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SURKHANFAH
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INDEPENDENCE - Vol. 16, No. 6, 1999
SURKHANFAH
By: Khuensai Jaiyen
An Ever-Refreshing Inspiration Dedicated to Sao Yanfah Hsenwi (1912 - =
72), who wrote "Shan History".
I wanted so much to read about him. But, to my eternal =
disappoint=ADment, nobody I knew was writing about him except in bits =
and pieces or in connection with other Shan historic figures. So I =
resolved my=ADself to take up the pen and, to my pleasant surprise, it =
became a bestseller.
To many, he was a Shan Genghis Khan, but to those who knew him better, =
he was not merely a conqueror but also foremost, a nation-builder.
W.W. Cochrane wrote in "The Shans": "A prince of Mao was the only Shan =
that ever united these squabbling states into one solid kingdom. . . =
Even the Hsenwi Chronicle breaks through its shell of self-adulation and =
sums up its estimates of this Shan king's char=ADacter in the words: He =
was a mighty king".
He was born in 1291 in the pal=ADace of Wiangwai, then the capital of =
the Mao State, a city on the Mao River called Shweli by the Bur=ADmese. =
His father was Khun Pharngkham, his mother Sao Nang Awn. He was the =
second of the young queen's triplet sons.
Through the jealous intrigues of other queens, Nang Awn was ac=ADcused =
of bearing children of a lover and was banished from the court togrther =
with new-born chil=ADdren. However, Princess E Khamliang, the king's =
second daughter of another consort, was believed to have looked after =
them during their exile - in a distant vil=ADlage called Kaimaw.
Two years later, a rival queen, learning that Sao Nang Awn and her sons =
were still alive and well, sent assassins to kill them. Fortu=ADnately =
for the poor queen and her children, the plans were leaked to Princess E =
Kham Liang, who at once dispatched her trusted guards to protect them.
During the ensuing fight and flight, the first of the triplets, Kilun Ai =
Ngammong, was reported to have disappeared. Some say he re=ADappeared as =
a wise monk who be=ADcame his brother's chief counsel=ADlor later. (This =
was the version that I liked and subsequently adopted it in my telling =
of the story).
The third triplet, Khun Sarm Long, later to be known as Sarmlongfah the =
Conqueror, was successfully smuggled out to Monggawng (Mogawng in =
Bur=ADmese), a state in the northwest, where Princess E Khamliang's =
younger sister, Nang Arm-aw, re=ADsided with her husband, the Prince of =
Monggawng.
The second triplet, Khun Yi Khamgkham (who was to become Surkhanfah), =
being ill, was with his mother. The few guards sent by E Khamliang were =
killed, and the young queen fled with her son into a cave only to be =
confronted by a fierce tiger and his family.
Legend says the big cat was none other than the White Tiger, considered =
to be the king of tigers. (The Tiger is the national emblem of the =
Shans, who, like the noble beast, are intensely individualistic. Thus =
whenever unity is achieved among Shans, it is said: the White Tiger has =
come.)
The White Tiger received his uninvited guests warmly and chased off the =
frightened assassins, who believed both the mother and child were killed =
by the White Ti=ADger and reported this news to the rival queen.
The infant, Khun Yi Kharng=ADkham, then grew up in peace and safety =
among the tigers and their cubs. He played with them while his mother =
worked in the fields nearby. While playing, he was play=ADfully =
scratched by his mates on his back and front, and as a result, became =
known as "Surkhan" (Ti=ADger Scratches). "Fah" (Heavenly or Celestial) =
was the title he was to receive only upon becoming king.
He was later taken to Nawng=ADsae (Tali), where his eldest half-sister, =
Ye Khamlong, lived, to be brought up and educated there.
In 1295, Khun Pharngkham died and, believed by many to have left no =
living male issue, E Khamliang was crowned as the ruling queen. =
(Burmese history re=ADgarded Shin Sawbu, the Mon queen, as the only =
female ruler in Burma). She was said to have ac=ADcepted the crown only =
because her half-brothers were still in their in=ADfancy and were =
therefore not ready to don the crown.
Sixteen years afterwards, in 1311, she died leaving the kingdom without =
a ruler. A horde of neighboring princes vied witb each other for the =
vacant throne, among whom was Surkhan a.k.a Khun Yi Khamgkham, who =
finally proved hirnself to be Khun Pharngkham's legitimate son by =
slaying a fear=ADsome bear with his bare hands and taming a hungry =
tiger before his astounded spectators.
To his superstiticus audience, this spectacular act was divine =
evi=ADdence of his mother's innocence which led to the triumphant return =
of both mother and son to the court. No doubt his younger brother, =
Sarmlongfah, who was by then already the Prince of Mongawng, after his =
brother-in-law's death, also helped to turn the Official Board of =
Succession's de=ADcision in Surkhan's favor with the help of his =
well-trained army.
