Thanlyin

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Thanlyin, formerly Syriam, is a city in Yangon Division in Myanmar (Burma). It is located on the Ayeyarwady River, and is a major port.

[edit] History

In the late 1500s, Thanlyin was the base of the Portuguese adventurer, Philip de Brito. Officially a trade representative from Arakan, he established himself as a local warlord from his base at Thanlyin, and hired his forces on occasion to the Mon in their battles against the Burmese. However, in 1599 he unleashed his army against Bago, which he sacked. Captured by the Burmese in 1613, he was executed by impalement – a punishment reserved for defilers of Buddhist temples. Thanlyin continued to be a major port until it was destroyed by King Alaungpaya in 1756 during the Mon revolt.

The Portuguese and Eurasian survivors of de Brito's band were taken to the villages of Monhla and Chantha near Shwebo. Called bayin ji (great kings), their fair-haired, European featured descendants still live in these villages, but have become assimilated to the surrounding Bamar.