SSBU

ABSTRACT

This dissertation titled "Administration Under King Thibaw (1878-1885)" consisted of four chapters, namely Central Administration, Provincial Administration, Tax and Revenue and Judicial System. In the chapter one Central Administration, there were Hlutyon Ngayat or Five Royal Courts, describing how the kingdom was governed through these Five Royal Courts and the distribution of authority and responsibilities among them. It also touched on the reorganization of the administrative set-up by delineating the authority into departments according to functions, in a move towards modernization. In the area of Provincial Administration, the paper touched upon the formation of 10 districts, each administered by a District Officer as head of district, assisted by subordinate officials. Many laws, edicts and regulations were promulgated, but eventually suffered failures due to non-compliance by the very officials who were responsible to effectively implement them. It also touched on the administration of the Shan State under the Shan Sawbwas, ruling their domains as virtual feudal chiefs. The breakdown of sensible administration led to the defiance against King Thibaw's rule, and consequent rebellion by the Shan and Kachin ethnic chiefs. In revenue administration, the nature of assessment and collection of various kinds of revenue, namely: land revenue, water tax, Thathameda tax, export tax, import tax, mineral tax, forest revenue, bazaar tax, toll tax, ferry tax ete were touched in the discussion and presentation. In addition there existed certain types of revenue such as tributes, court fees and lottery tax. In Judicial Administration under King Thibaw, mention was made on the reform of civil and criminal trials, edicts and notifications issued for general compliance by the trial judges, and the breakdown of law and order, leading to the increase in the number of court cases.
PhD Department of History, University Of Mandalay 2010

Includes Bibliography and Appendices

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

List of Appendices

List of Photographs

List of Tables

Abbreviations

Glossary

Introduction

Chapters

1. Central Administration

2. Provincial Administration

3. Tax and Revenue

4. Judicial System

Conclusion

Photographs

Appendices

Bibliography
Sann Sann Administration Under King Thibaw (1878-1885)