20 Facts About Binnya Dala

Binnya Dala was the last king of Restored Kingdom of Hanthawaddy, who reigned from 1747 to 1757.

Binnya Dala was a key leader in the revival of the Mon-speaking kingdom in 1740, which successfully revolted against the rule of Toungoo dynasty.

Binnya Dala mistakenly thought Upper Burma had been won, and withdrew two-thirds of the invasion force back to Pegu, leaving just a third for what he considered a mop-up operation.

Binnya Dala lived under house arrest for over 17 years.

Binnya Dala was popular but an ineffectual leader reluctant to take charge of the government or command of the army and spent most of his time searching for a white elephant in the jungles.

Binnya Dala was reported to have come from Chiang Mai with a herd of elephants.

Binnya Dala rose to the position of prime minister and was the power behind the puppet king.

Binnya Dala declared that the empire of Bayinnaung would again be restored with all its magnificence, prosperity and grandeur and vowed his intention to make the king of Ava and other neighboring kings subordinate to the sovereign of Hanthawaddy.

Binnya Dala assembled a large army of sixty thousand men and a flotilla of war boats to protect the hundreds of boats carrying the provisions needed for the expedition.

Binnya Dala procured firearms, cannons and ammunition from European traders and privateers.

Binnya Dala brought into service renegade Dutch and native Portuguese.

Binnya Dala left Upayaza and Talaban to govern Ava and to exact an oath of allegiance from the Burmese officials, nobles and gentries.

Binnya Dala came with about twenty men but surprised the detachment and wiped them out.

Binnya Dala renamed Moksobo to Shwebo and fortified the village with stockades and a moat.

Binnya Dala immaturely decided to return to Pegu taking with him twenty thousand men and greater part of the flotilla leaving Talaban to complete the pacification around Shwebo.

Binnya Dala recalled Talaban and replaced him with Taungoo Ngwegunhmu.

Binnya Dala decided to take Pyay and sent an army headed by his another brother and a son-in-law together with Talaban to besiege the city.

Bruno succeeded in obtaining a treaty of friendship from Binnya Dala, promising French military aid in return for trade concessions.

Binnya Dala decided to send his only unmarried daughter as a peace offering.

Binnya Dala afterwards assigned Talaban to a distinguished station in his own service.