The Anglo-Burmese Wars were a series of three significant military conflicts fought between the British Empire and the Kingdom of Burma between 1824 and 1885. These wars were primarily driven by British imperial ambitions, Burma’s expansionist policies, and the desire to control vital trade routes and natural resources. The wars culminated in the complete annexation of Burma into British India by 1886, reshaping the geopolitics of Southeast Asia.
Also Read: List of Maratha Wars
Anglo-Burmese Wars Background
The roots of the Anglo-Burmese Wars lie in the territorial expansion of Burma under the Konbaung dynasty. Under rulers like King Alaungpaya and King Bodawpaya, Burma expanded aggressively into neighboring regions like Assam, Manipur, Arakan, and even threatened Siam (Thailand). This brought Burma into direct conflict with British-controlled territories in India, especially as the British East India Company sought to protect its trade interests and political boundaries.
Also read: Important Battles of the Mughal Empire List
First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826)
The First Anglo-Burmese War broke out in 1824 due to Burmese incursions into Assam and Manipur, regions of strategic interest to the British. The war was intense and prolonged, involving battles in challenging terrains from northeast India to the Burmese heartland.
- The British, led by General Sir Archibald Campbell, eventually triumphed after two years of warfare.
- The war ended with the Treaty of Yandabo on 24 February 1826.
Also read: Important Battles in Modern History of India List
Treaty of Yandabo (1826)
The Treaty of Yandabo, signed on 24 February 1826, was a landmark agreement that officially ended the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826)—a brutal and costly conflict between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Burma under the Konbaung dynasty.
Also read: Important Battles in Medieval Indian History
The treaty was signed at the village of Yandabo, located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, near Ava (present-day Inwa), the royal capital of Burma. Representing the British was General Sir Archibald Campbell, the commanding officer who had led the British campaign. Representing the Burmese side was Maha Min Hla Kyaw Htin, the Governor of Legaing and a high-ranking official of the Burmese court.
Background of the Treaty of Yandabo
The First Anglo-Burmese War had been triggered by Burmese expansion into the northeastern frontiers of British India, including Assam and Manipur, which the British considered a direct threat. After two years of intense fighting, significant British victories, and the threat of a British march on the Burmese capital, the Burmese court was forced to sue for peace.
Key Provisions of the Treaty of Yandabo
The treaty was harsh and humiliating for the Burmese, reflecting the complete military and political dominance of the British at that time. The major conditions included:
Territorial Cession
Burma was forced to cede significant territories to the British:
- Assam: A strategically important region on the northeastern frontier of British India.
- Manipur: A princely state under Burmese influence, returned to British control.
- Arakan: A coastal region on the Bay of Bengal, valuable for its position and resources.
- Tenasserim: A narrow strip of coastal land between Lower Burma and Siam, useful for British strategic and trade interests.
Also Read: Important Battles in Indian History
These regions were important not only for their geographic and strategic value but also because their loss marked the end of Burmese expansion and the beginning of British dominance in the region.
Financial Indemnity
Burma agreed to pay a massive indemnity of one million pounds sterling, an enormous sum at that time. The payment was to be made in four installments, and the British retained key positions until the full amount was paid. This crippled the Burmese treasury, which was already weakened by the war.
Diplomatic Recognition
- Formal diplomatic relations were to be established between the Court of Ava (Burmese capital) and the Government of British India in Calcutta.
- The treaty permitted the exchange of diplomatic representatives, which was a symbol of Burmese subordination and loss of regional autonomy.
Commercial Access
- British merchants were granted full trading rights within Burmese territories.
- This opened the door for future economic exploitation, as British companies and traders soon began to dominate Burmese commerce, particularly in timber and rice.
Also read: Biosphere Reserves in India 2025
Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852)
The Second Anglo-Burmese War erupted in 1852 due to disputes over British commercial rights, especially access to teak forests and trade through Rangoon. Tensions escalated when Commodore Lambert, sent by Lord Dalhousie, provoked a naval incident near Rangoon.
