smaller than that under sesamum, as the cultivator grows
sesamum for two years in succession if the soil will stand it. Further, millet is
an alternative to cotton in the rotation. If the early rains are favourable, millet,
which is put down two months later, expands at the expense of cotton. The
success of the crop depends less on the quality of the soil than on the fortune of
the season. On the better soils and especially on the so-called black cotton soil
the plants are inclined to run to wood, and the yield of fibre is diminished.

Wheat.

In recent years efforts have been made by the district authorities to extend
the cultivation of wheat by the issue of advances in the shape of seed, but so
far results have not been particularly encouraging either in respect of the area
brought under the crop or the average outturn obtained per acre. During the
four years 1917-20 the average area under wheat was 4,736 acres. During the
two succeeding years the average area has dropped to 2,530 acres. This fall
may be due partly to unfavourable late rains and the high prices obtained for
competing crops, but the poor yield obtained is probably the chief factor that is
preventing more rapid extension. The ordinary yield of a successful crop is
about six or seven baskets per acre only. These poor out turns are due chiefly
to inadequate tillage. To obtain a satisfactory tilth on the heavy tane soils of
this district it is necessary to plough and harrow them after each heavy fall of
rain throughout the monsoon in preparation for sowing in November. The
Shwebo cultivator is however a paddy cultivator, and during this season he is
occupied with paddy cultivation. Until transplanting is completed he pays no
attention to the preparation of land for wheat cultivation. There is therefore
little hope for improvement in wheat outturns as long as the cultivator regards
the crop as sub sidiary to paddy. Wheat is grown on black soils retentive of
moisture, on both embanked and unembanked land. The crop is not irrigated.
The chief localities for its cultivation are the Wheat tract adjoining Sagaing
District, the kwins
86 SHWEBO DISTRICT

on the south-east of Kadu Lake and areas in the Shwebo Canal tract where the
water supply is too late to make paddy cultivation remunerative. The heaviest
outturns are obtained on alluvial land near the Mu River. The variety of wheat
cultivated is macaroni wheat a bearded wheat.

Groundnut.

More success has attended the efforts to develop ground nut cultivation.
The area under this crop seldom exceeded a hundred acres until 1916. In that
year it rose to 683 acres. It has since expanded annually and in 1922-23
reached 4,034 acres with prospects of further expansion. So far cul tivation of
the crop has been confined to the loose red sandy soils in the neighbourhood of
Paukkan railway station. The stiffer sands are less suitable owing to the
difficulty of harvesting the crop. The erect Spanish variety is easier to harvest.
Seed has been distributed in considerable quantities in the last two or three
years, and groundnut cultivation is now spreading northwards.

Other Crops.

Gram is a cold weather crop and like wheat and matpe is grown on tane
soil as a dry crop on embanked land. It is also found on kaing land and under
these conditions gives very high yields in the neighbourhood of Lethlok. The
wilt-resisting Karachi variety has been introduced in a few localities and will
doubtless spread. Plantains occupy over 2,000 acres. Their cultivation as a
commercial crop is confined to alluvial land on the east bank of the Mu
between Myindaung and Sin-in. They are usually grown on a fairly stiff silt
without irrigation. Pigyan is practically the only variety cultivated. Better
varieties such as nathabu and thihmwe are grown partly for shade purposes
round the betel vine blocks at Thawutti, Leywa and Mugan. Tomatoes and
brinjals are grown on silt soils along the Mu and Irrawaddy. Chillies are found
on similar soils, but the area cultivated is under two hundred acres. Maize is
grown mixed with pegya near Mugan. It is grown principally for the sheath
which is sold for cheroot wrappers. The area under tobacco is small a little
over 200 acres. Most of this is grown on island land in the Irrawaddy. Onions
are cultivated with irrigation from the Shwebo Canal, with well irrigation, and
on impermanent kaing land Without the assistance of irriga tion. Unirrigated
onions are grown on island land in the Irrawaddy. Well irrigated onions are
confined to the neighbourhood of the Mu River, the most important area
SHWEBO DISTRICT 87

being near Magyidaw Village south of Ye-u. In the Shwebo Canal area there
has been a considerable increase in the area under onions since 1918,
cultivators being attracted by the high profits made by a few immigrants in
earlier years. The total area is however still small as cultivation is inten sive,
the area of one man's plot seldom exceeding an acre. Unfortunately, the supply
of water in the Mu River during the dry season is invariably low, and
distribution of water for onion irrigation is a matter of some difficulty, as there
is a big loss of water in evaporation and seepage. Irrigation would be more
satisfactory if cultivators could be induced to concentrate cultivation in areas
near watercourse outlets. In 1920-21 the area under onions was 821 acres more
than double the area for any previous year. Of this area 549 acres were
cultivated with the assistance of canal irriga tion. Supplies in the Mu were even
lower than usual that year with the result that the crop failed in many places
owing to inadequate irrigation, and onion cultivation received a distinct
setback. It is again making headway however, and cultivators are beginning to
realise the importance of making an early start, as irrigation cannot be
guaranteed after the end of February. The variety cultiva ted is that known as
Katta. It is grown from seed. Near Moksogyon sugar-cane has also been grown
with the assistance of canal irrigation since 1921. So far the area under the crop
has only been about twenty acres. There is little prospect of any large
expansion, as the Irrigation Department cannot guarantee a supply of water
throughout the hot weather.

Toddy Plams.

At revision settlement ( 1918-1923 ) 835,346 mature toddy palms were

counted in the district. Of these only 162,562 or less than twenty per cent were
tapped in the settle ment year. West of the Mu the most important palm areas
are the villages on the boundary between Taze and Ye-u Townships in the
neighbourhood of Ywathitkyi,Ywama and the villages lying south-west of the
Ye-u Canal in the south-west of Tabayin Township. East of the Mu the jaggery
industry is important in villages between Shwebo and Kin-u lying below the
Muhaung Canal and in most of the village tracts of Wetlet Township that lie
east of the railway line. A comparison with the count made at original
settlement (1900-06) shows that, while there has been a substantial
88 SHWEBO DISTRICT

increase in the number of palms tapped west of the Mu, there has been a large
decrease in most village-tracts east of the Mu. In Assessment tract No. 26 in
Wetlet Township the number of tapped palms has fallen by 35 per cent from
48,934 to 31,877. The reasons usually advanced for the decrease are that the
palms have grown too old to climb or that the old toddy climbers have died. It
is true palms are seldom planted nowadays, but in groves they spring up by
natural reproduction. The real reason for the decrease probably is that an easier
livelihood can now be earned by other methods. The work of the toddy climber
is exacting. It is performed at the hottest season of the year, and during the
tapping season the climber has no leisure, as the yield is affected if the shoots
are not dressed every day. On the other hand there is a keen demand for labour
in the canal area, and the younger generation prefers to seek well-paid
employment there. Whether the same result will follow the introduction of
irrigation and railroad communication in Ye-u Subdivision it is difficult to
forecast. There the population is denser and appears to be increasing more
rapidly, so that all available means of livelihood may have to be retained.

The number of palms tapped by an individual climber varies greatly, but

the toddy climber who combines the jaggery industry with agriculture, as most
do, usually climbs about 25 male palms and 15 female palms. The male palms
are tapped in February and March, the female palms between April and June.
The average yield per palm, so far as it can be estimated, is about 13 viss,
which at present prices is worth between Rs. 3'4 and Rs. 4. The climber has
little actual out-of-pocket expenditure except on bamboos and on pots for
collecting the juice and for boiling. The traditional tools cost little and last a
long time. He has however to spend considerable time and labour on collecting
and carting fuel, the average value of which is about Rs. 12 or Rs. 15 per
climber. The proportion of tapped palms that are climbed by tenants is 52 per
cent and the usual rent one viss of jaggery per tree. Sometimes the owner pays
the tree revenue, sometimes the tenant.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 89

Soils.

The typical soil of the central plain. is a heavy clay usually black but
sometimes lighter in colour known as tane. The district probably contains the
most extensive tract of this soil in the whole province. When wet it is so sticky
that its cultivation imposes a very severe strain on both man and beast. When
dry it contracts and is spht by cracks a couple of inches wide into blocks one or
two feet in diameter. It absorbs an enormous quantity of water before it reaches
the stage of holding up water on the sur face to permit of puddling. It is this
that delays the spreading of canal water in years in which there has been no
early rain to seal up the cracks. But this has its compensation. Tane soil is very
retentive of moisture, and therefore can withstand longer periods of drought
than most other soils. It is this also that renders it suitable for the cultivation of
winter crops such as matpe, gram and wheat. On the other hand tane has very
serious drawbacks as a paddy soil. First and foremost it is very heavy to work.
Wet harrowing proceeds at about half the speed attained in lighter soils. The
result is that, whereas the sands and loams receive seven or eight harrowings,
lane soil usually gets only three or four. A further defect is that seedlings must
be transplanted early in the season, otherwise they do not tiller and yields are
poor. This characteristic of lane has an important bearing on canal irrigation in
this district, as it is just at this critical season that supplies in the Mu River are
usually less reliable than at any other period during the monsoon.

Tane is by no means a soil of uniform quality. The best type of lane

produces as high outturns as any soil in the district, while the worst types
under existing methods of cultivation are as infertile under paddy as any soil
could be. The chief distinction made among lane soils is one of texture. The
better soils are smooth-tanenu. The poor soils are coarse-tanegyan. The latter
when wet are much stickier than the former and on drying crack with wider
fissures. The most fertile tane is a mixture of tane and silt known as tane-non.
This soil under irrigation gives the highest yield over wide areas of all soils in
the district. It is found chiefly in the Shwebo and Ye-u Canal areas in the tracts
adjoining the Mu River. It is a soil Of comparatively recent formation and
should perhaps be classed
90 SHWEBO DISTRICT

among the loams. Taneputchi carries a small proportion of fine gravelly

substances, This soil yields fairly well for the first five or six years after the
jungle is cleared. The outturns in subsequent years are indifferent. As
compared with tanegyan soil it has the advantage that it is not quite so heavy to
work, and in irrigated areas water spreads over it more rapidly than over
tanegyan. As regards outturns it can be just as poor as unmitigated tanegyan.
Tane kyaukthwin is an infertile tane containing sharp-edged pieces of gravel
about half an inch in diameter. Tanekyat is a mixture of tane and white clay,
which has not the usual capacity of tane soils for retaining moisture. It is
probably the worst of the tane soils.

The sandy soil that is most widely distributed is not a pure sand but a
mixture of sand and clay known as thekyat. In the dry weather it bakes very
hard without cracking, and when struck with a hoe gives out a ringing metallic
sound. It is an infertile soil, but responds immediately to an application of
manure. Its merit as a paddy soil is that it is able to hold up water on the
surface and so to permit cultivation after a short sharp shower that would be
absorbed by better soils. Evaporation is rapid however, and crops in this soil
cannot withstand prolonged drought. Outturns are less affected by late planting
than on tane, so that, whereas the early and middle rains are most important on
tane soils, the best results on sandy soils are usually obtained When the middle
and late rains are satisfactory. Thekyat occurs everywhere on the higher-levels
outside the central tane basin. It is probably the remains of spurs from the
sandstone hills that fringe the eastern and western limits of the district.

The loams are the most satisfactory paddy soils. They are the easiest to
work and give the best outturns. Probably the best is a light 1oam known as the
non, a mixture of silt and sand usually found where streams have shifted their
course or overtopped their banks. The-on-net is a dark loam that retains
moisture and yields well. The areas under the better soils are however limited,
and regarded as a whole the paddy soils of the district are poor.

For dry crops, the soil most highly esteemed is the light Silt along the
banks of the Mu and Irrawaddy. Along both banks of the Mu, especially in its
lower course, behind.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 91

this narrow strip of light silt there is a wider strip of allu vial soil darker in
colour and coarser in texture than the more recent silt close to the river. This
soil, though not quite so easy to work, grows the same crops as the inun dated
land and over a series of years is not very much less productive. Near the
Sipadon and other streams there are also areas of alluvial land under dry crops,
but the silt is coarser and less fertile than the Mu silt. Elsewhere the most
frequent soils under dry cultivation are stiff sands and sandy loams. These are
usually cultivated with sesamum alternating in the south of the district with
millet and cotton. The presence of clay near the surface is the usual defect in
these soils. The type of sandy soil known as thepok-a very fine grained sand
resists drought better. In the south-east of the district there is a red loam
covered with loose sand in which groundnut cultivation is now making rapid
headway. Black soil under dry crops occurs chiefly in the Wheat tract on the
Sagaing border and in the south west of Tabayin Township. In the former area
the soil is the pure moisture retaining tane which grows wheat and gram. In the
latter area it is a much drier soil, and millet is the typical crop grown on it.

Improvement and deterioration of soils.

In mogaung paddy areas there has been no perceptible change in soil

fertility. Large areas are fallowed every year, and the crops taken from fields
more regularly culti vated are often light and do not therefore exhaust the soil.
Holdings are small and the number of herd cattle fairly large, so that cattle
manure is usually available in sufficient quantities to maintain soil fertility. On
the other hand in the Shwebo Canal area, which has been under irrigation for
some seventeen years, there is evidence of deterioration of soil over
considerable areas. Comparison of crop reaping statistics at original and
revision settlement suggests that yields have decreased, but owing to the
different methods of crop selection employed and the substitution of a lower
yielding variety of paddy this evidence is not conclusive. A comparison of
crops on land recently cleared and on similar land cultivated for ten years or
over however con firms the view that there has been deterioration. Most of the
black soils except tane-non deteriorate after five or six years working. There
does not appear to be any apprecia ble decline in subsequent years. If the Iand
is to be cropped
92 SHWEBO DISTRICT

annually and maintain its fertility, manure must be applied. But with the
extension of cultivation in canal areas there are now no facilities for cattle
breeding. Supplies of cattle manure are smaller and the area worked by each
cultivator is larger than under mogaung conditions. The result is that in the
absence of manuring there has been a considerable drop in fertility particularly
in kwins distant from villages. While this deterioration has been going on,
there has also been very considerable improvement of soil due to the top
dressing of silt received by fields in the vicinity of water courses and pipes. On
light sandy soils this admixture of silt has been invaluable. On the more
common lane soils it has had less effect.

Methods of cultivation: (i) Paddy.

Over the greater part of the district paddy cultivation follows normal lines.
Seed is kept apart from the general stock to avoid overheating, but there is not
much selection of seed, though different varieties are kept distinct. The careful
cultivator will however often select a well matured field and thresh it
separately for seed. For both nurseries and fields to be planted the harrow (tun)
with movable teeth is the usual implement of cultivation. The te, or plough
with iron tipped share is used only where there is a luxuriant growth of grass of
weeds, or where several years of fallowing have permitted tufts of coarse grass
to grow up. The harrow used everywhere in this district is much smaller and
lighter than that in use in Lower Burma, and it is the invariable practice of the
ploughman to stand on the beam supporting himself by the handle (tun kaing).
Or dinarily only three or four teeth are inserted, though there are sockets for
seven, the full number being used only in the final harrowing of nurseries. The
number of sats or harrowings performed depends on the nature of the soil, the
energy of the cultivator, the capacity of his cattle and the time at his disposal.
When a satisfactory tilth has been obtained, the surface is levelled in
preparation for transplanting by means of the kyandon, a long beam attached to
the harrow teeth.

Seedlings are transplanted when they are six weeks old, but the capricious
rainfall of the mogaung tracts often makes it necessary for the cultivator to take
advantage of a fall of rain and plant when the seedlings are much younger or
again the seedlings may be more than two months old
SHWEBO DISTRICT 93

before there is sufficient rain for the preparation of the fields to be planted. The
seedlings in the nursery are plucked by men. Ploughing is finished by eleven
o'clock, and when seedlings have to be uprooted, the work is usually done after
the morning meal by the ploughman who may be either the cultivator himself
of his hired labourer. Assistance is often received from friends, but casual
labour is also hired in many cases. The seedlings are tied up into bundles called
pyosi. The bundle is the unit of payment and varies in size not only from place
to place but also in the same village, the bundles tied by hired labour being
smaller than those tied by the cultivator himself or by letsa or mutual help
labour.

Transplanting is done entirely by women. Four or five seedlings are usually

planted in one clump. More are put in if the transplants are small, fewer if they
are big. Ordinarily a woman plants about a fifth of an acre a day but the area
varies with the character of the soil and the custom of the village as to working
hours. The poorer sands and clays require close planting.

In the coarse tanegyan soil of the central basin of the Ye-u Canal area and
on similar land south of Taze there is a very considerable area on which
transplanting is seldom practised. In these areas the density of population is
very low, and there is not sufficient cattle power or man power for the ordinary
process of puddling and transplanting. The ground is harrowed when it is damp
after the early rains, and the seed broadcasted. Subsequently weeding by hand
is sometimes done. Harrowing under these condi tions proceeds at more than
three times the pace of wet harrowing, while there is also a saving on plucking
and transplanting labour and a reduction in seed used, provided a second
sowing is not required. Yields are inferior to those obtained from transplanted
paddy, but until a larger population is attracted to these areas the present
methods will probably continue. In addition to the areas in which it is practised
as a normal course, this method is also employed elsewhere in seasons in
which seedlings are not available owing to the failure of the early and middle
rains . When he judges that it is too late to put down a nursery, or that there is
not likely to be sufficient water for wet
94 SHWEBO DISTRICT

harrowing, the cultivator frequently harrows dry and broadcasts. He cannot

hope for much success under these conditions on soils other than tane and silt.

Harvest begins about the third week in November in mogaung areas. It is

nearly three weeks later in the southern end of the Shwebo canal area. In the
north of the district it is usually over soon after the end of December. in the
south it is not completed until the middle of January or later. Men, women and
children all take part. The area reaped by an adult naturally depends on the
weight of the crop, but it is usually about a fifth or a sixth of an acre a day. In
canal areas the ears are often cut off short, and the straw reaped separately and
bound in sheaves. Straw so reaped can be more readily chopped and fed to
stock than straw which has been trampled on the threshing floor. Near Shwebo
it has a sale value, but elsewhere cultivators ordinarily permit straw to be
reaped by out siders free of Charge. In years of poor. rainfall this is a
concession of some value to owners of cattle in mogaung tracts who have
reaped no crop of their own.

After reaping the grain is trodden out by cattle in the usual fashion.
Threshing floors are almost invariably situated in the village, either in the
cultivator's compound or on vacant land just outside the village fence. Indeed
the village is the base from which all the operations of agriculture are usually
conducted. As a result of the fragmentation of holdings one man generally
works five or six different holdings probably situated in three or four kwins,
There is therefore little to be gained by living in a te on any one of his
holdings. In kwins brought under cultiva tion within the last twenty years by
canal irrigation there has been little subdivision of holdings. These kwins are
usually distant from the village, and communications are difficult owing to the
sticky lane soil. In such areas cultiva tors do frequently live during the
cultivating season in field huts situated on their holdings. The land benefits
from their presence, but the practice is hardly likely to extend, as the cultivator
usually prefers the amenities of village life.

There are two methods of winnowing the grain after threshing. The best
results are obtained from shaking up the grain in a tray (sagaw) and so
separating out the chaff.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 95

This is a slow and laborious process, however, and is usually left to women.
The more common practice known as sagaw waing is for one man to throw the
grain on to a heap, a trayful at a time, while four or five others drive out the
chaff by fanning it with trays as it falls. The custom varies from village to
village, and buyers are usually prepared to pay more for the grain in villages
where the first method is followed.

(ii) Dry Crops.

For the cultivation of dry crops the plough (te) is in more common use than
in paddy cultivation. It is always used in the heavier soils and not infrequently
in the lighter loams. On the former the ground is usually broken with the
plough and a tilth worked up by alternate harrowing and ploughing after every
heavy fall of rain.. In the important ya tract in the south-west corner of the
district however the plough is little used. As a general rule, for crops that are
planted early such as cotton and groundnut less work is required in preparing
the soil than for late crops such as sesamum, millet and beans. On the other
hand the early crops need more attention in the shape of weeding during the
period of their growth. Early sesa mum is broadcasted in May and reaped in
September and October. Late sesamum, which is the chief sesamum crop, is
sown in September and reaped at the end of December and beginning of
January. Where there is rotation of crops, it is the first crop in the series after
fallowing, and if manure is applied, it is to the sesamum crop that it is given.
Cotton is broadcasted in June and picked at the end of October and beginning
of November. It is weeded twice, once when the plants are about six inches
high and again when about eighteen inches. The bolls are picked on four or
five different occasions. For a successful crop good early rains are essential,
while heavy rain late in the season after the bolls have formed destroys the
crop. Millet is usually sown in August and reaped in January. It receives no
attention during the period of growth. It is generally grown as a fodder crop,
and the seed is therefore broadcasted closely. Groundnut is sown from the end
of May until the middle of July. It is occasionally broadcasted, but the more
common practice now is to sow in a furrow and cover the seeds by dragging
the kyandon over the field. Two hoeings are required during the growth of the
plant.
96 SHWEBO DISTRICT

once when it is about six inches in diameter and again when it has spread to
about twelve inches. The plants are up rooted by hand about the beginning of
November. Unless there has been rain to soften the soil, this is a difficult
business, and many of the pods are left behind in the stiffer soils. Women are
employed to pick the pods from the plants. For the cultivation of the red bean
and white bean the soil is harrowed and ploughed early in the rains. This is
repeated towards the end of thc rains, and the seed is sown about the middle of
October. Broadcasting is prac tised in some areas, but sowing in rows, which
facilitates both weeding and harvesting, is more common. Harvest ing takes
place in February or March, being later on inun dated land than on land free
from inundation. Pegyi the broad white bean is the first bean to be sown and
the last to be harvested. It is usually sown broadcast mixed with late sesamum.
Harvesting takes place in March and April. Only the pods are picked, and
cattle are grazed on the plants. Sadawpe the common pea is always broad
casted. It is sown later than pegya and reaped earlier. Penauh and matpe,
though they are also grown on unem banked land, are usually found on paddy
land on which water has been received too late for paddy cultivation. On
embanked land the soil is puddled in September and October as for rice
cultivation. Water is kept standing in the field until the beginning of
November. It is then allow ed to drain off, and a harrow with three teeth is
dragged across the field to level it and assist drainage. The seed is broadcasted
a few hours later at the rate of about a pyi to the acre. The whole plant is
plucked up during February and March and like the other bean crops is
threshed by cattle treading it out. Gram when grown on embanked land is
cultivated in a somewhat similar fashion, but the seed is not sown immediately
after the water has been drained from the field. The cultivator waits for about a
fortnight until the soil begins to dry. He then ploughs and after sowing covers
the seed by harrowing.

Land Tenure.

A full account of land tenures in the district will be found in Chapter II (f)
of the Report on the Original Settlement of Shwebo District (1900-06). At
original settlement, out of a total occupied area of 982,221 acres. 150,737 acres
or fifteen per cent. were declared State land.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 97

The land is for the most part in the hands of peasant pro prietors. who cultivate
on an average twelve acres each in unirrigated tracts and seventeen acres in
irrigated tracts. Owing to the high proportion of fallow land in the former area,
the average area occupied is considerably in excess of the average area
cultivated and is probably no lower than in canal tracts. The proportion of large
estates is small. According to figures supplied by the Land Records,
Department there are only 99 estates in the district exceed ing 100 acres in
extent. These cover 12,006 acres under full ownership and 5,635 acres under
usufructuary mort gage, or a total of 1'6 per cent of the occupied area of the
district. The biggest estate is that recently formed by the purchases of Sir A.
Jamal. The only large landlords residing outside the district are Sir A. Jamal
and U Po Tha, C.I.E., who purchased land in the Shwebo Canal area in the
early days of irrigation. In their sales to these two buyers the Shwebo
cultivators seized the opportunity to unload some of their poorset land on the
outsider. The proportion of land held by non-agriculturists is small, but it
shows a tendency to increase as the result of money lending transactions. In
1909-10 the percentage of the total occupied area held by non-agriculturists
was 4'14 per cent. In 1915-16 it was 4'42 per cent and in 1921-22 it had risen
to 5' 14 per cent. The only part of the district where non-agriculturists hold any
considerable share of the land is in the vicinity of Shwebo. In Shwebo Canal
tract No. 30-A, which is confined to a radius of 7 miles from Shwebo, it was
found in 1921-22 that 64 per cent of the area let to tenants, or 25 per cent of the
cultivated area, was owned or held under usufructuary mortgage by non
agriculturists. Much of this was in their hands however long before the
introduction of irrigation. At the revision settlement of 1918-23, 94 per cent. of
the thathameda-paying households were examined as to their status. Of
households owning or cultivating land six per cent did not cultivate the land
they owned. Fifty-eight per cent. worked. only their own land. Twenty-one per
cent rented land in addition to working land of their own, while only fifteen per
cent were landless tenants. Some of the non-cultivating landowners are rice
millers and money lenders residing in the towns. Others are cultivators, while
many are
98 SHWEBO DISTRICT

village money lenders themselves usually of agricultural stock.

Tenants.

The area let to tenants at rents other than privileged rents at revision
settlement (1918-23 was 42,422 acres or 14 per cent of the occupied area of the
district. In mo gaung tracts the area rented amounted to 11 per cent of the
occupied area and 20 per cent of the cultivated area. In irrigated tancts the
proportion of land let to tenants was some what higher, the percentages of
occupied and cultiva ted area being 18 and 24 respectively. There are no statis
tics from which it can be determined whether the area worked by tenants is
increasing or not. The Land Records Department has hitherto recorded
statistics only for fixed produce and fixed cash tenancies, which form only an
insig nificant percentage of the whole in this district. Compari son with the
original settlement statistics is also useless as those included privileged rents.
The probability is that there has been some increase in land worked by tenants
in irrigated tracts, partly owing to the transfer of land to non-agriculturists, but
mainly owing to irrigation having increased the area that can be regularly
worked, cultivating owners thus finding that they have more land than they can
conveniently work.

Four types of tenancies are found in the district share produce, partnership,
fixed produce and fixed cash. Half the rented area is let on share produce
terms. The prevail ing fractions of the gross produce taken as rent are a half, a
third, a fourth and a fifth, but the most common share is a third. On ya land and
in the thinly populated tracts in the north of the district a fifth is the usual
share. A share as high as a half is seldom taken outside the Shwebo Canal area,
and there the owner usually pays the whole revenue if he receives a half of the
produce. Ordinarily the practice is for owner and tenant to join in paying the
revenue in the same proportion as they share in the produce. Partnership
tenancies cover 31 per cent of the rented area. Under this system the owner
shares in the cost of cultiva tion, pays half the revenue and receives half the
total produce as rent. In most cases, however, his contribution to the cost of
cultivation is restricted to supplying seed, The rent under this system ordinarily
works out higher than under the share produce system. Partnership rents are
SHWEBO DISTRICT 99

most common in the fully occupied and densely populated tracts in the centre
of Ye-u Subdivision and on the most favourably situated land in the Shwebo
and Ye-u Canal areas. Fixed cash tenancies are unimportant, occupying only
one per cent. of the rented area. The area let at fixed produce rents amounts
only to 17 per cent of the rented area, but this form of tenancy is becoming
more common in the Shwebo Canal tract and now covets a third of the rented
area there. Fixed rents are preferred by absentee landlords, as it relieves them
from the necessity of seeing that they get their full share of the produce. The
practice is however even more common when landlord and tenant are relatives.
Poor land is often let on a fixed produce basis known as myo win or myota bo.
In the former case the rent charged is the amount of paddy the land requires for
seed, roughly a basket per acre, in the latter case twice that amount. Under the
fixed produce system the tenant usually agrees to pay the revenue.

Land is almost invariably let on annual leases. At revision settlement

(1918-23) it was found that 22 per cent of the rented area had been in the hands
of the present tenant for five years or more, 7 per cent for four year, 14 per cent
for three years, 19 per cent. for two years and 38 per cent for only one year.
Annual leases on share produce terms undoubtedly make for indifferent husbar
dry but neither landlords nor tenants appear to be anxious to bind themselves
for longer periods.

Tenants are naturally not so well off as cultivators who have no rent to pay.
In the more densely populated areas the proportion of their outturn that they
have to deliver as rent is high. On the other hand the demand is elastic, as it
varies with the yield. The fraction of the produce paid as rent is usually fixed
by custom, and one rarely hears of a tenant being turned out, in order that the
landlord may install another man who is prepared to pay a higher St fractions:
Tnroughout the district the tenant's standard of living is some what lower than
that of the peasant proprietor. In mogaung tracts, where all are poor, degrees of
poverty are hardly noticed. In the Shwebo Canal area, where there is more
wealth, the class distinction between tenants and cultivating owners is more
pronounced. The former are often poorly housed. They save on their labour
bill, by
100 SHWEBO DISTRICT

engaging a smaller proportion of hired labour, and after harvest they cannot
afford the leisure the majority of small owners enjoy at this season, but are
compelled to supplement their income by engaging in non-agricultural
occupations.

Labourers.

The Shwebo cultivator does not hire labour for the performance of work
that can be done by himself or his family. Ploughmen are hired only when the
holding is too big for the male members of the family, and in some areas it is
by no means unusual to see women ploughing. In moggaung areas, where the
area worked by each cultivator is usually small, the hiring of ploughmen is less
common than in irrigated tracts, where the bulk of the land (especially in the
Shwebo Canal area) is worked by two-yoke and three-yoke men. For the
operations which have to be completed within a limited time, viz., plucking
seedlings, transplanting and reaping, the labour of the cultivator and his family
is insufficient, and outside assistance must be obtained. In mogaung areas, the
letsa or mutual help system still furnishes the bulk of this labour. But mutual
help labour has often to be supplemented by hired labour, and not infrequently
women are hired as whole time sayinhngas, in order that their employers may
obtain the assistance of a mutual help group by allowing them to work for the
other members of the group. In addition to working in the fields these women
are also employed as domestic servants in husking rice and drawing water. in
irrigated tracts on the other hand, especially in the Shwebo Canal area, the bulk
of the work is done by hired casual labourers. In all canal area villages a
proportion of the permanent population be longs to this class, and during the
planting and reaping season their numbers are swelled by men, women and
children who troop in from adjoining mogaung tracts in search of employment.

Wages are paid partly in cash, partly in kind. Seasonal labourers,

sayinhngas, are paid in kind at harvest. Casual labour for plucking seedlings
and planting is paid for in cash at the close of the day's work. Harvesters
employed by the day are usually paid in kind when the crop has been threshed.
In all cases meals are provided by the emgloyer. Rates of wages are not
uniform throughout the district. They are generally higher in the Shwebo
Subdivision than
SHWEBO DISTRLCT 101

elsewhere. They are highest in the Shwebo Canal area where the demand for
labour is strongest.

There are two seasons for which seasonal labourers are hired. The first, the
ploughing season, is a full four months period lasting from June until
September. The second, the harvest season, is a shorter period of about three
months from the middle of November to the middle of February. Labourers are
occasionally engaged for the whole period, June to February, but that is
exceptional. For the ploughing season the normal wage is 40 baskets of paddy
in addition to board and lodging. A foreman may occasionally get as much as
50 baskets, while lads with little experience receive only 30. For the harvest
period the average man receives about 35 baskets. In unirrigated tracts the rates
of wages are lower by about five or ten baskets. In the Shwebo Canal area the
cost of the labourer's board is about Rs. 7 per mensem, elsewhere Rs. 5 or Rs
6. For plucking seedlings the normal rate is four annas per hundred bundles
together with two meals, if the labourer works the whole day. The number of
bundles plucked in a day is not constant, but a skilful man can easily pluck two
hundred of the small size bundles and so earn eight annas in addition to two
meals. In the Shwebo canal areas women are paid for transplanting at the rate
of four annas each per day. Two meals and a mid-day snack are also given. In
mogaung tracts wages are lower, the normal rate being a rupee a day for six
persons with meals. For reaping the usual rate is half a basket of paddy a day
with two meals. During one or two recent years cultiva tors in canal areas have
been able to cut down the rate to a third of a basket owing to the high price of
paddy and the abundance of labour resulting from the failure of crops in
unirrigated tracts.

In the last fifteen years there has been very little increase in the rates of
wages paid in kind. There has however been a very considerable increase in
wagas paid in cash. Thus, in the Shwebo Canal area, the rate for plucking
seedlings has risen from a rupee for 600 bundles to a rupee for 400 bundleS. In
1910 the normal rate for transplanting was six women for a rupee, four annas a
head being paid only when there was a pressure of work. Now four annas
102 SHWEBO DISTRICT

a head is the normal rate, while a bribe has to be given to the leader to secure
the services of the gang when the demand for labour exceeds the supply. In
addition to the rise in wages paid in cash, there has been, owing to the increase
in the cost of living, a marked increase in the value Of the food supplied to
labourers as part of their remuneration. Over the greater part of the district this
increase in value has not meant for the labourer any great improvement in the
quality or quantity of the food supplied. In canal irrigated areas, however,
labourers, especially casual labourers, during the planting season, have been
able to secure a marked improvement in the meals supplied to them. The
reason for this is that daily wages are ordina rily fixed by custom and are
seldom the result of individual bargaining. When labour is scarce, competition
for it takes the shape of supplying it with better food than one's neighbours
supply. An employer who was foolish enough to attempt to economise in this
direction would find it extra ordinarily difficult to secure labour when next he
required it.

The remuneration of the agricultural labourer is adequate during the period

for which he is employed, and would support him in reasonable comfort if he
Could earn similar wages throughout the year. As elsewhere in the province,
however, the difficulty is that his employment is seasonal. The majority of
agricultural labourers find other employ ment during the 'hot weather months
but there are always gaps during which they are unemployed and earning
nothing.

Land Values.

Statistics of land values in the district are not easy to interpret. Cultivators
are ordinarily unwilling to part with their land by outright sale unless it has
some serious defect, and transfers are usually effected by usufructuary
mortgage. The amount for which any particular piece of land is mort gaged
does not, however, necessarily represent the full mortgage value of the land as
the mortgagor usually hopes to be able to redeem his land in the future and
does not desire to make his task too difficult. It is only when he or his
successors in interest find this is beyond their capacity that further sums are
borrowed up to the full value of the property.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 103

The average sale value of land in the district has risen from Rs. 34 per acre
in 1912-13 to Rs. 44 per acre in the years of the revision settlement 1918-19 to
1922-23, the greater part of the increase having taken place since 1917-18. In
the areas irrigated by the two major canals the average sale value ascertained at
revision settlement was only Rs. 39 per acre. The low sale value of land in this
district and other canal irrigated districts in Upper Burma has been commented
on in Land Revenue Adminis tration Reports. In view of the small area to
which sale transactions relate the statistics of sale value are apt to be
misleading, but the low sale value of irrigated land in this district can be
accounted for. In the first place irrigation has effected a large increase in the
area available for culti vation in canal tracts. Population has also increased, but
there is as yet no such pressure of population as has forced up land values in
some of the unirrigated tracts in the west of the district. Again much of the
irrigated land yields only indifferent crops. Cultivation charges and irrigation
rates are high, so that land of this description is not such an attractive
investment as might at first appear. Never theless anyone who set out to
acquire land in the Shwebo Canal area by outright purchase would find that he
would now (1923) have to pay from Rs. 75 to Rs. 100 or over per acre for good
land, Rs. 40 to Rs. 75 for medium land and Rs. 25 to Rs. 40 for inferior land.

The average mortgage value of land mortgaged with possession was found
to be Rs. 28 per acre at revision settle ment. Land irrigated by the old Mu
Canal has an average mortgage value of Rs. 36 per acre, land irrigated by the
major canals Rs. 35, mogaung paddy land Rs. 27 and ya land Rs. 20. There are,
however, wide variations in mort gage value from place to place, depending as
much on pressure of population as on soil fertility. Thus, in the thinly
populated northern tracts the average mortgage value is under Rs. 25 per acre,
whereas in the densely populated areas in the west of Ye-u Subdivision, in
spite of a lower rainfall and greater insecurity of crops, the average mortgage
value varies from Rs. 39 to Rs. 44 per acre. The values quoted are the average
mortgage values of all extant usufructuary mortgages. As in the case of sale
value there has been a substantial increase of 32 per cent. in the
104 SHWEBO DISTRICT

average mortgage value of land mortgaged between 1912-13 and the period
1918-23, the rise having taken place mainly since 1917-18.

Non-usufructuary mortgages are uncommon except in the vicinity of

Shwebo Town.

Agricultural indebtedness.

At revision settlement (1918-23) out of 63,179 agricul tural households

examined 27 per cent were found to be in debt at the time of the inquiry. At
original settlement (1900-06) the proportion of households indebted in
mogaung tracts was 38 per cent. and the average debt Rs. 48. At revision
settlement 23 per cent of households were found to be in debt with an average
debt of Rs. 61 per household indebted. In irrigated tracts 35 per cent admitted
indebtedness at revision settlement with an average debt of Rs. 123. The
statistics, so far as they go, indicate a decrease in the prevalence of debt and a
slight increase in its incidence on the households indebted, but in inquiries of
this sort there must always be a number of people who find it more convenient
to deny the existence of debts than to admit them. In addition to outstanding
debts for which statistics have been quoted, there is also, especially in the
Shwebo Canal area, a very large volume of temporary indebtedness which had
been settled by the time the enquiry was made. This temporary indebtedness
almost invariably takes the form of forward sales or sabape advances. In the
Shwebo Canal area in 1921-22 it was found that 43 per cent of cultivators sold
part of their produce before it was reaped. The average proportion of their
outturn sold in advance by these persons was 46 per tent and the average cash
advance received Rs. 120. In many cases these temporary loans are rendered
necessary by misfortune of some sort or another, while the annual out goings
for cultivation expenses are much higher in irrigated than in unirrigated tracts.
There can be no doubt, however, but that a very considerable proportion of this
temporary indebtedness is due not to necessity but to sheer force of habit and
want of forethought. The borrowers have utilised the improvement In their
credit resulting from security of crops to live six months ahead of their income.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 105

The majority of loans are taken in cash, though there is a considerable

number of small loans in paddy, especially in unirrigated tracts. Produce loans
are repayable in produce, the usual interest charged being five baskets of paddy
for every ten baskets borrowed. Cash loans are repayable in three ways, both
principal and interest in cash, principal in cash and interest in kind, or both
principal and interest in kind. The first method of repayment is the most
frequent. Excluding interest-free loans, the ordinary rate of cash interest varies
from 63/4 per cent to 60 per cent per annum. At revision settlement it was
found that 51 per cent of the loans paid interest at rates under 18 per cent. As
loans at rates as low as this can be obtained only from Co-operative Societies
and from Government, this figure shows the important part played by these
two agencies in financing agriculture in the district. For small loans made by
money-lenders the most common rate of interest is 60 per cent, On larger loans
with reasonably good security the normal rate of interest is 30 per cent. For
loans with principal repayable in cash and interest in kind (saba nyun) the
normal rate of interest is now 30 or 40 baskets of paddy per annum for every
hundred rupees borrowed. The rate at which advance sales of paddy are made
depends on two factors, the date of the transaction and the buyer's. estimate of
the market price of the new crop. During the last two years (1921-23)the
normal rate has been about Rs. 90 per 100 standard baskets for advances taken
early in the rains rising to Rs. 110 for advances taken in November and
December. These rates may be compared with an actual market value of Rs.
150 or Rs. 160 at the time of delivery in February. The interest on transactions
of this sort works out at a rate higher than for any other type of loan. The
prevalence of this form of borrowing is one of the worst features of the
agricultural economy of the canal areas. The borrowers realise that they are
paying a very high rate of interest for the accommodation received. On the
other hand they find that credit can be obtained much more readily on sobape
terms than on any other.

There are fou chetty firms in Shwebo, but very few cultivators are financed
by them directly, though many of
106 SHWEBO DISTRICT

the traders, who make sabape advances to cultivators, work on capital

borrowed from the chetties. Most of the money borrowed by agriculturists
other than interest-free loans from friends and loans from Co-operative
Societies and Government is obtained from well-to-do members of their own
community, who combine money-lending and paddy-trading with agriculture.

Co-operative Societies.

If the prevalence of the system of sabape advances is an unsatisfactory

feature of the agricultural economy of irrigated tracts, the extent to which
agriculture throughout the district as a whole is financed by Co-operative
Societies is undoubtedly satisfactory. From the commencement of the
movement Shwebo has always been a stronghold of co-operation, and to this
date it has a larger number of agricultural societies and members than any
other district in Burma, though their operations are on a smaller scale than
those of most Lower Burma societies. In 1921-22 there were 506 agricultural
credit societies in the district organ ised in 50 Unions with a total working
capital of over 14½ lakhs. Loans issued during the year amounted to Rs.
2,89,894, while the total loans due by members amounted to Rs. 11,20,591 or
an average debt of Rs. 98 for each member. The societies have 11,491
members, and it is estimated that approximately 20 per cent of the heads of
agricultural households are co-operators. The present disiribution of societies
is as follows: Shwebo Township (40), Kin-u Township (79), Wetlet
Township(14), Kanbalu Township (76), Kyunhla Township (32) Ye-u
Township (64) Tabayin Township (116) and Taze Township (80). The
movement has made least head way in Wetlet Town ship, the reason possibly
being that honest and efficient leaders have not been forthcoming. It may be
noted that there is more crime, drunkenness and gambling in this town ship
than in any other part of the district, and that in the irrigated portion of the
township husbandry is often slovenly.

Primary societies are managed by a chairman and committee with a

secretary who is paid a very small salary. The Unions also have each a
chairman, vice-chairman and committee with a secretary who is paid a small
sum. There is also a District Agricultural and Co-operative Association the
object of which is to assist registered
SHWEBO DISTRICT 107

co-operative institutions, and promote the interests of agri culture and

industries in the district. In addition to the credit societies there are also 12
production and sale societies and 123 cattle insurance societies. These societies
however are not so popular as the credit societies. In a district where cattle
mortality is ordinarily low, there is little incentive to cattle insurance.

The Government paid staff employed in connection with the co-operative

movement in the district consists of: (a) one Assistant Registrar for Shwebo
and Northern Burma (Katha, Bhamo and Myitkyina) with headquarters at
Mandalay, (b) one Junior Assistant Registrar for admin istration for Shwebo
and Northern Burma with head quarters at .Mandalay, (c) two Junior Assistant
Registrars for super-audit with headquarters at Shwebo. The society paid staff
consists of : (a) one Auditor employed as liquidator, (b) six Auditors for
auditing work, one of whom is partly employed in Katha District, (c) six Union
Supervisors for teaching societies co-operative principles and accountancy.

After several initial difficulties a District Central Co operative Bank was

opened in 1923 to finance agricultural and other co-operative societies in the
district. Whether it will succeed in attracting deposits or not remains to be
seen. The co-operative movement has been of the greatest service in inereasing
credit facilities in a district over the greater part of which agricultural credit is
restricted owing to the uncertainty of the crops. The one criticism to which it is
possibly open is that it has not yet succeeded in instil ling habits of thrift in its
members.

Agricultural Loans.

In addition to the cheap money furnished by Co-operative Societies

substantial sums at a still lower rate of interest are issued annually to
cultivators by Government under the provisions of the Agriculturists Loans
Act for the purchase of seed and cattle. For the five years 1918-22 the average
amount lent each year has been Rs. 98,914. In the year 1921-22 following on a
bad season a sum of Rs. 1,67,300 was issued in advances. The loans are
popular owing to the very low rate of interest charged, 6¼ per cent., and there
are no complaints from borrowers of inconvenience caused by the formalities
attending their issue. In recent years a considerable number of loans have
108 SHWEBO DISTRICT

been issued in the shape of wheat seed purchased from the Agricultural
Department. This method of disposal is sound and might be extended to erect
varieties of groundnut, Karachi gram and short-lived varieties of rice. Long-
term loans under the Land Improvement Loans Act have not hitherto been
issued, but a beginning is now being made with loans for repairs to tanks.

