Shan States

Shan States
Princely States
1215–1959
1917 map of the Burmese Shan States
Capital		Not specified
Languages		Shan, Burmese
Religion		Theravada Buddhism, animism
Government		Monarchy
Historical era		13th century – 1563
•	Founding of Mogaung	1215
•	Fall of Pagan Kingdom	1287
•	Raids of Sagaing and Pinya kingdoms	1364
•	Shan rule of Upper Burma	1527–1555
•	Annexation by Toungoo Dynasty	1563
•	Establishment of British protectorates	19th century
•	Abdication of Saophas	1959
Preceded by Succeeded by Kingdom of Nanzhao Pagan Kingdom Shan State

Shan States is an historic name for minor kingdoms (analogous to princely states of British India) ruled by Saopha (similar to Thai royal title Chao Fa Prince or Princess) in large areas of today's Burma (Myanmar), China's Yunnan Province, Laos and Northern Thailand from the late 13th century until the mid-20th century.

The term "Shan States" was first used during the British rule in Burma as a geopolitical designation for certain areas of Burma (officially, the Federated Shan States, which included the Karenni States, consisted of today's Shan State and Kayah State). In some cases, the Siamese Shan States was used to refer to Lan Na (northern Thailand) and Chinese Shan States to the Shan regions in southern Yunnan such as Xishuangbanna.

Historical mention of the Shan states inside the present-day boundaries of Burma began during the period of the Pagan Dynasty; the first major Shan State of that era being founded in 1215 at Mogaung, followed by Mone in 1223. These were part of the larger Tai migration that founded the Ahom Kingdom in 1229 and the Sukhothai Kingdom in 1253. Shan political power increased after the Mongols overran Pagan in 1287 and the Shans came to dominate many of the northern to eastern areas of Burma—from northwestern Sagaing Division to the present-day Shan Hills. The newly founded Shan States were multi-ethnic states that included a substantial number of other ethnic minorities such as the Chin, Palaung, Lisu, Pa-O, Kachin, Wa, and Burmans.