The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c29.s3.58

v3.c29.s3.58

Indeed for two and a half centuries the ruler of Ava had been *sawbwa* in all but name; yet there was this difference between Ava and the other Shān states, that whereas they were so wild as to leave not even a record, the tradition of the Burmese palace gave Ava a veneer of civilisation, and her numerous monasteries contained monks who, if not learned, were at least literate; and to them it is due that though the lamp of civilisation flickered and burnt low, it never went out.