Cattle.

The table below shows the stock recorded in 1907-08 and in 1921-22:-

1907-08 1921-22

Oxen 132,115 165,585

Bulls and Bullocks Buffaloes 7,946 7,209
Oxen 115,456 93,114
Cows Buffaloes 8,300 9,445
Oxen 70,605 62,388
Young stock Buffaloes 5,769 5,473

Total 340,191 343,214

Oxen outnumber buffaloes by 15 to 1. Lack of water and suitable grazing is

the chief reason for the low propor tion of buffaloes. In the north-east and
north-west of the district, where jungle is plentiful, the proportion of buffaloes
is very much higher. In spite of its poor grazing facilities the Shwebo Canal
main tract shows the fairly high propor tion of one plough buffalo to seven
plough oxen, but apart from the grazing difficulty oxen are the hardier and
better all purpose animals and are therefore preferred by the the ordinary
cultivator.

Cattle are bred throughout the district, but the extension of cultivation m
canal irrigated tracts has curtailed breeding in these areas. The statistics quoted
show that, while the number of bulls and bullocks in the district has increased
by twenty-five per cent in the last fifteen years, the number of cows and young
stock has decreased by about twenty per cent. This decrease is confined to the
canal irrigated tracts. The district is however still able to produce all the cattle
required for its cultivation, and there is a small surplus exported annually. The
chief exporting area for oxen is in the sourth of the district. Buffaloes are
exported to Lower Burma from the neigh bourhood or Myedu in the north of
the district, but some of these animals are bred in the adjoining district of
Katha.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 109

The herd cattle are allowed to fend for themselves. Plough cattle are stall
fed and receive sesamum oil cake, bran, bean trash, chopped millet stalks and
straw. When the paddy crop is on the ground they are grazed on kazins or grass
is reaped for them. There are only four grazing grounds in the district, but
outside canal areas and the closely occupied tracts in the centre of Ye-u
Subdivision there is usually plenty of waste or fallow land.

The price of cattle has risen considerably in the last five years. A good
bullock now (1923) costs about Rs 110 as against Rs. 75 six or seven years
ago. The average animal is valued at about Rs. 75 or Rs. 80, and many of the
poorer cultivators have to be content with cattle worth only Rs. 40 or Rs. 50.

There are sporadic cases of anthrax and foot and mouth disease in some
part of the district in most years, but the district is as a rule free from serious
outbreaks of con tagious disease. There was one bad outbreak of rinderpest in
1911-12 when 2,237 cattle died, and another in 1920-21 when 6,352
succumbed. Cultivators recoginise the value Of preventive inoculation, and
8,447 head of cattle were injected with anti-rinderpest serum during the last
outbreak.

Other Stock.

Shwebo is not an important pony-breeding district. Between 1908 and

1923 the number of ponies in the district has increased from. 2,680 to 3,871,
but they are almost invariably undersized and of poor quality . Such good
animals as there are have usually been bred outside the district.

Sheep and goats are bred only by natives of India. The number of sheep has
increased threefold in the last three years, and in the present year (1922-23) is
11,182. They are grazed on the high land east of the railway in the rains and in
the Shwebo Canal area after the crops are off the ground. Goats number only
2,410 and are increasing much more slowly.

The number of pigs has remained stationary since registration began in

1915, and is now 12,451. Pig-breed-ing is mainly confined to Bayingyi
villages and to a few villages east of Kin-u.

Irrigation: Major Canals.

The district is fortunate in being watered by the two largest major canals in
the Province, the Shwebo Canal
110 SHWEBO DISTRICT

and the Ye-u Canal, which take off from common headworks on the Mu at
Kabo and irrigate the whole of the central plain on either bank of the Mu. The
headworks consist of a stone weir surmounted by wooden shutters. At either
end there ar.e large span openings, four on the Shwebo side, two on the Ye-u
side, fitted with patent sluice gates, which are ordinarily kept closed, but can
be quickly opened when the river rises in flood. Water is admitted to the canals
by means of head regulators immediately above the sluice gates.

Shwebo canal.

The Shwebo main canal is 28'68 miles long from the headworks to the
bifurcation, three miles west of Shwebo, and is designed to carry 2,624 cusecs
discharge. At the bifurcation (Okshitkan) the canal divides into two branches
the Hladaw branch canal, 25'4 miles long, on the west and the Moksogyon
branch, 21'73 miles long, on the east. Near the Sagaing border the Hladaw
branch tails into the Pauk ma stream which flows into Thazin Lake in Sagaing
District. The water from the tail of the Moksogyon branch drains into the Kadu
lake in the south of this district, and thence finds its ways into the Thazin lake.
Leading from the main canal and its branches there are 19 distributaries with
an aggregate length of 15'4 miles, while 52 minors with an aggregate length of
121 miles assist further in distribution. The channels which carry the water on
to the kwins are known as watercourses and ordinarily take off from distri
butaries and minors. There is however a considerable area irrigated from direct
pipes in canals, distributaries and minors. East of the main canal only a few
acres are irri gated. All distributaries lead off to the west. South of the
bifuraction however the land on both banks of the branch canals is
commanded, and distributaries lead off from either bank. Cross drainage from
the east is passed across the canal and its branches by syphons and super-
passages. There are usually short drainage cuts leading from these into natural
drainage channels, but beyond passing flood water across the canal and its
distributaries little has yet been done to improve the drainage within the canal
area. The construction of the canal was begun in 1900-01 on an estimate
amounting to Rs. 48,04,093. In 1908 a revises estimate was prepared for Rs.
53,70,532. The
SHWEBO DISTRICT 111

canal was opened for irrigation in 1906-07 and the con struction estimate
closed on 31st March 1911, up to which time the total capital outlay on the
project including indirect charges amounted to Rs. 56, 18,636. Up to 1921 the
total capital outlay, direct and indirect, was Rs. 61,13,549. At the time of
writing detailed plans and estimates are being worked out for the remodelling
of the canal. The object in view is to modify the slope of the main canal and
most of the distributaries. The present slope is now regarded as too steep and
leads to scouring of the bed and side slopes when full supplies are sent down.
By the construction of new falls and alterations in bed widths the main canal
and its distributaries will be regarded so as to secure better command of the
area to be irrigated and at the same time get rid of the scouring action. In
addition one big new distributary and several new minors are to be constructed.
It is estimated that 20,000 acres at present unirrigated will be brought under
irrigation. The chief advantage, however, will be, that land which can now be
irrigated only when full supplies are sent down, will be able to receive water
when only half supplies are available. The preliminary estimate far this
remodelling amounts to fifteen lakhs. The area classified at revision settlement
as irrigable by the canal is 200,811 acres, excluding 7,710 acres in Sagaing
District. The area actually irrigated each year varies with the supply of water in
the Mu River avail able for irrigation, with the price of rice and with the
character of the season in mogaung tracts. In years in which full supplies are
available early in the season the area under cultivation tends to increase. The
price of rice is also an important factor, as there are considerable areas where
the soil is so poor or the irrigation so untimely and unreliable that there is no
profit in rice cultivation except when prices are high. Even in 1921-22, when
prices were high, out of the totai occupied irrigable area of 200,811 acres
27,839 acres were fallowed and 6,270 acres were under dry crops. The
prospect of a poor season in mogaung tracts usually improves the labour
supply in the canal area and thereby helps to increase the area under
cultivation. On the other hand in years when rainfall is poor the canal water is
slow in spreading. Between 1912-13 and 1922-23 the average area irrigated
and assessed annually has been
112 SHWEBO DISTRICT

152,059 acres. This is the net irrigated area, and excludes the area on which
remission is granted on account of crop failure. Excluding a few hundred acres
under onions and some twenty acres under sugar-cane, rice is the only crop to
which irrigation is applied. The year 1913-14 was the record year with 161,795
acres. During the war years, following on the drop in paddy prices, there was a
fall in the area annually irrigated, but since 1921-22 the nett Irrigated area has
again risen to the neighbourhood of 160,000 acres and but for heavy
remissions would have exceeded the 1913-14 record.

The average annual revenue credited to the Irrigation Department between

1912-13 and 1922-23 has been Water Rate Rs. 6,37,304, Share of Land
Revenue Rs. 1,37,814, Total Irrigation Credit Rs. 7,75, 118. This after
deducting working expenses has given an annual return of approxi mately eight
per cent. on the capital outlay. The per centage of the whole revenue credited
to General Adminis tration has however been small, amounting only to 6'29
annas per acre, while the thathameda rate in canal area villages has been Rq. 2
per household as compared with a rate of Rs. 4 over the bulk of the rest of the
district. Taking these facts into consideration, the direct return to the state on
the capital outlay has not been high, but other indirect sources of revenue must
have benefited from the increased purchasing power of residents in the canal
area.

Ye-u canal.

The Ye-u canal is a smaller work than the Shwebo canal. At present it
irrigates an area less than half that irrigated by the latter. When the work is
completed it is expected that the area irrigated by it will be rather over five-
eights of that now irrigated by the Shwebo Canal. The Ye-u Main Canal is 42
miles long. For the first six miles of its course there is no commanded area.
Thereafter the land east of the canal is irrigated. Irrigation west of the canal is
impossible, as the country slopes fairly steeply from west to east. The eastern
portion of the canal area is irrigated by the Mayagan branch canal, 18 miles
long, which takes off from the main canal about half way down its course near
Hnawgon, and irrigates the land lying between the Mu River and the
Payanpaga chaung, the central drainage channel of the Ye-u Canal area. There
are altogether 37 distributaries with a total length of 153
SHWEBO DISTRICT 113

miles, and 27 minors aggregating 40 miles. The construc tion of the canal was
began in 1911, but progress was retarded during the war owing to the absence
of irrigation officers on military service. Work was however sufficiently far
advanced by 1918 for irrigation to begin in the 1918-19 season. Since then the
bulk of the distributaries and minors have been completed. A few distributaries
are still incomplete, and five minors have not yet been constructed. In the north
of the canal area the water-course. system is fairly complete, but little has been
done in the south so far. Altogether about a third of the water-courses have
Still to be dug. In 1918-19, the year in which the canal was opened for
irrigation, 33,453 acres were irrigated. Since then the irrigated area has
increased steadily except in the abnor mally unfavourable season 1920-21. In
1922-23 the area irrigated and assessed was 61,810 acres. The area actually
irrigated and matured was however 77,452 acres, the differ ence being, due to
initial exemptions and remissions on account of crop failure. At revision
settlement the area classified as irrigable was 106,283 acres, but this area will
extend as distributaries and water-courses are completed. The area which it is
estimated will be irrigated annually when the project is complete is 109,112
acres, a small por tion of which is situated in the Lower Chindwin District.

Up to the end of 1920-21 the total capital expenditure direct and indirect on
the canal was R4.50,97,929. It is estimated that the total capital expenditure
when the project is complete will be R@. 59,23,859, though this may be
exceeded. In addition there are very heavy charges for accrued interest
amounting at present to over twelve lakhs, due partly to the delay in the
construction of the canal and partly to the low water rates applied in the early
years of irrigation. Water rate collections have risen from Rs. 66,886 in 1918-
I9, when the canal was opened, to Rs: 1,37,865 in 1922-23; but even the latter
sum is insuffi cient to meet the annual working expenses, and leaves nothing
for the payment of interest on the capital cost. The water rates have hitherto
been very low, and no share of land revenue has been credited to irrigation.
Under the rates proposed at revision settlement the credit to the canal will be
increased by 95 per cent., but even with this enhanced credit it is doubtful
whether the project will
114 SHWEBO DISTRICT

prove directly remunerative, as the assessment has had to be pitched low over
the whole of the centre of the area where the soil is extremely unproductive
under rice, The canal however is a great boon to the residents of the area
irrigated by it, and, as their wealth increases, the State will benefit indirectly
from other sources of revenue to which they or persons trading with them
contribute.

Minor works.

The only minor irrigation works now maintained by Government are the
Muhaung or Old Mu Canal and the Mahananda Tank. The Muhaung canal is
believed to have been originally constructed under the orders of Alaungsithu of
the Anawrata dynasty in the 12th century A.D. It extends from a point on the
Mu opposite Wetto Village, about 30 miles north of the head-works of the
modern canals, to the Halin Lake. For the greater part of its length it lies a
short distance to the east of the Mu Valley Railway. Originally it is thought
there was a stone weir across the Mu at the head of the canal, but probably this
did not last long. U Aungzeya, when he became king, had the canal repaired,
and built the Mahananda Tank a mile north of Shwebo Town to secure a water-
supply for his capital. The lake was formed by building a large embankment
across the course of the canal, the spill water being carried round to the east of
the original alignment of the canal, which it joined again farther south. In the
reign of Mindon Min, who also owed his throne to his Shwebo followers, the
canal was once more put into working order under the personal
superintendence of the Einshemin and the Mya daung Mingyi. Another attempt
was made to erect a weir across the Mu at the head of the canal, this time with
timber, but the effort was again unsuccessful. It is probable that a certain
amount of water at one time entered the canal from the Mu, but the outlet silted
up long ago, and the canal must always have depended mainly on the supplies
it received from the drainage of the high country to the east. The canal is of the
ta-pet-se type, i.e., it has only one bank which catches the run-off from the
east, and distributes it through pipes to the land lying to the west. North of the
Zigon-Tantabin Road it has been breached by the Hngetka, the Teinyin and the
Indaw streams and irri gates very limited areas. South of Shwebo it irrigates
only a small area where it tails into the Halin lake. Between
SHWEBO DISTRICT 115

the Zigon-Tantabin Road and the Mahananda it is main tained by the Irrigation
Department for a length of about 28 miles, and irrigates the land lying between
it and the Shwebo Canal. The chief sources of water supply are the Ketlon
chaung, the Mawya chaung, the spill water from the Pindin tank, and Thanbo
chaung. The Kobin chaung flows directly into the Mahananda Tank. The
irrigation is however very unreliable, as it depends entirely on the rain fall in
the high country to the east.

At revision settlement the total area classified as irrigable by the canal and
the Mahananda Tank, which constitutes one continuous work, was 18,084
acres. For the period 1907-08-1922-23 the average area irrigated and assessed
was 8,200 acres, but the statistics for 1920-21, when only 658 acres were
irrigated, show how unreliable the work is in a season of unfavourable rainfall.
Expendi ture incurred by the Irrigation Department has been con fined to the
construction of masonry outlets, there are altogether thirteen of these, the
maintenance of the bund, the construction of masonry escapes to reduce the
risk of breaching and repairs to breaches, which are still fairly frequent owing
to the silting of the bed and the rottenness of the core of the bund which
consists largely of the trunks of toddy palms. There is a proposal to remodel
the canal and build a weir across the Mu at its head near Kinywa. It is very
doubtful whether this work would prove remunerative. The supply of water in
the Mu River is at present inadequate for the existing major canals, which have
to take water in rotation when the river is low. There would of course be
sufficient water for all three canals when the river is full, but at critical periods
it would be inadequate. Either the Muhaung Canal would have to be closed at
such times or the percentage of crop failure in the Shwebo and Ye-u Canal
areas would increase.

Irrigation establishment.

The staff employed in the Shwebo Canal Division is as follows : 1

Executive Engineer, 3 Subdivisional Officers, 17 Subordinates, 1 Canal
Revenue Assistant, 4 Canal Inspectors, 29 Canal Surveyors, 87 Weir Mates
and Weir Labourers, 1 Accountant, 14 Clerks. 7 Draftsmen and Tracers and 31
Durwans, Peons and Dak runners. The
116 SHWEBO DISTRICT

minor works, the Muhaung Canal and Mahananda Tank, fall within the
Shwebo Canal Division in addition to the Shwebo Canal.

The Ye-u Canal Division establishment consists of 1 Executive Engineer, 2

Subdivisional Officers, 14 Subordi nates, 1 Canal Revenue Assistant, 3 Canal
Inspectors, 19 Canal Surveyors, 28 Weir Mates and Weir Labourers, 1
Accountant, 13 Clerks, 5 Draftsmen and Tracers and 11 Peons and Durwans.
The headquarters of the Executive Engineer is in Shwebo.

Private Irrigation Works.

There is a multitude of small private irrigation works throughout the

district, varying in importance from tanks that in favourable seasons can
irrigate four or five hundred acres to One holding tanks and bunds across
streams that serve merely to divert the drainage on to the adjoining fields. All
are dependent on local rainfall, and the irrigation they afford is accordingly
most precarious. Though they cannot assure a matured crop in unfavour able
seasons, they are of considerable value in ordinary years. Bunds across streams
enable the cultivator to make the most of what rainfall there is, while tanks
help the fields below them to tide over longer periods of drought than crops on
unassisted land can endure.

Tanks.

Tank irrigation is confined almost entirely to the east of the Mu River, and
the chief tank irrigated area lies east of the Muhaung Canal between Kin-u and
Tantabin. The principal tanks are : Mogyobyit, Yonbin, Gwe-aik, Pa daing,
Wayonsu and -Aingya in Kanbalu Township; Pindin, Kantbaya, Gyolan,
Pidnaung, Chinbyitkyin and Ywatha in Kin-u Township; Singut Gyogya and
Tagantha in Shwebo Townshin; Taze and Letse in Taze Township. Most of
these tanks were at one time maintained by Government. Some were given up
on the recommendation of the original settlement officer, and the remainder
were handed over to the villagers in 1909 and 1912, the rates of assessment
being assimilated at the same time to those for unirrigated land.

In addition to these there are a number of large tanks in the area now
irrigated by the Shwebo and Ye-u Canals. In the Shwebo Canal area the most
important are the Pa laing, Kywezin, Yinba, Pinzin-Hladaw and Kadu Tanks,
in the Ye-u canal area the Tabayin and Mayagan Tanks.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 117

With the introduction of irrigation these large tanks became superflous, and
efforts were made to drain them and make their beds available for cultivation
by cutting the bunds. A considerable measure of success has been achieved,
but where the bed of the tank is low-lying, as in the case of the Kadu Tank and
Hladaw Tank, flooding is severe and cultivation precarious. There is at present
a promising scheme for again utihsing the Kadu Tank as a storage reservoir
and irrigating land to the south now unirrigated.

Sand-weirs.

West of the Mu reliance is placed mainly on irrigation from the streams

that flow into the central tane basin. The most important are the Seinnan,
Sipadon, and Sawme chaungs, but there is a large number of smaller streams
that are also utilised. All these streams flow in shallow sandy beds, and their
waters are diverted into irrigation channels by means of sand weirs constructed
diagonally up-stream. The sand-weirs are scraped together by means of
harrows at the beginning of the rains, and never extend more than half way
across stream. In this way the pressure on the weir is reduced, but it iS
invariably carried away by a big rise and has then to be reconstructed. Small
rises which can be withstood by the sand weirs are the most satisfactory for
this type of irrigation, but the chief draw back to the system is the absence of
rises of any sort.

Wells.

Well irrigation is restricted to valuable crops such as betel-vine and onions

and is confined to the tracts border ing on the Mu River. The total area
cultivated with well Irrigation is under 200 acres,

Lift irrigation.

Spring rice is grown with the assistance of lift irri gation on the margins of
tanks, particularly in the Kadu Tank and Halin jheel. Water lying in the
mudeins or depressions formed by old channels of the Mu River is simi larly
utilised. The kanwe or scoop suspended from a tripod is the usual implement
employed in lift irrigation, but there are also a few mechanical water lifts
consisting of a series of slats on an endless belt working in a trough and
revolved by manual labour. The total area cultivated with lift irri gation is
however ordinarily small and seldom exceeds a thousand acres.
118 SHWEBO DISTRICT

CHAPTER V.
FORESTS AND MINERALS.
Forests.
The greater portion of Shwebo District falls within the Mu and Shwebo
Forest Divisions. These two Divisions cover the whole of the Mu drainage and
therefore include parts of Katha District. That part of the Shwebo District
which lies west of the Mu-Chindwin watershed falls within the Lower
Chindwin Forest Division.

Forest clad areas.

The chief forest areas lie along the porimetor of the Mu drainage. On the
east the Minwun ridge is covered with dense forest on both its eastern and
western slopes from the Kongyi and Kodaung reserves, opposite Thabeikkyin,
northwards into Katha District. In Katha District this ridge runs west of
Tigyaing and crosses to the railway north of Kin. It is joined by the long spur
of the Maingthon hills which divide the Mu from its main tributary the
Daungyu chaung.
In the west forests cover the Mu-Chindwin watershed from Saingbyin
northwards up the western edge Of Ye-u Subdivision and Kyunhla Township
into Katha District.
Between these main hill forest areas the country is cov ered with indaing of
varying quality wherever it has not come under cultivation.
The total area of reserved forests in the district is given as 985 square,
miles of which 857 square miles fall within the Mu and Shwebo Forest
Division boundaries. These two divisions also control 470 square miles of
reserved forest in Katha District. The area of unclassed forests in the district is
about 1,000 square miles.

Mu and Shwebo Divisions: Types of Forest.

The area under forest in the Mu and Shwebo Divisions may be classified
into three types, (i) Indaing and Scrub, (ii) Evergreen, and (iii) Teak-bearing.
(i) Indaing and Scrub. This includes the whole of Ye-u and Shwebo
Subdivisions and the fiat portions of Kanbalu Subdivision and parts of Katha
District.
The prevailing species are :-
In Dipterocarpus tuberculatus.
Thitya Shorea obtusa.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 119

Ingyin Pentacme suavis.

Thitsi Melanorrhoea usitata.
Tankkyan Terminalia tomentosa.
Than Terminalia Oliveri.
Cutch Acacia Catechu.
Padauk Pterocarpus macrocarpus.
Hnaw Adina cordifolia.

Padauk and Hnaw are not typical indaing species but are found where the
forest is merging into type (iii) The only bamboo over the area is Myinwa
Dendrocalamus strictus.

(ii) Evergreen.--Tnts is found only in the Maingthon hills in Katha District.

It includes Nyaung. (Ficus) species:-

Laukya Sehima wallichii,

Zingyun Dillenia (Species),
Wetshaw Sterculia colorata,
Thitsein Terminalia belerica,

and also several Zaget (Quercus) species.

The bamboo species are :-

Wabo Dendrocalamus (not the big Wabo of

Lower Burma).
Waka Pseudostachyum polymorphum.
Thaik Bambusa burmanica.

(iii) Teak-bearing. This type covers the bulk of the reSerVes, that is the
forests of Kanbalu, Kawlin and Kyunhla Townships. The chief species are :-

Teak Tectona grandis.

Pyinkado Xylia dolabriformis.
Hnaw Adina cordifolia.
Padauk Pterocarpus macrocarpus.
Taukkyan Terminalia tomentosa.
Yemane Gmelina arborea.

The bamboos are chiefly :-

Tinwa Cephalostachyum pergracile.

Myinwa Dendrocalamus strictus.
Thaikwa Bambusa burmanica (a little).

In Wuntho and Pinlebu Towhships, i.e., the lower slopes of the Maingthon,
Kanyin (Dipterocarpus turbinatus) occurs mixed with the teak.
120 SHWEBO DISTRICT

History of the Division.

The old Mu Division was formed on 1st July 1887 and was part of the old
Upper Burma Circle with Mr. J. Murray as the first Divisional Officer. The
Headquarters were at Ye-u and were only moved to Shwebo in 1897. In 1910
the lower part of the Mu drainage which lies in Sagaing District was made over
to the Lower Chindwin Division, and the Division then remained unchanged
until in April 1922 it was split into the Shwebo Division, east of Mu and south
of the Daungyu chaung and the Mu Division, west of Mu and north of the
Daungyu chaung. The old records show intrepid forest officers advancing with
pickets and guards of Military Police to the girdling areas in Wuntho and
Pinlebu Townships where the Wun tho Sawbwa still held sway. The growth of
work and revenue in the last 30 years may be judged from the budget figures :-

1892-93 1922-23

Rs. Rs.

Expenditure 38,000 3,49,525

Revenue 75,000 8,00,411

The revenue for the past five years has been:

Major produce
Miscel
Year B.B.T.C. Licences Govern- Minor laneous Total
teak ment produce sources

Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.

1918-09 75,211 1,78,003 73,163 13,564 5,720 3,45,661

1919-20 1,01,388 1,85,293 1,57,877 16,114 8,185 4,68,857
1920-21 55,688 2,75,181 1,98,514 12,249 9,895 5,51,527
1921-22 80,636 3,68,260 1,40,041 8,226 10,726 6,07,889
1922-23 1,37,380 3,16,609 3,23,213 12,938 10,271 8,00,411

Under the head of major produce the Bombay Burma Trading

Corporation's figure is fairly constant, their out turn being 6,000 to 8,000 logs a
year. The revenue from licenses
SHWEBO DISTRICT 121

has more than doubled since pre war days. This is due to the heavy demand for
timber for munitions and the post war demand for sleepers by the Indian
Railways. The bulk of the revenue comes from sleepers of Taukkyan and
Thitya ingyin. These woods were not used for sleepers before the war.
Recently, owing to the extreme scarcity of Pyinkado outside reserved areas, the
railways have been forced to experiment with other species. In recent years
timber has also been extracted by contractors working for Government.

The revenue under minor produce is chiefly from Padauk naves, teak
spokes and felloes, bamboos, thitsi (resin oil) and a little lac from Wuntho. The
Indwe pwenyet monopoly also yields a revenue of about Rs. 5,000 a year.

Method of extraction.

A few traders cart their timber to the railway line, but the bulk of the
timber, that is, that extracted by the Bom bay Burma Trading Corporation, is
put into the Mu and floated down to Myinmu on the Irrawaddy, where it is
measured for royalty. The canal headworks at Kabo have not improved the Mu
as a floating stream, and the resul-tand stranding of logs below the headworks
has started a thriving local trade in illicit sawpits.

Other species.

Species other than teak are worked by local traders with licenses in
unclassed forests, mainly for conversion into sleepers. Until recently the
procedure was a prepaid license, a rush for the best bit of forest known, small
sawpits for conversion at stump and the collecting of royalty on the converted
sleepers delivered to the railway. As may be imagined this has led to enormous
waste in the past. It is hoped that the recent adoption of a system of allotment
of beats, revenue marking at stump before conversion and a restriction on the
number of sawpits allowed will improve matters.
Sawmills.

Until 1920 there was only one mill in the Division situa ted at Kodaungbo,
but in recent years saw mills have been erected at Shwebo (2), Yindaik,
Kyunhla, Zigon, Tantabin (2), Kabo and Pintha. Two enterprising traders
Maung Htwa and Azizullah, tempted by improved forest roads, have started
portable jungle mills on 10 year licenses in the Thaw Reserve.

Department talexpenditure.

In the past funds for expenditure on roads were very limited, Rs. 160 per
mile for construction and Rs. 5 per mile for repairs being considered adequate.
122 SHWEBO DISTRICT

The division was consequently very badly off for roads and paths until more
liberal provision was made for the opening up of forests by improved
communications. The present expenditure on roads is from forty to fifty
thousand rupees a year as against Rs 4,359 in 1914 and Rs. 1,255 in 1904, and
it is now possible to work forests quite inaccessible even in 1916.

The expenditure on buildings was Rs. 3, 100 in 1904 and Rs. 3,359 in
1914. There is now a sanctioned building scheme for Rs. 12,000 a year in each
division, and the subordinate staff is gradually being adequately housed.

Management.

Reservation is nowhere complete, large areas in Pinlebu and Kyunhla

townships still requiring investigation. There are no working plans in
existence, the richness and accessibility of the unclassed forests and the
comparative inaccessibility of the reserves having in the past led to reserves
being closed areas. Now however, that, roads are being constructed a start has
been made with interim schemes introducing the new system of concentrated
regeneration.

Forest villages.

The new policy of including in the reserves any villages existing at the time
of reservation coupled with the estab lishment of villages on deserted sites in
existing reserves has led to considerable progress in this direction.

There are now three main groups of forest villages, the Kansalaga group,
the Thaw group and the Baw group. In the Kansalaga group (Katha) the
reservation of Nan hlaing and Hmangin Reserves has been used to induce the
existing population of Kadus, who live by ya cutting. To stay on and cut and
plant yas systematically under depart mental control. The villagers are
compensated for the extra work by remission of taxes, free produce and a scale
of rewards for successful plantations. As these men are born ya cutters, the
scheme is working well. In the case of the Thaw group however it was possible
to get villagers only by offering them old deserted village sites and permanent
fields in addition to ya work, and the satisfac tory handling of these pseudo.
Shans has still to be worked out. In the Baw tract there is a further group of old
estab-
SHWEBO DISTRICT 123

lished villages now under forest control, and .these people are maintained more
as a labour supply than with a view to ya cutting. All the villagers in this and
the Thaw group appear to be debased Shans, very lazy and very indepen dent.
In the old days the Baw tract is said to have been fairly densely populated (it is
still in police circles described as a savage barbarian tract inhabited principally
by dacoits). Being off the beaten track, it was a place of refuge both from the
troubles of the annexation and prior to that, from the King's tax collectors.
Maung Kya, ex-daeoit-bo and Myothugyi could no doubt tell many tales of the
good old days, when there was no railway, no Forest Department and villages
contained 50 and 100 houses, where now they have only 5 and 6. At that time
the only markets were on the Irrawaddy and there are still signs of the old trade
routes. A large ruined tank at Yegan and an old zayat site mark a track from
Pangonda to Kyetkaing, and another such old Sawbwa's road runs from Baw to
Kayain satgon. Apparently in those days the Baw tract people managed to get
carts out of their valley on to the Minwun ridge and there on market days met
the coolies who had climbed the steep three miles from the river. There are
also old village sites on the ridge itself such as Metkingu at the source of the
Thaw and a wonderful teak log weigh ing over two tons, the pyathat of an old
monastery at Ubyegyi (2,800).

Keddahs.

Two Keddah operations were started in the district by Karens in 1920, one
in Kyunhla and one in Kanbalu township, but neither has been very successful
so far, the percentage of deaths among the captures being high. The method
used is the long narrow Karen keddah wide enough for one, or at most two,
elephants and capable of holding 20 to 40.

Lower Chindwin District.

The western tracts of Ye-u Subdivision west of the Mu-Chindwin

watershed, are in the Lower Chindwin Forest Division. These forests, known
as the Hnaw forests, though greatly damaged by reckless felling and burning,
still contain valuable in (dipterocarpus tuberculatus), ingyin (pentacme suavis)
and Thitya (shorea obtusa). There is one reserved forest, the Aik Reserve,
covering an area of 128
124 SHWEBO DISTRICT

square miles. The only revenue is a few hundred rupees from Thitsi.

Salt.

The salt industry gives employment to a large number of persons in the

south of the district. The two chief centres, Halingyi and Thakuttaw were
visited very recently by Mr. F. W. Walker, Assistant Superintendent,
Geological Survey of India. The following are extracts from his report (Report
on a visit to some salt workings in the Shwebo and Sagaing Districts, 1923) :-

"The geological features of the areas in which the salt wells occur are
similar. A large alluvial plain through which the Mu River runs, extends from
the hill range on the west bank of the Irrawaddy to the range which runs
parallel to and about three miles to the west of the Mu River. All the wells
visited are situated in this alluvial plain. Along the western edge of the hill
range which forms the eastern boun dary of the alluvium is a narrow belt of
tertiary deposits which overlie gneissic rocks of Archean age. The western
boundary of the alluvium is again tertiary beds, which form the hill range
between the Chindwin and Mu Rivers. It is thus reasonable to suppose that
these tertiary beds con tinue under the alluvium. The tertiary beds of Burma
are believed to have been deposited under basinal conditions. When
evaporation took place we should have salts deposited around the edges or, if
the concentration was sufficient, layers of salts would be deposited on the
bottom. Apparently the concentration did not develop sufficiently as no
definite layer of gypsum or salts have been found up to the present."

"I am of the opinion that the tertiary beds are the origin of the salts found in
these districts. The salts which these beds contain would be dissolved out and
taken into solution by underground waters, which exist almost universally, and
these in places would find conditions suitable for rising to the surface. The
rainfall in this area, it may be noted is about 30 inches. Between Thakuttaw
and Halin there are numerous small mud vents, which seem to indicate a fault
line in the beds beneath, and it is highly probable that the brines rise to the
surface along such lines. The alluvium
SHWEBO DISTRICT 125

itself is very porous and would offer little resistance to percolating waters. This
is seen in wells which have not been lagged. No borings or wells have been
sunk deep enough to enable one to form any estimate of the depth of the
alluvium. As to the possible existence of a salt stratum I found no evidence in
support of it. Judging from the known outcropping tertiary beds, in which no
trace of a salt stratum has up to the present been found, I think it highly
improbable that one exists here. Considerable quantities of salt are
undoubtedly obtained, but there is no necessity for a salt stratum to exist as
their source. They can easily be obtained from the salts which the tertiary beds
are known to contain."

"I append a list of analyses of brines, products, and of sea water for
comparison. From these the variable com position of the brine is seen :-

(a) Brines

Halin hot Bay of

------- springs. Thakuttaw Bengal.

Sodium chloride 0'68 1 '636 2'606

Magnesium chloride 0'02 … 0'281
Potassium chloride … … 0' 120
Magnesium sulphate … 0'227 0'182
Calcium sulphate 0'01 0'168 0'136
Calcium chloride 0'09 … …
Sodium sulphate … … …
Organic matter Trace 0'001 …
Insoluble inoganic matter Trace 0'017 …
Ferric oxide and alumina Trace 0'006 …
Water 99'20 97'945 96'675
126 SHWEBO DISTRICT

(b) Products

Sea water
----- Halin (boiled)

Sodium chloride 76'57 96'90

Magnesium chloride 0'46 …
Magnesium sulphate … 0'06
Calcium sulphate 1'71 1'05
Calcium chloride 3'26 …
Sodium sulphate … …
Organic matter Trace …
Insoluble inorganic matter 0'09 0'08
Ferric oxide and alumina 0'17 0'09
Water 17'64 1'82

None of the brines in salinity approach that of seas-water"

Coal.

Lignitic coal is found near Letkokpin, five miles north-north-west of

Kabwet on the Irrawaddy, but its extraction has not proved profitable as it is of
poor quality. The seam in one area is said to be six feet thick with a dip of 39°.

Analyses by the Geological Survey of India are as follows :-

Letkokpin Kyetsubin

Moisture 11'94 12'60

Volatile matter 37'68 37'22
Fixed carbon 36'22 41'72
Ash 14'16 8'46

The coal is said to have been discovered in the reign of Mindon Min, who
ordered excavation. "Work was started in the dry weather by digging a big hole
of oblong shape, about 60 feet in lenght and about 40 feet in breadth. Coal was
found at a depth of about 15 feet and digging was continued to a depth of 25
feet. The King had an idea of burning the coal in his steamer in place of the
timber fuel
SHWEBO DISTRICT 127

then in use, and advanced money for the excavation; but the ministers and
other officials who had the handling of such money helped themselves to most
of it and very little reached the workmen. The coal was carried in small
baskets, woven for the purpose, on a pole between two men who had to ascend
and descend steps dug in the side of the hole. From the pit's mouth coal was
taken to Kabwet in solid wheeled carts, the only kind then in existence. The
labour was forced from the surrounding villages. Work was carried on till the
rains when the pit was filled by rain water and by the flooding of the
surrounding country, after which it became impossible."

Mr. Oldham, Government Geologist, visited the area in 1855 and leaves
the following account (see Appendix to Yule's Mission on Ava) :-

"From the small village of Thingadhau, on the western bank of the river, I
visited the coal mines in that neighbour hood, to see which was the great object
of my trip."

"Coal is known to occur at three (3) separate localities, all lying westwards
of the Irawadi, at distances varying from five to seven miles from it. The most
southerly of these localities is near to the small village of Tembiung (Thin
baung). From Thingadhau, the road leads southwards, along the ridge parallel
to the river, as far as the parallel of Pohbiu (Pobyu) village, whence it turns to
east, passing through an unbroken jungle, open, and of small timber (the
enbeng prevailing), on a sandy soil, through which, here and there, great
massive beds of sandstone protrude. Close to the Irawadi the prevalent
character of the rocks is clayey, bluish, green silty beds predominating; but,
more inland, the prevalent character is sandy, few earthy beds occurring. Near
the river, also, the dip is, on the whole, to the east, while farther inland it is to
the west. The country is, however so covered, that it is impossible to trace the
point of change. Near the village of Tembiung, a stream of some size is passed,
which preserving a north and south course, falls into the Irawadi close to
Kibiung; and about one mile and a half west of Tembiung, in a small water
course which is a feeder of the Kibiung stream, the coal was found. It crops out
in the bank for about fifty yards, and is again seen at a little distance in the
continuation of
128 SHWEBO DISTRICT

the same strike, and obviously the same beds. With its associated beds, it dips
to west 30°, south at 15°. The coal rests upon blackish-blue clunchy slate, or
shale (one foot), blue-gray clunchy and sandy clay, with a few imperfect
impressions of leaves and stems (three feet); similar rocks, blackish and more
regularly laminated, or shaly (one to two feet; blue-gray clunchy clay (two feet
six inches) parsing downward into reddish, hard, ferruginous clunch. Close to
the outcrop of the coal on the east, comes the edge of an immense spread of
greenstone, of the same general character as that seen in the bank of the
Irawadi opposite to Kibiung; and the occurrence of this is accompanied by a
roll over, or twist, in the beds associated with the coal. The immediate junction
is, however, concealed."

"The bed, which has been called coal, is altogether four feet thick, but this
is the thickness from top to bottom of the black beds. In this, closer
examination shows that the top is composed of six inches of smut, or powdery,
coal-like matter; then come nine inches of blackish clay, with thin, threadlike
seams of coal: below this, the rest of the bed (two feet nine inches) is coaly;
but the best layers are confined to about one foot three inches at the bottom of
the bed."

"From this bed a considerable amount of coal had been raised, and large
portion of this still remained on the bank of the little stream, crumbling rapidly
to powder from exposure. Some had been sent down to Amarapoora, and some
we had seen on the banks of the Irawadi, at Kibiung. This had been, I believe,
all raised with a view to its sale within the British territory in Pegu, but it was
found unremunerative. The coal is of blazing character; burning freely and
rapidly with good blaze but with considerable ash (twenty-seven per cent.). It
is in structure quite flaky, and is, besides, split up by very numerous joints and
cracks, which divide the masses into small pieces, and tend to make the coat
rapidly disintegrate into fine slack. This defect was very striking in the portions
which had been raised, and the men who had worked at it complained much of
its brittleness, and of the difficulty of getting it out in lumps, and of the large
proportion which broke up so Small, that they had to leave it behind in the
mine."
SHWEBO DISTRICT 129

"I am satisfied that, while such is undoubtedly the character of the bed,
much of the mischief was due to the wretched tools with which they worked,
and the unskilful manner in which the excavation was made. The tools they
used were the ordinary wood-cutting axe, and their grubbers or spades,
consisting of a kind of large chisel inserted in a wooden handle. With these, it
was scarcely possible to avoid breaking up the coal into slack. But the
brittleness and tendency to break up into small lumps are quite sufficiently
obvious to prevent this coal from ever being economical for any lengthened
transport. For many purposes within moderate distances of the mine, it will
prove an useful and capital fuel."

"The second locality in which coal has been discovered in this district is
about five miles more to the north, and along the upper waters of the Kibiung
stream. It lies about five miles westward of the village of Thingadhau, and is
exposed in the banks of the watercourse generally dry, but down which after
rain, a considerable torrent rushes."

"The coal-bed, including in this (as in the other case) the immediately
associated layers of blackish coaly shale, etc., is five feet six inches thick. It
rests upon bluish clunchy and sandy clays, under which occur clean white
sandstones, with intercalated beds of bluish black sub-micaceous silts thinly
laminated. Thick soft sandstones, passing downwards into harder micaceous
and sub-calcareous beds, underly these. This sand stone is of considerable
thickness, varying slightly in coarseness and in texture, and also in tint, from
pinkish red to a pure clean white. Under this sandstone come ferruginous silty
beds, which, on exposure, become very red on the joints and fissures. The coal
itself is very flaky and woody in structure. In the sandstone false bedding is
frequent and well-marked. The whole group dips with tolerable regularity to
the west, at 5° to 8°. The mass of the black 'coal bed' is earthy and impure, but
thin layer like masses of rich, glossy, conchoidal jet are found in these earthy
layers. The surface of these jetty portions, when partially decomposed, presents
on the small scale a beauti fully columner structure. In the coal, in small
irabedded pieces and in thin stringy layers, occurs a rich amber coloured gum
or resin, easily burning with a blaze. It occurs also in
130 SHWEBO DISTRICT

another very interesting form, in minute strings or fibres, passing through and
along, and filling up the small inter stices in the fibrous or woody structure of
the jet. This gives to the mass, from the peculiar contrast of the rich yellow tint
of this ambery gum, with the black jetty coals, a very rich silky-looking
texture. The whole is eminently of lignite aspect and character, and the
peculiar arrangement and disposition of these ambery looking masses point at
once to their being the juices which have exuded from the masses of wood, the
decomposition of which has been one great source of the formation of this
coal. About 100 yards to the north the same bed is seen a little back from the
stream, holding, its average thickness as before."

"The third locality in which coal is found lies about eight miles north-west
of Thingadhau village. It lies in a district, the drainage of which is to the north
and east, not to the south a small dividing swell or ridge separating it from the
other localities to the south. The road leading to it, or rather the jungle path,
passes over a peculiar broken and irregular country, formed of soft, easily
decomposing sandstone, which break up readily into irregular ravines and
hollows, giving a surface over which it would be exceedingly difficult to form
a good road."

"The coal has been exposed in a great open space in the jungle of bare
sand, resulting from the disintegration of the soft sandstone, in which a few
irregular patchy layers of ferruginous pebbly beds occur, which stand up
boldly, not yielding to atmospheric action, as do the clean sandstone
enveloping them. The coal is exposed for about 200 yards close to and in the
bank of a small mountain-torrent bed, now quite dry. This is called the Manda
Kyoung (Hmantha) or stream, and is said to enter the Irawadi close to the
village of Yethaya, above Thingadhau. The thick sandstones seen all about
pass under the coal, and between these grits and the coal there is a varying
thickness of bluish clunchy underclay, with numerous impressions of stems of
large grassy-looking plants, and a few larger and thicker stems. The latter (the
thicker stems) are best seen in section, where the bank is cut away. The
original bark or shell of the open stem has been converted into jetty coal, and
forms regular ring, often perfectly circular, often
SHWEBO DISTRICT 131

slightly compressed; the interior being filled in with material the same as the
bed of clay in which they occur. The upper part of this clay is of a brown
colour from admixture of carbonaceous matter. Its thickness varies from nine
to twelve inches."

"The coal rests immediately upon this, and is in struc ture flaky, but hard,
compact and jetty, with small imbedded lumps of ambery-looking, resinous
matter, precisely similar to that seen in the other coals. With these occur also
mi nute, bright, glossy particles, and some thin layers, looking like vegetable
matter carbonized; and in the mass are also imbedded numerous fragments of
charcoal or mineralized charred-wood. These are exceedingly fragile. This coal
on exposure, breaks up into flakes, and becomes covered with a thin
ferruginous film. It breaks out in better masses, and is much less brittle, than
the coal at the other localities here visited. The bed varies slightly in thickness,
from three feet nine inches to four feet, and is not broken up so much as the
others by layers of earthy texture and character. Two distinct backs or main
jointings are seen in the coal; of these, one heads north 35° east, and the other
east 45° south. Both are slightly inclined, underlying to the north and east, and
dividing the mass into parallelopipeds."

