The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c23.s4.75

v4.c23.s4.75

He exiled Mahathihathura as soon as he arrived from Siam, and he executed great personages at court, including his queens, especially when he was angry as well as drunk. Had he been a man of ordinary character, such acts might have been accepted. But his habits deprived him and the ministers and swordbearers, most of whom followed his example, of respect. His fondness for making pilgrimages with only a small court, leaving the palace vacant for weeks at a time, and returning in slipshod fashion at any hour of night, gave conspirators their opportunity. While he was absent at Thihadaw pagoda on the Irrawaddy Island in Shwebo district, a party came to the palace at midnight. With them was a puppet of eighteen, Maung Maung, lord of Paungga in Sagaing district, dressed up so as to resemble the king his cousin. The guard passed them in, thinking it was the king; Mahathihathura returned from retirement and took command of the guard in Maung Maung's behalf.