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The Second Anglo-Burmese War and the Annexation of Pegu (1852)
The Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852-1853) was a pivotal conflict in the history of Southeast Asia, marking the further expansion of British colonial power in the region. This chapter explores the causes, events, and consequences of the war, particularly the annexation of Pegu (Lower Burma) by the British East India Company (EIC).
By the mid-19th century, the British Empire was aggressively expanding its influence in Asia. The First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826) had already resulted in the British annexation of Assam, Manipur, Arakan, and Tenasserim. However, tensions between the British and the Burmese Kingdom of Ava (Upper Burma) remained high. The British were eager to secure trade routes and resources, particularly teak and rice, while the Burmese monarchy, under King Pagan Min, struggled to maintain its sovereignty.
The immediate cause of the Second Anglo-Burmese War was a series of disputes involving British merchants and Burmese officials. Allegations of mistreatment of British traders in Rangoon (Yangon) and the imposition of heavy fines on British ships provided the EIC with a pretext for military intervention.
In April 1852, the British launched a naval expedition to Rangoon, quickly capturing the city. The Burmese forces, though determined, were outmatched by the superior firepower and organization of the British military. Over the next several months, the British advanced northward, capturing key cities such as Pegu (Bago), Martaban, and Bassein (Pathein).
The Burmese resistance was hampered by internal instability. King Pagan Min faced growing dissent within his court, and his inability to effectively coordinate a defense weakened the Burmese position. By December 1852, the British had effectively gained control of Lower Burma, including the fertile and strategically important region of Pegu.
In December 1852, the British unilaterally declared the annexation of Pegu, incorporating it into British India as a province. This move was not formally recognized by the Burmese monarchy, but the British consolidated their control over the region. Pegu's annexation gave the British access to valuable resources, including rice and teak, and strengthened their strategic position in Southeast Asia.
The Second Anglo-Burmese War marked a significant shift in the balance of power in the region. The Burmese Kingdom, already weakened by the First Anglo-Burmese War, lost its access to the sea and much of its economic base. King Pagan Min was eventually deposed in 1853 by his half-brother, Mindon Min, who sought to modernize the kingdom and negotiate with the British.
For the British, the annexation of Pegu was a stepping stone toward the eventual conquest of all of Burma, which was completed in 1885 with the Third Anglo-Burmese War. The war also highlighted the growing dominance of European colonial powers in Asia and the decline of traditional Southeast Asian kingdoms.
The Second Anglo-Burmese War and the annexation of Pegu had lasting consequences for Burma. The region became a key part of British India, and its resources fueled the colonial economy. However, the loss of sovereignty and the imposition of foreign rule sowed the seeds of resistance that would later contribute to Burma's struggle for independence in the 20th century.
This chapter underscores the complex interplay of economic ambition, military strategy, and colonial expansion that defined the 19th century, as well as the profound impact of these forces on the peoples and nations of Southeast Asia.