Chiang Khaeng

Chiang Khaeng, also known as Kengcheng or Kyaingchaing, was one of the Shan states. In 1896, part of Keng Cheng was incorporated into the neighbouring state of Kengtung in what is today Burma, and the other part, which is now in Laos, went to French Indochina.^[1]

Chiang Khaeng
State of the Shan States
15th century–1896
Capital	Chiang Khaeng (1400s‍–‍1858) Möng Yu (1858‍–‍1885) Muang Sing (1885‍–‍1896)
History
• Foundation of the state	15th century
• Division of the state	1896
Preceded by Succeeded by Chiang Hung Kengtung State Muang Sing

History

According to tradition, Chiang Khaeng was founded by Cao Fa Dek Nòi, a young prince of Chiang Hung who had been exiled from the state with a group of followers. Although there is no reliable data on the exact date of its founding, it most likely occurred in the 15th century. By the beginning of the 16th century, Chiang Khaeng had become a vassal state of Lan Na. Chiang Khaeng was conquered by King Bayinnaung in 1558 and made into a vassal state of Burma.^[2]

The original capital of Chiang Khaeng was located on the eastern bank of the Mekong river near its confluence with the Luai river.^[a] In 1858, Old Chiang Khaeng was abandoned and the capital was moved to Möng Yu. In 1885, the capital was moved to Muang Sing.^[2]

Chiang Khaeng remained a tributary state of the kingdoms of Burma until 1887, when the Shan states submitted to British rule after the fall of the Konbaung dynasty.^[3]

In 1896, Chiang Khaeng was divided between British Burma and French Indochina with the Mekong as a border. The districts of the Cis-Mekong part of the state were merged with Kengtung State and the eastern districts, now the Muang Sing area, went first to Siam and then to the French. The limit between Kengtung and China was demarcated by an Anglo-Chinese commission in 1898–1899.^[4]

Sir George Scott mentioned the following about the Keng Cheng Myosa:^[5]

This was the unfortunate man who was told that he belonged to Siam and then that he didn't. Half his territory finally handed over to France.

Rulers

The rulers of Chiang Khaeng had the title Ngwegunhmu and by c. 1880, it changed to Myoza.^[6]

• 1372–1422 Sao Deik Nwe
• 1422–1438 Kai Kaew Wak Hpa
• 1438–1446 Sao Krue Maing (son of Kai Kaew Wak Hpa)
• 1446–1472 Sao Hai Khaing (son of Sao Krue Maing)
• 1472–1496 Möng Phrom Maha Inn (son of Sao Hai Khaing)
• 1496–1510 Hkun Muen Hua Pan Na Sai (son of Möng Phrom Maha Inn)
• 1510–1516 Hla Inn Hta (younger brother of Möng Phrom Maha Inn)
• 1516–1527 Hsen Inn Hta (younger brother of Hla Inn Hta)
• 1527–1537 Naw Kaew Phoumma (son of Hla Inn Hta)
• 1537–1555 Thippayajak (son of Hsen Inn Hta)
• 1555–1593 Haw Kham Nwe (son of Naw Kaew Phoumma)
• 1593–1615 Hpaya Hkon Luang (son of Haw Hkam Nwe)
• 1615–1640 Hpaya Waen Jeed Luang (son of Hpaya Hkon Luang)
• 1640–1657 Sao Hkam Mai (son of Hpaya Waen Jeed Luang)
• 1657–1670 Sao Hkam Sai (son of Sao Hkam Mai)
• 1670–1676 Sao Malai (younger brother of Sao Hkam Sai)
• 1676–1709 Hsari Naw Hseng Kaew (son of Sao Hkam Mai)
• 1709–1740 Suwanwongwad (son of Sao Malai)
• 1740–1755 Sao Kam Chai (son of Hsari Naw Hseng Kaew)
• 1755–1771 Sao Inn Torn (son of Sao Kam Chai)
• 1771–1795 Sao Sa Hlaing Ratn (younger brother of Sao Inn Torn)
• 1795–1813 Khattiyawongsa (son of Sao Sa Hlaing Ratn)
• 1813–1849 Hpaya Möng Hkon (son of Khattiyawongsa)
• 1849–1859 Tippani Hkam (son of Hpaya Möng Hkon)
• 1872–1881 Sao Kawng Tai (from Kengtung)
• 1881–1882 Sao Hsiri Naw Hkam (son of Tippani Hkam)
• 1882–1892 Sao Ong Hkam (son of Sao Hsiri Naw Hkam) last saopha