Sunday, December 14, 2025
AI--How to become a successful writer--in about 20 hard years--
AI Overview
Becoming a famous and successful writer
requires a combination of talent, discipline, market awareness, and networking. It is a process that generally takes significant time and consistent effort, rather than a single event or a lucky break.
Hone Your Craft and Build a Body of Work
Read Extensively The consensus among successful authors is that you must be a voracious reader, especially within your chosen genre. This helps you absorb plot devices, character development techniques, and stylistic elements.
Write Consistently Treat writing like a job, not just a hobby. Establish a regular schedule and stick to it to build discipline and overcome writer's block.
Study Storytelling Learn the principles of effective writing, focusing on strong characters, unique concepts, and compelling plots. Focus on "showing, not telling," using powerful nouns and verbs, and avoiding clichés.
Seek and Accept Feedback Join a writing community or find a mentor who can offer honest, objective critique of your work. Friends and family offer encouragement but may not provide the critical insight needed for professional improvement.
Be a "Ferocious Self-Editor" Polishing your work is essential. Learn to edit your own work rigorously before submitting it to others.
Publish Strategically and Build a Platform
Start Small Instead of starting with a book, gain experience by publishing shorter works like short stories, articles, or blog posts. This helps you refine your skills and get used to the editing process.
Build an Online Presence Develop a writer's platform with a professional website or blog. Engage with readers on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Medium. Publishers and agents often look for authors with an existing audience.
Network Building relationships with mentors, agents, editors, and other writers is crucial in the publishing industry. Attend writers' conferences or join online communities like Medium or Wattpad to connect with peers and industry professionals.
Consider Diverse Publishing Paths Both traditional publishing (which often requires an agent) and self-publishing are viable options. Many successful indie authors publish multiple books frequently and diversify formats (e.g., e-book, audiobook, print).
Understand the Realities of Fame
Fame is a Byproduct, not a Goal Most enduringly famous writers focus on chasing "resonance" (creating work that deeply connects with people) rather than fame itself.
Timing and Luck Play a Role While hard work is the primary ingredient, luck and the cultural climate often influence which books become sensations.
Patience is Key It can take years, even decades, of consistent work before a writer achieves significant success.
Keep Your Day Job (Initially) Few writers can immediately make a living solely from writing. Be prepared to maintain another source of income until your writing career is financially stable.
How Writers Actually Become Famous | by Julia Amante
Nov 16, 2025 — And why it's not always about writing the best book. Julia Amante - Fiction author, Speaker, Mentor. ... How do writer...
Medium
How to Become an Author: A Proven Guide - Jerry Jenkins
Dec 4, 2025 — What You Will Learn * DON'T Try to Become an Author Until You've… … Studied the Craft and Polished Your Skills. … Writt...
jerryjenkins.com
How Does One Go On To Become A Well Known Writer?
Sep 24, 2023 — you can write stories that move people and be accepted by the mainstream powers , you just have to make those themes a...
Reddit
The Unsinkable Molly Brown--I've been to her house in Denver--there I bought a tussie mussie holder--
for my aunt in Bangkok who "has everything."
Her daughter said, "You know who will love this? Mummy."
Indeed--I found she had a glass-fronted cabinet full of knick knacks,tchoekes ? I think they are called.
I went to Thailand many times between 2001 and 2010.
I worked with exile and Burmese refugee non-profits, I ate a lot of Thai and Burmese food and tropical fruits and I revived my taste for pickled tea salad.
Each time I saw Aunty, and I tried to see her at least 3 times on each visit,I looked at the items I had given her in her cursiosity cabinet and I felt happy.
I told her about Molly Brown.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Brown
"Oh Aunty, you have everything. I didn't know what to bring you, so I got this."
"You know what it is? You put some fragrant flowers in it and hook it to your belt.
"When you feel faint you smell the flowers."
She was very pleased-"You know how to find something like this."
She gave me a double jasmine from her garden. I kept it a long time. Her daughter my cousin gave me sagar flowers,which came still fragrant out of my shirt pocket years later.
Sometimes she didn't get on with HML--
I guess they got on each other's nerves --
When last I saw her, I told her about the non-profit I worked with ABCD.
