Treaty of Yandaboo

The Treaty of Yandabo was a peace agreement signed on 24 February 1826 between the British East India Company and the Burmese Kingdom of Ava, marking the end of the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826). This treaty represented a significant turning point in the history of Burma (now Myanmar) and British India, as it signalled the beginning of British territorial expansion into Burmese territories and the gradual decline of Burmese sovereignty. It is regarded as one of the most consequential treaties in the history of nineteenth-century Southeast Asia.

Background

The First Anglo-Burmese War was the longest and most expensive military conflict fought by the British East India Company in India. Tensions arose due to border disputes between Burma and the British-controlled territories of Bengal and Assam. The Burmese had expanded westward during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, incorporating Assam, Manipur, and Arakan, which brought them into direct conflict with British interests.
The war commenced in 1824 when British forces launched a campaign to counter Burmese advances. Despite initial Burmese resistance, the British gained control through their naval superiority and modern weaponry. The war drained Burmese resources and caused extensive devastation. By early 1826, British forces had advanced towards the Burmese capital of Ava, compelling the Burmese court to sue for peace. The treaty was signed at Yandabo, a village near Ava, formally concluding the conflict.

Terms of the Treaty

The Treaty of Yandabo imposed harsh conditions on the Burmese kingdom, reflecting their military defeat:

• Territorial Cessions: Burma ceded significant territories to the British, including Assam, Manipur, Arakan (Rakhine), and Tenasserim (Tanintharyi). These acquisitions extended British influence into strategically important regions bordering Bengal and the Bay of Bengal.
• Financial Indemnity: Burma was required to pay an indemnity of one million pounds sterling in instalments, a considerable burden on the kingdom’s economy.
• Withdrawal of Troops: Burmese forces had to withdraw from Cachar and Jaintia, which were recognised as under British protection.
• Exchange of Prisoners: Both sides agreed to release prisoners of war.
• Recognition of Diplomatic Relations: The treaty provided for the establishment of a British resident at Ava, symbolising British involvement in Burmese affairs.

Significance and Consequences

The Treaty of Yandabo had far-reaching implications for both Burma and British India:

• Strategic Expansion of British India: The annexed territories provided the British with direct control over resource-rich regions and strategic access to trade routes between India and Southeast Asia.
• Decline of Burmese Power: The territorial losses and heavy indemnity severely weakened the Burmese monarchy, undermining its ability to maintain control over peripheral regions.
• Foundation for Further Conflict: The treaty did not resolve tensions between Burma and Britain. Instead, it laid the groundwork for further Anglo-Burmese Wars, as Britain continued to expand its influence.
• Economic Strain on Burma: The indemnity payments and loss of fertile lands placed enormous economic pressure on Burma, destabilising the kingdom’s internal structure.
• Regional Impact: The treaty reshaped the political landscape of Northeast India and western Burma, integrating new regions into the British colonial framework.

Criticism and Historical Assessment

The Treaty of Yandabo is often characterised as an “unequal treaty” imposed by a superior military power upon a weakened kingdom. Burmese historians regard it as a humiliating loss that marked the beginning of foreign domination. For the British, it was portrayed as a strategic necessity, ensuring security for the north-eastern frontier of India and expanding colonial influence into Southeast Asia.
While the British East India Company achieved territorial and economic gains, the enormous cost of the First Anglo-Burmese War—estimated at £13 million and tens of thousands of casualties—sparked criticism within Britain. Many questioned whether the war and its outcome justified such sacrifices.

Later Developments

The Treaty of Yandabo did not secure long-term peace between Britain and Burma. Continued disputes, particularly over trade and frontier control, led to the Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852), in which the British annexed Lower Burma, including Rangoon (Yangon). Eventually, after the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885, Burma was fully annexed into the British Empire and administered as a province of India until 1937.
The legacy of the Treaty of Yandabo remains significant in Myanmar’s historical consciousness, symbolising the loss of independence and the beginning of colonial subjugation. For Britain, it marked a key step in the consolidation of imperial control in Asia, linking India more closely with Southeast Asia and paving the way for further expansion.