"A good deal of coal had been raised here, but none had been removed, the
country proving impracticable for carts. It now lies in open heaps just above
where the coal is seen, and will rapidly disintegrate. Several small parallel
faults traverse the rocks here, all being accompanied by slight up-throws to the
north. Three of these are seen within the length of surface over which the coal
is exposed, respectively throwing the coal fifteen, six, and three feet (the most
southerly being the first mentioned); these all head south 25° west, and underly
at 75° to 80° to south-east. There is no apparent disturbance in the beds further
than the mere shifting, the coal coming cleanly up against the Sandstones, and
holding the same dip and strike on either side. To the north of this, other small
faults, holding a parallel direction, are seen, but the coal itself becomes
covered up with detritus."

"This is unquestionably the most promising locality of the three referred to.
The coal is of better quality and
132 SHWEBO DISTRICT

more durable, the roof is strong, and the floor also good, and the whole series
dips at the lower angle of 8° to the north-east. Over the coal there is a thin
layer of shale, covered by thick solid sandstone."

"The principal difficulty here would be the very broken nature of the
country over which it should be carried to the Irawadi; the distance, however,
is not great seven to eight miles; and I doubt not that this coal will hereafter
prove a valuable deposit. It is, in general aspect and character, like most Indian
coals, flaky, and with thin earthy partings, the presence of which produces the
general large percen tage of ash which is found to be present; but the layers of
coal are fine, jetty, bright coal, highly blazing, and yielding a large amount of
gas. I do not anticipate that any of these coals will pay for working, with a
view to distant or extended carriage. They would disintegrate and break up too
rapidly to allow of their being remunerative in this way; but for all the upper
part of the Irawadi river-navigation, and for the supply of any demand which
may arise in or about the capital of Burro a, I look upon them as holding out a
fair promise of a good fuel, in sufficient quantity."

"The country all around being at present covered with thick forest and
jungle, it was impossible to follow out these beds of coal, and trace their
connexion one with the other; but, from their general character and
arrangement and from the associated beds, I am disposed to think that the first
and second localities represent one and the same bed, at opposite sides of an
anticlinalline through the series, while the third locality belongs to an upper
bed. I found no fossils in the sandstones associated with the coal, excepting
near, to the village of Thingadhau, where leaves of dicotyle donous trees occur,
tolerably preserved, in a hard bluish calcareous grit. The markings in the shale
under the coal are too badly preserved to be of any value, only giving a clue to
their general character."

In 1890 a license to work in this area was obtained by Messrs. Hudson,

Walker and Herrman, who formed the Shwebo Mining Sydicate. Houses for
staff and labourers were built and plant established, and work commenced in
1892. In that year 3,670 tons were raised. Government was unwilling to make
a siding from the Mu valley Railway
SHWEBO DISTRICT 133

until coal was produced in sufficient quantites to give a return for the
expenditure. A small tramway costing between two and three lakhs was
therefore, constructed from the mines to Kabwet, on the Irrawaddy.

In 1893 the mines were taken over by the Burma Coal Company and 9,938
tons were raised of which 900 tons turned out to be useless. In that year the
daily average of persons employed on the mines was 176 men, 131 women and
13 children. This had increased in 1896 to 334 men, 122 women and 3
children, and in this year the output was 22,923 tons. From beginning to end
154,288 tons were excavated valued, in the early days, at Rs. 9-9-9, and
latterly, at Rs 9-8 per ton of pure coal, or Rs. 6-8 per ton including dust. The
coal was sold to the Burma Railways, Government steamers, and the
Irrawaddy Flotilla Company. Towards the end the difficulty of finding labour
reduced the output and the deterioration of the quality of the coal found
hastened the abandonment of the work in 1904. In the previous year the
engines, and machinery had been sold to Messrs Sevastopulo and Clifford of
Rangoon who extracted some 10,000 odd tons and finding that the investment
did not pay stopped work. New workings were begun in 1921 and 200 tons
were extracted, but work has again ceased. Beds of lignite have also been
found near Thitcho in Kyunhla Township, but owing to the inferior quality of
the mineral they have not been exploited.

Iron.

Iron was smelted in Burmese times at Myedu, Yathi, Kunitywa,

Kyaukaing, Taukkashat, Kangyigon and Kanbalu. The ore was usually
collected in indaing country from the surface or just below the surface. The
chief centres of the industry were Kyaukaing and Yathi. "Here, in the early
part of the 17th century, in the reign of Maha Dhamma Yaza Talaing captives
of war from Toungoo, were allotted lands to reside on and to cultivate on
condition that they worked iron for the King. These ironworkers were one of
the five classes of asuthas or communities of royal vassals, the other four being
the workers of gold, thitsi(black varnish), precious stones and amber. A than-
hmu at Myedu was the local chief of the than asuthas, and Thanchet Wun at
Mandalay supervised the industry throughout the king dom. Originally revenue
was collected in kind and the ironworkers paid in a certain weight of iron
yearly; but
134 SHWEBO DISTRICT

long before the introduction of thathameda by Mindon, revenue in kind was

discontinued and ngwedaw, which was the silver equivalent of the value of the
iron, was paid. The introduction of the ngwedaw system marked the decay of
the iron, as well as of the other four industries. The decline of iron smelting
may be directly attributed to scarcity of fuel, and to the importation of iron at a
low price. An attempt to resuscitate the industry, made towards the end of the
reign of King Mindon, who wished to have iron worked as a royal monopoly,
was abandoned after a year's trial, and has never since been repeated. The
method adopted in the manufacture of iron may be divided into two parts, the
charcoal burning, and the actual smelt ing. Pyin, thitya, and ingyin, which
produce the best charcoal, were the only woods used. These were cut into
lengths of seven cubits, ranged in rows seven, eight or ten lans (a tan is two
yards) in length and five or six cubits in depth, enclosed in a ,bamboo frame-
work and filled in with earth. Passages, three or four cubits in length, were dug
under each end of the pile and fire placed in them. When the timber was well
alight the passage openings were closed and the fire allowed to burn for eight
or ten days till the whole stack was consumed. The charcoal was then carted to
the smelting pits. These were situated on the east bank of the Mu, on the banks
of smaller streams, or on hill-sides. Each pit-was in the form of a truncated
cone, the bottom diameter being about four feet and the top 18 inches. The
bank or hill-side was cut away so as to leave standing room for the workmen,
the pothugyi and three others. This platform was on the same level as the
bottom of the smelting pit and communicated with it through a narrow
opening, below which some 10 or 12 earthen pipes (hmwa), nine inches in
length and three in diameter, were ranged in a row and led air into the smelting
chamber. The pit was then filled in with alternate layers of charcoal and stone
containing the ore. The various kinds of stone, called kyauk-ni-gon egayit-taw
and eebeiktha, were quarried out of the hillocks around Yathi and Kyaukaing.
The charcoal in the pit was kept burning for 24 hours, during which time the
refuse at the bottom had to be cleared away four or five times. After this came
a special form of iron called nasha which has no commercial value, but is
much sought after by
SHWEBO DISTRICT 135

Burmese alchemists or ekkaya-to-thamas. A layer of molten iron followed the

removal of the "nasha." The yield in the 24 hours was from 40 to 80 viss and
the selling price was Rs. 20 to Rs. 25 per 100 viss. Smelting was carried on
during the dry months only.

Gold.

Formerly gold was washed from the sands of various streams in the Shwe-
ta-thon-se-ywa jursidiction, the old Shwegyin (meaning gold washing)
Township in the west of the District, and Mr. Oldham also found it in the
streams in the vicinity of the coal mines. Gold washing was seldom carried on
systematically, and is now done by only a few persons in the neighbourhood of
Ingyi, Kinbin, Nanwindaw, Seinnan, and Inhla. Only two applications for
licenses to prospect for gold have been made. One was rejected, and the other,
a license to prospect for gold, silver and rubies near Pazi, in Kanbalu
Township, was issued, and, on further application for a large extension, some
345 acres were leased in 1905 for one year.

Colonel Yule suggests that it is on account of the streams being auriferous

that the country between the Chindwin and the Irrawaddy was known anciently
as Sonaparanta, and that this country was not improbably Ptolemy's Aurea
Regio which is, almost a translation of the Sanscrit name.

The Settlement Report for 1906 gives an account of the method of

washing. "Almost every house in the region (Shwegyin) contains a large
wooden bowl used for washing for gold. Besides her bowl the worker uses
either the fiat part of the thigh bone of an ox or a flat piece of wood, and also
about a tical of mercury, which has been well rubbed into about half a tical of
tumeric as mercury in its natural state cannot be handlgd. This mount
willsuffice for a whole mon soon. The gold worker goes to a piece of broken
ground apparently any ground that consists of sandy or theky atti soil will do,
and that is the prevailing soil in those jungles. A place is selected where rain
water flows over a some what steep edge, so formed that when the washer is
sitting on ground below, her head is about level with the higher ground over
which the water comes. This height is found to give the right velocity to the
flow of water. The worker then makes a shallow drain to guide the water, and
digs down the sharp edge of the bluff, if too steep to suit her purpose.
136 SHWEBO DISTRICT

If the volume of water is too great, and if its velocity from afar seems to be
excessive, a small bund is made to regulate its speed down the slope. All is
now ready, and as soon as sufficient rain falls the wooden bowl is placed
against the bluff where the water will flow into it. The worker sits down
behind, and keeps splashing the sand and earth that comes down into her bowl,
and the sand and earth along side of it, upwards into the rivulet that flows
down to her. When the soil is thought to have left all its gold dust at the bottom
of the bowl, it is thrown out to one side. Finally when the worker has splashed
out all the soil from her bowl except about as much as would fill a sale
measure she dries the remainder, and puts her piece of saffroned mercury into
the dry soil. The bowl is then gently shaken till there seems to be no gold dust
left among the soil, whereupon the mercury is strained through a very fine
sieve, and put into a bamboo cup till next time. The gold is not visible on the
lump of mercury, and is said to be absorbed into it. When washing for the
season is over, the mercury is placed in the fire in a little crucible of sun-dried
mud. The mercury passes off in vapour and the remaining gold and saffron is
moulded into a lump called pwinsu. The gold is sold by some in this shape at
Rs. 38 a tical. Most, however, refine the gold by placing it in a crucible made
of the earth of an ant hill, ground to powder in combination with the semi solid
residue of rice water, or with cooked rice itself, and sun-dried. The crucible is
placed in a very hot fire till the saffron is burnt away. The remaining pure gold
is sold at Rs 40 a tical. A ticai of 120 ywe of pwinsu when refined yields 118
ywe of gold. In the olden days men washed for gold because robbers used to
attach the workers on their way home with their gold, but since the annexation
even women and children are safe, and the men have found more remunerative
occupations, such as timber felling, work at sawpits and cart making; so now
only women and girls wash for gold. Each household that can keep a washer
out the 5/8 to ¾ of a tical in the year. But whole monsoon gets about 5/8 to ¾
as the work in many cases entails living in the jungle at some distance from the
village, and as this is not compatible with work in the, paddy fields at home,
few households can spare a gold washer for more than a short period now and
then."
SHWEBO DISTRICT 137

Amber.

A fossil, amber-like resin was found near Hmantha on the Irrawaddy

(about one mile north of Thabeitkyin) in this district, by Dr. Fritz Noetling,
imbedded in a hard coaly clay underlying a coal seam. * "The strata in which
the coal and fossil resin are found belong undoubtedly to the Miocene
formation. The resin is very common, but the pieces are small and difficult to
extract not only because they are very brittle, but also because the clay is very
hard. In appear ante it looks like Burmite "Burmite is the name given to the
fossil resin of the amber mines of Upper Burma, as it is different from that
generally known as amber (succinite).

Mineral oils.

Licences to prospect for mineral oils in Kyunhla and Kanbalu townships

have been issued at various times since the beginning of the century. During
the past five years licences have been issued to Messrs. The Indo-Burma
'Petroleum Company, the Burma Oil Company, Maung Kyaw and Mr. A.
D'orlez, but there has, as yet, been no report of oil being struck.

Road metal and building stone.

The bulk of the road metal for the Shwebo subdivision is obtained from
quarries at Saye and Padu in Sagaing District. The stone is not particularly
good, but it is more accessible than that obtainable in Shwebo district, as the
quarries are close to the railway line. Building stone is obtained from a quarry
near Ta-on village six miles east of Shwebo. Sandstone of various qualities
some of which is suitable for road metal is obtained from quarries along the
Shwebo-Kyaukmyaung road. Limestone suitable for road metal can be had
from a quarry at Letkaukkya, six miles south of Kyaukmyaung. This quarry
was opened recently, but work was stopped as it was found that the cost of
carriage by carts was excessive. Laterite is extracted from a quarry near
Kyauksegan at the 6th mile on the Zigon-Male road. In Ye-u subdivision
building stone is obtained from Okpo daung on the Shwebo-Lower Chindwin
border. Road metal is obtained from the quarries at Wetpyudaung in Ye-u
township about eighteen miles farther north. The Wetpyu daung stone is basalt
trap of very good quality. Durable grey sandstone is obtained from the
neighbourhood of Kodaungbo by some half dozenl Indian masons, who came

* See Notes on the Mineral Resources of Upper Burma by Dr. Fritz Noetling.
138 SHWEBO DISTRICT

across from India to build the S.P.G. Church in Shwebo, and now supply most
stations in Burma with stone crosses, monuments and fonts. In 1923, 1,021
tons of stone valued at Rs. 510 and 4,353 tons of laterite valued at Rs. 2, 176
were extracted in the district.

CHAPTER VI

OCCUPATIONS AND TRADE

Occupations

Importance of non-agricultural occupations.

It has already been pointed out in Chapter IV that 87 per cent. of the total
population was returned at the 1921 census as supported primarily by
cultivation. Agriculture is undoubtedly the most important occupation in the
district, but the statement that only 21 per cent. of the total popula tion derive
their income mainly from non-agricultural sources unduly minimises the
importance of non-agricultural occupation. At the revision settlement(1918-23)
enquiries regarding income were made in every village in unirrigated tracts and
in 58 per cent. of the village-tracts in canal areas. These enquiries show that in
unirrigated tracts (excluding Shwebo town) 82 per cent of agricultural
households supplemented their income by subsidiary non-agricultural
employment, while 51 per cent of the total income of agriculturists and non-
agriculturists combined was derived from non-agricultural occupations. As the
seasons in which the enquiry was held were more than usually unfavourable,
the proportion of agricultural income was probably below normal, but
nevertheless the importance of non-agricultural occupations is clear. In canal
areas, the proportion of agriculturists supplementing their income by non-
agricultural occupations was lower, 60 per cent while the proportion of total
income derived from non-agricultural sources was very much lower 30 per
cent.

Trade and bazaar-selling was found to be the most important source of

non-agricultural income, accounting for 29 per cent of the total. Eighteen per
cent was earned by persons following crafts and professions. Agricultural
labour brought in 17 per cent, but is a more important
SHWEBO DISTRICT 139

item in canal tracts than in mogaung tracts. The extrac tion and sale of forest
produce, though confined to a limited area, accounts for 12 per cent of the
total. Carting brought in 10 per cent, cooly labour 7 per cent, the hire and sale
of cattle 3 per cent and miscellaneous occupations 4 per cent.

Traders and petty traders.

The principal traders reside in Shwebo and other towns and villages on the
railway line such as Wetlet, Kin-u, Zigon, Tantabin, Kanbalu and Kyatthin.
There are a number also at Kyaukmyaung and Sheinmaga on the Irrawaddy
and at Ye-u. These export the agricultural produce of the district and import
the goods required by its inhabitants. In addition there are a number of traders
who go round from village to village in carts and supply the wants of the
villagers. These are especially numerous in the Ye-u subdivision. They obtain
their supplies in the large trading villages of the Lower Chindwin and Sagaing
Districts (many of them reside in these districts) and on the return journey
usually load up with paddy. In every village there are also a number of petty
traders or bazaar sellers, usually women who carry round on their head baskets
containing vegetables and small supplies of other foodstuffs that are required
every day.

Rice mills.

Factory industries, comprising rice mills and saw mills though of very
recent origin are now of considerable im portance. The earliest rice mill in the
district dates only from 1913. There are now 33 mills, the majority of which
have been erected since the close of the war. With the exception of one very
small mill at Ye-u and three recently opened a few miles west of Shwebo town,
two at Seikkun and one at Chiba, all are situated on the railway line so as to tap
the paddy from the Shwebo canal area. Four are at Zigon-Tantabin, two at
Madaunghla, five at Kin-u, two at Myingatha, ten at Shwebo, two at
Moksogyon and four at Wetlet. So far with the exception of the small mill at
Ye-u no mills have yet been established in the Ye-u canal area, but, when the
new railway tine from Alon to Ye-u is com pleted, it is probable that rice mills
will spring up at the railway stations.

Five of the mills are owned by Indians, one by a China man and the rest by
Burmans. Several of the mills have however been established with the
assistance of capital borrowed from the chetties. In the fifteen mills included
140 SHWEBO DISTRICT

in the 1921 Industrial Census 286 persons were employed of whom 191 were
males and 95 females. Most of the employees both skilled and unskilled are
either Burmans or Zerbadis.

The mills work the whole year round, but most of them are closed for
several days in every month, very often for more than half the month. As a
considerable permanent staff is maintained throughout the year, and many of
the mills are built on borrowed capital, these prolonged periods of inactivity
result in high overhead charges. There would already appear to be more mills
in the east of the district than there is room for, and yet new mills continue to
be erected, four having been established within the last year. This would argue
that the profits of the existing mills must be considerable, did one not know
that. many of the new millers have gone into the business without making any
adequate attempt to estimate the profits likely to accrue. The majority of the
millers mill chiefly on their own account for export, but there is also a certain
amount of milling for hire on behalf of traders who export the milled rice.
Milling for local consumption is not very extensive but is increasing. Generally
hand husked rice is preferred, but in the Shwebo canal area cultivators are
beginning to bring their paddy for wunza to the mills to save the labour of
husking by hand. In Shwebo town, rice purporting to be hand husked rice is
usually sold, but it very often consists chiefly of milled rice with a little hand
husked rice and offal mixed with it.

Sawmills.

The sawmills in the district like the rice mills are almost all of very recent
growth. The majority are situated in the north of the district. There is one at
Kodaungbo railway station, one on the Katha side of the district boundary at
Yindaik to which a special siding is being made, one at Pin tha railway station,
two at Tantabin railway station, one at Kyunhla, two at Shwebo, two portable
mills in the Thaw reserve and one Public Works Department mill at Kabo. The
approximate capacity of these mills is 17,250 tons per annum and the actual
outurn in the last year for which figures are available 11,100 tons. The number
of persons employed is approximately 260. The mills at Tantabin and Shwebo
are without rack benches, the logs being
SHWEBO DISTRICT 141

squared by hand before they are put through the saw benches.

Forest occupations.

The extraction of timber and other forest produce pro vides employment
not only for the villages in the immediate vicinity of the forests but also for
sawyers and cartmen from more distant villages. The Bombay Burmah Trading
Corporation employs a considerable staff, but in recent year sleeper extraction
in Kanbalu subdivision has been the chief forest occupation in the district. The
contractors have made very large profits, and there has been ample
employment for sawyers in converting the logs into sleepers and for cartment
in carting the sleepers to the railway line. Fuel cutting for the Burma Railways
and Irrawaddy Flotilla Company and for sale in Mandalay provides occasional
labour for villages in the north and east of the district. The extraction of thitsi
or varnish is an important occupation in the west of Taze Township. Villages
between Shwebo and the Irrawaddy reap grass for sale to the Supply and
Transport Corps and to horse owners in Shwebo town.

Salt manufacture.

The manufacture of salt provides employment for a considerable number of

persons in the south of the district. The 1921 census figures show only 326
workers engaged in the salt industry, but there is also a very large number of
persons for whom the industry is a subsidiary occcupation. Halin, Hmetti,
Thakuttaw, Kyibingan, and Leinbin near the Halin lake, Singut and Tachantha
on the east of the Kadu lake and Tayindaing near Shwebo are the chief centres
of the industry. There is also a little boiling at Sadwingyi in Kanbalu
Township.

The following description of the method of manu facture is extracted from

the Shwebo Settlement Report (1900-06)" The modes of manufacture vary in
different localities. At Halin there are three methods known as myechauk-kin,
myeso-kin and rnyaungtaik-kin. Land used for the manufacture of salt under
the first method is first wee ded by means of a spade and then thoroughly
cleared and made as level as possible by means of a seven-toothed harrow.
After this process, which takes place as soon as the rains are over, the land is
left until February, to be wet by the dew at night and dried by the sun in the
day, when the earth is collected in heaps and is ready for use. Work on plots
142 SHWEBO DISTRICT

treated in this fashion may b e carried on through out the year except when it is
actually raining or the field has water on it. For the second method the land is
ploughed, and the clods crushed and levelled by harrowing at the beginning of
the cold season. Water from the hot springs at Halin is then led into the holding
by ducts till it pervades the whole of it. When dry again, the earth is collected
into heaps and is ready for further preparation. Work on such plots is
impossible during the four months when the rain is heaviest. For the third
method the land is prepared in March in the same way as for the second
method and water from the hot springs let into the holdings by ducts which are
two feet apart. When the field is dry the water is let in a second time, and the
earth gathered into heaps when again dried. This method of work can be
carried on only in the hot weather."

"The next process is the treatment of the salt earth. It is taken from the heap
and placed in small quantities on a mound of earth, prepared for the purpose
with a cauldron shaped hollow on top, which is daubed with clay to make it
impervious to water. At the bottom of the bowl a hole is made, from which a
hollow bamboo leads to the side of the mound. Salt water from the stream or
wells is poured over the earth, and allowed after soaking through the earth, to
trickle through the bamboo tube into a chatty, supposed to be of a standard
capacity, placed under the spout. The bowl end of the tube is plugged with
fibre, tightly enough to prevent the earth from passing down. Thence the water
is transferred to and stored in a glazed Jar. When enough has been accumulated
it is boiled in a cauldron of 7 gallons capacity. When a sufficient quantity of
water has evaporated the salt forms as a deposit at the bottom of the cauldron
and the remaining water is poured off into a separate jar, to be boiled again
when enough has been got together. Each boiling takes 8 to 10 hours; one is
done from early morning till the afternoon, when the cauldron is emptied; a
fresh lot of water is then put on, and a second boiling begins; the fires are kept
up till the boiler goes to sleep, when they are banked. By the morning the
deposit has been laid, and the cauldron is again emptied. The two boilings
produce about 25 viss of salt. That made from a myechauk-kin is of a reddish
yellow colour, that from a myeso-kin of a bluish
SHWEBO DISTRICT 143

white, and that from a myaungtaik-kin white. The price is the same for all three
kinds, namely Rs. 10 and Rs. 8 per hundred viss for cash after manufacture and
prospective advances respectively." The present cash price is about Rs. 17 or
Rs. 18 for Halin salt and Rs.15 for salt from other villages.

The method employed in villages other than Halin is similar to that

employed at Halin for myeso-kins with the exception that the water instead of
being led into the ducts from a natural spring has to be raised from wells in
buckets worked with a rope and wheel. At Thakuttaw, Leinbin and Kyibingan
the wells are from 45 to 50 cubits deep. At Singut and Tachantha they are from
25 to 60 cubits deep. This involves extra expenditure both in digging the wells
and in raising the water from them. At Singut there is a further differentiation
in the mode of manufacture. The water is not led from the well to the land by
duets but is carried in chatties and sprinkled morning and evening for three
days over the land which has been prepared by harrowing. ·

Alkaline earth.

Villages east of the railway line between .Shwebo and Kin-u notably M
agyid on, Ch aungzon, Thanbo, Ywameitha, Pokkon and Nyaunggon have a
subsidiary occupation in the collection and sale of satpya or soap sand which is
found in that area. The months for collecting it are December, January and
February when there is dew. It usually forms on a sandy surface and is
collected by boys and girls. The occupation is considered unhealthy, and older
people do not take part in it. It is generally considered unsafe to work more
than ten days a month. The soap sand is exported from Kin-u railway station or
hawked round the district. The Usual price is Rs. 14 for ten baskets delivered
at Kin-u. One person can collect 8 or 10 baskets in a day.

Glazed pottery.

Glazed pottery (pOfhtvkyf) is manufactured at Shwedaik, Shwegun and

Nwenyein near Kyaukmyaung on the Irrawaddy. The ware includes Pegu jars
and bowls of all sizes, water pipes, small mortars for pounding chillies, vases
and fancy figures. The larger articles are moulded by men, the smaller by
women. Three kinds of clay, yellow, red and blue are used in the manufacture.
The clay is obtained from the hilly ground to the west of the three villages,
which are strung out along the bank of the
144 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Irrawaddy. The earth is soaked in a port of water for about 24 hours, dried in
the sun, and, when dry, pulverised in a rice pounder. It is then made, with the
addition of water, into lumps which are kneaded with the feet till the clay is of
the required consistency. Jars, pots, and such articles as can be turned are
shaped by hand on a potter's wheel. Other articles are moulded. Medium sized
jars are made in two parts separately-first the bottom and then the top which,
after being partially dried in the sun, are joined together, the joint being
patched over with wet clay both inside and out. Big jars have to be made in
four pieces, commencing from the bottom. When the jar, or figure, or whatever
it is, is completely moulded, it is dried in the shade. The glaze is then put on
and the articles are placed in an enormous oval shaped oven, made of bricks
plastered with clay. When it is full a huge fire is lighted at the door. At the
back of the oven, which is built up the slope of rising ground, is a small
window which acts as a funnel to draw the heat through the oven, and enables
the operator to see how the pottery is getting on. When the glaze becomes
liquid, the door is bricked in, and the fire allowed to die down. About five days
later, when the jars are cool, the oven is opened and they are removed. The
glazing is done with a substance called chaw (acsmf) which is the dross of silver
ore, left after the metal has been extraced. It is obtained from the Shan States.
No one can run a kiln unless he has a fair amount of capital. Labour has to be
hired for several of the processes, and the larger manufacturers spend nearly
Rs. 3 00 per annum on firewood. There is a co-operative society which
finances the workers. The produce is chiefly sold wholesale to traders from the
south, who remove the produce on the bam boo rafts. A few of big men take
their own rafts down the river, and jars required for use in the district are
removed by cart. The prices range from Rs. 450 per 100 for jars to hold 150
viss to Rs. 75 per 100 for jars to hold 25 viss.

Unglazed pottery.

Farther down the river at Ywathitgale, near Sheinmaga earthen tea-kettles

are manufactured. The clay is obtained from Madaya Township and mixed
with red earth obtained from the high ground behind the village. "The cold
weather is the most favourable season, for in the hot months the loss from
cracking and breaking, during the baking
SHWEBO DISTRICT 145

process, amounts to from 20 to 30 per cent. Two kinds of kettles are made, the
smooth and the rough; the former are thinner than the latter, take longer to
make and fetch a higher price. The kettles are taken to Mandalay and sold
wholesale. Some are taken by boat and steamer up the river and sold retail. The
clay is first soaked in water, and then kneaded by being put in gunny bags and
stamped with the feet. When of a proper consistency it is shaped on a wheel by
hand. For one or two of these processes a labourer is sometimes hired. The
spout and handle are made separately and fixed on to the kettle while the clay
is still wet and adhesive. The smooth kind is made by scraping and paring with
a knife especially made for the purpose, until the kettle is reduced to the
desired thickness. Before it is quite dry the kettle is polished by rubbing with a
piece of wood. When thoroughly sun-dried the kettles, of both kinds, are
placed in a heap, with straw between each layer, and straw beneath and above
the whole. The keap is covered with a plaster of cowdung and mud to form an
oven and the straw set on fire. About three days later when the whole is cool,
the oven crust is broken off and the pots removed."

Ordinary pots such as water pots, cooking pots, tari collecting pots are
made in several villages in the district, where pottery clay is obtainable. The
most important centres are Myindaung, on the Ye-u-Kin-u road, and Obo near
Shwebo.

Ordinary Burmese bricks required for building pagodas, wells and the like
are usually made near the site where they are required. The black soil common
in the district is used. Bricks of the best quality are made from the tane-non
soil found in the neighbourhood of the Mu river.

Paste and lacquer.

Lacquer images of Gautama, called by the Burmans manpaya are made in a

group of villages about eight miles west of Ye-u, notably at Me-o, Sithemye,
Malwe and Leindaw. The craftsmen are cultivators who make the images in
their spare time. "The method is to make a rough image of well kneaded mud,
moulding with the hand where possible, and finishing off the more intricate
parts with a wooden, or iron implement (thanlet). Before the mud is dry, the
image is daubed over with a wash of straw ash and water. Over this core is laid
a plaster of thitsi mixed with
146 SHWEBO DISTRICT

finely sifted teak sawdust, the eyes, nose, and delicate parts being moulded
with the iron, or wooden implement. The mud core is then removed the plaster
being cut open to ex tract the mud from the h cad, arms and such like difficult
place. The openings are next closed again with the thitsi and saw dust plaster
(called om;½dk;) and the images coated with a lacquer (om;½dk;Ek) of clear strained
thitsi mixed with the ash of straw or bran. The outer coat is smoothed with an
iron instrument smeared with sesamum oil, and left to dry. When the lacquer is
set, the image is washed, polished with Stone, and varnished With the purest
strained thitsi. The images are left in this condition till a purchaser appears,
when they are gilded, if desired. A man can turn out altogether about 30 to 35
in a season. The work cannot be done in the hot weather for the mud gets too
dry, and the lacquer does not set properly; and it cannot be done in the rains
for, though the lacquer will set, the mud remains moist and sticks to ii." Few
manpayas are sold in Burma almost all finding their way to the Shan States, in
Which they are sold everywhere, even in places as remote as Kengtung. Most
of those sold in the Shan States are almost a cubithigh. Prices there vary from
year to year ranging from Rs. 5 for a small figure to Rs. 60 or Rs. 70 for a life
size image. A coolie engaged locally to carry a manpaya seller's wares to the
Shan States besides getting all his living expenses earns about Rs. 45 for the
return journey of three or four' months. In transit the smaller manpayas are
packed inside the bigger and the Whole load is carried on a tanbo. As the
images are hollow and light a considreable load can be carried. "Other lacquer
articles are made too. The ground work is moulded of the thitsi and sawdust
plaster, and over this is deubed lacquer of thitsi mixed with the ash of bran. In
olden days the plaster used to be made by mixing the thitsi with powder
obtained by baking bones of oxen and buffaloes, and pulverising them. Hence
its name om;½dk;/. The old plaster Was brittle and liable to gape, and the new is
better. After the lacquer has been applied, ornamentation may be added by
putting on scrolls or figures of a sort of putty made by boiling thitsi with the
ash of cowdung. The whole is finally varnished with a coat of pure shining
thitsi mixed with vermillion if a red colour is required. If bus
SHWEBO DISTRICT 147

kets, bowls, raised trays or the like are made, the frame is constructed of thinly
split bamboo, either woven or coiled round in a spiral, according to the shape
of the articles. This is first coated with thirst, and when that has set, pared into
shape, covered with lacquer and finally polished and varnished. This work in
distinction to image making is carried on in spare moments during the rains,
when the thirst sets best." Yathaya in Taze Township is noted for the making
of trays, oks and taung-lans and has recently started making tiffin carriers.
Taung-lans are also made at Siboktaya, Kyabo and Baukthindon in Kin-u
Township. The articles are used both north and south of Shwebo District.
Bamboos are obtained from rafts at Ye-u and the thitsi from the jungle villages
in the west of the district.

Bamboo mats and baskets.

The weaving of coarse bamboo mats is an important subsidiary occupation

in a group of villages in the south of Kanbalu Township east of the railway
line. Pokkon, Sudat, Zadi, Thale-u, Chaunggan, Pyindaw, Sinnin, Thabyetha,
Setkyi, Thayetkangyi, Minba, Thabeikhmauk and Letse are the chief centres of
the industry, Baskets are woven at Nagabaw in the same area. The bamboos
are obtained either in the Kangyi reserve or in the adjoining unclassed forest.
The villages close to-the forests usually cut their own bamboos and split them
themselves. The villages farther west purchase bamboos already split from the
Pegyi and Teindaw villagers. The mats when woven are exported by rail from
Zigon railway station or hawked through the district. The usual wholesale price
is Rs, 25 per 100 mats. The work is done by cultivators after harvest, and
earnings vary from Rs. 25 to-Rs-150 per household.

Pas.

" Tagauk pas are made at Hgnetpyaw near Kin-u from the leaves of the
palmyra palm; these are split into strips of uniform width, but of varying
length, and are interwoven to make the pas, of which there are three standard
sizes. The strips are interwoven at right angles for the receptacle but diagonally
for the cover. It is customary to weave the receptacle first, and then the cover,
which is made to fit fairly tight. Both parts of pas have two layers, of which the
inner is made from the young leaves, and the outer from the stem of old leaves.
For the sides of the receptacle the strips
148 SHWEBO DISTRICT

are bent over and woven back to the base, after the desired height has been
obtained; and in some cases a black strip is woven in along the bottom of the
sides. Similarly for the cover, when the required length has been reached, the
strips are turned over to form the corners and then woven down to form the
sides, which are bound round with a stronger strip and fastened with shaw.
This last job is often done by women; but they are never engaged in the actual
weaving which entails sitting up for long hours, and is undertaken by strong
men only. The pas are first woven with the un coloured strips and then strips
coloured black or red are let in to form the design. For dyeing, the young
leaves, and stems of the older ones, after being slit into Strips, are pared, while
still fresh, with a knife till they are of the same thickness throughout, and then
dried in the sun; when dry they are soaked in water and still further pared and
smoothed and finally sun dried. The strips to be blackened are buried in wet
clay for five or six days, then boiled in water mixed with the leaves of the zi
tree, and, when sufficiently boiled, and sun dried, they are again buried in wet
clay for three days and then washed with clean water and sun dried. Others are
coloured red by being boiled with the young leaves of the teak tree for about an
hour and then sun dried. Pas are woven only during the short interval between
the garnering of the harvest and the regular tapping for juice of tari trees.
Weaving is not carried on every day of the month but only when the worker is
at leisure, at most for 10 or 15 days at a time. The pas are mostly bought
wholesale by local merchants who retail them at a profit in Mandalay and
Shwebo."

Combs.

Burmese wooden combs are made at Kundaing east of Kin-u. The wood
used is kyungaung-nwe, hnaw and te. It is extracted by local people and sold to
the comb makers at Rs. 5 or Rs. 6 per log 15 or 17 feet long and two and a half
or three feet in girth. A log yields about 1,000 combs. In Kundaing village
there are eleven comb manufacturers. They combine this work with
agriculture, but their employ ees are not ordinarily agriculturists. The combs
are first made in the rough, that is, the comb is shaped and teeth cut out with a
saw. They are then finished and polished by a different set of men. In the
village there are about 45 men engaged in cutting out the rough combs and
about 15 in finishing them. Each manufacturer employs five or six men. Those
engaged on the first process are paid at the rate of Rs. 7-8 per 1,000 combs.
The pollshers
SHWEBO DISTRICT 149

receive Rs. 5 per 1,000 combs. A workman can produce about 50 rough combs
or 100 polished combs in a day. The finished · product is purchased by
Mandalay traders who come up and purchase locally at the rate of Rs. 20 per
100 combs.

Rosaries.

At Tabayin, Taungbyin and neighbouring villages rosaries are

manufactured from the shells of cocoanuts. The beads are cut out and shaped
chiefly by women and children. The cocoanut shells are imported from
Moulmein.

Paddy husking mills.

Rotary paddy husking mills worked by hand (BudwfqHk) are manufactured at

Hmetti village east of Halin jheel. The stones consist of cylindrical shells of
stoutly woven bam boo, filled partly with hard rammed clay and partly with a
home made cement composed of 4 parts black cotton soil, 2 parts lime and 1
part salt. The grinding surfaces are corrugated by bamboo strips placed in the
composition while it is still moist. These bamboo ribs help to bind the cement
and keep it from cracking, while the method of arranging them keeps the
paddy between the stones until it is husked. The mills have been made in
Hmetti for the last ten years only. They are made in three sizes, taking 8 pyis,
10 pyis and a basket of paddy at a time. The medium sized stone is about
eighteen inches in axis lenght and a little more in diameter of horizontal
section. Prices vary from Rs. 2 to Rs. 4 for the stock sizes. The mills are used
fairly extensively over the southern half of the district. They will grind about
250 baskets of paddy before they wear out. Rice from the BudwfqHk has always to
be given a pounding in the ordinary wooden mortar before it is fit for use, but
the mill shortens the process of cleaning very considerably. As in the case of
many other village industries the manu facture of rotary mills at Hmetti is not a
whole time but a more or less spare time job.

Weaving.

Cotton cloth is woven in nearly every village in the dis trict for home
requirements, and in most villages there are women who supplement the
income of their households by selling the produce of their looms. Mingon and
Kawywa near Shwebo produce cotton longyis for sale in considerable
150 SHWEBO DISTRICT

quantities. Silk weaving on an extensive scale is confined to the two large

villages of Seikkun and Chiba, a few miles west of Shwebo. The raw Chinese
silk is purchased in Mandalay, wound on reels and dyed locally. The typical
longyi produced. in these villages is a dark coloured hard wearing garment, in
which both silk and cotton are inter woven. According to the 1921 census there
were 46 males and 2,316 females engaged. in silk weaving in the district. At
settlement in 1922 it was ascertained that in the two villages of Chiba and
Seikkun 506 households engaged in silk weaving on a commercial scale. Of
these 434 worked on their own account and 72 were employed by others. Of
the weaving households 303 were agriculturists and 203 non-agriculturists.

Other occupations.

In addition to the special occupations already mentioned there are many

others not peculiar to the district. Car penters and bricklayers are scattered
throughout the larger villages. Stone masons are usually natives of India.
Isolated smithies are found here and there, but blacksmiths mainly congregate
in Shwebo, Tabayin, Magyidon east of Kin-u and Shwegyin in Welles
Township. They make dahs, spades, and reaping sickles. In Shwebo there are
one or two very competent workmen, the father of one of them having received
his training in France in Burmese times. Carting is an important source of
income in most villages, and there is usually ample employment for the poorer
classes on earth work on roads and canals in the open season.

Trade

Markets.

There are Municipal bazaars at Shwebo and Ye-u and District Fund bazaars
at Zigon, Kin-u and Wetlet on the railway line and at Kyaukmyaung,
Thitseingyi and Shein maga on the Irrawaddy. Shwebo town is the most import
ant produce market in the district followed by Kin-u, Wetlet and Zigon. The
remaining railway stations and Kyaukmyaung, Sheinmaga, Thitseingyi and
Male on the Irrawaddy are trade centres of minor importance. Ye-u is mainly a
distributing centre. In the interior of the district with the exception of the
township headquarters at Kyunhla, Taze and Tabayin there are no shops in the
SHWEBO DISTRICT 151

villages such as are found in every large village in Lower Burma. The ordinary
commodities required by the villagers are either carted from village to village
by itinerant traders or in the ease of lighter and more perishable articles carried
round by women on their heads. In the absence of railway communication the
former practice is more prevalent west of the Mu than in the east of the district.
The annual pagoda festivals or fairs also give the villagers an opportunity of
laying in stocks of all their requirements at reasonable rates, as they are at-
tended not only by shopkeepers from distributing centres in this district but
also by traders from adjoining districts, and competition is fairly keen, The
principal pagoda festivals are at Seikkun, Kyaukmyaung, Thihadaw,
Sheinmaga, and Thitseingyi in Shwebo subdivision, Myedu, Ukingyi and
Kyunhla in Kanbalu subdivision, and Nwabetkyi, Shweka daw,
Kyaukthinaing, Bokywa, Mayagan, Tawgyaung, Paungdaunggu, and
Nagadwin in Ye-u subdivision.

Exports.

The chief exports are rice, paddy, beans, cotton, millet, groundnut, wheat,
jaggery, timber both unconverted and converted (particularly sleepers), resin,
oil, cutch, wax, firewood, salt, soap sand, Pegu jars and other glazed pot tery,
tea kettles, idols, trays and bowls made of paste and lacquer, beads, mats and
baskets, pas, combs and silk pasos.

Imports.

The district imports ngapi (the best quality from Lower Burma, inferior
quality from Katha), dried fish, dried meat, groundnut oil, sesamum oil,
.pickled and dried tea, dried chillies, kerosene oil, candles, matches, cheroot
wrappers, tobacco leaf and stalk, betel nut, yarn, piece goods and hardware.

Lines of trade: (a) the railway.

The Mu Valley section of the Burma Railways passes north and south
through the heart of the portion of the district that lies east of the Mu river and
is the main artery of external trade for the district, as from almost every station
a road branches either east to the Irrawaddy or west to the Mu.

(b)the Irrawaddy and Mu river.

With the construction of the railway and the rise of trading centres at the
various railway station the Irrawaddy has lost its importance as a channel for
the trade of the district, .and now serves little more than the villages on its
banks. The trade of villages in the interior has been almost entirely attracted to
the railway line. The Mu,
152 SHWEBO DISTRICT

though it flows north and south through the centre of the district, can never
have been of very great importance as a trade route, as it is shallow and full of
snags for the greater part of the year. It was however formerly used during the
rains by boats of small capacity, and it was to its position on the river that Ye-u
originally owed its importance. With the river water now drawn off into the
canals at Kabo, the Mu has ceased to be a line of trade, though it is still utilised
as a floating stream for rifts of timber and bamboos from the north of the
district.

(c) Road routes.

Other than the roads that act as feeders to the railway the chief lines of
trade by cart are the roads running north and south in the Ye-u subdivision. Of
these the most important is the route from Budalin in the Lower Chindwin
through Saingbyin and Tabayin to Ye-u with a loop running through Mayagan
to Ye-u. Another route from Ayadaw, Naunggyiaing and Wadawma in the
Lower Chindwin leads through Neyakin and Leinhla into the Ye-u canal area.
From Ye-u two routes continue north one through Taze, Nwabetkyi and
Ywashe to Kyunhla, the other through Kunon, Tamadaw and Kaduma to Paga
and the Upper Chindwin border. From Kin-u on the railway there is a route to
Tinbaungga on the Irrawaddy opposite Thabeikkyin and thence to Mogok.
With Sagaing dis trict there is also considerable cart traffic, but there is no
through road, and carts travel by inter-village, roads or follow the railway line.
When they reach the Shwebo canal area they usually follow the canal service
roads run ning north and south.

Distribution of exports.