"I wlways wanted to open a school on the (Burma-Thai) Border. But you can't open a school without money,
"my co-worker and nominal boss said,'ya te Aunty. Kyun taw yan pone gnwe shar like me."
(I will look for funding. He was an expert international fund raiser.)
"Then they said they were bringing over 40 monks from Burma, for training."
A lot of people get AIDS these days, Aunty, and how do you explain to monks how AIDS is contracted??
Ya te Aunty, there's an AIDS expert based in Chiangmai, we'll call him in.
"But where will we put the monks. Forty!!"
Monks are very high maintenance--the Vinaya Rule says they can't eat after 12 noon. Breakfast is at 4 or5 AM. They need peace and quiet etc.
My colleague said, Ya te,Aunty, we've already found a Thai monastery."
Aunty said, "I heard you are surrounded by friends."
It wasn't always so--I was almost surrounded/drowned by jealous people at work and jealous (mostly female) co-workers in Rangoon.
I mostly did not talk much--I just did my work.
Like Aunty always said, "Lo thu shii, ma lo thu shii."
(There are those who mean well towards you and those who don't.)
From the time I was about 13, and I lost my father, Aunty was one of my closest Elders and Mentors.
Thank you Aunty, Thank you friend from Beirut who drove me to Denver and Molly Brown House. Her name was Christiane S.
Kyi May Kaung.
12-14-2025
Brown Univ shooter in custody--gunshots go Pop Pop Pop--not bang bang bang--make a note of it.
Work out in your head, your school or univ what you will do in
1. A home invasion
2. A mass shooting anywhere.
DO NOT PANIC--
play dead if you cannot escape.
A jewelry store heist took place while I was walking near the Univ in W Philadelphia.
Don't scream or draw attention to yourself.
Determine to survive all situations.
If you are in your home or apartment--lock the doors always--turn off the lights and find a room with an alternative formof exit.
Read a lot of survivor stories. Work out what you will do in your head--well before anything happens.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/person-interest-custody-after-brown-university-shooting-official/story?id=128388923
Rumors that Carl Jung was anti-semitic--from wiki.
In an interview in 1949, Carl Jung said,
It must be clear to anyone who has read any of my books that I have never been a Nazi sympathizer and I never have been anti-Semitic, and no amount of misquotation, mistranslation, or rearrangement of what I have written can alter the record of my true point of view. Nearly every one of these passages has been tampered with, either by malice or by ignorance. Furthermore, my friendly relations with a large group of Jewish colleagues and patients over a period of many years in itself disproves the charge of anti-Semitism.[186]
Jung is also known to have possessed an interest in the Jewish mystic tradition of Kabbalah.[187]
We're more Jungian than we realize--from Carl Jung wiki--
Political viewsThe state
Jung stressed the importance of individual rights in a person's relation to the state and society. He saw that the state was treated as "a quasi-animate personality from whom everything is expected" but that this personality was "only camouflage for those individuals who know how to manipulate it".[154] He referred to the state as a form of slavery.[155][156][157][158] He also thought that the state "swallowed up [people's] religious forces",[159] and therefore that the state had "taken the place of God"—making it comparable to a religion in which "state slavery is a form of worship".[157] Jung observed that "stage acts of [the] state" are comparable to religious displays:
Brass bands, flags, banners, parades and monster demonstrations are no different in principle from ecclesiastical processions, cannonades and fire to scare off demons.[160]
From Jung's perspective, this replacement of God with the state in a mass society leads to the dislocation of the religious drive and results in the same fanaticism of the church-states of the Dark Ages—wherein the more the state is 'worshipped', the more freedom and morality are suppressed;[161] this ultimately leaves the individual psychically undeveloped with extreme feelings of marginalization.[162]
Well, Carl Jung's idealized marriage is never reached by most people--why else are there so many divorces or
worse,like murders.
--
AI Overview
Carl Jung viewed marriage as
a profound, alchemical union for individuation, a crucible for balancing inner masculine (Animus) and feminine (Anima) energies, pushing partners past illusions (projections) through conflict to achieve wholeness and conscious growth, not just instinctual comfort. It's a sacred journey where partners mirror each other's unconscious, transforming initial infatuation (projections) into genuine connection and self-discovery, ultimately helping each other become their true selves.
