Sithu Kyawhtin came to power by overthrowing King Narapati III in 1551, the culmination of his six-year rebellion with the support of the Shan state of Mohnyin.
13 Facts About Sithu Kyawhtin
1.
2.
Sithu Kyawhtin sought a peace treaty with Bayinnaung but was rebuffed.
3.
Sithu Kyawhtin repaid the good treatment by suppressing the 1565 rebellion at the capital while Bayinnaung was away in Chiang Mai.
4.
The standard Burmese chronicles Maha Yazawin and Hmannan Yazawin only say that Sithu Kyawhtin was a thwethauk brother of Sawlon II of Mohnyin.
5.
Sithu Kyawhtin contributed to Ava's war effort against Toungoo but lost his city to advancing Toungoo forces in 1544.
6.
Sithu Kyawhtin barely escaped, fleeing west alone by himself to Kale, a vassal of Mohnyin, and then to Chin Hills.
7.
At Mohnyin, Sithu Kyawhtin became a central figure in his thwethauk brother Sawlon II's plan to overthrow King Hkonmaing at Ava.
8.
Sithu Kyawhtin first sent a mission to Sithu Kyawhtin to submit, which was refused.
9.
Meanwhile, Sithu Kyawhtin proved to be an able ruler and gained the support of the populace in the region.
10.
Sithu Kyawhtin even released prisoners of war after treating them of their wounds, allowing them to go wherever they pleased.
11.
Sithu Kyawhtin ascended to the Ava throne as Narapati IV.
12.
Sithu Kyawhtin tried diplomacy, hoping that he could avoid a war.
13.
Sithu Kyawhtin was called in for help to suppress the rebellion.