Cochrane wrote: "Shan kings could name as their successors anyone they =
wished, but any ap=ADpointee might be rejected by the Official Board, =
who were supposed to be the representatives of the people though not =
chosen by them".
Surkhanfan ruled for 53 years and during his reign, he helped to improve =
the Shan script. He also introduced a system where every citizen had a =
role to fulfill both in times of peace and war.
Youths under 20 were schooled to read and write, to practice =
self-discipline and shoulder responsibil=ADity, and to fight as warriors =
in wars.
Men between 20 - 40 were trained to become leaders, trained in commerce =
and trade and to be good family men.
Men 40 upwards were trained to become good administrators and teachers.
According to Zai Zai Zuen, a well-known linguist and historian, =
Surkhanfah also didn't neglect the role of women in Shan society. He =
taught them: "Men are handsome because of their bravery; Women are =
beautiful because of their lit=ADeracy", "Women who are skillful in =
martial arts win wars" and "when women engage in affairs of state, their =
glory shall fill Heaven".
Having thus carefully prepared his people, both morally and =
physi=ADcally, for two years, he began his quest for unification, in the =
ways ofhis time, in 1313.
He is recorded to have con=ADquered and, on many occasions, won over by =
his diplomacy, charm and wit, a vast region which in=ADcluded most of =
today's Burma, Southeastern Yunnan, Western Laos, Northern Thailand and =
Assam in northeastern India.
To some observers, the story of his conquest of southwestern Yunnan, =
known as Lanzao (Land of a million princes) and better known as Nanchao =
(a corruption of Lanzao), seem incredible. Shan historians however note =
that his ascendency came at a time when China, under Mongolian rule, was =
going through a period of flux and instability. Surkhanfah simply saw =
his chance and took it.
A point of observation is also appropriate here: Laos is known as =
"Lanxang" (Land of a million el=ADephants) while northern Thailand, =
"Lanna" (Land of a million paddy fields) pointing to a linguistic =
affin=ADity and commonality which histori=ADcal scholars should not =
ignore be=ADfore they blithely dismiss and claim that Lanzao or Nanchao =
is not Shan at all.
He successfully repulsed an=ADother Chinese invasion in 1362 (some say =
after a duel in which he, at 71, cut off his opponent's head).
Two years later he died peace=ADfully at Wiang Tasop-oo, his third and =
fmal capital. (His second capital from 1313 - 1363 was Selan, be=ADtween =
today's Namkham and Muse).
After his death, his successors tried to preserve his legacy but they =
were not successful. In 1405, 41 years later, the Chinese defeated =
Surkhifah and Surngamfah and the Mao kingdom, which had been founded by =
Khun Terngkham in 753 A.D., came to its end.
I was not satisfied with my pen=ADmanship and asked if anybody could =
help.
Help, when it came, appeared in a different but welcoming form. My =
colleague, Saengjuen Sarawin, took it to his press, straightened out my =
raw Shan and asked a mutual friend, Sailed, to do the illustrations. =
Then the manuscript was read by a friend in Lashio, who published it and =
distributed on Shan New Year's Day of 1994. It was an in=ADstant =
success.
Since then, it has been printed twice and made into photocopies several =
times. Still, there are en=ADquiring buyers asking for it yet, =
re=ADports a distributor.
Surkhanfah's cave was also re=ADdiscovered, and has become a place of =
pilgrimage and devotion for many Shans since, thanks to the tireless =
efforts of Saifah, a well respected leader of the Shan lit=ADeracy =
movement.
Surkhanfah's name was also given to a famous fighting force of the Shan =
State Army a few years ago.
So, if you're someone who is looking for somebody to blame for the =
revival of Shan nationalism, don't look far.
The junta and Surklianfah are each and both guilty, the former for their =
relentless and unceasing abuse of the Shan people, and the latter for =
remaining a symbol and inspiration for today's Shan youth, as he was for =
yesterday's.
1 Nov.1999
(The writer is the Director of the Shan Herald Agency for News.)