Key Jungian Concepts in Marriage:
Anima/Animus Projections: We project our unconscious feminine (Anima) or masculine (Animus) side onto our partners, creating initial intense attraction but also inevitable disappointment when reality clashes with this idealized image.
The Inner Marriage: The outer marriage serves the inner goal of uniting the conscious self with its contra-sexual unconscious aspects (Anima/Animus), leading to inner balance and completion.
Individuation: The primary purpose of marriage isn't just procreation or comfort but a path to becoming a whole, individual self, a process marked by crises and growth.
The Sacred Marriage: Jung saw the union as a spiritual, alchemical process (the coniunctio oppositorum or union of opposites) where the masculine and feminine archetypes merge, creating something new and divine.
Conflict as Catalyst: Disagreements and suffering are essential; they break down initial projections and force individuals to confront their own shadows, moving the relationship from instinctual to conscious, transformative love.
Marriage's Purpose:
Beyond Biology: Moving past mere biological goals (reproduction) to individual psychological development.
Facing the Shadow: Learning to accept and integrate one's own and the partner's darker, less desirable aspects. Creating Wholeness: Helping each other achieve individuation, allowing for freedom and authentic sharing rather than bondage.
In essence, Jung's theory sees marriage as a challenging, often painful, but ultimately sacred process of self-realization, where the partner acts as a mirror and guide on the journey toward wholeness. Sacred Marriage: A Fusion of Instinct, Spirit, and Grit Feb 1, 2023 — Marriage is a mystery woven into the fabric of time. A 4,000-year-old contract etched in stone bears witness to its tim... This Jungian Life
The Inner Marriage: Love, Heartbreak and the Search ... - IAHIP Fundamentally, the inner marriage is about the balancing of the masculine and feminine within oneself. Carl Jung believed that eve... IAHIP
Marriageas a Psychological Relationship - TrueLove.Singles Here the relationship remains within the bounds of the biological instinctive goal, the preservation of the species. Since this go... www.truelove.singles
My dissertation is about Systems and Structure--especially authoritarian or totalitarian systems and command economies and how central control leads to run down.
It is NOT--specifically about Burma/Myanmar or Southeast Asia.
It is Political Science and Organization Theory.
I developed my own theory called The Reverse Prismatic.
So the univ press whith rejected me and the Alz bro in law were all wrong-- Bro said it was "too long." I think I just pissed off the female director who asked an anonmymous referee--who wrote "she didn't once mention Ne Win." So what? I called everyone The Power Holder, or the Chief Executive. People reject things they don't understand. If I had had to look for a husband on my own, I would never have married. Enough for today. Kyi May Kaung
It is indeed the highly acclaimed C-drama Sword and Brocade which I watched in 2022--one of the first C-dramas I ever watched.
You should look for it on Prime or Netflix. These clips are hard to string together sequentially, but watching it a 2nd time, I appreciate it more.
Everything is near perfect in this series--
The locations, interiors, exteriors, casting, acting.
It feels like you are actually in the Ming Dynasty, a woman trapped in a powerful family; a man trapped with wives and concubines he does not love; political alliances.
Also,I did not know in 2022 that Zhao Lusi was the female lead.
She has been in many movies and TV series--sometimes I feel too many. But that happens to a lot of artistic people, for instance, painters--sometimes it seems they repeat themselves--or are in competition with their former roles/books/art works.
I try to avoid that. Each piece ideally should have its own message--its own vibe. "It's own color scheme." It's own societal problems, its own struggles.
In casting, actors should not be stereotypical (typecast).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYo7KplFJv0&list=PLSixJyXvRtG6YYII-tirWZ6eRZs7J0rXz
There are still 3-4 common tropes--here.
i. Fall into his arms backwards
ii. hate changes to love
iii. food
iv. "Cinderella"
v. nasty bitches as romantic rivals and sworn enemies.
--But my failed marriage into a Sino-Burmese family was no different. It's just a matter of scale. There are still Burmese men with parallel wives or mistresse,there is no shortage of womanizers.
There's even a term for it--"keeping" for kept woman or man.