Rice and paddy are the chief exports and the greater part of the exportable
surplus of the east of the district is exported by rail. The growth of the local
rice milling industry has revolutionized the trade. Up to 1914, practically the
entire surplus available from the rice crop of the district was exported to
Mandalay and Rangoon in the form of unhusked rice. In that year 11 per cent
of the crop exported by rail was shipped as husked rice. By 1919 the
proportion had risen to 66 per cent and in 1923 it was 89 per cent. With the
exception of a relatively small mount that is purchased unhusked by cartmen
from
SHWEBO DISTRICT 153

Sagaing District, practically the whole surplus crop of the Shwebo Canal area
now leaves the district as clean rice. Stations north of Tantabin export the bulk
of such rice as leaves the district by rail unhusked. The total average annual
export by rail for the ten years 1914 to 1923 is 82,658 tons of paddy and rice
reduced to terms of paddy, reckoning two tons of rice as the equivalent of three
tons of paddy. The Burma Railways has recently taken advan tage of the
establishment of the small mills to impose a higher freight rate for clean rice
than for paddy. Shwebo railway station ordinarily exports about 40 per cent of
the crop that leaves the district by rail, and in 1923 its entire export was in the
shape of clean rice. The superior fine grained lonthe rice milled from
ngayunwa and nweswe paddy is ordinarily purchased by Mogul street
merchants for export to India, where there is a market for this special variety.
Other varieties of paddy known generally as bu saba are milled into
ngaseingale rice and exported to Myingyan, Meiktila, Pakkokku and Lower
Chindwin dis tricts. Villages in the east of Ye-u subdivision are within the
attractive area of the Mu Valley railway, and their crop is exported via
Shwebo, Kin-u and other railway stations farther north. The surplus crop of the
south of the Ye-u canal area and of the east of the subdivision generally is,
however, bought up by cartmen from the Lower Chindwin District, some of
whom come north to buy their own sup plies of wunza. Others are traders Who
having disposed of their goods in this district take back a load of paddy for sale
in the Lower Chindwin. Again cultivators on the Shwebo side of the border
husk rice by hand in their own villages, cart it into the Lower Chindwin and
hawk it round the villages there. The new railway in course of construc tion
between Alon and Ye-u will doubtless reduce the volume of this cart traffic.
Beans are exported by rail from Shwebo, Wetlet, Tantabin. and other stations
to Mandalay and Rangoon. Those grown along the bank of the Irra waddy go
by boat to Mandalay. In 1921-22 over seven thousand tons were exported by
rail. Cotton from the south of the district goes by cart to Ywathitkyi and
Myinmu in Sagaing District, where the Myingyan mills have collec ting
godowns. Some of the groundnut is exported by rail from Paukkan railway
station to Sagaing, but the tendency
154 SHWEBO DISTRICT

now is to express the oil locally, and a press worked by steam power has
recently been opened in Shwebo town. Millet from the south-west of Tabayin
Township is exported by cart to Monywa. Jaggery from the villages lying to
the south-west of the Ye-u Canal and from the east of Shwebo subdivision is
carted to Shwebo or Kyaukmyaung and Sheinmaga on the Irrawaddy, whence
it is exported up river by boat. The Ywathitkyi jaggery goes north by cart, and
is sold in Kyunhla township in this district and in Wuntho township in Katha
District. Timber and other forest produce leave the district by the Mu, the
Irrawaddy and the railway. Salt from Halin and surrounding villages is not
only hawked throughout the district but is also purchased by traders from
Sheinmaga, Thitseingyi, Shagwe and other villages on the Irrawaddy, who
dispose of it to the fishing villages in Mandalay and Katha. Halin salt is
specially esteemed in making ngapi, as it preserves the head of the fish.

Distribution of imports.

Local traders purchase their stocks principally in Mandalay. Shwebo town

is the main distributing centre, but in almost all villages at railway stations
there are traders engaged in the distributing trade. Villages in the south and
west of Ye-u subdivision draw their supplies mainly from Monywa, Alon,
Thazi and other trading centres in the Lower Chindwin.

Weights and measures.

The measures in local use are the tin or basket, the pyi one sixteenth and
the zale one sixty-fourth. The size of the basket is not uniform throughout the
district. It is largest in villages along the Irrawaddy where it is three zales
smaller than the Government nine-gallon standard. In the Shwebo canal area it
is ordinarily about seven zales smaller than the Government standard.
Elsewhere in Shwebo subdivision it is eight or nine zales smaller. It is smallest
in the west of Ye-u subdivision where the average village basket is ten or
eleven zales smaller than the Government standard. The weights used are the
viss (3'65 lbs) and fractions of it. In the villages however the weights are often
inaccurate.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 155

CHAPTER VII

MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

Railways.

The Mu Valley Railway runs north and south through the centre of the
eastern half of the district and serves the area east of the Mu adequately,
though there are the usual complaints from traders of difficulty in securing
wagons. The length of the portion of the line in the district is 116 miles and
there are 14 railway stations. These are : Paukkan (420), Wetlet (430),
Moksogyon (438), Shwebo (447), Myingatha (452), Kin-u (461), Madaunghla
(467), Tantabin (473), Tangon (484), Kanbalu (493), Thityabin (501), Pintha
(509), Kyaitthin (519), and Kodaungbo (530).

The Sagaing-Shwebo section of the railway, the survey of which began in

1888, was opened to passenger traffic on 1st July 1891. The Shwebo-Wuntho
section was opened to goods traffic in April 1892 and to coaching traffic in
March 1893. The survey for a branch line from Kin-u to Kabwet and
Thabeikkyin was undertaken in 1898-99, but it is somewhat unlikely that this
line will ever be constructed. In the same year an estimate for a bridge across
the Irra waddy at Sagaing was prepared, but up to date the river has to be
crossed by ferry. The delays incidental to crossing hamper trade.

A branch line is at present (1923) in course of construc tion from Alon in

the Lower Chindwin to Ye-u the capital having been provided by the Rice
Control Profits Fund. In 1923 the section from Alon to Segyi on the district
border near Saingbyin was opened. In this district there will be stations near
Kanbya, Tindeinyan, Zawa and Ye-u-gon a mile west of Ye-u. There is also a
proposal to extend the line farther north to Taze. The Ye-u-Alon line will link
up with the Alon-Sagaing branch and provide an easy outlet for paddy from the
Ye-u canal area, the market for which is at present limited to villages in the
Lower Chindwin District. It is somewhat doubtful whether the extension to
Taze would prove remunerative, as the exportable surplus is large only in
favourable seasons.

Another short branch some twenty miles long is at present in course of

construction in the north of the district
156 SHWEBO DISTRICT

from Kyatthin railway station to Yindaik on the Mu in Katha District. There is

a possibility that the line will be carried across the Mu on a causeway and
continued into the forest west of the Mu. It is being constructed with old
materials and is only intended to carry sleepers and fire wood required by the
railways.

Rivers.

The Irrawaddy is an important channel of trade only for the villages on its
banks. For the general trade of the district it is unimportant. The Irrawaddy
Flotilla Company started regular weekly steamers between Mandalay and
Bhamo in 1886 and also steamers on short runs from Mandalay to
Kyaukmyaung. At present the Mandalay Bhamo mail boat passes up and down
the river once a week, calling at Kyaukmyaung and Male. There is a cargo boat
once a week between. Mandalay and Bhamo, and the Mandalay-Thabeikkyin
ferry calls twice a week at Sheinmaga, Kyaukmyaung and Kabwet. The river is
also used by rafts and country boats.

As already pointed out boat traffic on the Mu in this district has practically
ceased since the construction of the canals. The river is however still used for
floating rafts of teak logs and bamboos which can be passed through the large
span openings in the headworks.

Roads.

When the district was occupied at the end of Decem ber 1885 it contained
no roads other than the Ordinary inter-village tracts. The first road to be
constructed was the Shwebo-Kyaukmyaung road linking up Shwebo with the
river. Work began in April 1886, and the road had been raised, bridged and
metalled throughout by 1888. The construction of the Shwebo-Ye-u road was
began in the rains following on the occupation of Ye-u in May 1886. The road
was raised and bridged throughout by 1888. The Shwebo-Tantabin road
following the line of the old Mu Canal was made in 1891, and the road from
Tantabin to Male was constructed in the same year. In that year too Rs. 22,438
was spent in famine relief operations on the construction of the Kin-u-Kabwet
road. On the Ye-u side the Ye-u-Nwabetkyi road was started before the end of
1886 to keep in touch with the Nwabetkyi outpost. The Ye-u-Kunon-Kaduma-
Paga road was begun in 1888. The Ye-u-Kin-u road was constructed in 1891 to
join up Ye-u
SHWEBO DISTRICT 157

with the railway. The Ye-u-Tabayin-Monywa road was completed to Tabayin

in 1891 and to Monywa in 1897.

A full list of the roads in the district is given in Volume B. Through

communication by road with adjoining dis tricts is deficient. Thus there is no
north and south road from Shwebo to Sagaing or from Shwebo to Katha. There
is a project for a main through road from Sagaing to Katha on the road
programme, but no funds bare yet been allotted for the construction of the
section in this district. West of the Mu there is a through road from Ye-u to
Monywa via Tabayin and Saingbyin. This road is raised and bridged
throughout, but where it passes through the central tanegyan basin of the Ye-u
Canal area the black cotton soil makes a very rough surface in the dry-weather
and is impassable after rain. The other through road in the west of the district
from Ye-u to Myinmu in Sagaing District is in fair order between Ye-u and
Mayagan. From Mayagan south it exists only on the maps. For the ten miles
between Mayagan and Magyiok an expensive road would be required, as the
alignment passes through the worst black cotton soil in the district. The
crossing of the Payanpaga chaung would also require an expensive bridge.

Within the district the road system. is well conceived. East of the Mu river,
the roads generally run from east to west and act as feeders to the railway line.
Within the Shwebo Canal area additional north and south communica tion is
provided by the service roads alog the berm, of the canal and its distributaries,
while the Shwebo-Ye-u road is a most useful diagonal road. Through north and
south communication such as would be provided by the projected Sagaing-
Katha road is however still needed. West of the Mu roads generally run north
and south, but east and west connection with the Mu Valley railway is
provided by the Nwabetkyi-Kyunle-Tangon, Kaduma-Taze-Shanzeik-zigon,
and Kaduma-Ye-u-Kin-u roads. The crossing of the Mu which is nowhere
bridged is however an obstacle to easy communication. During the rains ferries
add to the cost of transport and in high floods the ferries do not risk the
crossing, while during the open season, when the water is low, the pull through
the sandy bed of the river is heavy, and most cartmen prefer to pay the toll
required by the ferry lessee for the use of the temporary bridge erected by
158 SHWEBO DISTRICT

him. When the Alon-Ye-u railway is opened feeder roads leading to the
railway stations will be required.

The only roads metalled throughout are the Shwebo Kyaukmyaung road
(17 miles) and the Kin-u-Ye-u road (12 miles). Recently the first five miles of
the Shwebo Ye-u and Shwebo-Tebin roads have been metalled on the sections
adjoining Shwebo. These two roads carry the heaviest traffic in the district.
West of the Mu a beginning has been made with the metalling of the Ye-u-
Tabayin road commencing from Ye-u. A short section of the Ye-u-Mayagan
road has also been metalled adjoining Ye-u. Roads in the railway towns are
partly gravelled. The remaining roads maintained by Provincial and District
funds are banked and bridged only, with a few short stretches of gravel. In the
case of the areas east of the railway line and north-west of Ye-u, roads of this
descrip tion are generally adequate. Traffic is moderate, and water drains away
freely after rain. In the black soil of the Shwebo and Ye-u Canal areas a road
passable at all time cannot be made without metalling. A great improve ment
has however been effected in these roads by frequent sanding and the use of
the road drag. They are still impassable after heavy rain, but owing to the
admixture of sand they now dry up much more rapidly than formerly. They are
cut up very badly however by the heavy cart traffic they have to carry in the
open season. Outside the irrigated areas access to roads is fairly easy all the
year round. It is seldom that the rainfall is so heavy as to make the ordinary
village track impassable. In canal areas it is otherwise. From June until the
middle of January the combination of canal water and tane soil makes access to
roads from villages not actually situated on them very difficult. A considerable
measure of relief is afforded by service roads that run along the outside berms
of the canals and their distributaries. These generally run north and south and
enable carts to reach the feeder roads leading east and west to the railway line.
For the most part they are merely tracks at the foot of the canal bund, but they
require no bridges as they utilize the canal embankment wherever water is
crossed. In recent years much has been done to improve these tracks by raising
their level and by sanding, but more money could be very profitably expended
in extending and improving the system. On all canals, distributaries and minors
one bank is main tained as a cycle path. These paths, though merely levelled
and sanded, provide excellent going for cyclists and pedestrians in fine
weather. There is at present a proposal to gravel some of the more important
tracks, so that they can be used at all times. The bank along the main canal and
Moksogyon branch from Kabo to Wetlet is wide enough to
SHWEBO DISTRICT 159

take a motor car. In the north of the district there has recently been much
activity in the con struction of forest roads leading to the railway and the
Irrawaddy to facilitate the extraction of timber.

Ferries.

There are ferries across the Irrawaddy at Male, Mala, Shagwe, Thitseingyi,
and Sheinmaga, and across the Mu at Kyunhla, Kanbyu, Mugwa, Kyunle,
Toktalok, Ettaw, Inbin, Pinzeingin, Leywa, Ye-u, Muthagon, Zeinzun, Wegyi
and Mugan.

Cart hire.

The Government rate of cart hire for carts that are requisitioned is three
annas per mile up to seven miles, and four annas per mile for journeys
exceeding seven miles. The rates ordinarily paid by the public by private
contract are slightly lower than these rates.

Public conveyances.

Taxis ply regularly for hire between Kia-u railway station and Ye-u and
between Shwebo and Kyaukmyaung. There are also a number of taxis in
Shwebo that can be hired for special jouneys. With careful driving a Ford is
able to negotiate most of the roads in the district in the open season at the cost
of an occasional broken axle.
Rest houses.

Rest houses are shown in statement E in Volume B. In canal areas these are
usually substantial buildings main tained in good repair. Elsewhere they are
very often in an indifferent state of repair.

Posts.

The postal system was introduced into the district on 1st December 1887
by the opening of two post offices, one at Shwebo, the other a branch post
office at Tantabin. Line establishments were maintained at the same time
between Shwebo and Nyaungbintha, Shwebo and Tantabin, Shwebo and
Kyaukmyaung and Tantabin and Tangon. In the year 1888 a branch post office
was opened at Male and a mail line introduced between Kin-u and Tantabin. In
1890 two more post offices were opened one at Shwebo Cantonment and
another at Kanbalu. In the following
160 SHWEBO DISTRICT

year (1891) two post offices were opened at Kyaukmyaung and Sheinmaga,
and in the same year a trolly service was introduced between Shwebo and
Tantabin and the runner line abolished. In subsequent years post offices were
opened at Tabayin (1892), Kin-u (1894) and Taze (1895). In 1892 the trolly
service was further extended to Wuntho in the Katha District during the
operations against the Wuntho Sawbwa. Between 1896 and 1908 three new
offices were opened at Toktalok, Kabo and Wetlet, but in the same period the
Toktalok and Kabo offices were closed as were also those at Kabwet, Male,
Sheinmaga and Taze, as adequate use was not made of the postal facilities
offered.

At present there are 14 post offices in the district These are : Head office
(Shwebo), Sub-offices (Kanbalu, Kin-u and Ye-u), Branch offices (Tantabin,
Wetlet, Ko daungbo, Kyatthin, Kyunhla, Tangon, Tabayin, Tamadaw and
Taze). There is also an experimental sub-office at Pintha. The post offices of
the district are under the control of the Superintendent of Post Offices,
Northern Division, with headquarters at Shwebo.

Telegraphs.

There are five combined post and telegraph offices in the district, viz., Ye-
u opened in 1899, Kyaukmyaung in 1917, Kanbalu in 1921 and Kin-u in 1922.
Shwebo was converted into a combined post and telegraph office in 1906.
Prior to this date it had a departmental telegraph office.

Telephones.

There is a non-departmental telephone exchange in Shwebo town worked

by the police. The system at present comprises seven connections to the office
and resi dence of the Deputy Commissioner, the office and residence of the
District Superintendent of Police, the office of the Jail Superintendent, the
Cantonment Police Guard and the Military Police Quarter Guard in
Cantonment. There is also a telephone system for the two major canals, the
Shwebo and Ye-u canals. The system connects the Shwebo Canal office in
Shwebo with Kabo, Sindon, Myit taw, Londaw, Maukkyo, Shwebangon,
Moksogyon and Wetlet. On the Ye-u side Ye-u is connected with Kabo,
Satthe, Nyaunghla, Pauktaw and Magyizauk and can communicate with
Shwebo via Kabo.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 161

CHAPTER VIII

FAMINE

Famine and years of scarcity.

Prior to the introduction of irrigation fore major canals, and the

improvement in communications effected by the con struction of the Mu
Valley railway, the district was seldom free from the menace of famine. The
Original Settlement Report recounts the traditions of famines before the
annexation. "There is one great famine known as Maha-thayaw-dawgyi which
lasted about six years. Thousands of people died; in fact the name indicates
that the corpses were on the face of the earth as the debris (thayaw) brought
down by a flood." The famine is usually place about 1806 A.D. to 1812 A.D.
"Crime of every sort was rife, tigers took a heavy toll of cattle and of human
beings who searched the jungle for edible roots. Villages were depopulated,
those inhabitants who escaped death seeking a refuge in larger villages, to
leave these again when they were broken up in their turn, for still larger
villages." Another famine took place in 1826 A.D. due not so much to drought
as to the first Burmese war which took away a large proportion of the able-
bodied men and demoralized administration generally, with the result that bad
characters got the upper hand and agriculture suffered. There was also great
scarcity due to drought in 1875-76 A.D. in the reign of Mindon Min and again
in 1882-83 in Thibaw's reign due to the rise of dacoit bos Hla U and Yan Min
and the general prevalence of crime, coinciding with a year of drought.

Since the annexation, years of scarcity have been fre quent, but the only
year of actual famine was 1891-92 when a bad season following on the poor
harvest of the previous year brought disaster. "The railway was then opened
only as far as Shwebo town and neither paddy nor rice was to be had in the
outlying parts of the district, especially in the north where the failure of crops
was worst. Famine works were opened in several centres, large sums were
advanced to agriculturists, and extensive reductions of thathameda were made,
but in spite of this the majority of the jungle population are said to have left the
district. Whole families moved away, and in some villages not a soul was left
behind.
162 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Numbers went to Katha to work on the Mu Valley railway, and numbers went
southwards. When they reached Sagaing and Mandalay, children were given in
exchange for a few pyis of rice in the hope that the children at any rate would
be fed. The parents worked wherever they could get a job. Those who had any
valuables reverted to the custom they had learned in Burmese times of leaving
their houses at night and sleeping in out-of-the-way places for fear of being
robbed, but there does not seem to have been more crime than usual. The
distress is said to have been greater in the Ye-u than in the Shwebo District." A
few village sites which were deserted at that time have been re-occupied thirty
years later on the opening of the Ye-u Canal by the former occupiers or their
descendants, who in the interval had been residing in Toungoo District. The
year 1896-97 is said to have been as bad as 1891-92, but the railway was then
in full working order and relieved the situation by bringing up rice. TeSt words
were opened but few resorted to them, the great majority preferring the higher
rates obtainable on the Mandalay Canal. Large reductions were made in the
thathameda rates, and some villages were let off altogether. The year 1903-04
was a bad year and the question of famine works was considered but works
were not opened. The year 1907-08 was another year of scarcity, but owing to
the introduction of the land revenue system in that year in place of thathameda
no special measures were required to give relief in the matter of revenue
payments, as automatic relief was afforded by the assessment of matured areas
only. In recent times the year 1920-21 has been the year of greatest scarcity in
the district. Failure of the mogaung paddy crop was general and coincided with
a period when prices were rising through out the province. It did not however
prove necessary to open relief works. The situation was met partly by
remisssion of thathameda and by a liberal issue of agricultural loans, but
mainly by the readiness of cultivators to seek non agricultural employment to
tide over the period of stress.

Improbability of famine conditions arising.

Since the introduction of irrigation by major works the district as a whole

has been self supporting as regards foot grains. In ordinary years there is a
surplus of 130,000 tons of paddy available for export from the district, and in
years of scarcity the canal ensure a rice crop sufficient to meet
SHWEBO DISTRICT 163

the requirements of the district and still leave a surplus for export. Even in the
disastrous season 1920-21 and the poor year that succeeded it over fifty
thousand tons of paddy or its equivalent in rice were exported by rail, while a
quantity of probably not less than ten thousand tons was ex ported to adjoining
districts by carts. A surplus rice crop in irrigated tracts is however of little use
to cultivators in mogaung areas whose crops have failed unless they have the
means to purchase it. Approximately only a little over a third of the cultivated
area of the district is rendered secure by irrigation from major works. Over the
remainder of the district, with the exception of a narrow strip of alluvial land
along the banks of the Mu and Irrawaddy suitable for winter crops, and small
areas in the north of Kyunhla Township and north-east of Kanbalu Township,
where rainfall is ordinarily adequate, failure of crops so complete that seed is
barely returned is not unknown, while partial failure of crops is the general
rule. In the unirrigated portion of the district failure of crops in the future will
probably be no less frequent than it has been in the past. Liability to failure
may indeed in crease with the denudation of tree growth following on the
extension of ya cultivation. Leaving out of consideration large irrigation
schemes that would utilize the waters of the Irrawaddy or the Chindwin, the
only method whereby the effect of unfavourable seasons is likely to be
minimized is the introduction of greater diversity to cropping in place of the
present gamble on a single crop of rice. The year 1920-21 has however made it
clear that widespread crop failure, though it still causes much hardship, need
not now be accompanied by famine conditions. The failure of crops in that
year is generally considered to have been as complete outside canal irrigated
tracts as in the year 1891-92, while it succeeded two poor seasons and was
followed by two more. That action under the Famine Code was unnecess ary is
due to the improvement in economic conditions that has taken place in the last
twenty years. It is possible that the mogaung cultivator's resources in the shape
of accumula ted capital have not greatly increased, but the extension of
irrigation and improvement on communications have made it easier for him to
find employment in periods of distress, while the spread of the co-operative
credit movement has given him facilities for borrowing at a reasonable rate of
interest. His
164 SHWEBO DISTRICT

cattle too are better protected against the evils of drought, as straw can usually
be reaped without payment in canal areas.

There is a famine programme for the district which provides for the relief
of 870,000 units on the construction of roads and tanks. Except in the event of
a breakdown of the system of irrigation from major works it appears unlikely
that it will ever have to be applied.

CHAPTER IX

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.

Administration under Burmese rule.

A description of the Government and administration in Burma in Burmese

times and of the duties and powers of the various officials is given in full in the
Upper Burma Gazetteer, Part I, Volume II, Chapter XVI.

The Burmese nes or governorships, into which the area comprising the
district was divided, were as follows :-

Yatanatheinga Myin ne occupying all the Shwebo sub division except the
small governorships on the river and Thabuttaw-Chauk-ywa and extending into
Sagaing District well south of Sadaung. The Myin ne was governed by a Wun
and was divided into about a dozen MyingaungshipL Under each Myingaung
there were, in theory, ten Myinsis, and under each Myinsi ten Ahmudans. In
actual fact, as, the Ahmudans were hereditary, the numbers tended to fluctuate,
increasing in one village and decreasing in another and increasing in one
Myinsi's charge and decreasing in another's. The Myingaung ships were
collected under three Myintat Bos. There were also two Myin Sayes. The
Gaungships were frequently reorganized, and the list given in Tharrawaddy
Min's time bears little resemblance to the lists of Mindon and Thibaw. In 1873
under the Myauk-let-Yebet-Myintat-Bo were Kawywa, Siboktaya, Nyaungzin
and Kanthaya Gaungships; under the Taung-let-Yebet-Myintat-Bo, Hmetti
Kawdaw, Thayaing, Thalon and Hladaw, and under the Kunit-ywa Bo, Yontha,
Inbe, Kunit-ywa (Kadu), Thayasein (mostly in Sagaing District) and Pegu
(wholly in Sagaing District). The map at the end of this volume gives an
incomplete outline of the Gaungships
SHWEBO DISTRICT 165

in 1881. The Myingaungs and Myinsis were appointed by the King. Thugyis
were in charge of villages and were occasionally noted as being appointed
Myinsis also. All the Myin officers had civil, criminal and fiscal powers, and
such as remained in the district formed a sort of police force. The Myin Sayes
were next in power to the Myintat Bos and had criminal powers if conferred
upon them by the Kayaing Wun and, with the same authority, could try
revenue and other cases. They collected the revenue through the Myingaungs.
The Myingaungs had powers according to the trust placed in them by the
Kayaing Wun.

Thabuttaw-Chaukywa, arbitrarily created for the benefit of one of the

Kings' favourites, occupied part of Kin-u Town ship (to which it gave its name
in the early days) and stretched down towards Shwebo. It was governed by a
Thenat-ok.

Thinkadaw Kayaing. The foothills in the east of Kin-u Township and few
villages on the east bank of the Irra waddy including Thabeikkyin, formed the
Thinkadaw Myo-thugyihips. The whole land was regarded as Paya-ne-mye as
being dedicated to the upkeep of the Theinkadaw pagoda situated on a small
island in the first defile.

Kyaukmyaung. Mingala Kyaukmyaung, as it was called after Tharrawaddy

Min resided there for a few months and proposed to make it his capital, was,
with the neighbour ing villages, under a Myothugyi dealing for some time
direct with the Hlutdaw. It was also for some time under the Singu Wun.

Shinmaga and Thitseingyi were also for some time under independent
officials.

West of the Mu river were :-

Tabayin, occupying the present Tabayin Township, the eastern and more
thickly populated half of the Ye-u Town ship and a smaller portion of the Taze
Township south of the Taze-Kaduma road, Yatana, Yathaya, etc. The villages
of Tabayin were collected under Thwethaukgyis, who were in turn under two
Thin Thenat Bos. These officials corre sponded to the Myingaungs and
Myintat Bos of the Myin ne. Tabayin was governed by a Wun who resided
some times at Tabayin and sometimes at Ye-u. He was assisted
166 SHWEBO DISTRICT

by two Thenat Sayes. Tabayin and Myedu to the north-east were occasionally
governed by a Hnit-Myo Wun.

Like the Gaungships the Thwethaukgyiships were often changed. In 1876

there were twenty Thwethaukygis at Chantha, Taunggwin, Linbyu, Zeyawaddi,
Nyaungle, Thonsin, Wathe, Madaingbin, Konbet, Ywameiktha,
Paungdaunggu, Mindegon, Nagabo, Hintha, Ywathitkyi, Nwamya, Mayagan,
Taungbo, Myoma (Tabayin) and Myogyi.

Shwe-ale-gyaung; a group of smaller governorships, three of which, Shwe-

ta-se-thon-ywa (or Shwegyinta-se-thon-ywa) Thissi-chaukywa and Seinnan,
occupied the forest clad hills and sparsely populated area in the west of Ye-u
and Taze Townships, that is, most of the Tamadaw or Shwegyin Township
recently abolished, the remainder, Indaing, Mawke, Mawdon, Indauktha,
Kyunhla, etc. occupying all the Kyunhla Township west of the Mu. The Ale-
gyaung was under a Wun and the smaller nes under Shwehmus. Indauktha was
at one time under a Nga-Myo-Wun including Mawke and Mawdon and areas
now in Katha. The inhabitants of the northern portion were Shans, and some at
one time paid revenue in gold to the Shan principality of Mogaung until
annexed in the 17th century by Nyaungyan Min. Thissi-chaukywa, Shwe-ta-se-
thon-ywa and Seinnan were in 1876 under the Tabayin Wun for a time. The
first two had in fact originally been part of Tabayin Wunship. The aborigines
are said to have been Chins.

Myedu occupied most of Taze Township and stretched across the Mu river
over the part of Kyunhla Township which lies east of the Mu, and part of
Kanbalu Township. Myedu was governed by a Wun with two Sitkes and two
Myo sayes. It was at times, with Tabayin, governed by a Hnit-Myo-Wun.

Pyinsala-Nga-Myo and Tantabin in the north-east of the district occupied

the bulk of that part of Kanbalu Town ship which lies east of the railway
excluding Male, and run ning north into Katha District. The five Myos were
Yatha, Hngetpyaw, Nyaungbin, Pintha, and Nagasin. Pyinsala and Tantabin
were together governed by one Wun with two Sitkes, two Nakkans and two
Myo sayes.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 167

Male was governed by a Myothugyi whose jurisdiction covered a fairly

large area in the foothills in the east of Kanbalu Township and stretched across
the river including Sabenago.

Ngayane and Kawthandi occupied most of the area between the Railway
and the Mu River from a few miles south of Myedu to a few miles north of
Kabo. They were variously governed by two Myosas or one Hnit-Myo-Wun or
by the Shwebo Myin-Wun.

The grouping and governorship of these areas varied from time to time and
were subject to alteration at the royal whim. Shwebo, Tabayin, Myedu,
Pyinsala and Ngayane-Kawthandi were usually under separate Wuns.
Myothugyis were in charge of the most important towns. Occasionally
neighbouring villages were included in the Myothugyi's jurisdiction in which
case there were subordinate thugyis. Independent Myothugyiships have been
mentioned. It is possible there were others, as, for instance, the Baw Myothu
gyi.

In 1881 King Thibaw divided the whole of Burma into ten districts or
Kayaings, and the whole of the present Shwebo District, except Tabayin and
the riverine ne, was included in the Ninth Yatanathinga Kayaing. This under
the Kayaing Wun Bo Byin with the title of She-windaw-hmu Yatanathinga
Myo-Wun Yebet Myin Wun Thado Mingyi Maha Mingaung Yaza, thus
contained the Yatana thinga (Shwebo) Myo, Myedu Myo, Ngayane Myo, Kaw
thandi Myo, Pyinsala Nga Myo and the Shwe-ale-gyaung. The Shwe-ashe-
gyaung, Wuntho Myo and Kawlin Myo, in Katha District were also included.
The Kayaing Wun had civil, criminal, revenue and military administrative
powers. He had powers of life and death without appeal. On receipt of orders
from the Hlutdaw for the collection and payment of revenue he issued orders to
the Wuns, the Wuntho Saw bwa and the Myintat Bos of Shwebo.

Tabayin fell in the Tenth Sagaing Kayaing and the riverine nes were
included in the Upper River Kayaing.

Military and Marine organization.

Parts of the district were organized on the daing system and were divided
into groups of households responsible for one member of the standing army at
Mandalay or on service. These soldiers, who were formerly given lands to
support them were in Mindon Min's reign, ordered to receive pay
168 SHWEBO DISTRICT

at the rate of Rs. 10 per month. But payment was very irregular and uncertain,
and was supplemented by nauktauk-kye, a contribution made in money by the
remaining house holds. The nauktauk for each palace guard and his family
averaged about Rs. 30 a month, and, though strictly a volun tary contribution,
not authorized by law, was latterly exacted by the local officials as if it were a
tax. When the regiments went on service, as they frequently did in King
Thibaw's time to serve in his fruitless wars in the Shan States, the nauktauk
was naturally heavier. The soldier's family was retained at Mandalay as
hostages, and the man himself had to be supported. So closely was military
service associated with the payment of nauktauk in the minds of the people of
this district that over thirty years later, when men were recruited for the army
during the Great War, they often succeeded in obtaining considerable sums
from their co-villagers in addition to the bonus given by Government. It was
not uncommon for recruits from this district to apply for leave from their
regiment to return to their village to collect contributions that had been
promised but had not been paid in full.

Tabayin, Myedu, Pyinsala-nga-Myo and Ngayane-Kaw-thandi were not

required to furnish permanent troops in Mandalay after the Padein sa's
rebellion, in which the ahmu dans of these districts joined. They were,
however, liable to be called upon to supply troops in time of war or when the
King required them. A revenue document dated 1876 shows that Tabayin was
paying about Rs. 28,840 in nauktauk that year, presumably to troops on service
(at about Rs. 4-12 per paying household, if the somewhat confused accounting
is correctly interpreted), and Myedu men were found on garrison duty in the
Shan States at the annexation. In peace time they formed a sort of police force
which could be called out for the suppression of dacoity or other disturb ance
by the empowered official, the Thwethauk, as he was called in Tabayin, or the
Myingaung in Shwebo, and his seniors.

The only troops supplied by the district to the Main Inner and Outer
Infantry Regiments were about 300 musketeers under six Thwethauks from
Thabuttawchaukywa to the Myauk-Mayapin Regiment, and a few odd
members of other regiments. About half the total cavalry of Burma, however,
SHWEBO DISTRICT 169

were recruited from the Shwebo myin ne, including the small Pegu myinne
now in the Sagaing District. These formed the Yebet and Shwe bi-takun
Regiments, reputed to total about one thousand. Although known as cavalry, it
seems that they possessed only some fifty ponies among them, the remaining
men working on foot. The regiments were organized in Mandalay under a
Myintat Bo, Tathmus com-manding hundreds and Thwethaukgyis
commanding fifties.

Some of the riverine villages found men for the war boats, which were
manned by fifty men (tet-swe) caprained by a Penin, or chief steersman, under
whom were Pegyats. Thitseingyi supplied one boat.

The Bayingyis, Christian descendants of captured Portuguese in Chantha,

Monhla and elsewhere, served in the Mingala Amyauk, the Artillery.

Various miscellaneous regiments also received men from the district. The
Kalabyo and Kinda Regiments of about 400 were partly recruited from Myedu
jurisdiction. Mabe, 4 miles east of Shwebo, supplied a few Daingthas, personal
shield-bearers to the King, to the Daing Regiment.

Other Ahmudans.

Numerous villages had to render service in other ways, and those sending
ahmudans to Mandalay paid nauktauk in the same way as those supplying
soldiers. Eighty Mingala Let Swe, Yeomen of the Guard, gentlemen-at-arms
who carried arms in procession before the King, were from Shwebo and a few
surrounding villages. The Palning-Let-Swe, similarly employed, were from
Palning. The twelve Tagabos warders or turnkeys, who were in charge of the
twelve gates of the palace, were from Thamantha. The Yun and Kaung han
Shan settlements along the Mu were under the Wuns in whose jurisdiction
their land fell, while the ahmudans they supplied at Mandalay formed corps of
lictors under the Yunsu and the Kaunghen Wun respectively. Kin-u Myo thit,
Tedaw and Siboktaya, which had opposed Alaungpaya when he was fighting
the Talaings (see Chapter II) were for this reason called upon to find men, who
were not paid, to act as messengers and guards at the Hlutdaw. They supplied,
all told, about fifty. Chiba and Seikkun found po ahmudans. These were given
silk which they had to weave for the King and his Queens and Court.
Sheinmaga rendered service to the Queen as Mahayindaw-tan. They car ried
the Nanmadaw-Mipaya. About fourteen men were on
170 SHWEBO DISTRICT

duty at Mandalay at one time. They ceased to render service when ahmudans
began to receive monthly wages in Mindon's reign. Halingyi and Kanthaya
supplied Sidaw thas who sounded the time at the palace. This service dates
from Alaungpaya's time. This list is by no means exhaustive.

Organization of the district after the annexation.

Although Shwebo was occupied at the end of December 1885, and Ye-u at
the beginning of May 1886, and although both areas were given the status of
districts at once, with civil officers as Deputy Commissioners in control, the
disturbed state of the country, much of which remained for some months in the
hands of dacoit bands, prevented the introduction of regularly organized
administration during 1886.

A printed note by the Chief Commissioner dated 18th August 1886 gives
some idea of the first attempts to admi nister Shwebo. According to this note
the following Burmans were employed : Maung Tun (son of Maung Shwe
Byin, the Shwebo Wun), Myook of Shwebo Township on a salary of Rs. 150 a
month; Maung Sa, Myook of Chaukywa on a similar salary; Maung Sa's son,
Ok of Chaukywa on Rs. 50 a month, and eleven Myingaungs on Rs. 50 a
month each. The arrangement for giving salaries to the Ok and the myingaungs
is described as being only temporary, it being intended that they should
become circle thugyis and receive commission on the revenue collected by
them. The amount of the revenue collected is not given, but the Shwebo
Township under Maung Tun already had three Myothugyis, at Sheinmaga,
Kyaukmyaung and Sewin.

In Ye-u District, the Thwethaukgyi of Madaingbin Maung Aung Gyi (later

K.S.M.) was made Myook on Rs. 150 a month, and two Thwethaukgyis on Rs.
50 a month were temporarily appointed. It was hoped that the latter could later
be paid from the thugyis' commission on the revenue.

The nortern part of the district had not yet come under full control, but two
appointments had been made which were to take effect from the date on which
the officers took in their appointments. These were the old Wunships of
Pyinsala and Myedu, and the officers appointed were the former Wuns, who
were to become Township Officers. The part of Myedu west of the river Mu,
and also the small tract
SHWEBO DISTRICT 171

called Indauktha, west of the Mu, were apparently intended to form part of the
Shwebo District.

This arrangement was not entirely carried out, for in January 1887 four
townships including part of these trans-Mu areas were defined as forming the
Ye-u District. Since the definition gives the names of some of the old Burmese
tracts it is worth recording.

1. Nabeikkyi (Nwabetkyi): The tract known as western Myedu, the tract

formerly administered by the Thwethauk of Madaingbin, and the tracts of
Indaing, Thitse-chaukywa, Nanwindaw, Sunan (Seinnan) and Kyunhla.

2. Mayagan: The tract known as southern Tabayin, including the tracts

formerly administered by the Thwe thuks of Namya, Hintha, Taungbo, Ngabo,
Mindegon, Kyi, Myoma and Myogyi.

3. Kunon: The tract known as northern Tabayin includ ing the tracts
formerly administered by the Thwethauks of Sanswe. Ywathitgyi, Nyaungle
Taunggwin, Wathe, Linbyu, Paungdaunggu, and Zeyawaddi, and the Shwegyin
Shwe hmuship.

4. Ye-u: The town of Ye-u, and the tracts formerly administered by the
Thwethauks of Konbet, Ywameiktha and Chawthit.

In addition to the Myooks of these four townships the Myothugyis of Taze,

Tabayin, and Ye-u were appointed to be magistrates.

In October 1887 an additional township was formed out of the Nwabetkyi

Township, and called the Indaing Township.

In January 1889 three subdivisions were formed in Ye-u District, the

Northern, headquarters Taze, comprising the Indaing and Nwabetgyi
Townships, the Central, headquar ters Ye-u, comprising the Kunon, Ye-u, and
Shwegyin Townships, and the Southern consisting of the Mayagan Township
only. This arrangement was revised in July of the same year, the Central
subdivision being abolished. The Indaing, Taze, and Shwegyin Townships
went to form the Northern subdivision, Nwabetgyi disappearing, and Ye-u,
Kunon, and Mayagan going to the Southern subdivi sion.

In July 1890, the Shwegyin Township was transferred to the Southern

subdivision, and the Kunon Township abolished
172 SHWEBO DISTRICT

while in August 1891, consequent on the depositing of the Wuntho Sawbwa

and the fusion of the bulk of his state with the Katha District, the tract south of
the Nanba yan chaung was added to the Indaing Township.

The fact that the country was settled and peaceful caused proposals to be
initiated in 1893 for the abolition of the Ye-u District, but one of the main
objects of the amalgamation with the neighbouring districts was to release
funds for the better control of the northern frontier of the province by the
establishment of the new district of Myitkyina. In the original scheme it was
proposed that the northern half of the district should go to the Kanbalu
subdivision of the Shwebo District and the southern half to the Lower
Chindwin. This arrangement was not however adopted, and the whole of Ye-u
District was added to Shwebo in March 1895.

Turning to Shwebo, we find that the first tentative arrangements had to be

abandoned, and in April 1887 the distrlct was declared to comprise the three
subdivisions of Tantabin, consisting of the Myedu, Tantabin (or Pyinsala) and
Chaukywa Townships, Shwebo and Sheinmaga, each consisting of one
township only.

In May of the following year, Tantabin subdivision was reduced to two

townships, Myedu and Male, the subdivi sional headquarters being at Myedu.
Chaukywa was added to Shwebo subdivision, and a new township, Hladaw,
was formed in the Sheinmaga subdivision.

In February 1891, Kanbalu became the headquarters of the Tantabin

subdivision, the construction of the Mu Valley railway making this change
necessary, and in December of the same year, after the Wuntho rebellion, the
Pintha and north Nagasin circles were added to the Myedu Township, the
northern boundary of the district thus receiving its present form.

In July 1893, the Sheinmaga subdivision was abolished, Hladaw Township

amalgamated with Sheinmaga, and the reconstituted township added to
Shwebo subdivision.

On the abolition of the Ye-u district in 1895, the Shwebo district was
organized into the three subdivisions and ten townships given below:- :
SHWEBO DISTRICT 173

Subdivision Headquarters Township Headquarters

Shwebo Shwebo.
Shwebo Shwebo Chaukywa Kin-u.
Sheinmaga Sheinmaga.

Myedu Kanbalu.
Tantabin Kanbalu Male Male.

Ye-u Ye-u.
Mayagan Tabayin.
Ye-u Ye-u Shwegyin Tamadaw.
Taze Taze. Indaing Kyunhla.

The only changes since 1895 havebeen the transfer ofthe Skeinmaga
township headquarters to Wetlet on the railway line, the abolition of the Male
township and its incorporation with Kanbalu and Kin-u township, the transfer
ofa few tracts of Kanbalu township east of the Mu to Indaing(Kyunhla)
township, the transfer of the Indaing (Kyunhla) township from Ye-u to
Tantabin (Kanbalu) and the renaming of all subdivisions and townships by the
name of the headquarters town of each. Tamadaw; township of theYe-u
subdivision was abolished in 1922 and split up between Taze and Ye-u
townships.

The present organization of townships is:-

Subdivision Township.

Shwebo
Shwebo. Kin-u.
Wetlet.

Kanbalu
Kanbalu. Kyunhla.

Ye-u
Ye-u Tabayin.
Taze.

Boundaries.

The Ye-u subdivision is bounded on the north by the Yabin chaung from
its junction with the Mu on the east to the confluence of the Yinyein and
174 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Seinan chaungs on the west. From the latter point to the district border the
boundary leaves the chaung and cuts across the low hills westwards. On the
east the Mu forms the boundary througk out its whole length. The internal
boundaries of the townships in the Ye-u subdivision are almost purely arbit
rary.

The northern boundary of the Shwebo subdivision runs for part of the way
along the small Ketlan chaung, but for the most part is an irregular line not
following any well defined natural feature. The western boundary is the Mu.
The boundaries between the Kin-u and Shwebo and be tween the Shwebo and
Wetlet townships are arbitrary.

The Kanbalu subdivision stretches right across the whole northern half of
the district on both sides of the Mu. This subdivision in actual area covers
almost half of the district, but the population, except along the Mu and the
railway line, is very sparse, Kanbalu having 54,560 and Kyunhla 14,946
persons only, a total of 69,509.

For Ye-u, the population by townships is Ye-u 32,582, Taze, 36,838,

Tamadaw 25,666, Tabayin 54,862, a total of 149,948.

For Shwebo, the township populations are Shwebo 63,104, Kin-u 45,090,
Wetlet 63,636, totalling 171,730.

Village Administration.

The indigenous system of village administration was taken over as it stood

at the annexation, although many headmen, who had deserted their villages
during the period at which they were most needed and in other ways proved
themselves unsatisfactory, were not appointed.

The Myothugyis, Myingaungs and Thwethauks who were found to be

sound men were, as mentioned above, given a small temporary salary and
retained as headmen of circles in the hope that they might later be rewarded by
a percentage of the subordinate headmen's commission. From the first,
however, it was the settled policy of govern ment to break up these circles into
village-tracts under independent headmen as opportunity occurred. In 1889-90
there-were as many as 14 circle headmen in Shwebo and 40 in Ye-u, and
SHWEBO DISTRICT 175

charges were very irregular in size, one headman in Shwebo having 85 villages
under him. By 1901 this number had been reduced to 14 circle headmen
receiving the entire commission throughout their circles and one receiving full
commission in his own village and a share of the commission in subordinate
villages. In 1902 nine of these circles were abolished, and by 1916 only the
myothugyi of Myemum, who still receives the entire com mission of his circle,
remained. The number of headmen receiving no commission has
simultaneously fallen from 95 in 1901 to 6 in 1922. The total number of
headmen, by the amalgamation of the smaller tracts, has slowly been reduced
from 735 in 1901 to 625 in 1922, while the number of headmen receiving full
commission, which had steadily risen from 615 in 1901, to 644 in 1914, owing
to the break ing up of circles, has since that date simultaneously fallen to 619
in 1922. The average commission of headmen is Rs. 210, a figure which is
only exceeded in Sagaing, Minbu, Pyapon, Insfin and Hanthawaddy districts.
This average commission, however, is not evenly distributed throughout the
district, headmen in the canal areas who collect both water rate and land
revenue receiving much larger emolu ments than those in mogaung tracts.
There are several who receive over Rs. 1,000 per aunum.

