Maha Yazawin Kyaw

This article is about a national chronicle written in the Konbaung period. See Yazawin Kyaw for the 15th century chronicle.

Yazeinda Yazawara Mandani, or more commonly known as Maha Yazawin Kyaw (Burmese: မဟာ ရာဇဝင်ကျော်, pronounced: [məhà jàzəwɪ̀ɴ tɕɔ̀]; lit. "Great Celebrated Chronicle"), is a Konbaung period national chronicle of Burma (Myanmar). The chronicle is very similar to Hmannan Yazawin, the official chronicle of Konbaung Dynasty, except for its more sympathetic treatment of the last Toungoo kings.^[2]

Brief

The chronicle had already been in the works in May 1829 when its author Monywe Zetawun Sayadaw, a Buddhist monk and one of the "most learned scholars" of the day was tapped by King Bagyidaw to head the Royal Historical Commission of Burma. The commission was asked to write a new official chronicle. The Sayadaw had already written an abridged chronicle in 1810, and Maha Yazawin Kyaw was intended to be a comprehensive national chronicle.^[2] For the next three years and four months, the monk and the commission worked on compiling the new chronicle.^[3]

While working on Hmannan, the monk however disagreed with other members of the commission on their portrayal of the last Toungoo kings. He felt that the existing assessments of the Toungoo kings by the Konbaung historians were too harsh and unwarranted. Though he was the head of the commission, his views did not prevail. The monk continued to work with the commission to the completion of the chronicle but also completed his own version c. 1831–1832 before Hmannan was officially completed. Aside from its more sympathetic narrative of the late Toungoo period, Maha Yazawin Kyaw does not differ much from the rest of Hmannan.^[2]

See also

• Burmese chronicles

Notes

References

• Maung Maung Tin (1905). Konbaung Hset Maha Yazawin (in Burmese). 1–3 (2004 ed.). Yangon: Department of Universities History Research, University of Yangon. 
• Royal Historical Commission of Burma (1829–1832). Hmannan Yazawin (in Burmese). 1–3 (2003 ed.). Yangon: Ministry of Information, Myanmar. 
• Thaw Kaung, U (2010). Aspects of Myanmar History and Culture. Yangon: Gangaw Myaing. 

Burmese chronicles
National chronicles	Standard chronicles Maha Yazawin Hmannan Yazawin (Glass Palace Chronicle) Hmannan Yazawin, Part II Hmannan Yazawin, Part III Other nationals Yazawin Kyaw Yazawin Thit Maha Yazawin Kyaw
Biographic chronicles	Zatadawbon Yazawin Razadarit Ayedawbon Hanthawaddy Hsinbyushin Ayedawbon Alaung Mintayagyi Ayedawbon Alaungpaya Ayedawbon Nyaungyan Mintaya Ayedawbon Hsinbyushin Ayedawbon
Regional chronicles	Upper Burma Pagan Yazawin Pagan Yazawin Thit Inwa Yazawin Toungoo Yazawin Pyay Yazawin Myauk Nan Kyaung Yazawin Ramanya Razadarit Ayedawbon Nidana Arambhakatha Gavampati Slapat Rajawan Lik Amin Asah Pak Lat Chronicles Arakan Maha Razawin Rakhine Razawin Inzauk Razawin Razawin Linka Rakhine Razawin Haung Dhanyawaddy Ayedawbon Mizzimadetha Ayedawbon Maha Razawin (Saya Me) Rakhine Razawin Thit Shan states Jinakalamali Zinme Yazawin Kengtung Yazawin Hsenwi Yazawin Hsipaw Yazawin Mong Yawng Yazawin Miscellaneous Pawtugi Yazawin Dawei Yazawin Myeik Yazawin
Religious chronicles	Yazawin Kyaw Sasana Vamsa
Chronicles in verse	Rakhine Minthami Eigyin Pyay Zon Mawgun Thakin Htwe Eigyin Shwe Sa-daing Hsindaw Minye Deibba Eigyin Yodaya Naing Mawgun Dhanyawaddy Naing Mawgun Minzet Yazawin Thanbauk
Administrative treatises	Zabu Kun-Cha Lawka Byuha Mani Yadanabon Wawhara Linathta Dipani Yazawwada Shwebon Nidan Myanmar Min Okchokpon Sa-dan Shwenanthon Wawhara Abhidan
Law treatises	Alaungsithu Hpyat-hton Wareru Dhammathat Dhammathat Kyaw Hanthawaddy Hsinbyumyashin Hpyat-hton Manu Thara Shwe Myin Dhammathat Manu Kye Dhammathat Manu Wunnana Shwe Myin Dhammathat
Notable inscriptions	Myazedi Inscription Sawlumin inscription Kalyani Inscriptions Shwezigon Pagoda Bell Inscription Kuthodaw Pagoda Inscriptions