British rule in Burma

Quick Facts: Who was British rule in Burma?

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British rule in Burma

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British colonial rule in Burma spanned from 1824 through to its eventual independence in 1948.

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Origins & Early Life

British colonial rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948, from the successive three Anglo-Burmese Wars through the creation of Burma as a province of British India to the establishment of an independently administered colony separate from British colonial India, and finally independence. The region under British control was known as British Burma, and officially known as Burma (Burmese: မြန်မာနိုင်ငံတော်) from 1886. Some portions of Burmese territories, including Arakan and Tenasserim, were annexed by the British after their victory in the First Anglo-Burmese War; Lower Burma was annexed in 1852 after the Second Anglo-Burmese War. These territories were designated as a chief commissioner's province known as British Burma in 1862. After the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885, Upper Burma was annexed, and the following year, the province of Burma in British ruled India was created, becoming a major province (a lieutenant-governorship) in 1897.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

This arrangement lasted until 1937, when Burma was separated from British-ruled India and made a separate Crown Colony administered by the Burma Office under the Secretary of State for India and Burma. British rule was disrupted during the Japanese occupation of much of the country during World War II. Burma achieved independence from British rule on 4 January 1948. Burma is sometimes referred to as "the Scottish Colony" owing to the considerable role played by Scots in colonising and running the country, one of the most notable being Sir James Scott. It was also known for the important role played by Indian immigrants in managing and administering the colony, especially while it was still part of British India; some historians have called this a case of co-colonialism, drawing attention to the rise of anti-Indian nationalism in Burma.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Because of its location, trade routes of Southeast Asia passed through the country, keeping Burma wealthy through trade, although self-sufficient agriculture was still the basis of the economy. Indian merchants travelled along the coasts and rivers (especially the Irrawaddy River) throughout the regions where the majority of Burmese lived, resulting in the assimilation of many Indians into the Bamar population. As Burma had been one of the first Southeast Asian countries to adopt Buddhism on a large scale, it continued under the British as the officially patronised religion of most of the population. The ruling Konbaung dynasty practised a tightly centralised form of government. The king was the chief executive with the final say on all matters, but he could not make new laws and could only issue administrative edicts.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1824: 1824 Milestone — British colonial rule in Burma lasted from 1824 to 1948, from the successive three Anglo-Burmese Wars through the creation of Burma as a province of British India to the establishment of an independently administered colony separate from British colonial India, and finally independence.
2. 1852: 1852 Milestone — Some portions of Burmese territories, including Arakan and Tenasserim, were annexed by the British after their victory in the First Anglo-Burmese War; Lower Burma was annexed in 1852 after the Second Anglo-Burmese War.
3. 1862: 1862 Milestone — These territories were designated as a chief commissioner's province known as British Burma in 1862.
4. 1885: 1885 Milestone — After the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885, Upper Burma was annexed, and the following year, the province of Burma in British ruled India was created, becoming a major province (a lieutenant-governorship) in 1897.
5. 1886: 1886 Milestone — The region under British control was known as British Burma, and officially known as Burma (Burmese: မြန်မာနိုင်ငံတော်) from 1886.
6. 1937: 1937 Milestone — This arrangement lasted until 1937, when Burma was separated from British-ruled India and made a separate Crown Colony administered by the Burma Office under the Secretary of State for India and Burma.
7. 1948: 1948 Milestone — Burma achieved independence from British rule on 4 January 1948.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: British rule in Burma

True or False: “The First Anglo-Burmese War was the shortest and least costly conflict for the British Empire.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text states that the First Anglo-Burmese War was the longest and most expensive war in the history of British India.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Abby Aldrich Rockefeller — Historical peer (Died in 1948) (1948): American socialite and influential philanthropist, key patron of modern art.
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• Aleksei Kruchyonykh — Historical peer (Born in 1886) (1886): Radical Russian Futurist poet, artist, and theorist, inventor of 'zaum' nonsense poetry.
• Ada Lovelace — Historical peer (Died in 1852) (1852): Pioneering mathematician recognized as the first computer programmer.
• Albert A. Michelson — Historical peer (Born in 1852) (1852): Pioneering American experimental physicist known for light speed measurements.
• Andrew Fisher — Historical peer (Born in 1862) (1862): Australian Labor Party leader and Prime Minister of Australia (1862–1928).
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