Sanda Thumana

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Sanda Thumana (Rakhine: စန္ဒသုမနရာဇာ) was a king of the Mrauk-U Dynasty in Arakan. He ruled from January 18, 1774 to April 22, 1777. He is remembered as a ruler who faced many rebellions and struggled to govern well.

Early life
Ngathaukkya was originally a general under King Apaya. After Apaya’s son Ye Baw killed Ngathaukkya’s brother, Ngathaukkya left the capital. He went to Sittwe Island, recruited Bengali Muslims into his army, and camped at Urittaung. He attacked Mrauk U, and Apaya was killed in battle. The next day, Ngathaukkya became king, taking the name Sanda Thumana Raza.

Reign
During his reign, many revolts broke out across the kingdom. Ramree Island rebelled first, followed by Cheduba Island because of heavy taxes. In the capital Mrauk U, Sanda Thumana murdered ministers he disliked, and many people saw him as a tyrant. In August 1775 he held a second coronation ceremony and built a city pillar. In September, Bengali Muslims from Sittwe Island attacked Mrauk U, slaughtering townsfolk and trying to seize the palace. Sanda Thumana did not have enough soldiers to repel them, so he urged palace maids and monks to join the fight. The Bengali attackers were eventually defeated and fled back to Bengal.

In his later years, he relied on his brother-in-law and general Ananta Thirikyawhtin to suppress the uprisings. In April 1777, Ananta was wounded in battle and died. After Ananta’s death, Sanda Thumana grew fearful and fled the palace on April 22. Three rebel leaders—Do We, Thar ma, and Tone Kyaw Wai—took Mrauk U and installed Poe Shwe as Sanda Wimala II.

Death
The ex-king tried to flee but was captured and forced to become a monk at Shite-thaung Temple. He had a daughter, Yet Thae Mae, who married Do We, one of the rebel leaders. This caused further resentment, and in May 1777 the three rebels murdered Sanda Thumana at Min Htwet Hse Wa. His son Kyaw San was later taken to Amarapura with the royal family when Bodawpaya annexed Mrauk U.