First Anglo–Burmese War (1824–1826)

The First Anglo–Burmese War (1824–1826) was the first major military conflict between the British Empire and the Kingdom of Burma (Konbaung Dynasty). It marked a turning point in the history of Burma and British India, leading to the annexation of vast Burmese territories by the British East India Company. The war was the longest and most expensive conflict in British Indian history up to that time, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides and a significant financial burden for the Company.

Background and Causes

During the early nineteenth century, the Konbaung Dynasty of Burma had expanded aggressively under kings such as Bodawpaya and Bagyidaw, incorporating territories like Arakan, Manipur, and Assam. These expansions brought Burma into direct contact with the northeastern frontier of British India.
Tensions escalated when the Burmese attempted to consolidate control over Assam and Manipur, regions which the British considered within their political sphere. Frequent border raids and disputes over territorial boundaries along the Chittagong and Cachar frontiers intensified hostilities.
Key causes of the war included:

• Burmese expansionism into regions adjacent to British India.
• Border conflicts involving Burmese incursions into British-protected territories such as Cachar and Jaintia.
• Commercial rivalry between the Burmese monarchy and the British East India Company.
• British desire to secure the eastern frontier of India and prevent the rise of a powerful regional rival.

By 1823, when Burmese troops occupied the island of Shapura (Shapuree) near Chittagong, the British viewed this as an act of aggression, prompting the Governor-General Lord Amherst to declare war in March 1824.

Course of the War

The war was fought in multiple theatres — Arakan, Assam, Manipur, and Lower Burma — and was marked by difficult terrain, tropical diseases, and logistical challenges.

1. Initial Phase (1824)

The British launched simultaneous offensives from Bengal and the Bay of Bengal. A naval expedition under General Sir Archibald Campbell captured Rangoon in May 1824 after minimal resistance. However, the occupation proved difficult due to the city’s abandonment by its inhabitants and the scarcity of supplies.
Burmese forces, led by General Maha Bandula, resisted fiercely and attempted to retake Rangoon through a series of counter-attacks. The British suffered heavily from malaria, cholera, and dysentery, which claimed more lives than actual combat.

2. Middle Phase (1825)

In early 1825, Bandula led a major assault on British positions at Danubyu, about 90 kilometres north of Rangoon. The attack failed, and Bandula was killed during the battle. His death dealt a severe blow to Burmese morale.
Meanwhile, British forces under General Morrison advanced into Arakan, capturing the region after a series of hard-fought battles. Another British column moved into Assam and Manipur, driving out Burmese troops and restoring local rulers who were allied to the British.

3. Final Phase (1826)

By late 1825, British forces pushed further north towards Ava, the Burmese capital. Facing internal unrest, military exhaustion, and widespread famine, King Bagyidaw sought peace. Negotiations led to the signing of the Treaty of Yandabo on 24 February 1826, officially ending the war.

Treaty of Yandabo (1826)

The Treaty of Yandabo, signed between the British East India Company and the Burmese Kingdom, imposed harsh conditions on Burma. The main terms were:

• Cession of Arakan, Assam, Manipur, and the Tenasserim coast to the British.
• Payment of a war indemnity of one million pounds sterling to the British.
• Acceptance of a British Resident (envoy) at Ava to represent British interests.
• A commitment to peaceful relations and non-interference in British-protected territories.

These terms marked the beginning of Burma’s territorial and political decline, as well as the end of its dominance in mainland Southeast Asia.

Consequences and Impact

The First Anglo–Burmese War had far-reaching implications for both sides.

For Burma:

• The loss of large and resource-rich territories severely weakened the Konbaung Dynasty.
• The heavy indemnity and cost of the war led to economic collapse and internal instability.
• The prestige of the Burmese monarchy diminished, making it vulnerable to future British encroachments.
• It fostered anti-British sentiment and nationalist resistance that would persist in later decades.

For the British:

• The war cost the British East India Company over £13 million, nearly bankrupting it.
• Despite the financial burden, the British gained strategic control over northeastern India and access to the Burmese coastline.
• The captured territories strengthened British influence in Southeast Asia and laid the groundwork for further expansion.
• The victory enhanced British prestige and demonstrated the reach of imperial power in Asia.

Analysis of Military Strategy and Conditions

The campaign revealed significant challenges faced by the British in tropical warfare. The humid climate, monsoon rains, and diseases caused heavy casualties, with over 15,000 British and Indian soldiers dying, mainly from illness rather than battle.
Burmese forces, though courageous and skilled in guerrilla tactics, were poorly equipped compared to the British, who employed modern artillery, naval support, and disciplined infantry. The lack of supply networks and communication further hindered Burmese resistance.

Legacy

The First Anglo–Burmese War fundamentally altered the political geography of South and Southeast Asia. It marked the beginning of British imperial dominance in Burma, which would continue through two subsequent wars (1852 and 1885) leading to full annexation.
For the Burmese, the defeat symbolised a loss of sovereignty and a deep national trauma. It also exposed the limits of traditional monarchies in resisting industrial-era imperial powers.
In British India, the war highlighted the strategic importance of securing India’s eastern frontier and paved the way for the integration of Assam, Manipur, and Arakan into the colonial administration.