Minye Sithu Of Martaban

Minye Sithu ( my, မင်းရဲစည်သူ, ; c. 1520–1556) was viceroy of Martaban (Mottama) from 1552 to 1556. The eldest younger brother of Bayinnaung was appointed governor of Zayweon by King Tabinshwehti in 1541, and viceroy of Martaban in 1552 by Bayinnaung. He participated in the military campaigns of the Toungoo Empire from 1534, and as a commander from 1540 to 1555.

Early life

He was born c. 1520 at the Toungoo Palace to Mingyi Swe and Shin Myo Myat, royal household servants of Crown Prince Tabinshwehti.Sein Lwin Lay 2006: 247–248He was probably born three or four years after the birth of Tabinshwehti since his mother was hired to be the prince's wet nurse. He had one elder sister, Dhamma Dewi, an elder brother, Bayinnaung, and a younger brother, Thado Dhamma Yaza II. He also had two younger half-brothers, Minkhaung II and Thado Minsaw who were born to his aunt (his mother's younger sister) and his father.

Military career

He participated in Toungoo's campaigns against Hanthawaddy (1534–41), and by 1540 had achieved the rank of regimental commander with the style of Thiri Zeya Kyawhtin ().Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 149 He was appointed governor of Zayweon (modern Labutta) in 1541 by Tabinshwehti.Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 155 He served as a regimental commander in Toungoo's campaigns against Prome (1541–42) and Ava Kingdom (1543–44).Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 167 He led a naval squadron in the Arakan campaign (1546–47).Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 174 He led an elephant battalion in the Siam campaign of (1548–49).Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 183 In 1550, he joined his brothers Bayinnaung and Thado Dhamma Yaza II on the campaign to suppress the rebellion of Smim Htaw.Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 194

He was a key member of Bayinnaung's drive to restore the Toungoo Empire which fell apart after Tabinshwehti was assassinated on 30 April 1550. He led a regiment in Bayinnaung's 1550–51 assault on the city of Toungoo, whose ruler Minkhaung II was their own half-brother.Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 198–199 He was given a royal title of Minye Sithu on 11 January 1551 by Bayinnaung after Minkhaung surrendered on the same day.Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 201 Minye Sithu led an army in the Prome campaign (1551)Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 202 and in the Pegu campaign (1552).Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 206 Bayinnaung appointed Minye Sithu viceroy of Martaban on 6 June 1552 (Monday, 14th waxing of Waso 914 ME).Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 210

In November 1554, Minye Sithu for the first time did not accompany his elder brother to the front when Toungoo forces marched to Ava (Inwa). He was given the responsibility to guard the rear against a possible attack by Siam. He led the forces that guarded the upper Tenasserim coast down to Ye.Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 216

Family

The viceroy's principal queen was a granddaughter of Baya Nandameit of Dwarawaddy, a descendant of Toungoo royalty. They were married at the coronation ceremony of Tabinshwehti in 1545. He had three children: one son (Minye Nandameit) and two daughters. In July 1554, his elder daughter was married to Thiri Dhammathawka, former governor of Sandoway (Thandwe) and a son of King Min Bin of Arakan. The Arakanese prince had fled his homeland, having lost a succession struggle there.Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 215Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 227 Minye Sithu's younger daughter too was married to Thiri Dhammathawka in January 1567 after her elder sister had died.(Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 293): The younger daughter was married to her brother-in-law on 16 January 1567 (6th waxing of Tabodwe 928 ME).

Death

Minye Sithu died in March 1556.He likely died in March 1556 although chronicles (Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 227) simply say that he died in 917 ME (30 March 1555 to 28 March 1556). The entry of his death comes after the entry dated 8th waning of Tabaung 917 ME (3 March 1556).

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First Toungoo Empire
1556 deaths
Year of birth unknown