List of Shan states and rulers

The Shan State, a state of Myanmar (also known as Burma), was once made up of a large number of traditional monarchies or fiefdoms. These are collectively known as Shan States.

Three ranks of chiefs were recognized by the King of Burma and later by the British administration. These ranks were:

The distinction in the titles dates from the days of the Burmese monarchy although the same states have not continued to hold the same titles for their chiefs during the centuries -- changes took place according to royal favour, results of battles and later, the decisions of the British authorities. The privileges and titles were so much a matter of royal ordinance that every one of a Sawbwa's symbols of power was laid down in a special book of dispensations granted by the higher court. His regalia and clothes, the guilding and jewel decoration of betel boxes, spittoons, fly-whisks and such articles of use, the dress of ministers, the umbrellas, spears and horses in procession, the caparisoning of the royal elephant, the instruments for processional music, the gateways and the style of residence, all were rigidly prescribed to ensure that the dignity kept up accordance with the status of a royal chieftain, yet did not encroach on the special privileges reserved for the court of Ava itself. The British, whose success in administration was largely bound up with observance, of precedence in a hierarchy, listed states also as Sawbaships, Myosaships and Ngwegunhmuships.

The following lists the Sawbwas in order of the precedence, at the time of the British annexation of the Shan States.

Last Sawbwa – Sao Hkun Aung

Rulers (title Ngwegunhmu)

Rulers (title Myoza)

Founded before 1700 and under a Myosa, its known rulers were:

Last – Sao Htun Aye aka. Aungban Sawbwa

Founded before 1858 under a Saopha, it ceased to exist in 1893. The rulers were:

Hsenwi sets its legendary foundation before 650. It was ruled by a Saopha and ceased to exist in March 1888, when it was split into North Hsenwi and South Hsenwi. The rulers were:

Created in March 1888 from Hsenwi state. the main state was split into two, North and South Hsenwi.

Created in March 1888 by the splitting of the Hsenwi state. The state is also known as Mong Yai. The rulers were:

Founded before 600, it ceased to exist in 1886, when it was incorporated into Yawnghwe. It was ruled by a Myosa and the rulers were:

Founded, according to legend, in 58 BC, it was ruled by a Saopha. Its formal name was Dutawadi. For the state capital see Thibaw.

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