(In American English and craft terms,"keepings" are the items like necklace clasps used to make costume jewelry. I don't do metal work. I have designed items made up by Rangoon goldsmiths. I dislike gems smeared with blood.
(I don't do ceramics except paint on greenware--I don't have the space. I seldom think of Burma. I will never go there.)
Fortunately all the women except one who wanted to get into estranged husband's pants are all dead.
Estranged is in his 9th decade.
Writers/artists always win.
Usually they survive to tell the story.
I am the only one in my extended family with an earned Ph D from an Ivy League Univ.
My brother never even did a Masters--I have 2. He has an honorary doctorate from a Japanese Univ.
I didn't do it to compete with anyone.
I just wanted to be good like my name.
Kyi May Kaung
12-14-2025
Everything in the kitchen sink--photo Kaung.
Furled State Flag and National Flag--Village Center--photo--Kaung
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Special post DGE Hall--Burma: A History.
https://web.archive.org/web/20050519230755/http://mission.itu.ch/MISSIONS/Myanmar/Burma/bur_history.pdf
I just remembered, I "met" DGE Hall when I was about age 10, while my father U Kaung was Director of the Burma Historical Commission.
I sat in the back seat between Hall and my father as we went somewhere--possibly in our green Humber Hawk.
Hall probably came to see G.H.Luce.
I don't remember anything else--he must have given a talk.
I was very shy in those days--and still in 5th or 6th grade. I only remember Professor Luce vividly, as we saw him fairly often.
Also Luce had the great quality of talking to everyone as an equal.
I remember several readings at his home--The Home for Waifs and Strays. No,he wasn't a waif or a stray himself, but he could have been a rather plump, lovely Santa Claus.
I often wished he was my biological grandfather.
Mrs. Luce (Daw Tee Tee Luce) was an intrepid social worker, winner of a Magsaysay Award, who, wiki says,dressed as a boy and recruited homeless boys to stay at her home.
At their annual meeting, Luce himself who had trained the boys, helped them up and down as they formed tall pyramids.
I never met such a charming interracial couple.
Historian Luce and Economist JS Furnival were close friends and lived there together after Furnival was widowered --Mrs.Luce was often peeling carrots when we visited.
I remember everything they said to me--but won't relate them here.
Burma activist Dr.Maung Zarni once said,"What people discount is love,"
I believe they were true friends of the Burmese people.
In this pdf,p 21--pl read Luce's famous translation of Alaungsithu's Prayer.
I keep finding this prayer and losing it, and finding it again.
Most recently about 2 years ago, I found it again for the 3rd or 4th time by Googling, "Luce,Alaungsithu,sheer athwart."
Would you believe it, I found it.
I have only seen "athwart" once--in this translation.
Only one person, my Seam Reap guide, has ever said the word "smote" in my hearing.
Amazing.
No one,except maybe my aunt, has ever told me they loved me.
But I don't care. I love whomever I wish.
I love my books, other people's dogs and children, flowers, my clothes, my paintings.
I also don't care what others think.
Life is too short.
Kyi May Kaung
12-13-2025
Friday, December 12, 2025
Thursday, December 11, 2025
AI--the Battle took place at Ngasaunggyan--but the Chinese forces were based at Baoshan.
AI Overview
Ngasaungyan is not Baoshan; they are distinct locations.
Ngasaungyan was a fortress and the site of a historical battle near the border of present-day Myanmar and China, while Baoshan is a city in Yunnan, China, and also a district in Shanghai, China.
The confusion likely stems from the historical context:
The Battle of Ngasaunggyan (sometimes spelled Ngasaungyan or Nagasaunggyan) took place in 1277 (and was followed by a second campaign in 1283) between the forces of the Pagan Kingdom (Burma) and the Mongol Yuan dynasty.
The battle occurred in Yunnan, a Chinese province that borders Myanmar (Burma).
The Chinese forces were based out of the Baoshan area in Yunnan.
While the events occurred in the general region of Baoshan, Ngasaungyan itself refers to the specific fortress/location where the fighting happened, not the city of Baoshan.
What happened in Burma in 1604--I know Naresuan died near Hang and Fang in 1605.