- The British swiftly launched military operations and occupied Lower Burma, including Rangoon.
- The war ended without a formal treaty but led to the annexation of Pegu province, renamed Lower Burma.
Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885)
The Third Anglo-Burmese War was a short but decisive conflict that led to the complete annexation of Burma by the British. The immediate cause was King Thibaw Min’s suspected alliance with the French and his interference with British trading companies.
- The British invaded in November 1885, quickly captured Mandalay, and exiled King Thibaw.
- By January 1886, the British had formalized control over the entire country.
Third Anglo-Burmese War Treaty
Though not a formal treaty like Yandabo, the outcome was the proclamation of Burma as part of British India, dissolving the monarchy and ending centuries of independent Burmese rule.
Impact of the Anglo-Burmese Wars
The consequences of the Anglo-Burmese Wars were profound:
- Burma lost its sovereignty and was absorbed into the British colonial framework.
- Resistance movements and uprisings continued well into the early 20th century.
- British rule brought economic exploitation but also introduced railways, legal systems, and administrative reforms.
- After World War II, nationalist leaders like U Aung San led the struggle for independence, which Burma finally achieved on 4 January 1948.
Also read: Dams In India 2025
What was the Cause of the Anglo-Burmese War?
The Anglo-Burmese Wars were primarily sparked by the aggressive territorial expansion of the Konbaung dynasty of Burma into regions that bordered British-controlled India, particularly Assam, Manipur, and Arakan. This expansion alarmed the British, who were increasingly concerned about the security of their northeastern frontier and the stability of trade routes crucial to their empire.
Beyond territorial threats, British commercial interests played a crucial role. Burma’s rich resources—especially teak forests, minerals, and strategic trade routes—attracted British traders and officials who sought to gain economic control over the region.
Furthermore, growing political instability within the Burmese court, combined with diplomatic disputes and misunderstandings, worsened relations. These included disagreements over border demarcations, treatment of British merchants, and perceived threats of foreign alliances (especially with the French). These factors together created a volatile environment, leading to a series of military confrontations between the two powers, culminating in the annexation of Burma into British India.
- British commercial ambitions (especially timber and trade routes)
- Political instability in Burma
- Diplomatic misunderstandings and provocations
Conclusion
The Anglo-Burmese Wars were more than a series of military confrontations—they marked a turning point in the colonial history of Southeast Asia. Spanning over six decades, these wars reflected the clash between Burma’s aspirations for regional dominance and the British Empire’s strategic and economic ambitions in the East. Beginning with territorial disputes and trade disagreements, the conflicts ultimately led to the dismantling of the Burmese monarchy and the incorporation of Burma into British India.
The wars left a lasting legacy on Burma’s political, economic, and social fabric. While British colonial rule brought infrastructural development and administrative changes, it also sparked long-term resistance movements and fueled a strong sense of Burmese nationalism. These movements eventually culminated in Burma’s independence in 1948, making the Anglo-Burmese Wars a significant chapter in both Burmese and British imperial history.
Also Read: List of Mughal Emperors
Anglo-Burmese Wars FAQs
What was the First Anglo-Burmese War Treaty?
The Treaty of Yandabo (1826) ended the First Anglo-Burmese War, with Burma ceding territories like Assam, Arakan, Manipur, and Tenasserim, and paying a large indemnity to the British.
What was the Second Anglo-Burmese War Treaty?
The Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852) did not end with a formal treaty but led to the annexation of Lower Burma, particularly the rich and strategic Pegu province, by the British.
What was the Third Anglo-Burmese War Treaty?
The Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885) ended with the British annexation of the entire country. Though not marked by a formal treaty, it led to the dethronement of King Thibaw and Burma’s incorporation into British India by 1886.
What was the Treaty of Yandabo?
The Treaty of Yandabo was the peace agreement signed on 24 February 1826 that ended the First Anglo-Burmese War. It forced Burma to cede several key territories, pay a large indemnity, and open up diplomatic and trade access to the British.
