The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c23.s4.13

v4.c23.s4.13

The French were under no obligations to Alaungpaya, and as the Talaing state which they were helping was actually in existence they were entitled to treatment as prisoners of war. But it was customary among the races of Indo-China to give no quarter save to those they carried off into slavery, and Alaungpaya had to issue special orders¹ to prevent the killing, after capture, of Burmans and Shans whom the Talaings had taken and compelled to fight for them. Beheading was a merciful death, granted as a favour to officer prisoners.