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<DIV align=3Djustify><FONT=20
size=3D4><STRONG><EM>INDEPENDENCE </EM></STRONG></FONT> - Vol. =
16, No.=20
6, 1999</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify> </DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><FONT color=3D#ff0000=20
size=3D4><STRONG>SURKHANFAH</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify> </DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><FONT size=3D3>By: Khuensai =
Jaiyen<BR></FONT><BR><FONT=20
color=3D#ff0000><STRONG>An Ever-Refreshing Inspiration Dedicated to Sao =
Yanfah=20
Hsenwi (1912 - 72), who wrote "Shan History".</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify> </DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify>I wanted so much to read about him. But, to my =
eternal=20
disappoint­ment, nobody I knew was writing about him except in bits =
and=20
pieces or in connection with other Shan historic figures. So I resolved=20
my­self to take up the pen and, to my pleasant surprise, it became a =
bestseller.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>To many, he was a Shan Genghis Khan, but to =
those who=20
knew him better, he was not merely a conqueror but also foremost, a=20
nation-builder.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>W.W. Cochrane wrote in "The Shans": "A prince =
of Mao was=20
the only Shan that ever united these squabbling states into one solid =
kingdom. .=20
. Even the Hsenwi Chronicle breaks through its shell of self-adulation =
and sums=20
up its estimates of this Shan king's char­acter in the words: He was =
a=20
mighty king".</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>He was born in 1291 in the pal­ace of =
Wiangwai, then=20
the capital of the Mao State, a city on the Mao River called Shweli by =
the=20
Bur­mese. His father was Khun Pharngkham, his mother Sao Nang Awn. =
He was=20
the second of the young queen's triplet sons.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Through the jealous intrigues of other queens, =
Nang Awn=20
was ac­cused of bearing children of a lover and was banished from =
the court=20
togrther with new-born chil­dren. However, Princess E Khamliang, the =
king's=20
second daughter of another consort, was believed to have looked after =
them=20
during their exile - in a distant vil­lage called Kaimaw.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Two years later, a rival queen, learning that =
Sao Nang=20
Awn and her sons were still alive and well, sent assassins to kill them. =
Fortu­nately for the poor queen and her children, the plans were =
leaked to=20
Princess E Kham Liang, who at once dispatched her trusted guards to =
protect=20
them.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>During the ensuing fight and flight, the first =
of the=20
triplets, Kilun Ai Ngammong, was reported to have disappeared. Some say =
he=20
re­appeared as a wise monk who be­came his brother's chief=20
counsel­lor later. (This was the version that I liked and =
subsequently=20
adopted it in my telling of the story).</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>The third triplet, Khun Sarm Long, later to be =
known as=20
Sarmlongfah the Conqueror, was successfully smuggled out to Monggawng =
(Mogawng=20
in Bur­mese), a state in the northwest, where Princess E Khamliang's =
younger=20
sister, Nang Arm-aw, re­sided with her husband, the Prince of=20
Monggawng.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>The second triplet, Khun Yi Khamgkham (who was =
to become=20
Surkhanfah), being ill, was with his mother. The few guards sent by E =
Khamliang=20
were killed, and the young queen fled with her son into a cave only to =
be=20
confronted by a fierce tiger and his family.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Legend says the big cat was none other than the =
White=20
Tiger, considered to be the king of tigers. (The Tiger is the national =
emblem of=20
the Shans, who, like the noble beast, are intensely individualistic. =
Thus=20
whenever unity is achieved among Shans, it is said: the White Tiger has=20
come.)</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>The White Tiger received his uninvited guests =
warmly and=20
chased off the frightened assassins, who believed both the mother and =
child were=20
killed by the White Ti­ger and reported this news to the rival =
queen.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>The infant, Khun Yi Kharng­kham, then grew =
up in=20
peace and safety among the tigers and their cubs. He played with them =
while his=20
mother worked in the fields nearby. While playing, he was play­fully =
scratched by his mates on his back and front, and as a result, became =
known as=20
"Surkhan" (Ti­ger Scratches). "Fah" (Heavenly or Celestial) was the =
title he=20
was to receive only upon becoming king.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>He was later taken to Nawng­sae (Tali), =
where his=20
eldest half-sister, Ye Khamlong, lived, to be brought up and educated=20
there.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>In 1295, Khun Pharngkham died and, believed by =
many to=20
have left no living male issue, E Khamliang was crowned as the =
ruling=20
queen. (Burmese history re­garded Shin Sawbu, the Mon queen, as the =
only=20
female ruler in Burma). She was said to have ac­cepted the crown =
only=20
because her half-brothers were still in their in­fancy and were =
therefore=20
not ready to don the crown.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Sixteen years afterwards, in 1311, she died =
leaving the=20
kingdom without a ruler. A horde of neighboring princes vied witb each =
other for=20
the vacant throne, among whom was Surkhan a.k.a Khun Yi Khamgkham, who =
finally=20
proved hirnself to be Khun Pharngkham's legitimate son by slaying a=20
fear­some bear with his bare hands and taming a hungry =
tiger=20
before his astounded spectators.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>To his superstiticus audience, this spectacular =
act was=20
divine evi­dence of his mother's innocence which led to the =