The number of headmen exercising specialcriminal and civil powers under

sections 9 (4) and 6 (1) of the Village Act has increased from 19 and 12 in
1901 to 36 and 33 in 1910, and 94 and 104 in 1922. The Deputy Commissioner
remarks that the post is wanted more for its honour and glory than for its
enhanced opportunities of public service. There are few civil cases tried by
headmen, though headmen are continually being urged to use their powers
mare.

Total fines inflicted by headmen, which decreased from Rs. 5,000 in 1900
to Rs. 3,000 in 1901 and Rs. 2,000 in 1902 in consequence of insistence on
moderation, averaged Rs. 3,000 till 1910 and have since varied between Rs.
7,000 and Rs. 10,000 per annum.

For the suppression of cattle theft eleven villages were fined during the
three years 1902-03-04 under the Track Law, but ,in spite of cattle theft still
being rife, no further action was taken under this section until 1911. The
Commissioner of Sagaing Division says: "The Track Law is not the simple
business it used to be 25 years ago. In those days one could gallop alone the
track of the raided herds. At the present time one or two head of cattle are
stolen from the grazine ground, which in Upper Burma means the scrub-jungle.
When the animal was taken, and in which
176 SHWEBO DISTRICT

direction it has been carried off, no one can say and it is therefore impossible
to use the Track Law except in isolated eases." In 1911 one village was fined,
in 1912 four, in 1913 two (a total fine of Rs. 1,290), and in 1915 and 1919 one
only. Fines other than under the Track Law have been inflicted on a few
villages every year, by far the highest number in one year being in 1906, 20
villages (Rs. 1,477 total fine), and in 1907, 14 (Rs. 2,357 total fine). These
were largely fines on villages suppressing evidence in cases where telegraph
insulators were broken and other want on damage caused to Government
property. The heaviest fine in twenty years has been a total of Rs. 3,540 on two
villages in 1910. As there are no detailed records the incidence of the fine is
not known. There were no fines in 1920, three in 1921 and one, on account of
the suppression of evidence in a murder case, in 1922.

Two or three years after the annexation a proposal was made in Ye-u
district that the priesthood should be regula ted and Gaing-oks should be
appointed whose monastic jurisdiction would be conterminous with
subdivisions. Thus the Wethaw Sayadaw would have been given authority over
the south subdivision, including Ye-u and the Gwegon Sayadaw over the north.
Under the Gaing-oks, Gaingdauks were to be appointed with jurisdictions of
Thwethauks. Nothing came of the proposal.

Civil Administration.

The civil administration of the district is in the hands of the Deputy

Commissioner for the district, three Sub divisional Officers. who are usually
either Assistant Commissioners or Extra Assistant Commissioners for the
subdivisions and eight Township Officers, who are usually Myooks, for the
townships.

The Deputy Commissioner is ex-offcio District Magis trate, Revenue

Collector under the Land and Revenue Regulation, the Stamp and Excise Acts,
Collector of Income-tax, Registrar, and Inspector of Factories.

The Revenue Department of the Deputy Commissioner's Office is

superintended by an Akunwun who is usually a Myook. In the Land Records
Department work is extremely heavy, and the Superintendent has usually two.
Assistant Superintendents to help him. Revenue admin istration is dealt with in
Chapter X.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 177

For Excise purposes the district forms part of the charge of the
Superintendent of Excise, Katha. There is no Excise official in the district. The
nearest opium shop is at Katha.

There is a District Treasury in charge of a Treasury Officer, who is also

Headquarters Magistrate, and a Sub treasury at each township headquarters in
charge of the Township Officer.

The institution of District Council and Circle Boards has relieved the
Deputy Commissioner of direct responsibility for the control and expenditure
of the District Fund including the management of bazaars, slaughter houses,
and ferries, which are the main sources of revenue and the maintenance and
improvement of communications, on which the bulk of the fund is spent. (See
Chapter XI.)

Departments. not under the Deputy Comissioner's direct control.

Departments not under the Deputy Commissioner's direct control are

Public Works, Irrigation, Forests, Education, Posts and Telegraphs, Veterinary,
Hospitals and Jails.

In the first seven of these departments the district falls within the following
circles and divisions :

(i) North East Circle of the Public Works Department Roads and Buildings
Branch, within which Shwebo is the headquarters of the Shwebo Division with
four subdivisions: Headquarters, Ye-u, Sagaing and Ruby Mines, stretching
over the whole of the Shwebo and Sagaing Civil districts and the Mogok
subdivision of Katha district. (See Chapter III.)

(ii) The Northern Irrigation Circle, within which Shwebo is the

headquarters of the Shwebo and Ye-u Canal Divisions: the first with three, and
the second with two subdivisions. (See Chanter IV.)

(iii) The Chindwin Forest Circle within which. Shwebo is the headquarters
of the Mu Division, with five Ranges: Ye-u and Kyunhla in this district, and
three in Katha district; and the Shwebo Division with four Ranges. Shwebo
and Kanbalu in this district and two in Katha district. The forests west of the
Mu-Chindwin divide are in the Lower Chindwin Division. (See Chapter V.)
178 SHWEBO DISTRICT

(iv) The Sagaing Education Circle, in which Shwebo is the headquarters of

Shwebo (A) Sub-circle, and Kanbalu is the headquarters of Shwebo (B) Sub-
circle. (See Chapter XII.)

(v) The Northern Postal Division, of which Shwebo is the headquarters,

with two subdivisions: Shwebo for Shwebo and Ruby Mines (Mogok) and
Myitkyina for Katha, Myitkyina, Bhamo and Putao. (See Chapter VII.)

(vi) The Mandalay Telegraph Division. (See Chapter VII.)

(vii) The Sagaing Division of the Veterinary Department within which

Shwebo is the headquarters of an Inspector's charge, with a Veterinary
Assistant for each Township. (See Chapter IV.)

Hospitals are dealt with in Chapter XIII. Police, Criminal Justice, Civil
Justice, Jails and Registration remain to be dealt with below.

Some account of the Military and Military Police will first be given. The
total of Military and Police Forces including the Civil Police was at its highest
in 1888, when it was 2,900; 1,650 in Shwebo district, and 1,250 in Ye-u
district. By 1910 the numbers had been reduced to 1,750 and by 1920 to 1,600.
In 1923 there were 500, of which 394 were Civil Police.*

Military.

The first garrison of Shwebo forced it away into the town on 23rd
December 1885, and from there the first garrison for Ye-u marched out on 1st
May 1886. The distribution of the garrisons in the two districts in June 1886
was as follows :

At Shwebo---

Officers. Other ranks.

No. 9 Battery, 1st Brigade
Cinques Ports Division, Royal
Artillery 2 25
1st Battalion, Royal Welsh
Fusiliers 1 173
2nd Madras Lancers 1 16
5th Battalion, Bombay Light
Infantry 1 112
Madras Sappers and Miners … 4

* Further reductions have since been made.

SHWEBO DISTRICT 179

At Ye-u---

Officers. Other ranks.

1st Battalion, Royal Welsh

Fusiliers 1 63
2nd Madras Lancers 1 15
21st Madras Infantry 2 154
Madras Suppers and Miners … 25

At Kyaukmyaung (established early to protect communications with

Mandalay.)

Officers. Other ranks.

1st Battalion, Royal Welsh

Fusiliers … 31
5th Battalion, Bombay Light
Infantry … 62
12th Madras Infantry 1 71

At Sheinmaga (established in May in consequence of Nga Yaing's

activities and shortly taken over by the Sagaing Command)

Officers. Other ranks.

5th Bombay Light Infantry 1 113

Madras Sappers and Miners … 15

In the early days the troops in Shwebo were encamped among the pongyi-
kyaungs east of the moat near the present Deputy Commissioner's house and
the Club. A site for cantonments was selected north-east of the town, and in
1889-90 six half-company barracks and family quarters for a battalion of
British Infantry, a hospital and quarters for British Officers were erected.
Various other buildings were added, and during the next two years roads were
metalled and trees planted along the sides. In 1892 the improvement of the
water-supply was undertaken, and this was completed in 1897. The site has
always enjoyed a reputation as a healthy cantonment. The following is a list
furnished by the Quartermaster General in India (unfor tunately incomplete as
full records are not available) shewing the regiments that have been stationed
at Shwebo.
180 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Shwebo Cantonments were vacated in March 1921 :

British Units.

2nd Battalion, Prince of Wales'

Yorkshire Regiment 1893-1895
2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment 1900-1901
1st Battalion, East Kent Regiment 1901-1902
1st Battalion, East Yorkshire
Regiment 1903-1906
2nd Battalion, King's Own Royal
Lancaster Regiment 1906-1908
2nd Battalion, The Royal Welsh
Fusiliers 1908-1911
2nd Battalion, East Surrey
Regiment 1911-1914
Wing, 2/5th Battalion, Somerset
Light lntantry 1915-1917
Headquarters and two Companies,
1st Garrison Battalion, Royal
Irish Fusiliers 1917-1918

Indian Units.

91st Punjabis 1892-1894

Two Companies, 89th CarnaticInfantry 1915-1919
Headquarters and two Companies, Carnatic Infantry 1919-1919
4/70th Burma Rifles 1919-1921
Depot, 1/70 th Burma Rifles 1920-1921

Military Police.

The first batches of the Military Police levy arrived in Shwebo on 28th
May 1886, and in Ye-u about the same time, unmounted and for the most part
untrained. Thosefor Shwebo numbered 69, of whom only 8 were trainedmen
and those for Ye-u, 111, of whom 15 were trained men.Ponies were to be
purchased in the districts. By the endof 1887 the Shwebo and Ye-u Battalions,
as they were thendesignated, numbered 181 and 118 all ranks, respectively.In
1888 the numbers were 686 and 499; in 1889, 775 and645. During these years
their duties were purely military
SHWEBO DISTRICT 181

and there were many encounters with dacoits. By 1890 all dacoit bands had
been broken up, but the Military Police numbers were not reduced until after
the Wuntho rebellion, when, in December 1891, the Shwebo Battalion posts
were taken over by the Mandalay Battalion, the latter Battalion remaining at its
former strength. In 1893 Ye-u district was added to the Lower Chindwin
Battalion command, the Ye-u Battalion being absorbed, and numbers
remaining the same. In 1894 the Lower Chindwin Battalion took over the
Shwebo posts, reducing the posts in Ye-u, Sagaing and Monywa for this
purpose. The strength of the Lower Chindwin Battalion in these four districts
was then 1,127. In 1895 the Ye-u district was abolished, but the command
remained the same. In July 1900 the new Shwebo Battalion was formed with
headquarters at Shwebo. The command embraced the Shwebo, Sagaing and
Katha districts. The strength was just over one thousand about half being in
Shwebo district. By 1905 the number had dropped to 910, or one man per
14'70 square miles of area served and one man for every 756 of the population.
In 1911 the Battalion strength was 1,066; 412 being in Shwebo district. By
1920 the total strength had fallen to 698. On 1st March 1923 the Battalion was
disbanded, and its posts were taken over by the North-West Border Battalion
which at present has three posts with a total strength of one Assistant
Commandant and 125 other ranks in the district.

Posts.

Besides headquarters at Shwebo the posts occupied by the Shwebo

Battalion in 1891 were fourteen, viz., Myemun, Tantabin, Methe, Kanbalu
(over 30 in strength), Myedu, Ywatha, Kyaukmyaung (over 20) and Thityabin,
Magyigon, Zigon, Kin-u, Paukkan, Myindaw and Okpo (under 20).
Shwekugyi, Taukashat, Onbauk, Ywathit, Kabwet, Kawthandi, Nyaungbintha,
Male, Sheinmaga and others had previously been occupied but had been
abandoned or handed over to the Civil Police. Consequent on the annexation of
the Wuntho State in this year the posts in the Katha district as far north as
Kawlin were also occupied by the Shwebo Battalion. In 1893, after the
Mandalay Battalion had taken over the district, only Shwebo, Kanbalu, Let
panda, Methe, Pazi, Sheinmaga and Zigon (Tantabin) were occupied. In Ye-u
district in 1891 there were 10 posts: Yabin, Paluzawa, Kyunhla, Tabayin,
Mayagan, Okshingyi,
182 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Nabetgyi, Yebon (moved to Nanwindaw) and two others. The last four named
were abandoned during the year for Ainggyi, Chaungzauk and Naunggauk
(moved to Thekkegyin) on the Wuntho frontier. Paungdaunggu, Nagabo and
Kunon are among the other posts occupied on previous occasions.

The Shwebo Battalion raised in 1910 has had posts at Shwebo, Ye-u and
Kanbalu only. In 1911 the strength of these were: Shwebo 10 Subadars and
Jemadars, 20 Havildars, 10 Naiks and 285 Sepoys, totalling 325; Kanbalu 1
Jemadar, 1 Havildar, 1 Naik and 19 Sepoys totalling 22, and Ye-u 1 Jemadar, 3
Havildars, 5 Naiks and 56 Sepoys totalling 65; grand total 412. In 1923 these
were reduced to,Shwebo: 5 Subadars and Jemadars, 5 Havildars, 2 Naiks,and
52 Sepoys totalling 64; Kanbalu, 1 Havildar, 1 Naik and 23 Sepoys and Ye-u,
1 Havildar, 1 Naik and 14 Sepoys;grand total 105.

Active Service.

The military and semi-military operations of the early years after the
annexation have been outlined in Chapter II. In 1888 and 1889 numerous
encounters with dacoits occurred in the two districts, notably at Myohla, where
the military police acted in concert with 20 mounted infantry of the Cheshire
Regiment, and at Ywatha in Shwebo district, and at Saga, Mayagan,
Madaunggyi and Saingbyin in Ye-u district. Setbacks were not numerous. In
July 1888 a ration party was ambushed between Kabwet and Kanbalu. In the
same year a disaster occurred in Ye-u district where, in contravention of the
orders of the Chief Commissioner, a small picket of 10 men were put out at
Ywashe village on the edge of a forest in a building exposed to attack and
without proper stockading. The picket was surprised by againg of dacoits and
six of the picket were killed and two wounded. One snider rifle was taken by
the dacoits who were driven off by the arrival of mounted military police from
Saingbyin distant two miles. In 1890 the only engagement reported was the
setting on fire of Kyunhla post by dacoits, who escaped. Armedbands no
longer existed. In 1891 the Shwebo Military Police took a prominent part in
the suppression of the Wuntho rebellion. Captain (now General) Keary's march
and subsequent rout of the rebels at Kawlin with but a handful of men
practically
SHWEBO DISTRICT 183

nipped the rebellion in the bud. The Ye-u Battalion also took part, Captain
Hutchinson, the Battalion Commandant,being mortally wounded at Muna.
Military Police were called out from the Ye-u post in 1907 to suppress the
abortive Sedaw rising, after which the Ye-u post was increased by twenty men.
To reinforce the Military Police at Myinmu on the occasion of the rising of
Maung Than in 1910 two Indian officers and 69 other ranks were sent from
Shwebo, and in 1911 punitive posts were established at Pegu (Sagaing) and
Shwebangon (Wetlet towr. ship) of 23 rifles each.

Cost.

The cost of the Battalion in 1891 was, Shwebo, Rs. 2,44,607, Ye-u Rs.
2,05,895. In 1897 the Lower Chindwin Battalion comprising Lower Chindwin,
Sagaing and Shwebo districts, cost Rs. 2,65,794. In 1905 the Shwebo Battalion
comprising Sagaing, Shwebo, and Katha districts cost Rs. 2,55,176. This rose
to Rs. 2,87,771 in 1920. About 50 per cent of this concerns Shwebo. Figures
for cost for this district under the new organization of battalions are not
available, but the strength has decreased by 75 per cent with corresponding
reduction in cost.

Civil Police.

The raising of a Civil Police force was undertaken in 1887 for the detection
of crime and to act in concert with the Military Police. At first their duties were
almost military, and at this they excelled. It was many years before they could
be said to be carrying out their civil duties of investigation and detection of
crime with any degree of efficiency. Most, if not all, of the men in Ye-u district
were mounted. They were armed with Enfield rifles which the District
Superintendent of Police was most anxious to exchange for snider carbines, the
impossibility of reloading the Enfield on horseback being the objection to the
weapons. It was a head constable and 28 men of this force that in 1888
captured the camp of Nga Mye Gyi, the Bo Gyok, a dacoit of renown under
Burmese rule, the last surviving leader of the annexation times. This was only
achieved after a sharp fight in which Bo Mye Gyi was killed. There were many
other illustrations of the courage of the force to face dacoits and fight them.
The weak point for many years was lack of discipline. There was a tendency to
184 SHWEBO DISTRICT

leave the force when the ploughing and harvest season came on.

In order to teach the men to act independently from the first and not to rely
on the support of the Military Police, an early attempt was made to establish
them in independent posts. Before the end of 1887 there were 10 such posts in
Ye-u district, though only one had been established in Shwebo district. At the
commencement of 1888 the ex periment of placing men in lines at
headquarters, giving them charge of their own lock-up stores,, arms,
ammunition, treasure, etc., and making them wholly responsible for the
keeping of the same was attempted. The Burmans found it irksome, but soon
came to understand and appreciate the trust. There were no escapes from
Burman headquarters cages and no loss of arms, ammunition and treasure. The
present Civil Police lines were built in 1892-93 at a cost of Rs. 39,500.

The force is recruited and trained locally, training schools having been first
opened in Ye-u in 1890 and in Shwebo in April 1893. Figures for the earlier
years are not available, but in the years 1910 to 1915 there seems to have been
great difficulty in keeping the force up to sanc tioned strength. Resignations
from the force in 1914 owing to discontent numbered 32, the majority from
Shwebo town. This the District Superintendent of Police attributed largely to
the expense of living in Shwebo and the unpopularity of headquarters work.
Police and village headmen were urged to seek for recruits, and in 1916 the
force was up to sanc tioned strength. In 1922 it was 13 below strength. In 1923
there was a waiting list. On the outbreak of war in 1914 Civil Police were
called upon to take the place of Military Police in many duties such as escort
duties over treasure and prisoners, there having been demands for the Military
Police outside the district. The Commissioner commented on the efficiency
with which these duties were performed.

Strength.

In 1888 the force consisted of 1 District Superintendent of Police, 1

Assistant Superintendent of Police and 307 other ranks in Shwebo district, and
1 District Superinten dent of Police, 1 Assistant Superintendent of Police and
258 other ranks at Ye-u. Of these 3 in Shwebo and 114 in Ye-u were mounted.
In 1891 the force had increased to
SHWEBO DISTRICT 185

407 other ranks in Shwebo (70 mounted), and 278 in Ye-u (126 mounted). In
1895 consequent on the amalgamation of the districts the numbers were
reduced to 1 District Superintendent of Police, 2 Assistant Superintendents and
525 other ranks. In 1900 the strength was 1 District Superintendent of Police, 2
Assistant Superintendents and 475 other ranks. Since 1905 there have been no
Assistant Superintendents of Police stationed at Shwebo. The sanc tioned
strength has gradually been reduced. and is now 1 District Superintendent or
Police and 400 other ranks. There are now 20 mounted men, a decrease from
the num bers recently employed, 41 in 1911, 50 in 1916, and 48 in 1918. The
proportion of police to the area of the district is one man to every 14'25 square
miles and to population one man to 975 persons. There are 26 Indian Police
appointed for employment among the Indian population. They are not of a
good type.

Cost.

The total cost of the police decreased from Rs. 1,86,889 in the two districts
in 1891 to Rs. 1,46,308 in 1895 and Rs. 1,13,342 in 1900. Since then owing to
improvement in pay it has risen steadily, and in 1922 was Rs. 1,85,337.

Posts.

In 1910 there were 18 police stations and 10 outposts. This had been
reduced to 15 police stations and 11 outposts in 1915 and the number is now
14 police stations and 4 out posts. The police stations are at Shwebo,
Kyaukmyaung, Kin-u, Sheinmaga, Wetlet, Ywatha, Kanbalu, Kyatthin, Zigon,
Kyunhla, Ye-u, Tabayin, Mugan and Taze. Shwebo, Kanbalu and Ye-u are
armed police stations.

Beat Patrols.

The beat patrol system found early favour in the district and was in
working order in 1891. Up to the end of 1923 patrols visted all the important
villages and a number of cases yearly may be credited to them. They collected
the vital statistics in all villages. The abolition of the beat patrol system at the
end of 1923 has synchronised with a startling increase in crime not only in this
district but throughout the Province. Whether this is merely a coincidence it is
too early to decide.

River Police.

River patrols are employed to patrol the river in the early years after the
annexation and were of much value in preventing dacoits from crossing the
river and evading their pursuers. These were not from district establishments.
186 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Railway Police.

The railway police is a separate force. It was created in 1890. Its

jurisdiction is confined to railway land. Shwebo is the headquarters of an
Inspector.

Punitive Police.

In May 1888 one Head Constable and 10 Constables were quartered on the
village of Pindin, a village four miles from Kin-u, as a punitive force for one
year. The residents of this village persisted in assisting the dacoits with
information, arms, money and food.

In June of the same year it was found necessary for the punishment of a
few disaffected villages in the extreme south of the district, and for the
protection of the neigh bouring loyal villagers against the dacoit leaders Nga
Yaing and others whom the disaffected villages persisted in befriending, to
quarter 1 Head Constable and 2 Sergeants and 28 men in the villages.

In 1911 a force of 1 Havildar, 2 Naiks and 20 Sepoys was imposed on the

villages of Shwebangon, Hladaw, Thayet kyo North, Thayetkyo South, Pyun-u
and Thabaukkon, all on the southern border of the district, in Wetler township
for two years at a total cost of Rs. 19,993 on account of the complicity of the
inhabitants in the Myinmu rising of 1910. These were withdrawn after one
year, as the Shwebo villages were proved to be far less guilty than those in
Sagaing and Lower Chindwin districts.

In 1915 a force of one Inspector of Police and three Constables costing Rs.
3,370 was quartered on the village of Nyaungbingyidaw. The village had long
had a bad reputation. It was full of thieves and had characters who committed
crimes in other villages. These culminated in two dacoities towards the close of
1914.

Criminal Tribe.

One of the celebrated dacoit Bo Yaing's contempo raries and lieutenants

was Tha Pwe. Three of his sons, still alive, carried on their father's work,
together with a large number of villagers from the Sheinmaga locality and the
neighbouring villages of Mandalay and Sagaing districts. By this time dacoity
had deteriorated to the class of crime met with now, but there is no doubt that it
was a survival of the turbulence of the annexation days continued by
descendants of the old "patriots." Not until 1919 was com bined action by the
three districts taken, leading to about
SHWEBO DISTRICT 187

30 of the worst being gazetted as a Criminal Tribe, with the restrictions and
penalties which that means. Since then, practically without exception, they
have kept quiet.

True Cognizable Offences reported to the Police, 1913 to Crime. 1922

All cogniz-.
able offences
(except Robbery
offences and Ordi-
under Murder house. nary
Year special and and Dacoity breaking house Cattle
local laws attemp- sections break- theft
declared ted 458 to ing
cognizable murder 460, I.P.
and public C.
nuisances)

1913 1,232 3 … 9 65 52
1914 1,136 10 1 6 95 56
1915 1,133 9 1 9 90 65
1916 1,161 4 1 8 85 44
1917 1,016 9 2 3 80 47
1918 1,109 14 1 11 94 36
1919 1,143 14 5 12 112 54
1920 1,332 17 4 16 115 45
1921 1,255 19 4 14 157 80
1922 1,235 15 2 15 126 51

As the table above shows, crime in the district is comparatively light. The
worst centres are probably Shwebo town and Wetlet township. The figures for
violent crime have decreased largely since the early years after the annexation.
Thus in 1889 the total number of dacoities and robberies in the two districts
was 125. Many of these offences were however committed by men from
Wuntho. Since 1919 there has been a tendency for the number of violent
crimes to increase. The total number of dacoities is however insignificant.
According to the District Super intendent of Police many of the robberies are
quite unpre meditated. "A lot of them are highway robberies on
188 SHWEBO DISTRICT

bazaar women, carts, etc., carried out in a spirit of mischief or under the
influence of drink. The spiritual exaltation that the local reputation of a" lu
mike" raises in the breast of a young Burman, also turns him to this sort of
crime. It is too an easy way of recouping petty gambling losses. Failure to
detect such cases leads to an increase, as there are usually plenty of young
hooligans ready to imitate any one who has committed a robbery with
impunity," In a district in which there are nearly 350,000 head of cattle the
figures for cattle theft are not high. In the early days the district was notorious
for this form of crime, and following on the famine in 1891-92 the figures for
1892 and 1893 were 246 and 280 cases respectively. The existence of a fairly
important gang was discovered in 1921, but now-a-days organized theft by
gangs has almost disappeared. One man was recently convicted of nine
different thefts of cattle, of which only the last was reported to the Police.

Preventive Sections.

Figures for convictions under the preventive sections for 1889 and the
following years were 11, 2,0, 8,1 and 6 in Shwebo, and for 1890 onwards in
Ye-u 139, 7, 1,0 and 4. The number in 1889 is not recorded. The following
explains the large 1890 figure : "There is a very large increase in the number of
persons conditionally released on security under executive orders. The quiet
behaviour of these released dacoits is remarkable. "From 1895 onwards the
numbers were 3,10, 16 and 3. In the first decade of the century the average
number of convictions was 23 per year. During the last ten years the average
number has been 20, being about 70 per cent of the total number of cases
instituted. The percentage of convictions would be higher but for the large
number of men arrested on suspicion during the war years, who were not
properly bad livelihood cases. The years 1914, 1915 and 1916 shew the high
figures 40, 38 and 35. It is explained that on account of the unusually large
number of ridiculous rumours which were so readily believed by the Burmans
at the outbreak of war, an increase of crime was anticipated and action was
immediately taken under the preventive sections to check, it. The good effect
on the peace of the district was very marked. The sections have been found
invaluable in dealing with men who are organisers rather than active criminals.
It is the class of men against whom the cases are instituted that is of
importance. The District Superintendent of Police in 1913 remarks: "A
considerable number of ruffians residing in the neighbourhood of
SHWEBO DISTRICT 189

Nyaungbingyidaw on the Shwebo-Sagaing border have been disposed of, and

the greater tranquility enjoyed in the Wetlet, Sheinmaga and Ywatha Police-
station Jurisdictions would shew that the right men have been dealt with."

The Habitual Offenders Restriction Act is now applied more frequently

than the preventive sections of the Crimi nal Procedure Code and has been
found particularly effec tive in stopping house-breaking in Shwebo town.

Excise and Opium cases.

There is no excise staff in the district. The investigation and detection of

smuggling and hawking opium and of illicit distillation is done by the police
and village head men. There is no sign of opium becoming popular in the
district. Excise cases not being regarded as very heinous are to a great extent
connived at by the headmen.

Gambling Act.

There is much gambling in the district especially in the Kin-u and Shwebo
subdivisions. The District Superinten dent of Police remarks in 1920, the year
in which the largest number of convictions, 1,116 was recorded : " It will be
seen that fairly strong measures have been taken, and yet gambling is very
prevalent. More action will have to be taken under section 17, and it is in this
respect that t look to thugyis for assistance."

Rebellion.

Since the annexation the people of Shwebo have endea voured to maintain
their reputation as king-makers by more than one so-called rebellion, but these
have all been very unimportant affairs and serve chiefly to illustrate the
extraordinary credulity and superstition of the villagers concerned. A
blacksmith of Linbyu in Ye-u township, who had a wide reputation as a
Hmaw-saya in this and neigh bouring districts and who lived largely on the
profits accruing from the practice of necromancy, has been impli cated in each.

Early in 1904 this rascal established himself at Sagon village near the
Myinkwadaung hill north of Myedu and gave out that he was Namani Sithu,
king of Burma in the 12th century, and the celebrated blacksmith Maung Tin
De, and that the wives of the headmen and another villager were his two sisters
Dwe Hla and Dwe Byu, a rather muddled yarn. He then took up the story of an
old nun who
190 SHWEBO DISTRICT

had been seeing visions and had before announced that she was go ng to give
birth to a Minlaung (embryo prince) or a Payalaung and gave out that the child
would be born on the top of the Myinkwadaung. He said that, as Namani Sithu,
he would take the child to his house and act as regent till he became of age. He
would dig up the Royal Barge that has been lost at Aungswa. (The people of
Aungswa still say that this golden boat is occasicnally seen in the river, and
that various people have attempted to drag it out but for various reasons have
been unable to do so.) He would perform numerous other marvels. The child
would remain on the hill for a short time for true believers to pay homage, and,
when all was ready, water would come from the north, the south, the east and
the west, and they would descend the hill on a royal raft and float down t. he
old Mu canal. At Yegyi sakan, Nyaunglebin, they would bathe, and after
bathing, the child would at once becorre 15 years old. They would return and
settle in the Myedujurisdiction and then rule the country. The Thagya min
would build them a palace.

A large number of people believed all this nonsense, but several villagers
of Sagon, principally the Moh amedans, warned him to be careful, instancing
the fate of the Wuntho rebels in 1891. Tet Kywe answered that he was Namani
Sithu, and, if he was fired upon, he would turn the bullets into mud pellets, and
if he, on the other hand, threw stones, they would become bullets. "I have only
to hold up my hand to turn anyone before me into water, and if I stamp on the
ground all will disappear." Accompanied by the headmap, a pongyi and the
nun he then repaired to the Myinkwadaung where three zayats were built and
preparations made for th.e birth. The day cn which the birth was to take place
passed, and crowds st'll continued to visit him. This was the state of affairs
when the Distiict Superintendent of Police, Mr. Sherman, heard of what was
taking place, went to the hill, arrested Tet Kywe and the headman, and rut a
stop to further pranks. Thet Kywe was put on security under section 108 of the
Criminal Procedure Cede.

In 1906 Tet Kywe was again put on security for trying to materialize
another Minlaung. He collected money
SHWEBO DISTRICT 191

and started repairing a pagoda in Linbyu and gave out that when it was
finished a prince would come and worship it and would rule the country.

In April 1907 the affairs known as the "Sedaw rebellion" took place. To
quote the words of the District Superintendent of Police, "a young man,
dressed in a red and green silk putso riding on an iron grey mare, rode into the
police compound at Sedaw outpost at the head of forty men, armed with
crossbows, spears and dahs, and called out that he was Minlaung Buddhayaza
and ordered the head constable to do homage to him on his knees and
surrender his dah and join his following." The police post retired some thirty
miles and warning telegrams were freely exchanged between administrative
officers, but the Minlaung ventured no further. He absconded, and most of his
followers were captured without any difficulty. They were found to be local
men from the Hnaw tract. The pretender's name was Nga Myin of Poungmyo
village in the Yaw tract of the Pakokku district. Tel Kywe was again
implicated and was deported under section 13 of the Village Act.

Maung Than's rebellion at Myinmu in the Sagaing district occurred in

1910. Tet Kywe was said to have given him the lucky, or rather unlucky, date.
Earlier in the year Maung Than had contemplated entering Shwebo. He
actually marched towards, and got near to, the town with a following armed
with dahs, but "as they failed to get hold of the nat pony promised" they did
not attack. The villagers between Wetlet and Shwebo east of the rail way were
on the verge of acknowledging him. Directly the rebellion broke out at
Myinmu the District Superinten dent of Police ordered out men from the
Sheinmaga, Wetlet and Ywatha police-stations to arrest absconders from
Maung Than's gang, and on hearing that he was on his way to Shwebangon
rode out to that village with 26 Mili tary Police and thereby probably prevented
any of the villagers in this district actively supporting him. Punitive police
were quartered on Shwebangon village for a period in consequence of the
complicity of its inhabitants.

The last affair occurred in 1922 when Wunthanu, or nationalist associations

had been organized throughout the
192 SHWEBO DISTRICT

district, and Tet Kywe had made himself head of a group of some eleven
societies round Zeyawaddy and Linbyu in the west of the Ye-u township. From
April 1922 Tet Kywe was engaged in a campaign to enlarge his already
consider able reputation as a magician, and convince the people that he was a
Minlaung and that a rebellion would take place in February 1923. This was not
difficult. He expounded his supernatural powers at numerous meetings. He
professed to be able to convert pauk-pauk, or parched rice, into armed men,
and, with a pyi of cooked rice, feed a hundred of them. "Burma's day has
come," he said, "wait until Tabodwe. Ni-ga-ma-thaung (a play on the words
Naung-ga-hrna-thi "later you will know"); in Tabodwe I will light enchanted
candles and I shall be transfigured as the Setkya Min, King of the Universe.
Fight for my cause and turn not back. Burma's day has come. Myanma-kit-
paw-byi." As his chief minister (Amatchok) he chose Maung Aung Myat, and
his other ministers (amats) Maung Po Than, Maung Kyaw Zeya, Maung
Pyaung Kaing and Maung Tin. All five were officers of the Linbyu and
Aunggezin Nationalist societies, and at a meeting he expounded the latent
meaning of their names, Aung Myat meant "high success," Po Than "separate,"
to separate the heretics. Kyaw Zeya meant "bound to succeed ", a name similar
to Aung Zeya, the hero of Shwebo, who defeated the Talaings. Pyaung Kaing
meaning" change" and" confirm" signified the overthrow of the heretic
government and the establishment of the new orderof things, and Tin meant" to
settle down "or" save" the Burmans. The four ministers were elected at a
meeting held at Min-te-kyaung, which Tel Kywe said he had chose as Namani
Sithu Min (King of Burma in the twelfth cen tury) had sojourned (te) there, and
the presiding Pongyi of the kyaung was U Maga, meaning Thagya, King of the
Celestials. Maung Aung Myat was elected chief minister at Aung-ge-zin, in the
Aung-ge-zin-pongyi-kyaung, the three Aungs or "successes" ensuring good
fortune (the number three also being lucky). Numerous other meetings were
held, and Aung ,Myat fed the villagers with fried cakes, mon-si-gyaw, gyaw
also meaning "famous." The super stitious and credulous villagers believed it
all. During August and September Tet Kywe toured among the wild.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 193

and sparsely populated tracts on the Upper Chindwin border. He preached his
supernatural powers and his coming transfiguration in Tabodwe (February
1923) and distributed magic medicine, on consumption of which a man would
become proof against all weapons and invisible. Only those, he said, who had
eaten his medicine would be able to follow him after he had become Setkya-
Min. It may be noted that he retailed his foul smelling medicine at Rs. 2 a tin.
Finally on October 13th, a procession was held at the annual festival at the
Chaung-u pagoda in Aung gezin village tract in which the figure of a Burman
with a crown on its head (which the prosecution later held to be a King and the
defence a Buddha) was carried. Maung Aung Myat headed the procession
wearing a long Burmese coat called a Tairig-ma-thein (the Burmese Court
dress now normally worn at Durbars) and attended by the ministers. The
Township and Subdivisional Officers were already aware of what was going
on and had informed the Deputy Commissioner, and before anything further
occurred, Tet Kywe and his five ministers were arrested. They were tried
before the District Magistrate and were found guilty of conspiring to wage war
against the King, Tet Kywe being sentenced to six years' rigorous
imprisonment, Aung Myat, five years, and the other four, four years each.

Criminal Justice.

The District Magistrate has until 1922 been relieved of much of his work
by a Senior Magistrate who before 1914 divided his time between Shwebo and
Sagaing. Of recent years the Senior Magistrate has taken the greater number of
special power cases, in 1921 trying 78 out of a total of 81 cases. There is now
no Special Power Magis trate, and apart from the executive officers, the only
stipen diary magistrate at headquarters is the Headquarters Magistrate who is
also Treasury Officer, Joint Registrar and Additional Judge of the Township
Court of Shwebo.

At the end of 1922 there were 17 stipendiary magistrates in the district, 9

with first class powers, 5 with second class powers and 3 with third class
powers. Before the abolition of the Ye-u district there had been 11 stipendiary
magis trates in Shwebo and 8 in Ye-u. After the amalgamation the number fell,
and was 15 in 1899. Between 1894 and 1921 there was a Cantonment
Magistrate who tried about a score of cases a year.
194 SHWEBO DISTRICT

The total number of cases for disposal, which was about 800 in Shwebo
and 400 in Ye-u before the districts were amalgamated, now averages about
2,000, no great change being discernible in recent years. (See Volume B.) The
total number of persons tried yearly, has risen from 116 and 34 in Shwebo and
Ye-u districts in 1890, and 899 and 424 in 1894, to an average of four or five
thousand in recent years. Of the average 2,000 or more cases for disposal about
1,200 or 60 per cent are under the Indian Penal Code. Of these again about one
third are under Chapter XVI, Offences against the Human Body, and half
under Chap ter XVII, Offences against Property. There is little violent crime.
Simple hurt cases averaged 240 in the last four years, grievous hurt 45,
criminal force and assault 52. Twenty-five per cent of the offences against
property are under simple theft. It is noticeable that of the persons accused of
offences affecting life something like 30 per cent are under 20 years of age and
40 per cent between 20 and 30. The majority of the cases under Special and
Local Laws fall under the Gambling Act, Excise Act (both of which have
shown a decrease in the last twenty years) and the Village Act (which shows
an increase). Cases under the Forest Act have shown a marked increase, due to
the activity of the Forest Department officials. The percent age of convictions
was always low in comparison with other districts. It has averaged 52 per cent
in recent years.

Honorary Magistrates.

The first Honorary Magistrate was appointed in 1897. During the five years
before 1917 the Shwebo Bench of Honorary Magistrates tried from 73 to 238
cases per year. In that year two new benches at Ye-u and Kanbalu were
established, but the total number of cases tried decreased owing chiefly to
composition of cases by the Shwebo Municipality and numerous petty cases
being tried by officers under training. There are now three benches with second
class powers at Shwebo, Ye-u and Kanbalu and one third class Honorary
Magistrate at Tamadaw.

Civil Justice.

The Deputy CommisSioner is no longer ex-officio District Judge. Since

18th December 1922 he has been relieved of his judicial duties on the civil side
by a District and Sessions Judge for Shwebo, Lower Chindwin and Katha
districts. The Subdivisional Officers have no civil judicial functions. The three
subdivisional courts have,
SHWEBO DISTRLCT 195

since 1st July 1920, been amalgamated under a Subdivis ional Judge, who is
also Additional District Judge, sitting at Shwebo. The separation of executive
and judicial functions has not yet been extended to townships whet e all
Township Officers are ex-officio Judges of their Township Courts. There is an
Additional Township Judge at Wetlet. The Township Judge, Shwebo, has
Small Cause Courts jurisdiction up to Rs. 50 in Shwebo Municipality. The
Treasury Officer and Headquarters Magistrate is ex-officio Additional
Township Judge for Shwebo.

Civil Regular suits in Subdivisional Courts

Year Shwebo Kanbalu Ye-u

Average for 1917-18-19 25 8 6

Sitting 1920 50 12 5
At 1921 75 11 6
Shwebo. 1922 51 14 4

Civil Regular suits in Township Courts

A.T.J.,
Year Shwe Wet Kin-u Kan Kyun Ye-u Taba- Taze Shwe-
bo let balu hla bo

1919 327 259 130 290 63 170 103 51 156

1920 324 343 239 268 58 155 14 109 143
1921 354 335 204 316 40 208 16 70 202
1922 236 428 235 386 54 298 151 78 162

The total number of Civil Regular suits which averaged about 1,600 before
the war was greatly reduced during 1917-18-19 by decline in the paddy trade
and general finan cial stringency. The number has since risen to 1,995 ni 1922,
the total value of suits in that year being Rs. 3,71,947.

The majority of the 108 headmen with special civil powers do not exercise
them at all. The few cases that are tried, 190 in 1921 and 73 in 1922, are taken
by a small percentage.
196 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Accommodation for the Civil Courts in Shwebo has been cramped for
many years. The new District and Sessions Court now being built opposite the
Deputy Commissioner's Court on the site of the old Public Works Department
office will improve matters.

Jail.

In 1888 a lock up to hold 50 prisoners was erected. The following year it

was converted into a District Jail, and the walls of the present jail and the
necessary buildings inside were completed in 1891-92 at a cost of Rs. 68,056.
The jail stands on the site of Alaungpaya's Palace. A large tamarind tree in the
centre of the compound is pointed out as one of the landmarks, and the tank
near the warders' lines is said to have been the Royal Bathing Tank. The jail
has accommodation in two dormitories for 231 prisoners. There is
accommodation also in the undertial ward for 15, the female ward 5, the cells
15, and the jail hospital 13. Only once during the last ten years has the
population exceeded the accommodation and then only for a few days.

The average jail population for the last ten years has been : male convicts,
99, 208, 223, 204, 201, 144, 145, 138, 153, 209, female convicts about 1,
undertrials about 20, and civil prisoners 1 or 2. The Civil Surgeon of the
district is in charge of the jail as Superintendent, with a subordinate staff of 3
jailors and 19 warders. There is a jail hospital with beds for 13 attended by a
Sub Assistant Surgeon from the Civil Hospital. Tbe health of the jail has been
good. There have been no epidemics and there have only been six deaths
during the last ten years. No serious disturbances of any kind are on record.
There have been three escapes, one in 1898 and two in 1903. Blacksmith's
work, carpentry, wheat-grinding, paddy-grinding, and cane-work are the
principal occupa tions of the prisoners. Minor occupations, among others, are
skin-curing, aloe pounding and gardening. The garden lies outside the walls on
three sides and has an area of 8'61 acres of which only 5'25 acres are under
cultivation. Vegetables are grown for sale in the bazaar as well as for
consumption in the jail. An average profit of Rs. 966, or more than one-quarter
of the total earnings of the prisoners, is derived from this source. The average
total earnings per prisoner during the last ten years are estimated at Rs. 18,
bringing the average net cost per head down to Rs. 71.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 197

Registration.

The Deputy Commissioner is ex-officio Registrar, but is assisted by the

Headquarters Magistrate as Joint Registrar. There are Registration Offices also
at Kanbalu and Ye-u, where the Subdivisional and Township Officers are Joint
Sub-Registrars, and at Kyunhla, where the Township Officer is Sub-Registrar.
For a few years up to 1919 on an average 900 documents concerning
immovable property valued at about three lakhs of rupees were registered
yearly, the largest number being in 1916, when owing to numerous land
transactions with Co-operative Credit Societies in the Ye-u canal tract, 1,448
documents were registered valued Rs. 4,68,059. In 1920, 1,450 documents
valued Rs. 10,06,252 and in 1921, 1,737 documents valued Rs. 10,61,004 were
registered. The large increase both in number and value of documents
registered in recent years is due to mortgages of mills involving large sums,
purchase of land by the agents of Sir A. K. A. S. Jamal, the rise in value of
land, the operations of Co-operative Societies and extension of irrigation. The
number of documents relating to movable property registered annually before
1919 averaged 45 with a value of about Rs. 9,000. Figures for the last three
years have been:--

Year Number of documents Value

Rs.

1919 44 26,542
1920 55 40,585
1921 65 28,548

The large increase in value in 1920 is partly accounted for by one

transaction relating to goods valued at Rs. 9,000.

CHAPTER X

REVENUE ADMINISTRATION

Revenue administration in Burmese times.