AI Overview
In 1604, the primary events in Burma (Myanmar) centered on the consolidation of power by King Nyaungyan Min and the ongoing conflict with the Shan states
.
Key events of the year include:
Nyaungyan Min's Return to Ava: On April 9, 1604, King Nyaungyan Min returned triumphantly to his capital at Ava (Inwa) after a successful military campaign against the principality of Mongnai (Monē), a key Shan State between Burma and Siam. This victory helped solidify his control over the cis-Salween Shan states.
Annexation of Möng Yang: The Shan state of Möng Yang (Mohnyin) was fully annexed by the Kingdom of Burma in 1604, marking its end as an independent entity.
Northern Shan States Unrest: Despite his success, Nyaungyan Min's authority over the newly acquired Shan states was weak. He received reports of unrest along the Chinese border and ordered a campaign for early 1605 to quell the disturbances. However, an outright revolt in Mogaung forced his hand, and he sent his son, Anaukpetlun, in November 1604 to quickly suppress the rebellion.
Siamese Threat: The Burmese command was concerned about a potential invasion by Siam (Thailand). Siam's warrior king, Naresuan, had recently established suzerainty over Lan Na (Chiang Mai) and was perceived as a threat to the remaining southern Shan states. A large Siamese army marched toward the border in early 1605, but the invasion was called off after King Naresuan's sudden death in April 1605.
These events were part of the broader effort by Nyaungyan Min to reunify the fragmented Second Toungoo Empire, establishing what would become known as the Restored Toungoo Dynasty or Nyaungyan Dynasty.
Nyaungyan Min - Wikipedia His eldest son Anaukpetlun emerged as an able military leader, and won several key decisive victories for his father. * Mohnyin an... Wikipedia First Toungoo Empire - Wikipedia Siamese vassal Martaban then entered into an alliance with Portuguese Syriam. Ava had seized cis-Salween Shan states by 1604. Siam... Wikipedia 1604 - Wikipedia April–June * April 9 – On the first day of the new year 966 M.E. on the Burmese calendar, King Nyaungyan Min of Burma makes a triu... Wikipedia
Not made into a movie yet.
As of December 2025,
there are no confirmed reports or announcements that Jojo Moyes' novel Someone Else's Shoes has been optioned or is in production for a movie adaptation, unlike her other works like Me Before You which was adapted. While some of her books are popular for adaptation, Someone Else's Shoes (published 2023) seems to be awaiting its own potential film journey, with fans often discussing how great it would be as a movie.
An exquisite world, daily being destroyed--how very sad.
AI Overview
Burmese amber, from the mid-Cretaceous period, preserves incredible detail of ancient life, including
dinosaurs (feathers, tiny skull), diverse insects (wasps, beetles, flies, caddisflies, ants, etc., showing early evolution and behaviors like parasitism), various plants (ferns, conifers, ancient flowers like Valviloculus), and even small vertebrates (lizards, frogs), revealing a tropical rainforest ecosystem and the dawn of flowering plant coevolution with pollinators.
Plants Identified
Flowers (Angiosperms): Ancient blossoms like Valviloculus pleristaminis, pollen-releasing flowers showing insect coevolution.
Conifers & Gymnosperms: Resin from these trees formed the amber; leaves, pollen, and wood fragments are found.
Ferns & Other Flora: Leaves and plant parts from the Cretaceous forest.
Insects Identified (Examples)
Wasps: Cuckoo wasps (showy, parasitic), ants, bees, wasps.
Flies (Diptera): Phorid flies, psychodid flies, soldier flies, crane flies, midges.
Beetles (Coleoptera): Iridescent beetles.
Caddisflies (Trichoptera): Many species of casemaking and net-spinning caddisflies.
Moths (Lepidoptera): Various moths. Bugs: Assassin bugs (Reduviidae).
Termites (Isoptera). Thrips (Thysanoptera): Small insects often found with other inclusions. Dragonflies/Damselflies (Odonata). Spiders (Araneae). Other Key Findings Dinosaurs: A tiny dinosaur skull (Oculudentavis), feathered dinosaur tail, bird wings. Vertebrates: Lizards, frogs, snakes. Marine Life: Ammonites, shrimp, suggesting a coastal forest.
