From the above discussion though not precisely but at least an idea can be formed about the military organization prevalent in the Tai states around 13th century. The system of compulsory military service continued to be in practice in the Tai states even in the end of the 20th century. (pp. 258-59, Amongst the Shans, A. R. Colquhoun)
The chief national weapon of the Shans of Burma was a long, slightly curved, sharp pointed sword called dah. Other weapons were cross –bows and spears. The metal used for dah common among the Tai-Khamtis was very durable. There were four varieties of dah and the so-called ‘streaked’ variety was used by the upper classes. (pp. 170, 180-81, Hist. of Upper Assam ….by L.W. Shakespear) The Shan sword was hung over …show more content…
The physical features of the Brahmaputra valley, the Tai economy, i.e. the wet-rice cultivation, ambition and policy on behalf of the rulers determined its direction. Except the Chutia kingdom on the north-east, the kingdom had its expansion towards west due to the extension of the valley from east to west. The entire history of the kingdom can be divided into four periods – (i) Foundation and consolidation (1228-1497), (ii) Expansion and consolidation (1497- 1696), (iii) kingdom at its zenith (1697-1769), and (iv) Fall of the kingdom (1769-1826). This periodization is based mainly on the political …show more content…
Chao Tai-Pung had three sons. He divided his kingdom amongst them and his second son Pa-Meo-Pung succeeded him in Mong-Mao. As Pa-Meo-Pung till then had no male issue, so, Siu-Ka-Pha was brought to Mao-Lung, nominated to the kingship and was brought up by his maternal grandmother. For nineteen years he was the designated king. But later Pa-Meo-Pung’s queen Nang Nam-Ap gave birth to a son and in Lakni Kat-Rao (1215) after the death of Pa-Meo-Pung, his son Siu-Khan-Pha succeeded him.(pp. 17-18, Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha, Vol. I, Phukan) So, Siu-Ka-Pha then having no chance of becoming the king of that country, held discussions with all the officers, e.g. Khun-ba, Khun-phong, Khun-ring, Khun-seng, Khun-phu-kin etc. and left Mong-Mao in the same year to try his luck in Mong-Pa-Kam that is in the west. He was accompanied by a number of officers of different grades. There were several categories of khuns, e.g. Khun-ba, Khun-ring (Hazarika), Khun-phong, Khun-seng, Khun-lak, Khun-phu-kin (Phukan) and Khun-tang. Thao-mongs, namely Thao-mong Shu-Khen, Thao-mong Mong-Kham, Thao-mong Ma-Shai, Thao-mong Keo-Khun, Thao-mong Bang-Kham, Thao-mong lung-Kang, Thao-mong Ban-Rai, Thao-mong Khun-Tang, Thao-mong Khun-Tai, Thao-mong Khun-Tala etc.; Thao, namely Thao Maw-Sam and Thao Khen-Lung; other officers, viz. Khen-Lung Ru-pak
The chief national weapon of the Shans of Burma was a long, slightly curved, sharp pointed sword called dah. Other weapons were cross –bows and spears. The metal used for dah common among the Tai-Khamtis was very durable. There were four varieties of dah and the so-called ‘streaked’ variety was used by the upper classes. (pp. 170, 180-81, Hist. of Upper Assam ….by L.W. Shakespear) The Shan sword was hung over …show more content…
The physical features of the Brahmaputra valley, the Tai economy, i.e. the wet-rice cultivation, ambition and policy on behalf of the rulers determined its direction. Except the Chutia kingdom on the north-east, the kingdom had its expansion towards west due to the extension of the valley from east to west. The entire history of the kingdom can be divided into four periods – (i) Foundation and consolidation (1228-1497), (ii) Expansion and consolidation (1497- 1696), (iii) kingdom at its zenith (1697-1769), and (iv) Fall of the kingdom (1769-1826). This periodization is based mainly on the political …show more content…
Chao Tai-Pung had three sons. He divided his kingdom amongst them and his second son Pa-Meo-Pung succeeded him in Mong-Mao. As Pa-Meo-Pung till then had no male issue, so, Siu-Ka-Pha was brought to Mao-Lung, nominated to the kingship and was brought up by his maternal grandmother. For nineteen years he was the designated king. But later Pa-Meo-Pung’s queen Nang Nam-Ap gave birth to a son and in Lakni Kat-Rao (1215) after the death of Pa-Meo-Pung, his son Siu-Khan-Pha succeeded him.(pp. 17-18, Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha, Vol. I, Phukan) So, Siu-Ka-Pha then having no chance of becoming the king of that country, held discussions with all the officers, e.g. Khun-ba, Khun-phong, Khun-ring, Khun-seng, Khun-phu-kin etc. and left Mong-Mao in the same year to try his luck in Mong-Pa-Kam that is in the west. He was accompanied by a number of officers of different grades. There were several categories of khuns, e.g. Khun-ba, Khun-ring (Hazarika), Khun-phong, Khun-seng, Khun-lak, Khun-phu-kin (Phukan) and Khun-tang. Thao-mongs, namely Thao-mong Shu-Khen, Thao-mong Mong-Kham, Thao-mong Ma-Shai, Thao-mong Keo-Khun, Thao-mong Bang-Kham, Thao-mong lung-Kang, Thao-mong Ban-Rai, Thao-mong Khun-Tang, Thao-mong Khun-Tai, Thao-mong Khun-Tala etc.; Thao, namely Thao Maw-Sam and Thao Khen-Lung; other officers, viz. Khen-Lung Ru-pak