As elsewhere in Upper Burma, there was prior to King Mindon's reign no

organized system of revenue collection. Under his predecessors the lower
provinces paid revenue
198 SHWEBO DISTRICT

which the King appropriated in its entirety. The officials who collected it
received no pay and supported themselves on the fees which they demanded
from suitors. The higher officials were made Myosas, and the King divided the
revenue of the myo with the Myosas. Upper Burma was generally exempt from
direct taxation. A considerable por tion of the land in this district was however
held on service tenure. The occupiers paid no revenue, but were liable for
service in a corps of ahmudans. The members of the corps not on service at the
capital paid nauktauk for the support of those actually serving. The nauktauk,
though in theory voluntary contribution, was in practice collected by the local
officials as though it were a regular tax. Persons who, were not connected with
any of the corps of ahmudans paid as revenue a tithe of the produce of the land
they cultivated. This tax was known as the kunmagye-ta-se. There was also a
tax known as kunbodaw or ngwedaw levied on the general population.

During Mindon Min's reign systematic taxation was first instituted, the
reason assigned being the numerous petitions from the people that the
extortions of the local officials were becoming unbearable. In 1864 the more
easily assessed thathameda was subsitituted for the kunmagye-ta-se and
ngwedaw, and salaries for officials were introduced. At first thathameda was
demanded at the rate of one rupee per household. In the following year the
demand was raised to three rupees from each house. In 1228 B.E. (1866 A.D.)
after the rebellion of the Padein Prince, the rate was raised in some villages to
eight rupees, in others to ten, and even, in the case or some rich villages, to
twelve rupees per household. The next year ten rupees was fixed as the all
round rate.

Other sources of revenue were the royal share of one quarter of the outturn
from royal lands, royal gardens, irrigation, monopolies, fairs and forest taxes.

The mode of collection of the thathameda tax introduced by Mindon Min

was as follows: The King's order for collection was conveyed to the
Windawhmu. He in turn
SHWEBO DISTRICT 199

issued orders to all the myowuns and to the myintat bo, who passed on the
instructions to the myothugyis and thugyis. These then submitted the
thathameda rolls, which technically were checked by the myingaungs and the
myowuns and then submitted to the Windawhmu, who passed them. Then
thamadis were appointed, and assessment by them and collection by the
myothugyis and thugyis began.

Objections to the thamadis' assessment were heard and determined by the

myothugyi or thugyi, from whose decision appeal lay to the myingaung or
myowun. If the thamadis took the oath and stated that the assessment was fair,
it was never interfered with. The money when collected was paid over to the
myingaungs and myowuns, who for warded it to the kayning-wun. It was
generally this officer who deducted and paid the commission and the amount
due for the salaries of the different officers including himself, and forwarded
the balance to the Akundaw officer at Manda lay where it was paid in after
being passed by the Taingda Mingyi.

Royal lands and irrigation tax.

The revenue from royal lands was collected by an officer called le-daw-ok,
appointed by the Hlut-daw. He was subordinate to the kayaing wun and
myowuns and took his orders from them. The title was changed to that of le-sa-
ye when the king demanded irrigation tax. The le-daw-ok, the thugyi, and the
ywalugyis estimated the probable out turn and submitted the statement to the
wuns, who checked it. The statement thus passed was forwarded by the ka
yaing-wun to the le-yon in Mandalay, and this department conveyed the orders
of the king as to the disposal of the revenue. Sometimes the revenue was sent
up in coin and sometimes in kind; occasionally orders were received to give
the paddy collected to the pongyis. The same course was adopted with regard
to the irrigation tax by the le-sa-ye, the only difference being the submission in
the first instance by the thugyis of the statement of lands irrigated. This was
checked by the le-sa-ya. The tax was collected by the thugyi and paid to the le-
sa-ye. The kayaing-wun then proceeded in the manner shown for revenue of
royal lands.
200 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Fisheries, ferries, forest tax, and monopolies.

The principal fisheries and ferries of the Shwebo dis trict are on the
Irrawaddy river and in the Kyaukmyaung circle. This circle was independent
of the myin-mye, the jurisdiction of the kayaing-wun, and dealt directly in
civil, criminal, and fiscal matters with the court in Mandalay. The revenue
derived from these sources was known during Burmese rule as the a-sut and a-
kauk tax. The last named consisted chiefly of cart tax, boat tax, and
commission agency tax.

The myothugyi of Kyaukmyaung invariably had the monopoly of these

four taxes from the revenue office in Mandalay, and paid for them a fixed sum
of Rs. 2,400, rendered in half-yearly instalments. He in turn sublet them to
others. The tax realized by the myothugyi was a fluc tuating one, dependent
upon the state of the river and the rainfall. The forest tax was fixed at the rate
of one rupee per dah. Cart tax was fixed at two annas for every cart used for
purposes of trade. The boat tax varied from one rupee to four annas per boat,
according to the articles traded in. There were four commission agencies, one
at each of the following places : Kyaukmyaung, Yedaw, Male, and Shagwe.
These four sources of revenue were of no great importance, yielding
comparatively small amounts.

The fisheries on the irrawaddy were until Mindon Min's reign claimed and
worked as bobabaing or private property, belonging to the familes of the
original fishermen. King Mindon, however, issued a rescript claiming the
fisheries for the crown, and from that date they became royal property.

Royal gardens.

The royal gardens never paid taxes to the revenue office in Mandalay. The
gardens were generally assigned to favourite Queens and Princesses for their
use for life. The gardeners were all appointed by the king and were invested
with the powers of a thugyi. They looked after the garden as well as the
village, when one was attached to the garden, and periodically presented the
royal lady to whom it was granted with a portion of the produce. The office of
the gardener was hereditary. There were nine gardens in the Shwebo district.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 201

Thathameda.

As far as it is possible to ascertain the actual figures in the absence of

proper statistical returns, the thathameda collections in 1869 and 1884-85 were
as follows :

Collections Number of Collections

Place in houses in Houses in
1869 1884-85 assessed 1884-85

Rs. Rs.

Tabayin 76,496 13,669 11,675 70,050

Yatanatheinga 1,20,728
(Shwebo). 22,861 19,411 1,16,466

Ngayane 7,720
Kawthandi.

Tantabin 6,556

Pyinsala-nga- 2,665 2,577 15,462

myo. 34,560

Thabuttaw 8,085 ... ... ...

chaukywa.
Kyaukmyaung 5,358 ... ... ...
Thitseingyi 1,896 ... ... ...

Ngabatchaung 1,312 ... ... ...

Sheinmaga 4,014
Myedu 32,944 8,014 6,390 44,730

Thissi-chauk- 1,504 ... ... ...

ywa.
Shwegyinsa 6,120 ... ... ...
(Shwe-ta-se-
thon-ywa).

Kyiwun wun- 8,000 ... ... ...

tha Ale
gyaung.
Thinkada 2,400 ... ... ...

District Total 3,17,693 47,209 40,053 2,46,708

202 SHWEBO DISTRICT

It is probable that jurisdictions not shown in 1884-85 were included under

either Yatanatheinga Myinne or other ne (e.g., Kyaukmyaung possibly under
Singu). The list indicates a clear decrease in Thibaw's time, due no doubt to the
lawlessness of the country. The 1891 census figures show a total of 48,225
houses. (Households are probably referred to in the third column above). The
thathameda demand in 1895 was Rs. 3,62,371 and between 1895 and 1905 it
averaged Rs. 5,01,600. The following accounts written on parabaik illustrate
how Rs. 18,855 of the thathameda of Tabyin wun-ship was disposed of in
1876:-

Households examined 11.765

Household exempted under the heads

Thugyis, Pongyis, the Forty (i.e, The
Mahale-se, therelations of the King) 2,417
slaves, etc.

Thenat-asu musketers' households 1,388

Nauktauk households deducted 6,054
Remaining households 1,906
At Rs. 10 per household Rs. 18,855
One half thugyis' 10 per cent commission 943
Remaining to be submitted 17,912

From which deduct:-

Rs.

Yatana Ywasa 1,000

Taungkwin Ywasa 600
Me-o Ywasa 600
Le-cha Mibaya Pwedaw 720
Kanbo Ywasa 600
Myoyo adaw (Keeper of the walls) 262
Ahlu to Yahans 4,440
Myo-wun's official pay 3,530
The revenue collector's pay 50
Petty cash spent in submitting revenue 70
Total expenditure 11,912
Remaining to be submitted 6,000
Submitted 6,000
SHWEBO DISTRICT 203

Royal lands.

Amounts collected from the royal paddy fields, cultivated grounds and
gardens in the year 1884:-

Place Pe Kaukkyi Mayin Total Payments .

paddy paddy baskets from gar-
of paddy dens, etc.

Rs.

Shwebo 1 ,312 ¾ 3,500 3,500 7,000 200

Tabayin 10 200 ... 200 ...
Tantabin 550 7,400 ... 7,400 ...
Pyinsala

Parabaik accounts show that about 60 per cent of the royal lands in Shwebo
were" eaten "by various people, the Sabenago Minthami, the Megawun
gardener, the Kandaing of the Mahanada tank, Myosas, Bos, etc. There were
royal granaries at Kabo, Halin, Kawdaw and Ywanan, 4 Ferries and fairs.

Ferries and Fairs.

Other receipts were the Mu ferry duty Rs. 1,000, and the Mu and Toktalok
toll duty Rs. 2,500.

Market booths at pagoda festivals were in some places leased.

Pagoda Place Date of

feast Rent

Rs.

Thihadaw The island in the Irrawa- Tagu 380

ddy south of Thabeik
kyin.
Shwegugyi Thitseingyi Tawthalin 32
Shwegugale Tabayin Thadin- 8
gyut
Shwemuttaw Do. Tazaung 8
mon.
Shwetawgyaung Do. Do. 32
Do. Butywa ... 36
Do. Mayagan Tagu 72
Ingyindaw Yatanatheinga Tabaung 260

Total 828
204 SHWEBO DISTRICT

The collection of these dues had originally fallen to the Wuns concerned,
but later the Mandalay revenue office farmed out the collections to contractors
who undertook to pay a fixed sum for the license to take fees. The license
besides paying a fixed rent to the Mandalay treasury had to bear all the
expenses of the fair, such as building stalls, holding pwes, and feeding the
officials who attended the fair. The collections from the bazaar stalls depended
upon the goods offered for sale. Each trade cart had to payeightannas.

Revenue system from the annexation to the introduction of the original

settlement (1907-08).

After the annexation, the thathameda tax and the rent on state land were
retained. Members of the corps of ahmudahs were no longer liable for service
or payment of nauk tank, but they had to pay thathameda. Thathameda was
assessed at the normal rate of Rs. 10 per household subject to reductions in
villages which suffered from drought in any particular year. The average
collections for the ten years 1895-1904 were Rs. 5,01,612 or Rs. 8'69 per
household assessed. Over ninety per cent of the total revenue was derived from
this source. State land revenue was assessed in the Ye-u subdivision at a fiat
rate of one rupee per tin-gye (four-fifths of an acre). This rate was
subsequently raised to Rs. 2 per acre owing to a misunderstanding as to the
size of the tin-gye unit of area. In the Shwebo and Kanbalu subdivisions the
assessment of state land was based on a proportion of the gross produce
converted into cash at prevailing market prices. Estimates of outturn were
made by headmen assisted by assessors. The fraction taken as revenue varied
from a fourth to an eighth. Non-state land paid no revenue but was assessed to
water rate when irrigated from a work maintained by Government. State land
paid no water rate. The land revenue paid by it was held to include the charge
for water. For the ten years 1895-96 to 1904-05 the average annual collections
of state and revenue amounted to Rs. 16,927 and water rate to Rs.39,111.

Original settlement of unirrigated portion of the district (1900-06).

The portion of the district lying outside the area irrigated by the Shwebo
Canal was settled between 1900 and 1906 by Mr. W. F. Grahame. The area for
settlement was divided into 29 assessment tracts, and separate main kinds were
formed for irrigated paddy land, unirrigated paddy land, spring rice land, ya
land, kaing land and garden land. Main
SHWEBO DISTRICT 205

kinds were further divided into soil classes. No differentiation was made in the
assessment of state and non-state land. The assessment was an assessment at
acre rates on the matured area. The rates proposed were generally soil rates,
though there were special crop rates for betel vine, onions and plantains and a
combination of soil rates and crop rates for crops grown on kaing land. The
rates proposed were based on an eighth of the net produce but in certain tracts
were subsequently raised by the Settlement Conference to a sixth of the net
produce. Toddy palms were assessed according to what was then a new
procedure. A lump sum demand based on a count of the trees tapped was
assessed on each village-tract. As all income from land was now assessed to
land revenue, the old thathameda tax in theory became a tax on income from
non-agricultural sources, and the previous uniform rate of ten rupees per
household was reduced. The rates proposed and accepted varied generally by
land revenue assessment tracts. These rates were Rs. 3, Rs. 4, Rs. 5, and Rs. 6
per household, the lowest rate being applied to the centre of the Ye-u
subdivision and the highest to villages along the Irrawaddy where the bulk of
the earnings were non-agricultural. In addition a few towns and villages, the
population of which was mainly non-agricultural, were assessed at special rates
varying from Rs. 6 to Rs. 10. In the result the revenue from all sources was
estimated at Rs. 7,25,087, an increase of Rs. 1,24,936 or twenty percent on the
revenue in the settlement year, Rs. 6,00,151. Owing, however, to the
settlement estimate being based on the cropped area instead of the matured
area it was not expected that the settlement would produce more revenue than
had been obtained under the old system. The event has shown that this view
was correct. Such increase in revenue as there had been in the unirrigated
portion of this district would have been obtained under the old thathameda
system owing to the increase in population that has taken place. When
allowance is made for the cost of the original survey and of the Land Records
establishment, the state has probably suffered a loss, but the incidence of the
assessment has been much more equitable than under the old system by which
a flat rate of ten rupees a household was applied to all villages.
206 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Settlement of the Shwebo Canal area (1908-10).

On the opening of the Shwebo Canal in 1906-07 interim rates with initial
remissions were applied in place of the former uniform thathameda rate of ten
rupees and revenue from state land. Water rate was assessed at a fiat rate of Rs.
4-8 per acre for irrigated winter rice and Rs. 3 per acre for irrigated spring rice.
The land revenue acre rates were state (wet) Rs. 1-6, state (dry) 14 annas, and
non-state (wet) Rs. 1, non-state (dry) ten annas. Thathameda was reduced from
ten rupees to three rupees in all except two villages. The area was brought
under regular settlement by Mr. C. H. Duffin between 1908 and 1910. The
canal area was divided into six tracts, of which three were irrigated and three
unirrigated. In respect of the main crop, irrigated winter rice, tract differences
were not reflected in the rates proposed. In the case of unirrigated paddy land
and ya land somewhat higher rates were applied to the two tracts adjacent to
the Mu river than to the rest of the area. Irrigated winter rice land was divided
into four soil classes and the rates finally adopted were based on 22 ½ per cent
of the gross produce for water rate and one-sixth of the net produce for land
revenue, water rate being included in the cost of cultivation in calculating the
net produce. The actual rates were: lst class Rs. 8 (water rate Rs. 5'.875, land
revenue Rs. 2'125), 2nd class Rs. 5'75 (water rate Rs. 4'375, land revenue Rs.
1'375), 3rd class Rs. 3'375 (water rate Rs. 2,875, land revenue Rs. 50), 4th
class Rs. 1'50 (water rate Rs. 1'25 and land revenue Rs. 25). The result of the
settlement was more equitable distribution of the demand. The interim fiat
rates had pressed very severely on land that was poorly irrigated. The total
from all sources, however, was left practically unaltered at Rs. 7,66,193. The
water rate demand was reduced by five per cent. On the other hand land
revenue was raised by 29 per cent while thathameda owing to the adoption of a
two rupees rate for most villages fell by 25 per cent.

Reclassification of Shwebo Canal area, 1916-17.

The original settlement of the Shwebo Canal area was carried out before all
distributaries and watercourses had been completed. The completion of these
works, which altered conditions of water-supply, coupled with extensions of
cultivation, soon rendered reclassification necessary. In 1916-17 Mr. R. B.
Smart carried out the work with a small party. The result of the operations was
to raise 65,626
SHWEBO DISTRICT 207

acres and reduce 14,826 acres in classification. The Settlement Officer

reported that he found "unceasing complaints" made from end to end of the
Canal Tract as to the excessiveness of the rate of Rs. 8 on first class land, and
recommended that the rate be reduced to Rs.7. The rate on first class irrigated
winter rice land was reduced by Government from Rs. 8 to Rs. 7-4, and it was
also decided that until the expiry of the settlement land raised by more than
one class should be assessed at the rate of the class next above the original
class in which it stood before reclassification.These concessions reduced the
effect of reclassification to an increase in revenue of nine per cent on the basis
of the assessment of the year 1915-16.

Ye-u Canal area.

Irrigation from the Ye-u Canal began in the year 1918-19. No alteration
was made in the land revenue rates in this area. The rates sanctioned as a result
of Mr. Grahame's settlement continued to be applied. An interim water rate
was assessed at a low flat rate of Rs. 2 per acre on all irrigated land except in
Mu side tract where the rate was Rs. 2-8. The usual initial exemptions were
allowed.

Revision settlement of whole district, 1912-13.

The revision of the settlement of the whole district at one operation was
undertaken by Mr. B.W. Perkins, with No. 5 Settlement Party in November
1918. He was succeeded by Mr. A. Williamson in January 1920. The financial
effect of the rates proposed at revision settlement is to raise the demand from
all sources including land revenue, consolidated water rate and land revenue,
tree revenue, and thathameda to Rs. 20,95,140, an increase of Rs. 2,36,779 or
12'74 per cent on the demand of the expiring settlement. The increase proposed
in consolidated land revenue on land irrigated by the Ye-u Canal is fifty-one
per cent and on land irrigated by the Shwebo Canal seven per cent. On
Unirrigated land the enhancement proposed is fourteen per cent. The total
thathameda demand remains practically unaltered. Orders on the revision
settlement proposals have not yet been passed by Government.

Fluctuations in land revenue.

Between 1907-08 the date of the introduction of Mr. Grahame's settlement

and 1921-22 collections of land revenue proper have averaged Rs. 4,47,356.
This sum, it should be noted, does not include water rate collections nor share
of land revenue credited to irrigation. The average water rate collections in the
Shwebo Canal area have been
208 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Rs. 6,37,304 and share of land revenue Rs. 1,37,814. Inthe Ye-u Canal area
water rate collections have averaged Rs. 1,07,846 since the canal was opened
in 1918-19. In the case of minor works the average share of land revenue
credited to irrigation has been Rs. 13,023, The largest amount of land revenue
proper collected was Rs. 5,25,341 in the favourable season 1913-14. The
lowest amount collected was Rs. 2,56,671 in 1907-08, or less than half the
amount collected in 1913-14. In 1907-08 irrigation from major works was only
in its second year, and the full effects of an unfavourable season were still felt.
In subsequent years, as irrigation expanded, the range of difference from year
to year in land revenue collections narrowed, and in 1920-21, a season even
more unfavourable than 1907-08,land revenue collections were only 20 per
cent less than in 1913-14, the year of maximum revenue. Though irrigation has
had a stabilising influence on the land revenue of the district as a whole,
fluctuations in land revenue in the unirrigated portion of the district are still
extermely violent. In most tracts the revenue demand in the year of maximum
assessment since original settlement was more than double that of the year of
minimum assessment, while tracts like that enjoying precarious irrigation from
the Muhaung Canal where the revenue fluctuated between Rs. 32,856 and Rs.
2,178 are by no means uncommon. In unirrigated tracts fluctuations in revenue
are due almost entirely to the character of the season. In canal irrigated areas
they are within much narrower limits and are due as much to the rise and fall
of prices as to the character of the season and the supply of water available for
irrigation.

Owing to the assessment of matured areas only in unirrigated tracts land

revenue remissions are ordinarily small. The average annual remissions since
1907-08 have been Rs. 3,311. This sum does not however include remissions
on the water rate portion of the demand. Remissions in canal areas have shown
a tendency to increase in recent years partly owing to unfavourable seasons but
mainly because cultivators have become more acquainted with the remission
rules.

Fluctuation Thathameda.

The average annual thathameda collections between 1907-08, the year in

which land revenue was introduced,
SHWEBO DISTRICT 209

and 1921-22 have been Rs. 3,08,273 or Re. '84 per head of population. The
number of assessees has increased steadily from year to year with one setback
in the period 1917-19. In 1917-18 the number of assessees fell from 87,714 to
86,544 and in the following year to 84,935. In the first year the decrease was
due to the exemption of guardians of recruits from assessment. Possibly also
the absorption of revenue officers in recruiting work led to some slackening of
revenue administration. In the second year the influenza epidemic together
with exemption granted to the relatives of men still serving in the army led to a
still larger fall in the number of assessees. From 1919-20 onwards the number
of assessees has increased at the rate of about a thousand annually. Remissions
have generally ranged between three thousand and four thousand rupees and
have been due to erroneous assessment and migration of assessees. Only in two
years has it been necessary to grant remission owing to widespread economic
distress. In 1920-21 remission to the extent of half the notified rate was granted
to all villages in the unirrigated portion of the Shwebo subdivision, and in the
following year when the season was only a little less disastrous 84 village-
tracts received remission. The total amount remitted in these two years was Rs.
42,146 and Rs. 35,363 respectively.

Land revenue establishment.

The revenue department of the Deputy Commissioner's office is supervised

by an Akunwun, who is ordinarily a member of the Subordinate Civil Service.
The Land Records staff which is concerned with the assessment of land
revenue and the maintenance of the record of rights is supervised by a
Superintendent of Land Records under the control of the Deputy
Commissioner. A topographical survey of the district was begun in 1889-90
and completed in 1892-93. In 1892 a cadastral survey on the sixteen-inch scale
was begun under Mr. Gibson. It was continued from 1892-93 to 1895-96 by
No. 3 Party, Survey of India. Subsequently in 1902-03 an area of 519 square
miles that had been demarcated in the previous year was mapped by No. 7
Party, Survey of India. In 1894 a Subordinate Land Records staff of 1
Inspector, 6 Surveyors, and 14 Chainmen in Shwebo, and 1 Inspector, 4
Surveyors and 10 Chainmen in Ye-u was appointed. This staff was employed
on the assessment of
210 SHWEBO DISTRICT

water rate on land irrigated by Government works and of state land revenue on
cultivatd state land. A new Land Records establishment was introduced in
1899-1900 and Mr. C. G. S. Wood was placed in charge as Superintendent. It
consisted of 6 Inspectors and 48 Surveyors. This staff worked in co-operation
with the Settlement Party during the original settlement operations. In 1903 the
staff was raised in strength to 10 Inspectors and 100 Surveyors, and its control
was transferred from the Deputy Commissioner to the Settlement Officer. In
1907-08 on the conclusion of settlement operations the assessment to land
revenue of the whole district was undertaken by this staff. Subsequently owing
to the extension of cultivation in canal areas the staff has been further
strengthened and now consists of 1 Superintendent, 2 Assistant
Superintendents, 12 Inspectors and 122 Revenue Surveyors. The Land Records
charge of the district is by far the heaviest in the Province, the number of
surveyor's charges being more than double that of the average district. Under
the new scale of pay recently sanctioned the cost of supplementary survey in
1922-23 was Rs. 1,26,381 or 8'51 per cent of the total assessment in that year.
This appears on the face of it reasonable percentage for an Upper Burma
district, but the percentage cost for the district as a whole is reduced by the
high rates of assessment in canal areas. In the unirrigated portion of the district,
the cost of the assessing staff amounts to more than twenty per cent of the
assessment which is far too high a price to pay for any system of assess ment
however perfect.

Fisheries.

Fishery revenue is not very important. The average revenue for the three
years 1921-22 to 1923-24 has been Rs. 13,880. Of this less than a thousand
rupees has been derived from net licences. The chief source of fishery revenue
is the sale of leased fisheries, of which the most important are the Makauk and
Kalamadaunggyi fisheries on the Irrawaddy and the Kadu, Halin and
Thamantha lakes in Wetlet township. The Irrigation Department also auctions
the rights to fish in the canals.

Miscellaneous revenue.

Miscellaneous sources of revenue including fines under the Village Act,

royalties and fees on minerals and Town Lands rent have produced an average
revenue of Rs. 19,194 during the ten years 1911-12 to 1920-21.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 211

Stamps.

Revenue from judicial stamps, which averaged some Rs. 31,000 in the first
decade of the twentieth century, rose during the next three or four years to Rs.
39, 114 in consequence of increased litigation in connection with occupation of
land in the Shwebo canal area. The revenue was more normal in 1914 as the
canal area was settling down, but with the war came a further increase
occasioned by a feeling of insecurity among money-lenders which induced
them to call in loans and resort more freely to the civil courts. The years 1916
to 1919 were years of financial stringency, and stamp revenue fell to Rs.
26,574. Since then the recovery of the money market and litigation in
connection with the occupation of land in the area newly irrigated by the Ye-u
canal have brought the revenue up to Rs. 49,098 in 1922.

Revenue from non-judicial stamps which similarly rose from Rs. 12,139 in
1910 to Rs. 21,010 in 1913, owing to land transactions in the Shwebo canal
area, from that date declined as the canal area settled down, and, apart from a
sudden rise in 1917 brought about probably by an increase of transactions
securing loans or improving security, con tinued to decline with the general
tightening of the money market to Rs. 12,094 in 1919. The increase in land
values and the consequent redemptions and re-mortgages brought the revenue
up to Rs. 20,366 in 1920 and Rs. 27,035 in 1922. In 1921 the extensive
purchases of land by Sir Abdul Jamal was responsible for a rise to Rs. 30,314.

There are one hundred licensed vendors of stamps and one ex-officio stamp
vendor. There are no salaried vendors. As the remuneration is small, headmen
do not take much interest in the sale of stamps, and, at the same time, the
people prefer to purchase their stamps in the towns where they are able to get
their documents drafted, and where they have to get them registerd. Discount
paid to vendors in 1922 was Rs. 389 for judicial stamps and Rs. 1,090 for non-
judicial stamps.

Statistics of stamp revenue shown in Volume B for the years 1901 to 1911
refer to judicial stamps only. For the years 1911 to 1921 the combined revenue
from judicial and non-judicial stamps is shown.

Excise.

There is no excise staff in the district. The Akunwun is a special Excise

Officer under Direction 3 of the Excise
212 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Manual and has had, since March 1921, the assistance of an excise peon. The
investigation and detection of smuggling, opium-hawking and illicit distillation
is done by the police and village headmen.

There is no opium shop in the district. Consumers obtain their supplies at

Katha or Mandalay. Thirteen special licences were issued in 1922. These
include one issued to the Manager, Bombay Burma Trading Corporation, for
the treatment of sick elephants, one to a doctor for medical purposes only, and
the remaining eleven to consumers resid ing at a distance from the shops.
Small quantities of opium are at times smuggled into the district by carriers,
but the demand is not great and the results not lucrative. There are a few
Burman opium consumers of beinponsas in Shwebo town and around Wetlet.
The retail price of illicit opium ranges from Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 a tola.

The main sources of excise revenue are licenee fees for the sale of tari,
foreign liquor, and beer. The last item has fallen during the last five years from
over Rs. 1,300 to Rs. 90 probably owing to the rise in the price of beer. In 1920
the only shop for the sale of country fermented liquor other than tari was
closed. A regular revenue of between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 9,000 had previousiy
been derived from this source. Licences for the sale of foreign liquor generally
bring in from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000. The number of tari shops was 9 in 1912,
and the revenue obtained from the auction of their licences Rs. 5,330. In 1914
another shop was opened, and, on the adverse comments of the District
Superintendent of Police concerning the large number of shops, the
Commissioner, Sagaing Division, wrote: "The complaint of the District
Superintendent of Police against shops conflicts with the opinion of Father
Vuilli, who made a pilgrimage to Sagaing to urge me to open a new shop
which he assured me was the only remedy for dealing with the drink question
among his flock which had got beyond his control." New shops were opened,
and in 1918 there were 16 shops from which a revenue of Rs. 12,501 was
obtained. The following year the number was reduced to 15, in 1921 to 14, and
1922 to 13. Revenue, on the other hand, rose rapidly year by ye,ar and was in
1922 Rs. 26,946.

The thirteen shops are situated at Shwebo, Kyauk myaung, Kin-u, Halin,
Sheinmaga, Thitseingyi, Megon, and
SHWEBO DISTRICT 213

Wetlet, in Shwebo subdivision, Kanbalu, Tangon, and Zigon in Kanbalu

subdivision and Ye-u and Tabayin in Ye-u subdivision.

Other than tari shop licences there were issued in 1922 one licence for the
retail vend of foreign alcoholic liquor (F.L. 13) at Shwebo, one licence for the
wholesale vend of foreign spirit and beer (F.L 6-8) at Shwebo, a Refreshment
Room licence (F.L. 19) at Shwebo Railway station, two licences for the retail
vend of foreign spirit manufactured in Burma (F.L. 7) at Kanbalu and Ye-u and
two licences for the retail vend of beer manufactured in Burma (F.L. 9) at
Kanbalu and Ye-u. Four licences for the retail sale of denatured spirit (F.L. 25)
were also issued in Shwebo town.

The total excise revenue was Rs. 11,782 in 1912. It rose to Rs. 31,528 in
1917, fell to Rs. 19,882 in 1918, and again rose to Rs. 30,336 in 1922. This last
included Rs. 26,946 under the head of tari licences, Rs. 90 under malt liquor
licences, Rs. 3,280 under licences for the sale of foreign liquors generally, Rs.
10 under opium licences and Rs. 10 under hemp drug licences.

Rewards in opium and excise cases form the bulk of the excise expenditure
which is ordinarily under Rs. 2,000.

Salt revenue.

Up to 1874 the King of Burma interfered in no way with the manufacture

and sale of salt, except that an export duty of eight annas per hundred viss was
collected at riverine stations such as Thitseingyi, Sheinmaga and Kyauk
myaung. The smaller quantity of salt which went to sur rounding villages
apparently paid no duty. No one had the monopoly of sale, or of purchase at
the wells.

In 1874, however, Mindon Min made an attempt to obtain for the crown a
monopoly of the purchase of salt in the following way. Exemption from
payment towards the support of the cavalry or other regiments in Mandalay,
together with a loan of ten rupees in cash, was promised to each salt worker
who would enter into an agreement to sell all his salt to the King at a fixed rate
of five rupees the hundred viss, and also to pay his thathameda tax in salt at the
same valuation. These terms were accepted in Shwebo by about two thousand
workers, and the salt bought by the King under this arrangement amounted to
about five hundred thousand viss in the year.
214 SHWEBO DISTRICT

It was all carried to Thitseingyi at a cost of ten annas the hundred viss and was
conveyed thence by Royal steamers to Mandalay, where the King sold it at a
very large profit to ordinary traders. Nevertheless, after continuing for two
years, the arrangement was stopped, and the old method was resorted to, by
which eight annas customs tax was paid on all salt exported. This arrangement
referred only to bobabaing or private salt workings. Besides these there were
some three hundred royal workings (ayadaw), and for the management of these
the King employed a salaried officer on one hundred rupees a month. Including
the three hundred royal wells, it is believed there were about three thousand
salt-workings in Shwebo in King Mindon's time. They fell off greatly
afterwards, and in October 1889 there were only about six hundred worked of
which thirty were Government wells. From this date, however, they began
rapidly to increase in number, and on the 1st April 1890 there were one
thousand and eight bobabaing wells, and fifteen royal wells, or a total of one
thousand one hundred and twenty-three workings. The system then adopted
was that each private well paid a tax of five rupees and each royal well twenty-
four rupees (i.e., the value of four hundred viss of salt, the old Burmese rate).

In July 1888 the Chief Commissioner directed that in districts in which no

tax had hitherto existed a tax of five rupees the pan should be imposed and in
districts where a tax had existed a tax of ten rupees the pan. In Shwebo District
a tax of eighteen rupees for each salt well had existed, and this tax was allowed
to remain unaltered.

Shwebo is now one of the sixteen districts where com position for salt duty
by payment of sum assessed upon the apparatus used is permitted. Elsewhere
the duty is levied at a fixed rate per hundred viss. Salt boiling is restricted to 32
notified kwins, 26 in Wetlet township, 4 in Shwebo township and 2 in Kanbalu
township (see Appendix I, Burma Salt Manual). The seventeen villages
concerned are divided into three classes according to the quality of the soil,
and are at present assessed at the following rates per seven gallon cauldron :
Rs. 20 in Sadwingon and Hmetti, Rs. 30 in Halin (Ingan), Thakuttaw, Leinbin,
Singut Tachantha, Wunbegon, Samun, Nyaungbindwin, Tagun daing and
Sadwingyi, Rs. 40 in the Taungbo, and Twinnge.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 215

quarters of Halin and Tanaunggon, Yetthit and Ye-bu hamlets of Halin.

Licences are issued by Township Officers who are required to pay surprise
visits to the workings and see that orders are not being infringed. No special
salt establish ment is employed. The revenue is collected in two instal ments,
the first half at the time of issuing the licence and the second half in June.
Security for payment of the second instalment is not taken as there is no
difficulty in collection. The industry is a poor one and is insufficient as a sole
means of livelihood, but the workers adhere to their hereditary occupation, and
nothing less than actual loss will stop them. They work about seven months in
the year beginning after harvest. The character of the seasons has a direct
effect upon the output, early rains stopping work early and a good harvest the
previous year reducing the necessity for work. Part of the salt is exported to
Katha and Mandalay Districts for fish curing, and the remainder is consumed
throughout the district. The amount used for fish curing within the district is
negligible. Except for fish curing foreign salt is preferred owing to its fine
grain and slightly pungent taste and between 400 and 500 tons are imported
yearly. It is used chiefly along the railway line. The outturn of local salt has
varied considerably. In 1910, when the com-position rates were Rs. 10, Rs. 15
and Rs. 20,541 licences were issued and the outturn was estimated at some 524
tons, about 300 tons of foreign salt being imported. The revenue was Rs.
9,260. In the succeeding years the outturn fell, especially in 1914 when the
rates were raised to Rs. 15, Rs. 23 and Rs. 30, and the industry was restricted
to seven teen of the 32 villages in which it had previousiy been carried on, The
industry also waned as irrigation offered more lucrative employment to the
workers. In 1914 the output was about 324 tons, the number of licences 265
and the revenue Rs. 6,833. From that date both licences and output increased
yearly, except in 1917 when the rates were raised to the present scale Rs. 20,
Rs. 30, and Rs. 40. This increase was largely due to a more than fifty per cent
rise in prices, brought about by the restriction on imports of foreign salt owing
to war conditions. In 1921 the number of licences was 520, bringing in a
revenue of Rs. 16,105. The outturn was not however as high as it had been two
years previousiy (over 900 tons), as it was reduced by the failure of the rains,
the scarcity of water and the inability of the salt boilers to obtain
216 SHWEBO DISTRICT

sufficient brine. In 1921 and 1922 the price of foreign salt fell considerably
thoughout the province and, in Shwebo, fell below the price of locally
manufactured salt. In 1922 the price of local salt also fell, but net as fast as
foreign salt. This has reduced the demand for licences to 423 in 1922 and the
revenue to Rs. 14,350. The outturn in 1922 was estimated at 860 tons. These
423 licences cover 431 cauldrons.

Income tax.

Income-tax has hitherto been assessed only on Government servants. From

1924 it will be introduced generally in the district.

CHAPTER XI

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT

Shwebo Municipality.

The first constitution of Shwebo as a Municipality was notified on 4th

February 1888, under section 3 of the Upper Burma Municipal Regulation,
1887. The boundaries then laid down were as follows : The area enclosed
within four straight lines drawn at right angles to one another and parallel to
the four walls enclosing the City of Shwebo at a distance of 30 feet from the
outer bank of the moat, as marked by wooden piles driven into the bank, and
through pillars placed at the four corners.

The area under the newly formed Municipal Committee thus corresponded
with the old walled City of Shwebo approximately 2 miles square of which a
great part was, as now, land under cultivation. The boundaries were amended
in 1893 to include a cemetery for Buddhists, Hindus and Mahomedans
provided in that year, and again in 1906 to include the Civil Station, large areas
of cultivated land on the west including the village of Mingon being at the
same time excluded.

Contribution.

The Municipal Committee set up in 1888 was composed of six official

members, the Deputy Commissioner, the Treasury Officer, the Civil Surgeon,
the Executive Engineer, the District Superintendent of Police and the
Township Officer with six non-official members nominated by the
SHWEBO DISTRICT 217

Local Government. The Committee held its first meeting on 10th March 1888,
when 3 European and 5 Burmese members were present. In the same month
the Subdivisional Officer, Shwebo, was added to the Committee, and the
Deputy Commissioner and Subdivisional Officer were by notification
appointed to be ex-officio President and Vice President of the Committee. In
1893 the Township Officer, Shwebo, was appointed Vice-President in place of
the Subdivisional Officer who was frequently on tour and in 1901 the Civil
Surgeon was appointed. The office then became elective, but the committee
continued the Civil Surgeon in office. On 10th March 1905 the Municipality
was recon stituted under the Burma Municipal Act with representation and
boundaries as before.

On the 1st day of August 1921 representation became entirely elective. The
town was divided into eight wards, of which one returned two members, and
the remainder one member each, to the Committee, while three commun ities,
the Europeans, Hindus and Mahomedans, each returned one member. The
elected committee was empowered to choose its own President and Vice-
President, and to co-opt two other persons as additional members.

The electoral words are as follows:

Pyinze North (two-member constituency), Pyinze South, Eindayat,

Monadwin, Minyat, Anaukze, Thakuttaw and Wundawin.

The powers of the President (which may also be delegated to the Vice-
President by order of the Committee) are briefly as follows: The President is
the executive authority in all departments, superintends the affairs of the
Municipality generally, conducts its correspondence, enquires into all
complaints made against Municipal officers, and otherwise exercises control
over them. He has authority to appoint and dismiss all employees whose salary
is less than Rs. 50 per mensem, and to grant such employees leave. Other
powers vested in the President are the power to sanction expenditure for urgent
special matters up to Rs. 500 provided budget provision exists, to close streets
for public purposes, and to act for the committee in respect of certain sections
of the Municipal Act.

Establishment.

The administrative staff of the Municipality consists of the Secretary, two

clerks, a durwan and a peon. The
218 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Secretary is also overseer, and as such has the supervision of ten coolies and
one gaung maintained for public works purposes. A conservancy inspector
supervises the work of the public health staff, consisting, of twenty coolies and
a gaung for day conservancy, and sixteen sweepers and one jemadar for night
conservancy. The Bazaar establishment of four durwans and eight coolies and
sweepers, is controlled by the Committee but paid by the lessee for the time
being. A caretaker and a sweeper are maintained at the slaughter-house.

Population.

The population of the town including Cantonments which was 9,368 in

1891 was 9,626 in 1901, 10,629 in 1911 and 10,605 in 1921, the decrease in
the last decade being partly due to reductions (about 750 from the 1901 figure)
in military strength at Cantonments.

Income and Expenditure.

In the year of its constitution the revenue of the Municipality was Rs. 2,798
derived chiefly from the bazaar, with small contributions from the slaughter
house and leased fisheries. But in the following year the pacification of the
country and the consequent expansion of trade increased the revenue
sufficiently to enable the committee to lay out roads and drains and meet the
cost of Municipal Police, a force of two sergeants and 10 constables. The
laying out of the town was facilitated by a fire which destroyed nearly half the
town in 1889.

In 1890 a house tax on persons not paying thathameda was imposed at the
rate of 3 pies per square foot on land covered with two-storied buildings, 2 pies
on land covered with one storied buildings and Rs. 10 per acre on uncovered
land. The expenditure on roads and draingae increasing, further sources of
income had to be sought in 1893, and after an attempt had been made to levy a
cess on thathameda first at 30 per cent and then at 15 per cent, the Local
Government finally, in November 1894, sanctioned such a cess at 10 per cent.

The figures of annual income and expenditure in the accounts of 1897-98

at the end of ten years' working of the Municipality, are ample evidence of the
increasing pros perity of the town and the capable management of its affairs by
the Committee under the guidance of the Local Government.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 219

The chief items of income in detail exclusive of Grants and Contributions;

etc., were as follows:

1. Municipal rates and taxes-- Rs.

(a) Tax on houses and lands (including

also cess on thathameda) 2,876
(b) Tolls on roads 975

2. ReaIisations under Special Acts

Rs.
(a) Pounds 342
(b) Hackney carriages 198

3. Revenue derived from Municipal property

(a) Bazaar stall rents 7,325

(b) Bazaar daily collections 2,579
(c) 8laughter-house fees 2,043

Leased fishing had been abolished in 1889 and the moat thrown open to
rod and line fishing only. Cart tolls were first levied in 1892.

Rs.

The principal items of expenditure were:-

1. General administration 1,751

2. Police 2,813
3. Conservancy, including road clearing 2,490
4. Hospital and dispensary 3,542
5. Market and slaughter-house 3,535
6. Public works 6,085

The hospital and dispensary had been taken over in 1893 in consideration
of an adequate grant from Government.

The accounts for the year show a closing balance of Rs. 3,707.

In 1900 the sale by auction of the bazaar as a whole gave an increase of Rs.
4,000 in the receipts from this source. In 1905 a tax of 5 per cent on the annual
value of all lands and buildings and compounds was substituted for the old
house tax and thathameda cess, and in the next year an increase in revenue of
Rs. 557 resulted. From this date ordinary revenue steadily increased, and in
1920-21 mounted to Rs. 69,038, Rs. 8,864 from the tax on houses and
220 SHWEBO DISTRICT

lands, Rs, 19,812 from tolls on roads, Rs. 33,238 from bazaars and slaughter-
houses, Rs. 4,143 from conservancy and Rs. 1,237 from hackcart licences.
Expenditure shows a corresponding increase, reflecting the continued
improvements in the town, due largely, as the annual reports shew, to the zeal
of the Civil Surgeons who, beginning from Colonel Kanta Prasad, I.M.S. (who
held office from 1901 to 1906), have, as successive Vice-Presidents, devoted
them selves to the care of the town. In 1920-21 Rs. 4,498 was spent on general
administration, Rs. 6,200 on lighting, Rs. 1,425 on water supply, Rs. 15,463 on
conservancy and Rs. 1,857 on other sanitary requirements, Rs. 29,687 on
hospital and dispensary, Rs. 5,873 on education, Rs. 8,235 on market and
slaughter houses, Rs. 2,622 on arboriculture, the public garden and
experimental cultivation, Rs. 15,083 on roads and culverts and Rs. 2,996 on
Public Works Establishment. Rs. 7,783 of the expenditure on hospitals and Rs.
3,278 of the expenditure on education was met by grants from Government.
Municipal police had been abolished in 1905.

A noticeable point in the comparison of income and expenditure is that the

whole expenditure on Public Works in the town is less than the amount raised
by the toll on carts, which is purely a tax on cultivators and cartmen living
outside the town, while the road most used by these carts is maintained by
Provincial Funds. The incidence of taxation as given in the annual statement of
accounts for the year 1920-21 is Rs. 2-13-4 per head of population, but in view
of the above fact this figure conveys rather a false impression. The only direct
taxation is that on houses and lands Rs. 8,733, which is less than Re. 1 per
head.

The incidence of total income hom all sources was Rs. 10-6-10 per head.
The incidence of total expenditure does not appear, but was rather under Rs. 10
per head for the year.

Roads.