triumphant=20
return of both mother and son to the court. No doubt his younger =
brother,=20
Sarmlongfah, who was by then already the Prince of Mongawng, after his=20
brother-in-law's death, also helped to turn the Official Board of =
Succession's=20
de­cision in Surkhan's favor with the help of his well-trained =
army.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Cochrane wrote: "Shan kings could name as their =
successors anyone they wished, but any ap­pointee might be rejected =
by the=20
Official Board, who were supposed to be the representatives of the =
people though=20
not chosen by them".</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Surkhanfan ruled for 53 years and during his =
reign, he=20
helped to improve the Shan script. He also introduced a system where =
every=20
citizen had a role to fulfill both in times of peace and war.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Youths under 20 were schooled to read and =
write, to=20
practice self-discipline and shoulder responsibil­ity, and to fight =
as=20
warriors in wars.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Men between 20 - 40 were trained to become =
leaders,=20
trained in commerce and trade and to be good family men.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Men 40 upwards were trained to become good =
administrators=20
and teachers.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>According to Zai Zai Zuen, a well-known =
linguist and=20
historian, Surkhanfah also didn't neglect the role of women in Shan =
society. He=20
taught them: "Men are handsome because of their bravery; Women are =
beautiful=20
because of their lit­eracy", "Women who are skillful in martial arts =
win=20
wars" and "when women engage in affairs of state, their glory shall fill =
Heaven".</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Having thus carefully prepared his people, both =
morally=20
and physi­cally, for two years, he began his quest for unification, =
in the=20
ways ofhis time, in 1313.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>He is recorded to have con­quered and, on =
many=20
occasions, won over by his diplomacy, charm and wit, a vast region which =
in­cluded most of today's Burma, Southeastern Yunnan, Western Laos, =
Northern=20
Thailand and Assam in northeastern India.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>To some observers, the story of his conquest of =
southwestern Yunnan, known as Lanzao (Land of a million princes) and =
better=20
known as Nanchao (a corruption of Lanzao), seem incredible. Shan =
historians=20
however note that his ascendency came at a time when China, under =
Mongolian=20
rule, was going through a period of flux and instability. Surkhanfah =
simply saw=20
his chance and took it.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>A point of observation is also appropriate =
here: Laos is=20
known as "Lanxang" (Land of a million el­ephants) while northern =
Thailand,=20
"Lanna" (Land of a million paddy fields) pointing to a linguistic =
affin­ity=20
and commonality which histori­cal scholars should not ignore =
be­fore=20
they blithely dismiss and claim that Lanzao or Nanchao is not Shan at =
all.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>He successfully repulsed an­other Chinese =
invasion in=20
1362 (some say after a duel in which he, at 71, cut off his opponent's=20
head).</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Two years later he died peace­fully at =
Wiang=20
Tasop-oo, his third and fmal capital. (His second capital from 1313 - =
1363 was=20
Selan, be­tween today's Namkham and Muse).</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>After his death, his successors tried to =
preserve his=20
legacy but they were not successful. In 1405, 41 years later, the =
Chinese=20
defeated Surkhifah and Surngamfah and the Mao kingdom, which had been =
founded by=20
Khun Terngkham in 753 A.D., came to its end.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>I was not satisfied with my pen­manship and =
asked if=20
anybody could help.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Help, when it came, appeared in a different but =
welcoming=20
form. My colleague, Saengjuen Sarawin, took it to his press, =
straightened out my=20
raw Shan and asked a mutual friend, Sailed, to do the illustrations. =
Then the=20
manuscript was read by a friend in Lashio, who published it and =
distributed on=20
Shan New Year's Day of 1994. It was an in­stant success.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Since then, it has been printed twice and made =
into=20
photocopies several times. Still, there are en­quiring buyers asking =
for it=20
yet, re­ports a distributor.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Surkhanfah's cave was also re­discovered, =
and has=20
become a place of pilgrimage and devotion for many Shans since, thanks =
to the=20
tireless efforts of Saifah, a well respected leader of the Shan =
lit­eracy=20
movement.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>Surkhanfah's name was also given to a famous =
fighting=20
force of the Shan State Army a few years ago.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>So, if you're someone who is looking for =
somebody to=20
blame for the revival of Shan nationalism, don't look far.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>The junta and Surklianfah are each and both =
guilty, the=20
former for their relentless and unceasing abuse of the Shan people, and =
the=20
latter for remaining a symbol and inspiration for today's Shan youth, as =
he was=20
for yesterday's.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify><BR>1 Nov.1999</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify> </DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify>(The writer is the Director of the Shan Herald =
Agency for=20
News.)</DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify> </DIV>
<DIV align=3Djustify>
<HR>
</DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>
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