The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c23.s4.56

v4.c23.s4.56

The *sawbwas* (Shan chiefs) on the Yünnan border usually paid nominal tribute to both China and Burma. Some now ceased paying it to Burma, which therefore marched against them; one fled to Yünnan, and the Kengtung *sawbwa* made a foray there at the instigation of the Gwe (p. 505) in the course of their wanderings. Moreover, the Chinese were dissatisfied at the treatment their merchants received in Burma. At Bhamo a Chinese caravaneer, angry at delay in getting sanction to build a bridge, insulted the Burmese governor, who therefore arrested him; and when released he found that the Burmese officers had looted his caravan. At Kengtung a Chinaman was killed in a dispute about payment; the Burmese resident offered blood-money and even talked of executing the slayer, but would not hand him over, and the Chinese would not take less. These trivial incidents should not have caused a war, but the Burmese had no embassy system to arrange things peaceably, and China happened to be under an aggressive emperor.