The area of the town is 4'683 square miles, and Civil Station 1'25 square
miles. The total mileage of metalled roads and lanes is considerable for a town
like Shwebo, being ten miles and six furlongs, while approximately two miles
of unmetalled roads are also maintained. Considering the poor quality of metal
available, and the heavy cart traffic at some seasons, the roads are on the whole
well maintained.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 221

Conservancy.

The day conservancy staff is responsible for keeping the town clear of
rubbish, which is disposed of by cart and throwing outside the town. Night soil
is dealt with by the night conservancy staff, and is disposed of by trenching.

Street lighting.

The streets are lighted by oil lamps. Lighting was in abeyance between
1892 and 1901 owing to lack of funds. The capital outlay involved was Rs.
2,500 and the annual expenditure on the upkeep of the hundred lamps about
Rs. 3,800, a sum which increased later as more lamps were set up. There is no
separate lighting tax.

Water supply.

There is as yet no municipal water system but wells are kept in repair by
the municipality in various quarters of the town. The continually recurring
difficulties caused by wells failing in the dry season have led to the preparation
of various schemes. The pumping of water from the Moksogyon branch of the
Shwebo Canal temporarily resort ed to in 1921 owing to unusual shortage has
not been finally abandoned as a permanent method of supply, though, the
water being bacteriologically unsafe, filters would be necessary, increasing the
cost. The pumping of water from the wells into high level tanks has also been
proposed.

Municipal garden.

A gift of Rs. 2,500 from from Babu Ghdhari Lull in 1906 enabled a
municipal garden of 15 acres to be started in the triangle between the east moat
and the railway, north of the Kyaukmyaung-Ye-u road. The Committee
supplies the necessary funds for its upkeep, Government contributing Rs. 200
annually.

Education.

Apart from an isolated grant in 1892 towards Maung Paw's school, there
was no expenditure on education until 1894 when a smaller regular grant was
made to the S.P.G. Mission school. In 1918-19 the municipality began to pay a
fixed proportion of its income towards education, Govern ment making a grant
amounting in that year to seven times the municipal contribution. The
222 SHWEBO DISTRICT

contribution at first one per cent of the Municipal income was raised to two per
cent in 1919, and three per cent in 1920.

Hospital.

The hospital and dispensary were taken over by the Municipality in 1893 and
an annual grant was made by Government towards its upkeep. The Hospital is
under the control of the Civil Surgeon subject to the control of a Committee for
some purposes and of the Local Government, epresented by the Inspector-
General of Civil Hospitals for others.- This committee was previousiy a
subcommittee of the Municipality. Since 1923 a separate hospital committee
has been formed, on which the Municipality has four representatives, and a
separate Hospital Fund has been created to which the Municipality pay sixty
per cent of the amount not contributed by Government, the District Council
paying the remaining forty per cent.

Ye-u Municipality, 1890-1896.

Ye-u town, formerly the headquarters of the Ye-u Dis trict, and now the
headquarters of the Ye-u subdivision of the Shwebo district was first
constituted a Municipality under the Upper Burma Municipal Regulation in
February 1890. A Committee was formed with four official members and nine
non-official members, the Deputy Commissioner of the district being ex-
officio President. Appointments to the Committee were made by the Local
Government. The number of houses in the town was then 494 with a popula
tion of 2,749. The minutes of the Committee's proceedings now extant only
date from 1891, but the Municipality never had a very vigorous life. The town
was poor and the income from bazaar and slaughter house small. The bazaar
was built in 1891 and added to in 1892 by means of a loan of Rs. 10,000 from
Government and remains much as it was. The Civil Dispensary was taken over
by the Muni cipality in 1893.

The abolition of the Ye-u district in 1895 was followed by the abolition of
the Municipality in 1896, the inhabitants being no longer willing to bear the
extra expense involved in administration by a town committee.

Ye-u Notified Area, 1920.

From 1896 to 1920 the affairs of Ye-u remained under the control of the
Deputy Commissioner, but in April of the latter year by notification of the
Local Government the town was declared a notified area under section 210 of
the Burma Municipal Act. The area included within the boundaries was 317'09
acres.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 223

The appointment of a Town Committee was delegated to the

Commissioner, Sagaing Division, but an electoral scheme will be introduced
shortly. The present committee consists of four ex-officio members and five
non-official mem bers, under the presidency of the Subdivisional Officer, Ye-
u.

The taxes leviable under the new constitution were (a) 2 per cent on rental
value of buildings and lands, with a

minimum of Re 1 on each building, (b) Rs. 4 on each vehicle kept within the
area, (c) annas 2 per diem on all bullock carts entering the area, (d) scavenging
tax on buildings in the Civil Station Rs. 2, on others Re. 1 per month. The rate
of this last tax was reduced in 1922 to Re. 1 per house in the Civil Station and
annas 2 per house in the rest of the town, no collections having been made
under the rate first notified owing to the inability of most of the inhabitants to
pay such a high rate. Even so, about forty households moved out of the notified
area in 1921-22 to avoid the increased burdens of municipal self-government.
These removals have had the effect of bringing the population below the level
at which it stood in 1890, but the great improvement in the general standard of
living, the increase in trade due to better communications, and latterly, to the
opening of the Ye-u irrigation canal, is reflected in the large increase in bazaar
receipts, now six times greater than thirty years ago. Apart from the bazaar the
main source of income is tolls on roads and ferries, consisting partly of dues
levied on carts entering the town, and partly of a share of the Ye-u ferry
receipts, of which the balance goes to the Shwebo district fund. The ferry
lessee gets a large proportion of his receipts from a toll of annas 2 per cart
levied on carts using the temporary bridge over the Mu put up in the dry -
season. For the nine months from July 1st 1920 to March 31st 1921 the income
of the Town Fund, which was started without debts or opening balance was Rs.
22,504, and for the full twelve months of the succeeding year 1921-22 Rs.
30,051. Unburdened with debt, the Committee has been able to introduce street
lighting and more than double the length of metalled roads in the town.

The staff maintained by the Town Committee is as follows : 1 secretary

and overseer, combined pay Rs. 110 to Rs. 130, 1 clerk Rs. 40 to Rs. 60, 1
peon Rs. 14, 1 conser vancy inspector Rs. 30, 15 conservancy coolies Rs. 16,1
sweeper Rs. 18. In the bazaar, 4 durwans at Rs. 15 are paid by the contractor to
whom the bazaar is leased. The cattle pound is under the Town Committee,
and the keeper receives Rs. 25 a month. No permanent public works
establishment is maintained.

The street lighting is done by contract, 113 lamps being kept up at a cost of
Rs. 3-8 per month per lamp.
224 SHWEBO DISTRICT

The Hospital was until 1923 a state hospital maintained from Provincial
funds. It is now controlled by a committee on which the Town Committee has
two members. Since March 1921 the Town Committee has been the medium of
control for vernacular education in the town, but the amount of its own funds
spent under this head is very small, nearly the whole of the expenditure,
amounting te Rs. 4,000, being met by grants from Government.

District Fund.

District Funds were established in all districts in Upper Burma in April

1888. Subject to certain restrictions this fund has been administered up to the
end of 1922 by the Deputy Commissioner.

Income and Expenditure.

The income of the District Fund was derived chiefly from the following
sources, figures for 1920-21 being given in brackets in rupees in round
numbers. Slaughter house licenses (35,000), Cattle pound fees and fines
(5,000), Sale proceeds of unclaimed cattle (4,000), Bazaar rents (10,000),
Lease of tolls at ferries (12,000). This was supplemented from Provincial funds
by a contribution towards the maintenance charges of certain roads transferred
from Provincial funds to the District fund, equivalent to 4'25 per cent of the
gross revenue from land revenue proper, thathameda, fisheries and minerals
(1,03,000), a contribution to meet charges in connection with the veterinary
assistants employed in the district (7,000) and, since 1918, a contribution
towards education (38,000). Miscellaneous items include motor-car and cycle
driving license fees, debt account, etc.

The chief heads of expenditure were Local establish ment, eight Veterinary
Assistants, Sanitary inspector and District Agriculturist, etc. (8,000),
establishment and contin gencies in connection with slaughter houses, cattle
pounds, markets, bungalows and ferries (14,000), conservancy in rural areas
(2,000), removal and diet of lepers and contribu tion towards Leper Asylum,
etc. (1,000), education (38,000), roads in charge of Civil officers (1,000) and,
finally, a con tribution to the Public Works Department for upkeep of toads
and other public works (2,21,000).

There were in 1921, 32 slaughter houses, 125 cattle pounds, 6 bazaars at

Kin-u, Zigon-Tantabin, Wetlet, Sheinmaga, Thitseingyi and Kyaukmyaung, 20
ferries and 17 dak and District Bungalows and some 150 miles of road
administered by the fund.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 225

District Council and Circle Boards.

Consequent on the extension of the Burma Rural Self Government Act to

the district in March 1922 a District Council and eight Circle Boards were
formed. The District Council consists of 23 members elected from the Circle
Boards. The Circle Boards, one per township, consist of 12 to 14 members,
except in the case of Kyunhla which has seven. The members of the Circle
Boards are elected to represent groups of village-tracts, the qualifications of
electors being, for residents, the payment of land revenue, thathameda or other
specified taxes, and, for non-residents, the payment of income-tax on property
situated within the village tract or the payment of land revenue for six
successive years on at least 10 acres of land situated therein.

All roads, buildings and other works constructed and maintained from the
District Fund were from this date vested in the District Council to whom the
balance standing to the credit of the fund was handed over. No further taxes,
tolls or fees have yet been levied. The income of the District Council is derived
from the same sources as those specified for the District Fund. Its expenditure
will be similar, while funds are available. The first meeting of the Council was
held on 18th December 1922 and the election officers, appointment of
members to form a Joint School Board with the Municipal Committee,
appointment of a Finance Committee, appointment of members for the
Hospital Committees for Shwebo and Ye-u, and routine matters, have up to the
present engaged its attention. A secretary and two clerks are at present
employed by the Council. No staff has yet been employed by the Circle
Boards.

CHAPTER XII

EDUCATION

Literacy.

The literate population was in 1911, 241 and in 1921, 293 per mille. The
literate population for all ages over five years was in 1921, 335 per mille. The
standard of literacy, which compared moderately well with the rest of the
central plain in 1911, is shown in 1921 to compare favourably with only six
districts in Central Burma and the
226 HWEBO DISTRICT

Delta, Toungoo, Thaton, Pakokku, Meiktila, Myingyan and Lower Chindwin.

The district ranks about the same as Sagaing, Katha and Kyaukse.

The number of literate males per mille was 451 in 1891, 505 in 1901, 429
in 1911 and 573 in 1921. The decrease in 1911 was due to the more rigorous
application of the test of ability to read and write, instructions being issued that
no person should be entered as literate unless he was able to write a letter to a
friend and read the answer to it, and person unable to write, but able to read in
a more or less perfunctory manner, and persons whose ability to write was
limited to the signature of their own names, should be excluded. Among
females in the district, the progress of education in that decade was more than
sufficient to over come the greater stringency of the test applied. The figures
for the four census periods were 7,19, 73 and 42. Figures for literacy for all
ages over five years were, in 1921, males 656 per mile and females 49 per
mile.

The number of literate persons per mile of the Buddhist population was, in
1921, 292, of the Hindu population born in Burma 151, and born outside
Burma 378: of the Maho medan population born in Burma 151, and born
outside Burma 404: and of the Christian population 426. The number of
Hindus and Mahomedans born outside Burma is small, but the figures of
literacy are high compared with the provincial figures for the same classes.
Literacy among the Buddhist population does not vary greatly in different parts
of the district. Showebo town, of course, leads. The total number of literates in
English residing in the district in 1921 was 882 males and 163 females.

Education.

As in the rest of Burma education was found at the annexation to be in the

hands of the Buddhist monks. All boys went to the pongyi-kyaung, or
monastery, for a long or short period and were taught to read and write and to
repeat portions of the Buddhist scriptures by rote. It was to these monastic
schools that Burma owed her comparatively high standard of literacy, and they
were made the basis of the present system of education. In 1889 the British
Government extended its education policy to Upper Burma, and an Inspector
of Schools, assisted by Deputy Inspectors, was sent up to register all schools
which were found suitable for aid under the grants-in-aid rules and
SHWEBO DISTRICT 227

were willing to accept the government curriculum. It is on record that Shwebo

district in this year earned Rs. 1,000 in results grants. A large number of
schools were registered in this manner, and, though the opposition of some
leading Buddhist ecclesiastics in Mandalay to secular education had some
effect in preventing registration, there were in 1896-97, 46 public schools, of
which more than half were monastic and the remainder lay schools. As there
were few, if any, trained teachers, itinerant teachers, about one per township
were employed until 1910 to visit the schools in their charges and introduce the
teaching of new subjects. The number of certificated teachers in 1894 was only
six and in 1910 five. By 1915-16 the number had increased to 36, but this
being still far from adequate a month's normal school to enable uncertificated
teachers to qualify for primary and secondary grade teacher ship examinations
was opened in 1917-18 at Shwebo.

Controlling agencies.

In 1894-95 after the amalgamation of Shwebo and Ye-u districts there had
been one Deputy Inspector of Schools in charge of the district, but, following a
great increase in the number of schools receiving grants-in-aid, the district was
in 1904 divided into two sub-circles, named A and B, each controlled by a
Deputy Inspector. The A sub-circle in cluded Shwebo town, and Shwebo,
Sheinmaga (now Wetlet) Ye-u, Kin-u and Tantabin townships, and the B sub-
circle, Kanbalu, Taze, Tamadaw and Kyunhla townships. In 1907-08, work in
A sub-circle becoming heavy, Kin-u town ship was transferred to the B sub-
circle. In 1914-15 a Sub Inspector was posted to Ye-u to assist in the A sub-
circle, and, a few years later, a Sub Inspector was similarly appointed to the B
sub circle. Thus at present there is a Deputy Inspector assisted by a Sub
Inspector in charge of each of the two sub circles, working, since 1919, under
the Inspector of schools, Sagaing Circle. In 1918, with the object of bringing
the people into touch with the work of the Education Department, a Divisional
School Board was formed at the headquarters of the Division at Sagaing with a
District Advisory Board at Shwebo. The Commissioner and Deputy
Commissioner were ex-officio presidents and the Deputy inspectors ex-officio
secretaries of the Advi sory Board, which consisted of both official and non-
official members. In 1922-23 the management of schools through out the
district was handed over to a local body known as the Joint School Board of
which the Deputy Inspectors have been co-opted members, and the Divisional
School Board and the District Advisory Board were dissolved, The Deputy
Inspectors are no longer concerned with accounts, their work being
228 SHWEBO DISTRICT

mostly advisory. Their duty is to inspect and examine schools and report to the
Inspector and the Board.

Expenditure.

Figures for expenditure are given in the "B" Volume. It will be seen that
expenditure has increased fairly steadily from Rs. 13,544 in 1901-02 to Rs.
60,646 in 1920-21. It was Rs. 78,294 in 1921-22. The exceptionally high ex
penditure in 1910-11, of Rs. 1,04,698 cannot be accounted for, as records are
not available. The sum of Rs. 78,294 expended in 1921-22 was met by
contributions of Rs. 11,866 from Provincial funds, Rs. 34,757 from the District
Fund and Rs. 11,411 from Municipal funds. The remainder was made up from
fees, Rs. 11,005 and other sources Rs. 9,255.

Private Schools.

Schools which are visited but not aided are known as "Private" schools,
and these numbered 694, in 1901-02, with an average daily attendance of 6,747
boys and girls. As will be seen in the "B" Volume the number of schools has
steadily risen to 1,122. The decrease in the number of pupils after 1,911 has
not been accounted for. The daily attendance has averaged over 6,000 during
the last ten years.

Public Schools.

The number of Public schools, that is to say, registered schools teaching

the perscribed government courses and receiving equipment, building, salary
and results grants, has in the same manner increased from 99, in 1901-02, to
270 in 1910-11; but in 1911-12 the number fell to 171 increasing again to 222
in 1917, and falling again to 210 in the following year since which it has risen
by one or two. The cause of these fluctuations has been the withdrawal of
recognition from inefficient schools, which usually continue their work. as
Private schools. The total number of all schools has shown a slight decrease in
only one year 1918.

Daily attendance at the Middle schools has averaged about 1,100 boys and
400 to 500 girls during the last few years. At Primary schools just under 3,000
boys and over 1,000 girls attend daily.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 229

Middle Schools.

Of the 215 Public Schools in 1921, 181 were Primary and 34 Middle
Schools. The latter include four very effi cient Roman Catholic Mission
schools, three for boys at Chantha, Monhla, and Thamayo, and one for girls at
Chan tha. U Pyi Zon's School in Shwebo town leads the rest in both efficiency
and attendance, nearly 300 pupils attending. A hand and eye training school
has been attached to this school. Other middle schools are situated at Shwebo,
Pokkon, Uyindaw, Chiba, and Kyaukmyaung, in Shwebo township; Wetlet,
Sheinmaga, Sinba, Saingnaing, and Halingyi (girls) in Wetlet township; Kin-u,
Mutha and Mondaw in Kin-u township; Kanbalu, Zigon, Thayetkaung,
Aingbaunggyaung in Kanbalu township; Tawbo in Kyun hla township; Ye-u
and Ye-u-gon in Ye-u township; Taung byin, Tabayin, Mayagan, Letti, and
Kyudaw in Tabayin township; and Taze (2) Wayange, Indaing, Kanbauk and
Kaduma in Taze township. The Town Fund vernacular school at Ye-u was
formerly a government-aided school managed by Maung Pan Yi. In 1906 it
became a govern ment vernacular middle school. Later it was known as the
District Vernacular School, but since 1921 it has been known as the Town
Fund Vernacular School.

High Schools.

There are at present no High schools in the district. All Saints' S.P.G. Boys'
School, Shwebo, taught, for a short period from 1916 onwards, up to the eighth
standard, but the number of pupils was insufficient to warrant the opening of a
tenth standard without which the school could not retain the status of a High
school.

Anglo Vernacular Schools.

The first school to be established in the district after the annexation was all
Saints' S.P.G. School at Shwebo. The Reverend Dr. F. Sutton, M.D., arrived in
1887, and started a medical mission and mixed school the following year. He
was assisted by his wife. In 1889 the Reverend H. M. Stockings came to assist,
and as Dr. and Mrs. Sutton had to return home, he took charge in the same year
and has held charge ever since. At that time there were per haps 30 children
attending. A weaving school was also started, but this, together with the school
buildings and the missioner's house, was burnt to the ground in 1899. School
was for some time carried on the new church which was then being built, and
later the Executive Engineer's bunga low adjoining was acquired. During the
last decade sub-
230 SHWEBO DISTRICT

stantial school buildings of stone have been erected at a cost of Rs. 30,000, half
of which sum was defrayed by an anonymous subscription. A hostel of stone is
now being built to accommodate a hundred boys or more. A number of
children have always been boarded, but accommodation has been
unsatisfactory.

English was the chief subject of study from the first, and, except for a short
period when the eighth standard was taught, the school has remained a middle
school, teaching up to the seventh standard. After 1905 the school be came a
school for boys only. Attendance has increased slightly during the last decade,
being at its highest, over 200, in 1920-21. The school has since then been
affected to a certain extent by the opening of the National School.

In 1922-23 among the pupils were 86 Burmese Buddhists, 4 Chinese, 11

Mahomedans, 9 Hindus and 21 Christians. The teaching staff consists of a
headmaster and seven masters. Football and other games are encouraged, and
the boys do physical drill. They have more than once sent a contingent to
display before the Advisory Board in the hope that drill may be extended and
improved in other schools, which, however, are unfortunately hampered by
lack of space. The school has to its credit many Extra Assistant Commissioners
and Myooks.

The S.P.G. Girls' School was established on a footing independent of the

Boys' School, of which it had previously been a department, in February 1905.
Miss Mahon was in charge until, in 1919, Miss Druit, who had joined her in
1908, took over. Up to May 1920 the headmistress was responsible for the
teaching of a standard, but since that date the teaching has been in the hands of
a staff of Bur mese teachers who have in the main proved very compet ent. It
has been difficult to obtain an adequate staff and almost impossible to secure
fully certificated Anglo Verna cular teachers. The school has been registered
sometimes as a primary and sometimes as a middle school, but has never
taught beyond the fifth standard. At the present time girls who wish to study
beyond the fourth standard do so at the boys' school while, on the other hand,
boys of the first and second standards attend the girls' school. In the early years
of the school day scholars were hard to secure, and orphans in the Boarding
School formed at times the
SHWEBO DISTRICT 231

majority on the rolls. This state of things has gradually altered. There was
marked progress from 1915 to 1920, when the total numbers rose for a few
weeks above 90. A hopeful sign is that, of the girls now attending, a large
proportion are in the upper standards, whereas a few years ago a girl was
almost invariably taken from school as soon as she could be useful in the house
and rarely passed the third standard.

Roman Catholic Mission Schools.

There are Roman Catholic Mission Schools at the old Christian settlements
of Chantha, Monhla and Chaungyo and also among congregations, formed
since the annexation at Shwebo. There is one boys' school and one girls' school
at Chantha. All are secondary schools.

American Baptist Mission School.

An attempt was made by the American Baptist Mission to found a school at

Kanbalu, but it was not successful and closed in 1912.

Mahomedan. Schools and Chinese School.

There are three Mahomedan private schools in Shwebo town, the total
attendance of which is 45 boys and 22 girls. There are also Mahomedan
schools in Kanbalu township, two at Bugyi and one each at Wetto, Gyigon and
Thabut kon. The total attendance of these is 188 boys and 48 girls. There is a
small Chinese School in Shwebo town.

National Schools.

Two National schools were opened at Shwebo in 1921 one for boys and
one for girls, and their attendance was report ed to be 200 and 35 respectively.
The girls' school failed after some five months through lack of school
mistresses. The boys' school was more successful, and drew away a certain
number of pupils from the schools in the town. There were eleven masters,
most of them being University students who had passed the I.A., or 10th
standard. The school has eleven forms and offered an Anglo Vernacular
education up to the equivalent of the 10th standard, though there were few
scholars in the higher forms. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining school
masters the school declined, and in 1922 there were only 85 students, the
number of forms being reduced to eight. Fees are lower than in the S.P.G.
School. A large school building has been long in course of erection on a
favourable site on the station road. The school has up to the present been
controlled by a committee of representatives of the various Nationalist
societies in the town and district.
232 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Elementary Training Class.

An elementary training class has been opened at Ye-u in order to train

teachers for the elementary certificate, as the Primary Teachership examination
has been abolished.

Survey School.

A survey school was first opened in Shwebo in 1890. This was closed in
1901 and transferred to Monywa as sufficient recruits were then available for
the requirements of the district. On the opening of the canals, and the
consequent increase of supplementary survey work, the Sagaing survey school
was, in 1911, transferred to Shwebo. This school was abolished in July 1923
and a new system of recruiting adopted. In the early days difficulty was ex
perienced in training the students, as they were for the most part of the
cultivating class and had little previous education. Of late years, with the
spread of education, the class of pupil has improved. Of the 240 pupils who
have passed through the school during the last ten years 75 to 80 per cent. have
passed the Surveying, Arithmetic and Revenue Law examinations, and 148
have joined the Land Records Department, 9 the Settlement, 11 the Irrigation
and 19 the Forest and other departments.

CHAPTER XIII

PUBLIC HEALTH

In spite of its high death rate, the district is healthy and the only serious
infectious diseases are cholera and plague. Malaria is common in the region of
higher rainfall and heavy jungle in the north of the district, but in the south of
the district it is not unduly prevalent. Black water fever is very rare. Cases of
enteric fever and beri-beri are occasionally met with, but the diseases are not
endemic. Leprosy is uncommon, though there are a few cases in several of the
larger villages. The number of known lepers in 1921 was under 300. Eye
diseases are common as in the rest of the dry zone.

The Civil Surgeon assists the Deputy Commissioner in the care of Public
Health in the district, but the increasing burden of medical work at
headquarters renders it difficult for him to give more than an occasional glance
at conditions outside the towns.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 233

Cholera.

The localities usually affected with cholera are those situated along the
bank of the Irrawaddy, and the season in which the disease is most prevalent is
immediately after the rains. Cholera seldom makes its appearance during the
hot weather, although at that time water is very scarce in some areas. During
the last ten years only once, in 1915 has there been an outbreak of any
importance. The first village then affected was Sheinmaga on the Irrawaddy,
the disease having been imported by boatmen from villages lower down the
river. It spread to most of the villages on the riverside higher up. Altogether
206 deaths were reported, of which 32 were in Shwebo town. A second but
less severe outbreak occurred in 1918. The disease was imported from Katha
district into Bugyi village, Kanbalu Township, and was confined to a few
villages on the Shwebo canal, in that neighbourhood. Sixty nine deaths were
reported in that and the following year, only one of which was in Shwebo
town. No deaths have been reported since.

Plague.

Plague reached the neighbouring district of Sagaing in 1906 and Shwebo in

1907. No further outbreak occurred until 1910. There were outbreaks in the
two following years, but in 1912-13 the town was again free. In all these cases
most of the deaths were in Shwebo town. In 19 13-14 there were further
deaths, but the next two years were again free. Since 1917-18 plague has
reappeared yearly. During the four years 1918 to 1921, 178 deaths were
reported in the town and 214 in the district, and, during the one year 1922, 147
deaths in the town and 43 in the district. The chief villages affected during this
period were Seikkun, Wetlet, Kh-u and Tantabin. The disease is generally im
ported from Mandalay to one of the larger centres of popu lation, Shwebo,
Wetlet or Kin-u and from these it usually spreads along the railway line as
people commence to evacuate. Expensive preventative measures were carried
out in the 1907-08 outbreak, but inoculation has been more relied upon
recently. The numbers inoculated were 1,383 in 1918, and 154, 1,620, 198 and
785 in the succeeding four years. Evacuation on account of plague is readily
and voluntarily resorted to in the outlying villages.

Small pox and Vaccination.

A certain amount of small-pox was reported during the annexation

operations in the district, and during the succeeding years there were severe
epidemics, but except for a
234 SHWEBO DISTRICT

small epidemic in 1896 there have been only a few isolated eases since.

Vaccination was started in 1886 and in August of that year Mr. Burgess,
the Commissioner of the Northern Division reported that the people took most
readily to it. "Unfortunately the lymph first used has failed in every case; the
result of later operations is not yet known"

Vaccinators.

During 1887-88 the four itinerant vaccinators in Upper Burma visited Ye-u
District, and in 1889 one vaccinator was appointed to each district. In 1895
after the amalgamation of the two districts there were six vaccinators in the
district. The number has since been increased to one per township. Since 1916
the vaccinators have been supervised by a native superintendent of vaccination.
A separate vaccinator is paid and controlled by Shwebo Municipality. In the
district vaccination is not compulsory. The Vaccination Act for the compulsory
vaccination of children has been in force in Shwebo Municipality since 1893,
and in Ye-u Town, since 1st July 1922. The Amendment Act under which the
authorities can require all unprotected persons to be vaccinated after due
notice, has also been in force since 1922.

The people believe in vaccination but owing to its inconvenience are

inclined to postpone the operation. Statistics of operations are given in Volume
B. During the first decade after the annexation the numbers vaccinated and the
percentage of successful operations increased rapidly year by year, but after
1900 there was a decrease. The yearly average number of operations has not
since then varied largely, being about 13,000. The percentage successful has,
however, again begun to increase and has risen from 85" per cent to 90 per
cent. and, in the last two years, when operations were 16,393 and 16,372, the
percentage of successful operations was over 95.

Hospitals.

In 1886 the Hospital at Shwebo consisted of two zayats connected together.

It was described by the Commissioner as being very popular. "Out-patients
flocked to it for all sorts of complaints." Patients received a small allowance
for subsistence. In 1887 a hospital for Military Police was established in
Shwebo in addition to the Civil Hospital and two hospitals, one for Military
Police and one for Civil purposes, were established in Ye-u. The Burma Police
SHWEBO DISTRICT 235

were to be treated at the civil hospitals. A Military Surgeon was put in Medical
charge in both towns in addition to his other duties. The Civil hospitals were to
have eight beds for men and four for women, and were to be looked after by au
Assistant Surgeon with a staff of one compounder, one sweeper and two
Burmans to act as cooks and ward servants` A contingent allowance of Rs. 5
per mensem was allowed in all four hospitals for extras and dieting of sick. A
Subdivisional Civil Surgeoncy was established at Tantabin but was closed
again in 1892, on the headquarters of the Subdivision being transferred to
Kanbalu.

Shwebo Hospital.

The present Shwebo hospital has accommodation for fifty-one persons in

all. The main building, constructed in 1893 in place of the two zayats, is a
wooden structure with wards upstairs for six males and six females and two
small rooms for paying patients. Further accommodation is furnished in a
female ward with beds for eight and quarters for the nurse, and a building
presented in 1915 by Lieuten ant Colonel Kanta Prasad containing, in separate
wards for surgical, medical and special cases, twenty beds. These two
buildings are of brick hogging. An up-to-date opera tion theatre was built in
1914 by Rai Sahib Girdhari Lall, and a new out-door block, a brick building
built by public subscription assisted by Government, was completed in 1921.
The institution lacks only a maternity ward. The remaining buildings comprise
a mat hut with a cement floor known as the Infectious ward, a zayat in which
relatives of patients from the district may stay and quarters for the Sub
Assistant Surgeon and staff.

The staff under the Civil Surgeon consists of a Sub Assistant Surgeon, one
clerk, two compounders, one nurse, one results system midwife, four ward
servants (three male and one female) and six other menials.

The management of the hospital was taken over by the Municipality in

May 1893 in consideration of an adequate grant from Government. The
hospital committee was a Municipal Subcommittee, A separate hospital fund
was established in May 1923 and this is managed by a hospital committee
composed of the Deputy Commissioner and the Civil Surgeon as ex-officio
members, four representatives from the Municipal Committee, three from the
District Council and representatives of the general public, including
236 SHWEBO DISTRICT

two women. The proportion of the expenses of maintenance to be contributed

by Provincial and Local Funds has been calculated on the basis of the average
number of inpatients of the four classes of Government servants, Civil and
Military Police, residents in the municipality and residents in the district,
treated during the last three years. The Local Government pays as its share the
salaries of the Civil Surgeon and Medical subordinates and contributes Rs.
2,200 towards the fund. Sixty per cent of the balance of hospital expenditure is
met by the Municipality, and forty per cent by the District Council. The total
expenditure averages Rs. 18,000 per annum.

The yearly average attendance of in-patients, between 1890 and 1900, was
342 and out-patients 6,3 10. Attendance during the last three years was as
follows :

In-patients Out-patients

Total Daily Total Daily average

number average number

1920 763 28 14,560 91

1921 829 32 13,583 90
1922 737 29 14,471 93

Operations :-

In-door Out-door

No. of No. of
operations Denths operations Deaths

1920 213 2 364 …

1921 216 2 353 …
1922 197 1 360 …

From May 1st 1923, the Military Police Hospital at Shwebo was combined
with the Civil Hospital.

Ye-u Hospital.

The Ye-u Civil Hospital, completed in 1893, has accommodation for 14

males and four females. The daily average
SHWEBO DISTRICT 237

attendance for 1922 was seven in-patients and 44 out patients. The staff
consists of one Sub Assistant Surgeon, one compounder and two menials,
which is considered insufficient as the hospital is popular. It was previously
supported wholly by Government. It is now maintained by Government, the
Town Fund, and the District Council and is controlled by a hospital committee
consisting of the Subdivisional Officer and the Sub Assistant Surgeon, as ex-
officio members, two members from the Town Committee and two from the
District Council.

Kanbalu Hospital.

At Kanbalu to which the Subdivisional Headquarters were moved in 1891

from Tantabin there was a Railway dispensary staffed by the Railway
Company and tendering medical assistance to both the Company's employees
and to the general public. A separate Civil dispensary was opened in 1913 in
the vacated quarters of a Sub Inspector of Police in the Police Lines. It was
temporarily closed in March 1918 and was reopened in July 1919. As the
population is increasing a Civil Hospital is to be opened, and for this purpose
the Forest Bungalow has been purchased and will provide accommodation for
four beds. Out-door attendance at the dispensary has averaged about 9,000
yearly and was at its highest in 1916 when it was 16,982. In-door attendance in
a zayat built near the dispensary by a Burman in 1915-16 for urgent cases, was,
in 1916, 696 and averaged 200 in the next five years. The dispensary is
maintained wholly by Government contribution.

Sayas.

There are no travelling dispensaries in the district, nor are there any private
medical practitioners practising in any of the towns. In the areas where the
hospitals are not within easy reach of the people, the two classes of Sayas
Beindaw (Physician) and Payawga (Charmer) rule supreme, and live on the
credulity of the people. Some of the phongyis make it their business to learn
something of the indigenous drugs and charms, but they unlike the sayas, do
not go about visiting and treating patients at their he. rues. The phongyis and
sayas have each a reputation for curing some particular disease. There is, for
instance, a phongyi in Shwebo, who is noted for curing snake bite. There is a
saya who cures "children's disease" (Thungena). Another phongyi during
epidemics of plague, offers tattoo as a means of protection. The tattoo consists
of three little dots of
238 SHWEBO DISTRICT

faint red colour and is performed on the fore-arm. Amongst an ignorant,

superstitious and credulous people a protection of this sort is more readily
believed in than the anti-plague inoculation, as, when done by a phongyi, it
carries some religious sanction. Some sayas make use of thermometers and
even keep a small stock of useful Western drugs and medicines such as tincture
of iodine, quinine, aspirin, etc. The sayas never do any operation except on a
simple abscess or boil, and this, more often than not, results in septicæmia.
They generally burn the surgical knife in the fire red-hot and then allow it to
cool before operating.

Sanitation.

Little is done for the protection of public health in rural areas. A Sanitary
inspector, whose duty it is to report on villages, slaughter-houses, markets, etc
found in an insanitary condition and to report epidemics, has been maintained
from District funds since 1915. Otherwise, sanitation is in the hands of village
headmen. Shwebo Municipality employs a conservancy inspector and a gang
of 20 coolies, responsible for keeping the town clear of rubbish, which is
disposed of by carting and throwing outside the town. Sixteen sweepers and
one jemadar are employed for night conser vancy. Ye-u Town Committee
similarly employs one conser vancy inspector, 15 conservancy coolies and one
sweeper.

Water supply.

In Shwebo town water supply is a serious problem. Water for washing and
street watering is obtained from the moat which is filled from the Mahananda
tank. Drinking water is obtained from wells and from the Moksogyon branch
of the Shwebo canal which passes the southern extremity of the town. It is
distributed by water carts and the cost to consumers who do not draw their own
supply is high. In the dry season the well supply drops dangerously low. There
are several schemes for a pipe supply under consideration, but they are slow in
materialising. One scheme is to pump canal water into the town. As the canal
carries a considerable quantity of silt in the rains this would require
inexpensive system of settling tanks. Another proposal is to draw the supply
from artesian wells. One robe well was successfully sunk in 1920, but the
water is somewhat saline. If the Mahananda tank were utilised, a gravitation
supply might possibly be obtained, but the tank would require unsilting and
strengthening of the bund to enable it to hold an
SHWEBO DISTRICT 239

adequate supply to last through the dry season, while its utility as an irrigation
work would be impaired. There is also considerable risk of pollution.

In the district the construction of the major canals has improved the water
supply over wide areas. Tanks are filled periodically during the dry season
with canal water, and villages which formerly had to cart their hot weather
supply four or five miles now have it brought to their doors. In addition one of
the results of irrigations has been to raise the water table throughout the canal
area, so that the supply of water in existing wells has been improved. Outside
the canal area villages situated along the Irrawaddy, the Mu and the streams in
the north of the district have no difficulty. Elsewhere villages are usually
situated on sandy soil, and the supply from wells though susceptible of
improvement is ordinarily tolerably adequate. Black soils in which water
supply is difficult are usually avoided as village sites. The only area in which
water supply is a really serious problem is in the south-west corner of the
district adjoining the Lower Chindwin, and for many villages in this area the
situation has now been improved by the construction of the Ye-u canal.

Vital Statistics.

Registration of births and deaths is now maintained throughout the whole

district. Registration of deaths was introduced in 1898. Registration of births
was introduced in Shwebo town in 1898 and in the district in all townships
except Kyunhla in 1907, and in Kyunhla in August 1923. Excluding Shwebo
municipality and Ye-u town there are 12 centres of registration with a total of
626 registration cicles. A register with counterfoil is maintained by all viliage
headmen and collections are periodically made by police patrols.

It has been found that births are more often omitted than deaths. This is
probably due to the fact that a birth is a matter of less publicity than a death
and does not call for entertainment, display and special offerings. Owing to the
ignorance of headmen classification of cases cannot be relied upon, old age,
fever and infancy being the stated causes of the majority of deaths.

Statistics are given in Volume B. The ratio of births has increased from
36'26 per thousand of the census population in 1911, to 39'99 in 1921. The
ratio of deaths on
240 SHWEBO DISTRICT

the other hand has decreased from 32'65 to 21'94, but 1921 seems to have been
an exceptional year, the actual number of deaths being far below those in 1918,
1919 and 1920 and also below the earlier years of the decade. Curiously
enough this low death rate coincides with the year of lowest rain fall and most
unfavourable agricultural conditions experi enced for thirty years. A
comparison with the vital statistics of other districts for the decade 1911-20
shews that the death rate in Shwebo is the fourth highest of all districts for
which vital statistics are maintained. It is exceeded only by Rangoon,
Mandalay and Kyaukse. The high death rate in Kyaukse and Mandalay has
sometimes been ascribed to irrigation. In Shwebo there is no adequate ground
for throwing the blame on the canals. A large proportion of the land now
irrigated was under rice long before the con struction of the canals, and where
waste land was brought under cultivation the jungle cleared was usually light.
There was no high fever mortality on the introduction of irrigation such as was
experienced in the Mon canal area. In the absence of separate statistics for
irrigated and unirri gated tracts in this district there is no ground for believing
that the death rate in canal areas is higher than outside. The inhabitants are
certainly better fed and better housed than their neighbours in mogaung tracts.
The real reason for the very high death rate is the high rate of infantile
mortality that prevails. In 1923 the rate in Shwebo town was higher than in any
other town in Burma. About 37 per cent of the deaths recorded in the district
are deaths of children under one year old, the majority of whom die during the
first few months of their lives. Nearly half the total reported deaths are deaths
of children under five years of age.

CHAPTER XIV

MINOR ARTICLES

Shwebo Town.

Shwebo Town is situated on the Mu Valley railway line about three hours
run from Sagaing. It is connected with Kyaukmyaung on the Irrawaddy by a
metalled road 17 miles long. There is a continuation of this road from Shwebo
north-west to Ye-u, a distance of 24 miles, metalled
SHWEBO DISTRICT 241

for the first four miles adjoining Shwebo. Another road also metalled for the
first five miles runs west to Tebin on the Mu 12 miles off. The banks of the
Shwebo canal and Mokso gyon branch provide a fair weather motor road to
Wetlet and Ye-u, while the bund of the old Mu canal forms a tolerably good
road to Kin-u.

The town lies within the two miles square outer mud wall and moat built
by U Aungzeya. In the south-east cornor of the area surrounded by the outer
wall there are still traces of the inner brick wall which runs for 5,000 feet north
and south and 3,000 feet east and west. The town, consisting of some 2,000
houses, lies mainly within the old inner walls with the Pyinze Quarter and
railway station situated outside to the north. The Civil Lines lie east of the
town between the east moat and the railway line. Cantonments, now almost
deserted, are situated on high ground two or three miles to the north-east and
are connected with the town by metalled roads. South of the Kyaukmyaung-
Ye-u road the moat is dry, and between it and the walls are situated the Police
Lines and Hospital. In the centre of the town are the Deputy Commissioners'
office adjoining the bazaar, the new District and Sessions Court on the site of
the old Public Works Department office, the office of the District Superin
tendent of Police, the Municipal and Dish ict Council offices, the Post and
Telegraph office and the Jail. The Ye-u Canal office is in the Civil Lines and
the Shwebo Canal office close at hand east of the railway. The Public works.
Department (Roads and Buildings Branch) office and the office of the Special
Survey Party find accommodation in buildings in Cantonments. There is a
Circuit House and Irrigation Bungalow in the Civil Lines. The dak bungalow is
north-east of the railway station. In the town the majority of the houses have
mat walls and corrugated iron or wagat roofs. There are however a
considerable number of substantial wooden houses and a few brick houses.
The large number of new houses of the better type that have been erected in
recent years indicates that the town is prospering.

The population of the town at the census in 1921 was 10,605 persons, an
increase of about 13 per cent. on the population of 1891. The 1891 population
included troops (probably about 800). Even allowing for this the increase is not
very large. The normal civil population is 9,384 persons,
242 SHWEBO DISTRICT

4,723 males and 4,66 1 females. About 80 per cent of the population are
Buddhists, 8 per cent Hindus and 8 per cent Mahomedans. More than a quarter
of the Indians are to be found in the Pyinze quarter. A number are
gharrywallahs. Most of the remainder lived near the bazaar, in Zedan road or in
Minyat quarter. They are principally traders and shopkeepers. Chinamen
number about twenty-five house holds.

There are several schools in the town, All Saint's Boys' school and a girls'
school belonging to the S.P.G. mission, two middle schools, three Mahomedan
private schools and a small Chinese school. Of the male Buddhist population
68 per cent is literate, of the female 24 per cent.

The history of the town appears in Chapter II. Before the rise of U
Aungzeya it was merely an ordinary agricultural village. Captain Baker's
description of the town in 1755 and Dr. Richardson's in 1837 are given in
Chapter II. Apart from the fact that it was the capital of the kingdom in U
Aungzeya's reign the town enjoyed few natural advantages. Its position near
the Muhaung canal and Mahananda tank would give it some agricultural
importance, but the area served by these works was very limited. The town did
not lie adjacent to any main line of trade, and it is clear from Richardson's
account that the place had declined con siderably after U Aungzeya's death.
The construction of the Mu Valley railway and of the Shwebo canal have
completely altered conditions and have brought prosperity to the town, which
is now the main exporting and distributing centre for the large area irrigated by
the Shwebo canal.

Though nowadays known always as Shwebo, the town has had five
different names applied to it :

(i) Moksobo. The name given to the village rounded in the 13th century on
land given to Hunter Nga Po in the manner described in Chapter II, and the
name by which it was known up to the rise of U Aungzeya. U Zungzeya was
born in the village, the site of which is where the Shwechet tho pagoda stands.

(ii) Konboung. The countryside was famous for its embankment dug for
irrigation purposes in the 13th century and now known as the "old Mu". From
this it became known as Konbaung-pyi, the country of the embankment, (Kon-
high ground and baung-to heap up, Cf. myaungbaung, konbaung). The town
afterwards acquired the name of Konbaung also.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 243

(iii) Yatanatheinga, "City of the precious Priesthood." The name with

which Alaungpaya honoured the town when he laid it out and built the walls
and moat in 1753.

(iv) Yangyiaung, a less common name given in com memoration of the

repulse and eventual subjugation of the Talaings.

(v) Shwebo substituted for Moksobo in Tharrawaddy's reign probably to

suppress the word mokso, a hunter, an occupation repugnant to the Buddhist
religion.

The five names are perpetuated in a song peculiar to Shwebo called the
Konbaung-bwe sung to the accompaniment of two large drums more barbaric
than musical. There are two drummers each with a large bongyi slung round
his neck. These are beaten lightly to the tune of the man who sings the words
and clashes a pair of cymbals at the same time. Meanwhile two girls dance a
measure. Tune, music and dance are peculiar to Shwebo. The song recounts the
feats of Alaungpaya and also tells of the Mahananda lake with its lotus flowers
and feathered game.

