Hanthawaddy Kingdom

In this episode, we explore the history of the Hanthawaddy Kingdom, one of medieval Myanmar’s most powerful and culturally significant states. Centered in Lower Myanmar and closely associated with the Mon-speaking world, Hanthawaddy rose as a major regional power after the decline of Pagan, using its control of coastal trade, fertile delta lands, and strategic ports to build wealth and influence. The episode follows the kingdom’s political development, including its rivalry with Ava during the Forty Years’ War, the strong leadership of rulers such as Razadarit and Queen Shin Saw Pu, and its later resurgence under King Dhammazedi. We also examine Hanthawaddy’s religious patronage, diplomacy, and connections across the Bay of Bengal and mainland Southeast Asia, showing how the kingdom shaped the cultural and political history of Myanmar before its eventual decline.