19 Facts About Nawrahta Minsaw

Nawrahta Minsaw ruled all of Lan Na, as a Siamese vassal, until his death.

Nawrahta Minsaw's parents were King Bayinnaung of Toungoo and Htwe Hla, then a minor queen.

Nawrahta Minsaw had two younger full siblings: Yaza Datu Kalaya and Thiri Thudhamma Yaza.

Nawrahta Minsaw's army, made up of conscripts from Upper Burma and Shan States, had fruitlessly combed the remote northern hills at the foot of the Himalayas.

Nawrahta Minsaw was given an upgraded title of Anawrahta Minsaw.

Whereas Nanda had all but given up defending the empire, Nawrahta Minsaw had to deal with an aggressive Nokeo who had designs on Lan Na itself.

Fortunately for Nawrahta Minsaw, Nokeo died shortly after, and Lan Xang's threat to Lan Na's eastern frontier ended for the time being.

Nawrahta Minsaw appointed Pana Khaek as the new governor of Nan.

For Nawrahta Minsaw, being independent simply meant he could devote his scarce manpower toward defending Lan Na from Lan Xang's and Siam's designs.

Nawrahta Minsaw even attacked Lan Xang's vassal Nan but was driven back.

When Naresuan asked Nawrahta to contribute manpower to the Siamese king's 1600 invasion of Lower Burma, Nawrahta sent his eldest son Thado Minsaw instead of joining the campaign himself.

Nawrahta Minsaw held out for a long time, wavering back and forth.

Nawrahta Minsaw sent Tu Laung to submit but then called him back after his chief queen died.

Meanwhile, Siamese officials were running out of patience, and advised their king at Ayutthaya to abandon Nawrahta Minsaw and leave him to his own devices against Lan Xang and minor states of Lan Na.

Nawrahta Minsaw twice survived Lan Xang's sieges of Chiang Mai.

Nawrahta Minsaw seemed to have paid tribute to Naresuan's successor Ekathotsarot.

Nawrahta Minsaw's death was followed by a power struggle between his two eldest sons.

Nawrahta Minsaw had one daughter and three sons by the chief queen Hsinbyushin Medaw, and five daughters and two sons by minor queens.

Nawrahta Minsaw is notably portrayed by veteran actor Chalit Fuengarom in the Thai film hexalogy The Legend of King Naresuan, which depicts the campaigns that he launched against Siam at the behest of his brother, Nanda Bayin.