The Toungoo Dynasty 1531–1752

Tabinshwehti was to restore the kingship. He was only fifteen, but the dice were loaded in his favour. The Shan irruption had driven the Burmese south to Toungoo, greatly increasing his man-power; he was in touch with Kyaukse, the richest area in Upper Burma and the key to Ava; and to crown all, his opponents were Shans, a hill-race with a congenital incapacity for combined action. Tabinshwehti had maintained a cart-track from Pegu to Toungoo; he maintained one to Prome, said to be much the same as the present alignment. The king sat in his palace and left everything to his uncle, Toungooyaza, appointing him joint king. Toungoo left the Arakanese to hold Pegu and himself returned home. The Arakanese burnt Pegu and hid themselves in the woods. Mahadammayaza, prince of Toungoo, took away the Ceylon Tooth and stone thabeik begging bowl, and more than twelve caravan loads of loot, each consisting of 700 elephants and horses.