The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c23.s4.65

v4.c23.s4.65

All these countries, except China, were uncivilised and not worth studying. The white people called themselves various names, such as Portuguese, Dutch, French and English, but they were all much the same just as the various Shans were much the same; and in any case they were not a numerous race and were usually crushed with ease. The Indians were more important, but even they could not count for much judging by the way the Manipurīs had been exterminated. The Siamese and Chinese on the other hand were really great powers, but they had been defeated. Thus the whole world was accounted for, and the Burmese felt equal to anything. They had reason for their pride. They had no commissariat, and on the march they perished of underfeeding and disease. They were the ordinary people you can see in any village to-day, led by their *myothugyis* (major village headman), who ranked as lords. Yet their spirit carried their bare feet from Bhamo to Bangkok, they fought and died by hundreds and thousands, leaving their bones to bleach from Junkceylon to the banks of the Brahmaputra. They had bought those lands with their blood. Doubtless it was a small world, but it was the only world they knew, and a Burmese minister could say¹ with truth to his English suitor: "You do not realise. We have never yet met the race that can withstand us."