Behavior: Spider attacking a wasp, flies laying eggs.
Sampling the insects of the amber forest | PNAS May 22, 2018 — This amber was produced by an extinct conifer. Other amber contains insects associated with resiniferous trees. For ex... PNAS Fossils in Burmese amber offer an exquisite view of dinosaur times ...
May 22, 2019 — They are a clue to a dramatic and quick changeover in life's history that Charles Darwin called "an abominable mystery... Science | AAAS Burmese amber - Wikipedia 110 Ma, significantly older than the dates obtained from other deposits. Fauna found in the amber include: Archaeognatha, Diplopod... Wikipedia
Amber of the Hukawng Valley--geology, non-fiction, paleo-biology.
geology of an amber locality in the Hukawng Valley ...
ScienceDirect.com
https://www.sciencedirect.com › science › article › pii by RD Cruickshank · 2003 · Cited by 1059 — Amber ('Burmite') from the Hukawng Valley of Myanmar has been known since at least the 1st century AD. It is currently being produced from a hill known as ... AI Overview +7 Hukawng Valley amber ( Burmese amber) is mid-Cretaceous (around 99-100 million years old), found in sedimentary rocks within Myanmar's Hukawng Basin, originating from conifers in a nearshore, volcanically active environment, crucial for paleontology due to its exceptional, diverse inclusions, though its trade raises ethical concerns. Geological Context Age: Mid-Cretaceous, specifically Upper Albian to earliest Cenomanian stages, roughly 99-100 million years old. Formation Environment: Formed in fine-grained, nearshore marine sediments (bays or estuaries) within the Hukawng Basin, influenced by volcanic activity. Host Rocks: Amber is embedded in clastic sedimentary rocks containing volcanic fragments (like zircons) and carbonaceous material, deposited alongside volcanic eruptions. Origin: The resin likely came from conifers (possibly taxodiaceous) growing in lowland coastal areas. Physical Characteristics & Types Variations: Includes transparent golden, brown (most common), red ("blood"), and opaque types like "beeswax" (flow patterns) and "root" amber (wood-like patterns). Inclusions: Famous for preserving incredibly diverse arthropods (insects, spiders), plants, and even vertebrates (lizards, birds, frogs) with high fidelity, bridging gaps in the fossil record. Significance Paleontological Goldmine: Provides unique insights into Cretaceous biodiversity, evolution (e.g., early ants, ticks), and ancient ecosystems. Geological Marker: Dates volcanic events and tectonic settings of the Burma Terrane. Ethical Issues Mining occurs in conflict-ridden areas (Kachin State), raising concerns about human rights abuses, forced labor (including children), and funding armed groups, leading to calls for ethical research standards. Burmese amber - Grokipedia Geologically, the amber occurs within clastic sedimentary sequences of the Hukawng Basin, associated with tectonic activity on the... Grokipedia Geology of an amber locality in the Hukawng Valley, Northern ... Feb 14, 2003 — The burmite-bearing rock is sedimentary and consists mainly of rounded lithic clasts (0.03 ∼ 0.15 mm in diameter), wit... ScienceDirect.com Geology of an amber locality in the Hukawng Valley, Northern ... Palynomorphs in samples collected by the authors suggest that the amber-bearing horizon is Upper Albian to Lower Cenomanian. The p... Harvard University Paleontology - Facebook Sep 16, 2020 — Seeds in amber. Burmese amber, also known as burmita, is amber from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar. It dates f... Facebook Inclusions in Burmese Amber | Gems & Gemology Jul 30, 2015 — The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has a collection of amber specimens acquired during a field expedition to t... GIA Burmese amber - Wikipedia Burmese amber, also known as Burmite or Kachin amber, is amber from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar. The amber is dated to ... Wikipedia Ethics, law, and politics in palaeontological research: The case of ... Sep 28, 2022 — Background * Fig. 1: Locations in Myanmar associated with Myanmar amber and areas of major conflict. Location of Myanm... Nature Gemmological and Spectroscopic Characteristics of Different ... CHARACTERISTICS OF BURMESE AMBER ... If the coloured layer is particularly dark, it is called 'black' amber (Xiao et al. 2014; Zha... ambermuseum.com.cn CRETACEOUS AMBER FROM THE ARCTIC COASTAL PLAIN OF ALASKA | GSA Bulletin | GeoScienceWorld Mar 1, 2017 — The amber is considered to be of taxodiaceous origin because it is associated with taxodiaceous fossils. The amber cont... GeoScienceWorld 1m A tale of two papers: ethics of Burmese amber YouTube·Raptor Chatter Dive deeper in AI Mode Burmese amber Wikipedia
Lu Bu--wiki--I saw a C-drama series on Lu Bu--but cant find i now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%BC_Bu#:~:text=In%20the%2014th%2Dcentury%20historical%20novel%20Romance%20of,ruthless%20and%20impulsive%20brute%20bereft%20of%20morals.
