The Burmese Polity 1752-1819

Examining both central and local institutions of crown control and the three primary elite groups--officials, monks, and the extended royal lineage--Koenig analyzes the ensuing contest over control of social resources and the throne. Extensive use of sit-ans (local land rolls) and other contemporary sources provides the basis for a detailed assessment of how that contest was reflected in actual control of resources at the local level. The author also offers a perceptive treatment of the institution of kingship as a reflection of Theravada Buddhist ideals and in terms of the dictates of customary laws of succession, which resulted in the emergence of ministerial factions and princely intrigue. This study is valuable both as a source of detailed information for the Southeast Asia specialist and as a textual synthesis of the broad outlines of Burmese history during the Kon-baung period.