November 1878
The vision of King Thibaw’s government
people Kinwun Mingyi Queen Supayalat King Thibaw Yaw Atwinwun
This is a rare early photograph of King Thibaw and Queen Supayalat. The government of King Thibaw came to power in November 1878. Contrary to popular views, it was a highly reformist government at first, led by men such as the Kinwun Mingyi and the Yaw Atwinwun, as well as several who had returned from studies in Europe. They were eager to modernize, reach out to the West, and preserve Burma's independence, but their ambitious plans for political and economic reforms were foiled within a year by conservatives from within the palace and the army. This is a rare early photograph of King Thibaw and Queen Supayalat.
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