This book is a revealing study of British colonial policy in an important region of South-East Asia, i.e. , Burma. The period covered is 1840-1886. British territorial expansion and vigorous commercial thrust in Burma began with the two treaties concluded in 1826 at the end of the First Burmese War. As a result of commercial disputes and diplomatic wrang-lings the British Residency in Burma was withdrawn in 1840. The story is taken up at this point, and the political-cum-commercial ramifications of British policy are carefully analysed on the basis of unpublished primary sources. The Second Burmese War, the annexation of Pegu, the Phayre Mission, the re-establishment of the residency, the commercial treaties of 1862 and 1867, and the circumstances leading to the fall of Thibaw are studied in great detail. Subjects such as British penetration into the Karen region and unsuccessful British attempts to open a trade route to the Chinese province of Yunnan through Upper Burma have been treated here for the first time.
The efforts of the Burmese Kings to open political and commercial relations, with European Powers, particularly France, and her policy of extending her control from her base in Indo-China, provide an interesting glimpse into Franco-British rivalry in South- East Asia. No previous historical work attached due importance to this aspect of British intrusion into Burma.