Sino-Burmese War
Four Qing invasions of Burma ended in a truce.
Fought under the Qianlong Emperor, it consisted of four invasions of Burma and is considered one of his Ten Great Campaigns.
- Conflict
- Sino-Burmese War
- Belligerents
- Qing dynasty vs. Konbaung dynasty (Burma)
- Qing commanders
- Liu Zao, Yang Yingju (among others)
- Burmese commanders
- Ne Myo Thihapate, Ne Myo Sithu, King Hsinbyushin
Lore & Background
Battle-hardened Burmese troops again defeated the Qing at the border. However, unfamiliar tropical terrains and lethal endemic diseases drove them back with heavy losses. After this close call, King Hsinbyushin redeployed his armies from Siam to the Chinese front.
Reader's Guide
The Sino-Burmese War had lasting consequences for both empires. The Qing kept a heavy military lineup in Yunnan for about a decade and imposed a ban on inter-border trade for two decades, while Burma maintained border garrisons. The conflict is historically significant for establishing the present-day boundary between China and Myanmar, and for demonstrating the limits of Qing military power in tropical environments.
Did You Know?
- The third invasion, led by Manchu Bannermen, nearly reached the Burmese capital Ava but was driven back by disease and terrain.
- King Hsinbyushin redeployed his armies from Siam to the Chinese front after the third invasion.
More in Wars & Conflicts 1-20
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