Shwebo was supposed to contain aung-mye endowing all those who

walked upon it with power of victory. On this account Mindon Min, lest others
should attain power and rebel as he had done himself, made the land pagoda
land, thus robbing it of its magic virtue. Further to remove temptation, he
pulled down the old palace of Alaungpaya and distributed images of Buddha
carved from its pillars in the neighbouring villages. One of these images still
remains in Shwebo, and others no doubt exist.

Shwebo Subdivision.

The Shwebo subdivision which has its headquarters at Shwebo comprises

the Shwebo, Kin-u and Wetlet townships. It is situated in the south-east of the
district and is bounded on the east by the Irrawaddy, on the south by Sagaing
district, on the west by the Mu river, and on the north by a line which follows
the Ketlan chaung for part of its course, but eslewhere follows no prominent
natural feature.

Shwebo Township.

Shwebo township is the central township of the Shwebo subdivision. It

stretches from the Irrawaddy on the east to the Mu on the west. The northern
and southern boun daries do not follow any prominent natural feature. The area
of the township is 428 square miles. There are 82
244 SHWEBO DISTRICT

village tracts in the township, and the population in 1921 was 63,104 persons
as compared with 60,292 persons in 1911. The density is 147 persons to the
square mile. The total area occupied for cultivation is 241 square miles.
Agriculture is the principal occupation of the inhabitants and rice the chief
crop, the whole of the western half of the township being irrigated by the
Shwebo canal.

Chiba.

Chiba is a large village of 400 houses in the Shwebo canal area situated
three miles west of Shwebo on a metalled road. Agriculture is the chief
occupation, but the weaving industry is also very important. The pasos woven
are a mixture of silk and cotton from which possibly the name of the village is
derived. A small rice mill has recently been erected outside the village.

Kyaukmyaung.

Kyaukmyaung on the Irrawaddy is 17 miles distant from Shwebo by a

metalled road. It contains 214 houses and in 1921 had a population of 1,031
persons. It is a town under the Upper Burma Land and Revenue Regulation.
Trade is the principal occupation of the inhabitants, but is declining owing to
the competition of villages on the railway. The three adjoining villages to the
south Nwe nyein, Shwebun and Shwedaik are famous for the menu facture of
Pegu jars. There is a bazaar, telegraph office, police station and dak bungalow.
The village is a port of call for Irrawaddy Flotilla steamers.

Kyaywa.

Kyaywa is a large agricultural village in the Shwebo canal area ten miles
north-west of Shwebo, situated north of the road joining Nyaungbintha village
and Myingatha rail way station. Richardson in 1837 stated it was rounded by
General Maha Bandula, but nowadays like everything else its foundation is
ascribed to Narapati Sithu.

Nyaungbintha.

Nyaungbintha is an important agricultural village in the Shwebo canal area

twelve miles north-west of Shwebo on the Shwebo-Ye-u road. It contains 370
houses and had a population of 1,625 persons in 1921. It has an Irrigation
bungalow.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 245

Balaing.

A village of ancient origin eight miles south-west of Shwebo on the

Shwebo-Myinthe road. Originally it owed its importance to the large tank
north of the village which irrigated the paddy land to the south. It is probable
that at one time water was led into it from the Mu river by an irrigation channel
known as the Mingaung Myaung. The head of this channel is now three miles
from the present course of the Mu river, but it is close to one of the former
beds of the river. The tank is reported to have been built by Mingaung Min and
at a much later date was repaired by Mindon Min. Owing to the introduction of
canal irrigation it is no longer required. The bund has been cut, and the bed of
the tank is now under cultivation. The village now has 264 houses, and the
chief occupation of its inhabitants is rice cultivation. There is a small District
bungalow near the village.

Seikkun.

Seikkun is a large and wealthy village in the Shwebo canal area, seven
miles west of Shwebo, with which it is connected by a road that is metalled
most of the way. Agriculture is the chief occupation, and it is an important
centre of the canal area paddy trade. Two rice mills were established in the
village in 1923. In addition, as at Chiba, the silk weaving industry is important.
The population of the village in 1921 was 2,272 persons. An important pagoda
festival is held here annually at the full moon of Tagu. There is an irrigation
bungalow near the village.

Sinin.

A village of 274 houses situated in the alluvial belt along the Mu river. The
population is almost entirely agricultural. With the assistance of canal
irrigation heavy paddy crops are now obtained from the alluvial soil in the
tract. Beans are also grown. This and adjoining villages are handicapped by the
absence of communications with Shwebo.

Tebin.

A village of 161 houses situated on the Mu river twelve miles west of

Shwebo with which it is connected by a fairly good road, metalled for the first
four miles. There is a ferry across the Mu during the rains. During the dry
season a temporary bridge is erected annually. The cultivation of paddy and
beans is the chief occupation. The village is liable to flooding when there is a
big rise in the Mu river. There is a Public Works Department bungalow in the
village.
246 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Thalon.

An important agricultural village of 204 houses five miles north-west of

Shwebo close to the Shwebo-Ye-u road. In Burmese times it was the
headquarters of a myingaung.

Kin-u Township.

Kin-u township is the northern township of Shwebo sub division. From

east to west it extends from the Irrawaddy to the Mu and is bounded on the
north by Kanbalu town ship and on the south by Shwebo township. It is 309
square miles in extent and contains 79 village-tracts. Between 1911 and 1921
the population increased from 42,404 to 45,090 persons, and the density is now
146 persons to the square mile. The area occupied for cultivation is 204 square
miles. The west of the township irrigated by the Shwebo canal, the Muhaung
canal and various tanks is much more closely occupied than the higher land in
the east. Paddy is by far the most important crop, though there are considerable
areas of ya land under sesamum in the east.

The township was formerly known as the Chaukywa township because it

included the Burmese jurisdiction of Thabuttaw Chaukywa.

Kin-u.

Kin-u the headquarters of the township is a flourishing trade centre on the

railway line, fifteen miles north of Shwebo. It is connected with Shwebo by an
unmetalled road along the old Mu bund, and there is a metalled road 13 miles
long between it and Ye-u, for which it has hitherto been the railway station.
The opening of the Alon-Ye-u railway will probably deprive it of much of the
Ye-u trade it has hitherto enjoyed. Over half the population are agri culturists
but there is a considerable number of prosperous traders and shopkeepers
engaged in exporting paddy and distributing the requirements of the
surrounding agricultural villages. There are five rice mills in the place. Kin-u is
a town under the Upper Burma Land and Revenue Regulation. It has the usual
court-house and police station. The court house is new, the former building
having been burned down in 1919. There is a post and telegraph office, a
bazaar, a vernacular lay secondary school and a District bungalow. The
population in 1921 was 2,862 persons.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 247

Thawatti.

Thawatti is a large agricultural village on the left bank of the Mu. The
village has prospered since the introduction of irrigation by the Shwebo canal.
Paddy is the chief crop, but a very large proportion of the villagers supplement
their income by the cultivation of betel vine irrigated from wells.

Thetpe.

Thetpe is an important village near the Mu and close to the Shwebo-Ye-u

road. It is about five miles from Ye-u. Irrigated rice is the chief crop, but beans
are also important. The alluvial soil in the tract is very productive. There is an
Irrigation bungalow at Yonzu within the village-tract.

Wetlet Township.

Wetlet township, formerly known as Sheinmaga town ship when the

headquarters was at Sheinmaga, is the south ern township of the Shwebo
Subdivision. It is bounded on the east by the Irrawaddy, on the south by
Sagaing district, on the west by the Mu and on the north by Shwebo town ship.
The area of the township is 512 square miles, and it contains 88 village-tracts.
The population has increased from 54,675 to 63,636 persons between 1911 and
1921. The density is 124 persons to the square mile. The area occupied for
cultivation is 348 square miles. The increase in the cultivated area has been
rapid since the introduction of irrigation by the Shwebo canal. Irrigated rice is
the chief crop but on unirrigated land in the south and east of the township
sesamum, cotton and millet are important. Groundnut has made rapid headway
in recent years in the red soil near Paukkan railway station and is extending
north wards while wheat is fairly important in the black soils. Beans are grown
along the Mu and Irrawaddy and matpe and gram on the black paddy soils of
the west of the township. Salt manufacture is an important industry at Halin
and other villages.

Wetlet.

Wetlet the headquarters of the township is a thriving village on the railway

line, 17 miles south of Shwebo, with which it is connected by a track along the
Moksogyon branch canal. The population is almost entirely non-agricultural
and is engaged in the distributing trade and in the purchase of the produce of
the canal area. There are four rice mills in the village. Wetlet is a town for the
purposes of the Upper Burma Land and Revenue Regulation. It has a court
house, a police station, a bazaar, a post office, a vernacular lay school and a
248 SHWEBO DISTRICT

District bungalow. An Irrigation bungalow is in course of erection. Before the

construction of the railway the village was a petty hamlet. Since the opening of
the Shwebo canal it has grown rapidly and in 1921 had a population of 1,848
persons. Sixteen of the households are Chinese.

Halin.

Halin is a group of hamlets, totalling in all about 500 houses, five miles
east of Moksogyon railway station, with which it is connected by a Public
Works Department road partly gravelled. There is a Public Works Department
bungalow in the village which is about two miles north of Halin lake, noted for
its wild fowl shooting.

The soil and sub-soil in the neighbourhood of the village are generally
heavy clay and marshy. The upper surface is saturated with sodium chloride,
and on this account Halin is one of the centres of the local salt industry. There
are many springs in the low-lying marshy ground which sepa rates the groups
of houses that form the present village. Some of the springs are sweet and
others salty. Some are cold and others hot. Most of them exist very much side
by side and this according to the Burmans is one of the nine wonders for which
the old city was famous. Major V. P. O' Groman Lalor examined the springs in
1910 and reported as follows : " There are two varieties of mineral springs: (1)
muriated thermal springs, (2) muriated alkaline sulphated thermal springs. The
waters of the first mentioned class resemble closely those of Wiesbaden and
Baden Baden and will undoubtedly benefit cases similar to those successfully
treated at these watering places. The general properties of thermal muriated
waters are to encourage metabolism and thus improve general nutrition and to
stimulate the gtstro-intestinal mucosa and to aid elimination of poisonous
products of disordered metabolism by the kidneys. Acting in one or all these
ways the similar waters of Europe have proved of undoubted benefit in the
following classes of disease dyscrasia : chronic gastro-intostinal catarrh,
chronic bronchial catarrh, chronic rheumatism, sciatica and periphe ral neuritis,
hamorrhoids, chronic uterine disorders, annemin, tropical Cachexia, scrofula
and rickets."

The temperatures of four of the springs were found to be 106° F, 112° F,

114° F, and 126° F. At present visitors from Katha and Mandalay districts
occasionally avail them selves of the waters, the chief complaints for which
they are used being rheumatism, chronic swellings, boils, itch, piles, and
diseases connected with menstruation. The local people use the springs daily
for warm baths.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 249

In prehistoric times Halingyi was the capital of a Pyu Kingdom. A stone

inscription in the Pyu language has been found but still remains untranslated.
Coins with the symbol of the rising sun on one side are occasionally picked up,
and the bricks of the old walls still strew the ground.

After a conventional opening concerning the beginning of the world and

giving many names of Halin one of them Hanthanagara (the City of the
Geese), the Halin Thamaing continues : " Then the Great King, ruler of all the
Earth, the All Conquering, ordered that they should go forth and find a suitable
place (aung mye) where his younger son might rule even as he ruled, for his
eldest son would succeed him on the throne. And his younger son Garabaw
with professors wise in every art, one versed in spells, one versed in the
appearance of the soils, a Bedinsaya and a general, with carriages innumerable
and elephants and horses and men and arms of every tort, set out from Benares
to choose a desirable spot. And they chose a spot and built Hanthanagara there.
And the place where they built Hanthanagara was unlike all other places.
Grasses and creepers curled in strange ways. There was nought to fear from the
beasts of the jungle. Trees and flowers were unusually full of beauty. The
thamin could defeat the tiger in battle, and the hare the lion. The fox could over
power the elephant and the owl the crow. In every way it was a place befitting
a king, and the wise man pronounced it good, and the minister who could see
one yujana into the earth pro nounced it good. There was but one thing
missing. Paddy and grass and wood were there in plenty. But if all the four
needs of man are not existing the days of a town will not be long. There was no
water. To obtain water, Garabaw determined to dam the Irrawaddy, and on the
new river boats could come and go, and in it the cattle could drink. So they set
out for the Irrawaddy and set up a temporary palace there. They started digging
at Shagwe. And when the bund was finished Garabaw (let-hamaung kat)
slapped his arms as a boxer giving a challenge, and the nats were displeased
and destroyed the bund.

"Garabaw took it all very philosophically, and the glory of his rule was
great and the splendor of the town unsur-passed etc."

"And after Garabaw, ruled 798 kings and the eldest of the two sons of the
last, Pyusawti, ruled and made Pyon Min his heir (einshe). And the Kingdom
became great and glorious.

"In this king's reign there were nine wonders (an-ko-ba).

(1) The shaw-byu fibre tree throwing out branches to the north, the south,
the east and the west gave forth saga flowers of the size of a lily, and the ones
in the east
250 SHWEBO DISTRICT

were coloured white, and those in the south brown, and in the west dark red,
and in the north golden.

(2) Brackish water tasted sweet and fresh.

(3) Perpetual water sprang from a saga tree and flowed like a stream.

(4) There were two large wells connected with a sub terranean passage
through which two bilus, one golden and the other silver, swam to and fro.

(5) Two streams, one hot and one cold joining each other, flowed on
together, the two volumes of water remain ing unmixed.

(6) A bog which sucked in all that strode upon it, was dry when the rains
fell and became muddy in the dry weather.

(7) A noted mango tree had nine arms, and each arm bore nine branches,
and each branch nine twigs and each twig nine fruits and each fruit had nine
tastes.

(8) Water and palm juice flowed in an unending stream from one palm tree.

(9) Mysterious music on the waters of the moat which surrounded the city
could be heard by all both near and far.

Besides all this, when Pyu Min looked it rained gold and precious things,
and when Pyon Min laughed jewels and silver dropped from his lips. One day
the queen wanted to witness the smile of Pyon Min, and persuaded Pyu Min to
order his brother to smile before her. But Pyon Min knowing that his smile
would expose the queen to immoral temptation, which she would not be able to
overcome, refused to obey. Pyu Min became very angry and ordered his
brother to be put to death. No sooner was the order given then the sky became
dark; a terrible storm raged; swords, spears and daggers fell from the heavens
and destroyed all the inhabitants and the city was ,covered with ashes, Pyu Min
also perished, and this great and glorious city came to an end.

"It was before the time of Gautama that Pyusawti thus ruled in,
Hanthanagara. But Pyon Min with a hundred ministers (amat ta ya) escaped to
Madaya, and, Hanthana gara no longer being a desirable spot, sought another
place.

"Halin was one of the places where Dammathawka Min had the holy relics
of the body of Buddha buried in the Shwe-ku-gyi Pagoda. Kyansittha Min also
built pagodas,
SHWEBO DISTRICT 251

the Inbinhla Sudaungpye. After him when Alaung Sithu journeyed on his
magic raft he rounded more pagodas."

It is possible, though by no means certain, that Pyu Min mentioned in the

Halin Thamaing is Pyusawti who ruled in Pagan from 168 to 243 A.D. There
are various legends concerning Pyusawti, King of Pagan, which indicate that
his origin is either unknown or not fit to be known and magic birth has had to
be invented for him. One legend connects him with the ancient kings of
Tagaung. According to another he was born of a Nagama (a female dragon, a
term used elsewhere in reference to the aboriginal races) and the sun god, in an
egg which floated down from Male. He was taught the use of the boy. by an
old hermit, and, slaying many fabulous birds and beasts which were preying
upon Pagan, was made heir to the throne by the reigning King and eventually
succeeded him.

The fabulous beasts were evidently Pagan's surrounding enemies, which

may have been subdued with followers skill ed in the art of the bow. The
mention of Male indicates the direction from which Pyusawti came, and it may
be, hazarded that h s being spoken of as born of an egg (Udi pwa) indicates his
scvereignty, for the Kings of China are throughout Burmese history known as
Udipwa, and in the legend the other egg is supposed to have been carried away
to China, suggesting some connection between Pyusawti and China. But the
China of the Burmese is often only Yunnan, Anawrata's journey to the Udipwa
of China was only to the King of Yunnan. Thus, if Pyusawti'S connection with
Yunnan can be proved, it will be clear that the legend merely indicates that he,
an Udipwa, or chief, son of a Nagama, that is, Of aboriginal race, descended
from the region of Male and, conquering the surrounding enemies assumed the
throne of Pagan.

The link with Nanchao (Yunnan) is supplied by Pelltio, who points out the
strong resemblance in the nomenclature of the kings at Nanchao (Yunnan) and
at Pagan from Pyusawti onwards. The last syllable of the father's name forms
the first syllable of the son's in both cases. Thus in Nanchao, Sinolo, Locheng,
Chenglop, etc., and in Pagan, Pyusawti, Timinyin, Yinminpaik, Paikthili,
Thilikyaung, Kyaungdurit.

"The identity is too absolute to be accidental and indicates a common

origin, probably communality of race."
252 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Hladaw.

Hladaw is an agricultural village close to the Hladaw branch of the Shwebo

Canal twenty miles south of Shwebo. It is seven miles west of Wetlet with
which it is connected by an unmetalled Public Works Department road. There
is an Irrigation bungalow at Maukkyo on the canal bank three miles to the
north. The village was formerly headquarters of Hladaw Township with three
circles, Hladaw, Kunitywa, and Yontha. Bo Byin who was Kayaingwun of
Shwebo at the annexation had been Hladaw Bo. The Hladaw-Pinzin tank
connected with the Kadu by the Pin-da-Yo was an irrigation work of some
importance before the introduction of canal irrigation. It was built by Narapati
Sithu (13th cen tuary A.D.) and repaired by the Taingda Mingyi under the
orders of King Thibaw. The repairs and raising of the embankment were due"
not to any solicitude on the part of the King for the welfare of his people but to
the fact that the astrologers had reported that, in order to prolong his life, he
should repair all pagodas and tanks, the last syllables of whose names began
with the dental (t,d, or n), the den tal being the symbol of Saturday, the day on
which Thibaw was born."

Singut.

A large agricultural village close to the eastern shore of the Kadu Lake. It
is just outside the canal area. The chief crop is unirrigated rice, but wheat
cultivation is making progress. A large proportion of the villagers also engage
in salt manufacture.

Sheinmaga.

Sheinmaga is a large trading village with a population of 1,456 persons on

the right bank of the Irrawaddy. The Mandalay-Thabeikkyin ferry steamer calls
here. It has a bazaar, police station, District bungalow and vernacular lay
school. It is connected with Paukkan Railway station (eight miles) by a good
unmetalled road. Up to 1911 it was the headquarters of the township. Since the
construction of the railway trade has declined. Formerly with Kyaukmyaung it
was a port for Shwebo, and Colonel Yule in 1855 estimat ed the number of
houses as 600. There are now 381. The village however still does a brisk trade
in exporting salt, jaggery, and tea kettles, and its bazaar supplies the wants of
the kaing cultivators on the Mandalay side of the river. The burning of the
village by Nga Yaing the dacoit bo in the annexation days is described in
Fielding Hall's "Soul of a People."
SHWEBO DISTRICT 253

Shwebangon.

Shewbangon is a large agricultural village of 302 houses in the south-west

of the Shwebo Canal area connected with Wetlet Raliway station by an
unmetalled district road. There is an Irrigation bungalow two miles from the
village. The original founders of the village were Shans captured at Zinme and
Kenghung known as Yuns and Kaunghans. They were settled in this area by
Thaluh Mindayagyi between l629 and 1648 A.D. In 1910 on account of com
plicity in Maung Than's Myinmu rebellion it had punitive police quartered on
it for a time.

Thakuttaw.

Thakuttaw is an agricultural village in the Shwebo canal area near the

railway line, two miles north of Wetlet. Salt manufacture is an important
subsidiary industry.

Ywatha.

Ywatha is a large agricultural village with 1,055 inhabi tants (1921 census)
situated in the south of the Shwebo canal area, 7 miles west of Wetlet on the
Wetlet-Thamayo district road. There is a police station in the village.

Kanbalu Subdivision.

Kanbalu subdivision occupies the whole of the northern half of the district
on both sides of Mu river. It includes the Kanbaln and Kyunhla townships.

Kanbalu Township.

Kanbalu township consists of the old Myedu township to which half of

Male township was added in 1902. It occupies the north-east corner of the
district. On the north the boundary is Katha District, on the east the ridge of the
Minwun Range down to the mouth of the Zin chaung and then the Irrawaddy,
on the south Kin-u township and on the west the Mu River, except in the north
where a portion of Kyunhla Township lies east of the Mu between that river
and the Tamyit chaung. The population has increased from 51,895 in 1911 to
54,560 in 1920, and the density is now 36 persons to the square mile. There are
some 5,000 Burma Moslems in the township, residing chiefly in Myedu,
Sagon, Bugyi, Wetto, Chinbyitkyin, Kyisu and Nagyane. The township
contains 125 village tracts and is 1,536 square miles in extent. Almost the
whole of the north-east of the township is however covered by reserved forests,
and of the total area, 703 square miles or less than half is under sup plementary
survey. The area occupied for cultivation is 243 square miles or less than a
seventh of the whole. Only the south-west corner of the township is fully
occupied. The
254 SHWEBO DISTRICT

rest of the area consists of broken forest country, and cultivation is restricted to
the valleys. Rice is the main crop with the exception of a narrow strip along the
Mu under kaing crops. Only a few hundred acres in the south-west are irrigated
by the Shwebo canal. There is a consider able area commanded by the old Mu
canal, but the canal does not function in this section. East of the canal there is
irrigation from a number of tanks of some importance that are no longer
maintained by Government. Work in connection with the forests is the chief
non-agricultural occupation. These include the extraction of timber, bamboos
and firewood. In recent years the extraction and conversion of railway sleepers
has been an important industry. In a number of villages the weaving of mats
from split bamboos is the chief non-agricultural occupation.

Kanbalu.

Kanbalu the headquarters of the subdivision and town ship is a railway

centre of some importance. It is a town under the Upper Burma Land and
Revenue Regulation. It exports paddy, but the timber trade is more important.
In addition to a court-house it has a small military police post and police
station. There is a railway and a civil dispensary and a temporary hospital.
There is a post and telegraph office, an open bazaar, a vernacular lay school,
and two rest houses, one belonging to the Railway, the other to the Forest
Department. The town is the headquarters of a Forest Revenue Range. Its
population has risen from 1,003 in 1901 to 2,040 in 1921.

Kyatthin.

Kyatthin, a railway station 26 miles north of Kanbalu is another important

centre of the timber and sleeper trade. A railway siding is under construction
from this station to Yindaik on the Mu for the extraction of sleepers and fire
wood. In favourable years some 5,000 tons of paddy are exported. There is
District bungalow and a Forest bun galow in the village. The population is
8,041 persons.

Male.

Male, formerly the headquarters of a township, is a trading village of 178

houses on the Irrawaddy. It is 30 miles from Zigon railway station by an
unmetalled district road. The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company's steamers usually
stop here. Formerly the village did a considerable trade with the Shan States in
pickled tea. The Shwemoktaw Pagoda is ascribed to Pyusawti, King of Pagan.
The village figures in the early mythical history of Burma (see paragraph
SHWEBO DISTRICT 255

134, Part II, Volume II, Gazetteer of Upper Burma and Shan States).

Myedu.

Myedu is a walled village situated not far from the point where the old Mu
Canal takes off from the Mu river. It contains 82 houses, and agriculture and
forest work are the principal occupations of the inhabitants. There is a District
bungalow in the village, which is about 12 miles west of Kanbalu by a village
cart road. Out of a total population of 1,923 persons in the village tract, 1,137
are Mahomedans according to the 1921 census. These are mainly the
descendants of the Pathis brought from Sandoway by Tabin Shwe Ti in 1564
A.D.

The village was formerly the headquarters of the Kanbalu township before
the railway was constructed. In Burmese times it was a place of some
importance and was the headquarters of a wun. It played an important part in
the wars with the Shan principalities of Mogaung and Mohnyin.

References to the Myedu Yazawin have been made in Chapter II. The
following is a summary of its contents:-

"In the year 46, twenty years before Gautama was born, his grandfather
Insaha Min sent his minister, Ratanathincha, from the Kappilawut country, and
he built the town of Myedu Walls and moat, nine ins, nine kans, nine kus and
nine towns, Aungswe, Meiktila, Kundaing, Taungni, Tayoktin, Thabut,
Ketthin, and Ngayandaing were all founded at the same time. The boundaries
stretched from the Chindwin on the west to the Irrawaddy on the east. In the
north they marched with the Shan State of Mogaung and in the south reached
Kyauktaga. After this the Shan Hanbwa ruled over the place. Then Anawrata
put Hanbwa to death. In 384 B.E. the Chinese entered the town. They were
ejected and the town was repaired and enlarged. Alaung Sithu while touring
the country on his magic raft stayed off the hill to the north-east of Myedu. He
built many pagodas. In 662 B.E. in the time of the king ruling at Myinzaing,
Usana was sent to repair the town. In 668 B.E. Sagaing Min Theinkaye
Sawlun, when appointing troops in his northern dominions, stationed 24
horsemen in Myedu. In Mingyiswasawke's reign, the town was repaired by the
Myosa. In Nyaungyan Min's time kalas from Toungoo and Burmans also were
given land in Myedu. Then Myedu
256 SHWEBO DISTRICT

was given to the Tabayin Myosa. In 999 B.E. in Yaza manisula Daynga
Mintaya's reign men from Zinme were put in the town. In Thaiwun
Mintayagyi's time, shield bearers were given land (within the boundaries of the
ne later called Pyinsala). In thugyi Yazapyanch's time, Yuns and Kaunghans
were given land in Nabet and Thapanzeik, and later Shans from Zinme. In 959
B.E. 110 men from Toungoo were given land in Wetto in, to work iron. In
1070 B.E. Arakanese kaias were given land. Every village that cut thaitya or
ingyin and smelted iron had to pay revenue in iron. The descendants of Nga In
Pyi who cama over from Toungoo were thanhmus up till Alaungpaya's time
and again to Sinpyushin's time."

Zigon.

Zigon is a trading village on the railway line 26 miles north of Shwebo.

The population at the 1921 census was 1,594 persons of whom about one-third
are agriculturists. It is a town under the Upper Burma Land and Revenue
Regulation and has a bazaar, police station and District bungalow. There are
four rice mills near the railway station which draw their supplies mainly from
the north of the Shwebo Canal area, District roads lead from the rail way
station to Male on the Irrawaddy (30 miles) and Kabo near the Mu (6 miles).

Kyunhla Township.

Kyunhla township occupies the north-west corner of the district. it is

bounded on the north by Katha district, the boundary being the Nanbayan
chaung. On the east the boundary is the Mu, except for a small area between
the Swele and the Tamyit chaungs that lies east of the Mu. On the south it
marches with Taze township, the boundary being the Yebin chaung, on the
west with the Upper Chin dwin District. The area of the township is 988 square
miles and the number of village tracts 37. The population has increased from
13,742to 14,946 between 1911 and t921. The density is the lowest in the
district being only 215 per sons per square mile. The bulk of the township is
covered with forests reserved and unreserved, and villages are found mainly
along the banks of the Mu and its tributaries the Maingwun and Pyaungthwe.
Only 49 square miles, a twentieth of the total area of the township, are
occupied for cultivation. Rice is the main crop. The rainfall (48 inches) is
considerably higher than in any other township, and crops are comparatively
secure, but the area is very malarious.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 257

Work in the forests provides the chief non-agricultural employment.

In Burmese times the whole of that portion of the town ship which lies
west of the Mu formed part of the Gold Tract. The inhabitants we-e originally
Shan-Kadus, but are now indistinguishable from Burmans.

Kyunhla.

Kyunhla, the headquarters of the township, is a small village with 471

inhabitants in 1921. The main village is known as Mingon. It has a court
house, police-station and post office. There is a circuit room in the court-house
building.

Ye-u Subdivision.

Ye-u subdivision comprises Ye-u, Taze and Tabayin Townships, and

covers the whole of the western portion of the district west of the Mu and south
of the Yabin chaung. From the annexation up to 1895 together with Kyunhla
township it constituted a separate district known as Ye u District.

Ye-u Township.

Ye-u township is the central township of the Ye-u sub division. It is

bounded on the north by Taze township and on the south by Tabayin township.
From east to west it extends from the Mu to the Mu-Chindwin watershed. The
township is 574 square miles in extent and contains 76 village tracts. The
population has increased from 38,800 in 1911 to 42,997 in 1921. The density is
75 persons per square mile. This statement however conveys no clear idea of
the distribution of population. The indaing country which covers the whole of
the western half of the township is almost uninhabited, whereas the eastern
portion is very densely populated. Excluding the portion of the old Tamadaw
township that was added to it in 1922, the density at the 1921 census was 233
persons to the square mile. Agriculture is the principal occupation and rice the
chief crop. The area occupied for cultivation is 159 square miles. The eastern
portion of the township is irrigated by the Ye-u Canal. The central portion
depends on fitful irrigation from streams that flow down from the high indaing
country in the west of the township. In spite of the insecu rity of crops land
values are high owing to the pressure of population. In the centre of the
township the palm sugar industry is important, and in all villages-outside the
canal tract a high proportion of the total income is ordinarily derived from non-
agricultural sources.
258 SHWEBO DISTRICT

Ye-u.

Ye-u, now the headquarters of a subdivision and town ship, was up to 1895
the headquarters of a district. From 1890 to 1896 it was a Municipality. In
1920 it was declared a Notified Area under the Burma Municipal Act. It is a
town for the purposes of the Towns Act. The population in 1921 was 2,742
persons. The town is situated on the right bank of the Mu river. At present the
nearest railway station is Kin-u, to which there is a metalled road 12 miles
long. The Mu river is however unbridged, and communication is therefore
occasionally difficult during floods. The terminus of the new Alon-Ye-u
branch will be at Ye-u-gon about a mile north-west of Ye-u. Trade and money-
lending are the principal occupations of the inhabitants. It is the chief
distributing centre west of the Mu.

The town has a court-house, post and telegraph office, military police post,
police station, hospital, bazaar, Anglo vernacular middle school and town
vernacular school. It also contains the offices of the two Irrigation Department
Subdivisional Officers. There is a circuit room in the court house and an
Irrigation bungalow to the south of the town.

Magyidaw.

Magyidaw is a village with a population of 1,065, per sons about a mile

south of Ye-u with which it is connected by a metalled road. There is a
considerable Indian element in the population, 85 Mahomedans and 53 Hindus,
due to the place having been formerly a military police post. Rice is probably
the main crop now that canal irrigation has been introduced, but the cultivation
of onions irrigated from wells is still important.

Zeyawaddi.

Zeyawaddi is a large village of 223 houses in the unirri gated area in the
west of the township.

Tabayin Township.

Tabayin is the southern township of Ye-u subdivision. Its area is 754

square miles, and it contains 91 village-tracts. The population has increased
from 45,859 to 54,862 persons between 1911 and 1921. The density is only 89
persons to the square mile. As in the case of the other townships in the
subdivision, the indaing country in the west is very sparsely populated. In
addition the extensive tanegyan basin in the centre of the Ye-u canal area is
avoided as a site for villages. The occupied area of the township is 293 square
miles. Rice is the chief crop, and two-thirds of the area irrigated by the Ye-u
canal lie within the town ship. In the south-west ya crops, sesamum, cotton and
SHWEBO DISTRICT 259

millet are important, and along the Mu kaing crops are grown. The central
tanegyan basin produces matpe and penauk in addition to paddy. The palm
sugar industry is one of the main sources of income in the area south-west of
the canal.

Tabayin.

Tabayin, the headquarters of the township, is situated on the Ye-u-Monywa

road, nine miles south-west of Ye-u. It has a court house, post office, police
station, irrigation bungalow and vernacuar lay school. At the 1921 census it
had a population of 713 persons. The inhabitants are agriculturists,
shopkeepers and traders. There is also a somewhat unusual local industry, the
fashioning of rosaries from cocoanut shells.

The village is of some antiquity, and its wall and moat, which include a
very limited area, are still visible. Taba yin is said to have been rounded in 555
B.E. by Narapati Sithu. Locally the derivation of the name is given as di=
ye=water, pe=seik=goat, shin=taw=jungle. What the language is no one can
state definitely. Some say Kadu, others Talaing, others Chin.

In Burmese times the village was the headquarters of a district known as

Tabayin Kothan, the epithet Kothan referring to the area it was thought to
cover, viz., nine million pes. A pe is 1'78 acres. The wun or governor usually
resided there, though some of the later holders of the post resided at Ye-u. A
list of wuns of Tabayin is given in the Upper Burma Gazetteer, Volume III,
paragraph 406. The first recorded is Maha Bandula, the Burmese general, who
was wun of Tabayin in Bagyidaw's reign. A garden to the north of the village
is still known as Bandula's garden, He was born in Ngayabin in what is now
the Lower Chind win district. Dr. Richardson's account of the village in 1837
is given verbatim in Chapter II. He refers to the pacification of the district by
Bandula after raids by dacoits from Hladaw. U Hman of Thitcho in Shwebo
district was wun in Mindon Min's reign and assisted the Padeinsa Mintha.
260 SHWEBO DISTRICT

List of Deputy Commissioners who have held charge of the

Shwebo District since 1886.

Period of Incumbency

Name From To

Mr. M. S. Collis, I.C.S 10th April 12th April

1914. 1914.
Mr. A. G. Mosely, I.C.S 13th April 29th April,
1914. 1914.
Mr. B. W. Perkins, I.C.S 30th April 4th Sep
1914. 1914.
Mr. E. N. Bell, I.C.S 5th Sep. 27th Nov.
1914. 1915.
Mr. J. B. Marshall, I.C.S 28th Nov. 20th Dee.
1915. 1915.
Mr. H. L. Stevenson, I.C.S 21st Dec. 9th Dec.
1915. 1916.
Mr. W. Street 10th Dec. 9th June
1916. 1917.
Mr. R. B. Smart 10th June 17th March
1917. 1919.
U Po Than (I), A.T.M 18th March 28th April
1919. 1919.
Mr. R. B. Smart 29th April 1st March -
1919. 1920.
Mr. T. Couper, I.C.S 2nd March 1st Dec.
1920. 1920.
Mr. J. J. Anderson, I.C.S 2nd Dec. 4th Nov.
1920. 1921.
Major H. H. Batten, I.A 5th Nov. 20th Dec.
1921. 1921.
Mr. J. J. Anderson, I.C.S 21st Dec. 11th March
1921 1923.
Mr. H. P. Hewett, I.C.S 12th March 26th April
1923. 1923.
U Pein, K.S.M 27th April 31st Aug.
1923. 1923.
Mr. W. T. Palrats, I.C.S 1st Sep. …
1923.
SHWEBO DISTRICT 261

List of Deputy Commissioners who held charge of the Ye-u District from 1886
to the abolition of the District in 1895.

Period of Incumbency

Name From To

Mr. W. N. Porter (U.C.S.) 2nd May 23rd Jan.

1886. 1888.
Mr. R. A. Lamb (Born. C.S.) 24th Jan. 17th Oct.
1888. 1888.
Mr. B. Houghton, I.C.S 18th Oct. 27th Aug.
1888. 1889.
Mr. H.L. Tilly, A.M.I.C.E. (U.C.S.), 28th Aug. February
Assistant Engineer. 1889. 1891.
Mr. C. R. Stevenson (U.C.S.) 24th Feb. 26th March
1891. 1894.
Captain F. H. Elliot, I.A 27th March April 1895.
1894.
262 SHWEBO DISTRICT

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Phayre … History of Burma.

Symes … Embassy to Ava, 1759.
John Crawfurd … Embassy to Ava, 1827.
Captain Henry Yule … Mission to the Court of Ava, 1855.
Richardson … Journal of a March from Ava to Kendat
on the Kyendween River.
Bigandet … History of the Burmese Mission.
G. Gratton Geary … Burmah after the Con quest.
Dalrymple … Eastern Repertory.
Crosthwaite … The Pacification of Burma.

British Burma Gazetteer of 1880.

Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan States.

History of the Third Burmese War: Periods III, IV, V and VI.

Report on the Settlement Operations in the Shwebo District, 1900-1906.

Report on the Revision Settlement of Shwebo District, 1918-1923.

Reports on the Census of Burma, 1891, 1911 and 1921. Burma Gazettes from
1885 onwards.

Notes on the Mineral Resources of Upper Burma by Dr. Fritz Noetling.

Report on a visit to some salt workings in the Shwebo and Sagaing Districts,
1923.

List of Inscriptions found in Burma.

Secretariat Files Nos. 288, 11, 775, 474 and 484 of 1886, Foreign.

Upper Burma relating to Shwebo and Ye-u Districts.

Archaeological Survey of India, Annual Report, 1903-04, containing Mr.Taw

Sein Ko's "Ancient Relics found in Shwebo."
SHWEBO DISTRICT 263

Annual Reports of Shwebo Municipality and Ye-u Town Committee.

Annual Provincial Reports on Administration, Police, Criminal Justice, Civil

Justice, Registration, Salt, Excise, Village Administration, Sanitation, Public
Health, Archaeology, etc.

Annual District Reports of various Departments for a few years up to 1922.

Hmannan Yazawin-daw-gyi.

Konbaung Zet Maha Yazawin-daw-gyi.

The Halin Thamaing, the Myedu Yazawin and other local histories and sittans.
INDEX

A
PAGE
Administration after annexation
---Burmese
---Civil
---Military
---Revenue, British
---Revenue, Burmese
---Village
Agricultural Indebtedness
---Loans
Agriculture
Ahmudans
Alaungpaya, tomb of
Alkaline earth
Amber
Anawrata dynasty
Archæology
Aunggezin
Aungswa
Aungzeya, U
Aungzeya, U, Captain Baker's interview with

B
Baker, Captain
---Captain, Description of U Aungzeya
---Captain, Interview with U Aungzeya
Bamboo mats and baskets
Barnabite Fathers
Baskets, bamboo
Bayingyis
Beans
Bear
Beggars, professional
Birds
Bison
Bodawpaya
Boundaries
Byin, Bo Shwe

C
Calogreedy
Canal, Shwebo
---Ye-U
Cart hire
INDEX

C-concld.
PAGE
Cattle
Chantha
Chauk-ywa Chiba
Chinese
Cholera
Christians
Circle Boards
Civil Justice
Climate
Coal
Combs
Co-operative Societies
Cotton
Criminal Justice
Cropping, double
Crops
Crops dry, cultivation of
Cultivation, extension of
---methods of D

Dalrymple-Oriental Repertory
Deer
District Councils
---Funds
Dogs, wild
Dress

Eales
Education
---administration
Elephant
---keddahs Estates, large
Excise
Exports ---

Famine
Fauna
Ferries
INDEX
PAGE
F –concld.

Fisheries
Food
Forest occupations
---offences
---villages
Forests
---expenditure
---history of
---management
---revenue
---types of

Gambling
Geology
Gold
Gram
Groundnut
Gwe Shans

Halin

Health, Public
Hills
Hindus
History, Early
Hladaw
Hla U

Hospital, Kanbalu
Hospitals
Hospital, Shwebo
---Ye-U
Houses

Imports
Indebtedness, agricultural
Inscriptions
Iron
INDEX
PAGE
I--concld

Irrawaddy River
Irrigation establishment
---lift
---major canals
---minor works

Jail
Justice, Civil
---Criminal

Kabo

Kanbalu
---subdivision
---township
Keddahs
Kinthamyo
Kin-u
---township
Konbaung
Kunmagye-ta-se
Kyatthin
Kyaukmyaung
Kyaywa
Kyunhla
---township
Kywe, Tet

Labourers
Lacquer
Lakes
Land Records
---revenue establishment
---fluctuations in
---settlements
---values
Linbyu
Literacy
INDEX
PAGE
L--concld.

Loans, Agricultural
Local Self-Government

Magistrates, Honorary
---Stipendiary
Magyidaw
Mahabo
Mahananda Tank
Mahomedans
Maize
Male
Manpaya
Manure
Markets
Matpe
Mats, bamboo
Mayagan
Migration
Military administration
---organization, Burmese
---Police
Millet
Mills, rice
---saw
Mindon Min
Minerals
Mingaung I
Minlaung
Moksobo
Monhla
Moslems, Burma
Muhaung or old Mu Canal
Municipality, Shwebo
Mu River
Myedu
Myin ne
Myohla

Nauktauk
INDEX
PAGE
N-concld.

Naungdawgyi
Ngayane
Nge, Nga Taw, rebellion of
Ngwedaw
Nyaungbintha

Occupations
---non-agricultural, importance of
Oils, mineral
Onions
Opium

Paddy cultivation
Padein Prince, rebellion of
Pagoda festivals
Pagodas
Palaing
Palms, Toddy
Panthers
Pas
Pathis
Pebyugale
Pegya
Pitaka talk
Plague
Plantains
Police, civil
---military
---punitive
---railway
---stations
Population, density of
Population of District
---of Shwebo Municipality
Porter
Portuguese
Postal system
Pottery, glazed
---unglazed
Prosperity
INDEX
PAGE
P-concld.

Pyinsala-Nga-Myo
Pyu
Pyu Min

Race
Rae
Railway
Rainfall
Rebellions
Registration ·
Rent
Revenue Administration, British
---Administration, Burmese
---Excise
---fishery
---Income-tax
---Land
---establishment
---settlements
---miscellaneous
---salt
---thathameda
Rhinoceros
Rice
Rice-mills
Richardson, Dr., journey of
Rivers
Road metal
Roads
Rosaries

Sabape
Saing
Salt
Salt manufacture
Sand-weirs
Sanitation
Satpya
Sawmills
Sayas
INDEX
PAGE
S-concld.

Schools
Sedaw rebellion
Seikkun
Serow
Sesamum
Settlement, land revenue, original
---land revenue, revision
Shan domination
---prisoners
---settlements
Sheinmaga
Shwe-ale-gyaung
Shwebangon
Shwebawgyun Pagoda
Shwebo, occupation of
---Municipality
---Municipality, constitution of
---Municipality, duties of
Shwebo Municipality, establishment of
---Municipality, finance of
---Municipality, population of
---Subdivision
---town
---township
Shweraza Pagoda
Siboktaya
Singut
Sinin
Sleepers
Small-pox
Snakes
Soils
Stamps
Statistics, vital
Stone building

Tabayin
---township
Tane
Tanegyan
Tanks
Taxis
INDEX
PAGE
T-concld.

Taze
---township
Tebin
Telegraphs
Temperature
Tenants
Tet Kywe
Thakuttaw
Thaion
Tharrawaddy Min
Thathameda
Thawatti
Theinkadaw Pagoda
---Kayaing
Thekyat
Thermal springs
Thetpe
Thibaw
Tigers
Tobacco
Toddy palms
Tomatoes
Trade
Trade, lines of
Traders
Tun, Sitha Maung

Vaccination
Values, land
Villages
---Forest
Vital statistics

Wages
Water supply
Weaving
Wetlet
---township
Wheat
Wuntho Sawbaw
INDEX
PAGE
Y

Yaing, Nga
Yangyiaung
Yatanatheinga
Ye-u
---notified area
---subdivision
---township
Ywatha
Ywathitkyi

Zeyawaddy
Zigon

G.U.B.C.P.O.No. 49, C.S.L.R.--12.6-63 1 ,000 + 10 -Mono -VII.