Theories on what led to the collapse of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties.
AI Overview
The collapses of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties stemmed from
intertwined internal decay (corruption, weak rulers, fiscal issues) and external pressures (rebellions, Manchu invasions), significantly worsened by severe climate change during the Little Ice Age, causing famines, crop failures, and economic crises that fueled massive peasant revolts, ultimately creating power vacuums exploited by rebels and invaders, say historians. The Yuan fell due to ethnic discrimination and overtaxation, leading to the Red Turban Rebellion, while the Ming succumbed to famine, silver shortages, military strain, and Manchu conquest after peasant uprisings, notes OER Commons, YouTube, Reddit, and MDPI.
Yuan Dynasty Collapse (1271–1368)
Ethnic Discrimination: Mongols favored themselves, oppressing Han Chinese, creating resentment.
Economic Strain: Heavy taxes, forced labor (Yellow River projects), inflation, and crop failures.
Natural Disasters: Yellow River floods devastated agric
ulture.Rebellion: Led to the Red Turban Rebellion, overthrowing Mongol rule. Ming Dynasty Collapse (1368–1644) Climate Change: The Little Ice Age brought severe cold, drought, floods, and famine. Economic Crisis: Lack of silver (global shortage), high taxes, and treasury spending. Political Corruption & Weakness: Ineffective rulers and power struggles. Military Strain: Costly border wars and internal conflicts. Peasant Uprisings: Famine-driven revolts, notably Li Zicheng's, captured Beijing. Manchu Invasion: Manchus exploited Ming weakness, taking Beijing in 1644. The Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644) and the Yuan dynasty (1271 ... Oct 22, 2024 — Internal Rebellion and Corruption: The Yuan dynasty faced increasing internal unrest due to ethnic divisions, heavy ta... Medium What led to the collapse of the Ming Dynasty? Why ... - Reddit Nov 26, 2021 — Other modern explanations for the difficulties faced by the late Ming include a collapse of the silver supply, due to ... Reddit The Little Ice Age and the Fall of the Ming Dynasty: A Review - MDPI Mar 16, 2023 — Qian Liu et al., through quantitative analyses of natural disasters and human wars of the final 35 years of the late M... MDPI
Why the Ming Dynasty collapsed.
AI Overview
The Ming Dynasty collapsed due to
a perfect storm of climate disaster (Little Ice Age), economic crisis (silver shortage, high taxes), widespread peasant rebellions (like Li Zicheng's), government corruption and inefficiency, and external Manchu pressure, culminating in rebels capturing Beijing in 1644, leading to the last emperor's suicide and the Manchus establishing the Qing Dynasty.
Key Factors in the Collapse:
Climate Change & Famine: The Little Ice Age caused droughts, floods, and crop failures, leading to severe food shortages, widespread famine, and disease (like plague).
Economic Instability: A shift to a silver-based tax system, coupled with reduced silver imports and high military spending, created a fiscal crisis, forcing heavy taxes on peasants.
Internal Rebellion: Famine-stricken and heavily taxed peasants rose up, with leader Li Zicheng capturing Beijing in 1644, forcing the last Ming emperor to commit suicide.
Government Inefficiency & Corruption: Court eunuchs and corrupt officials exacerbated financial problems and weakened the state's ability to respond to crises.
Manchu Invasion: The Manchus capitalized on the internal chaos, defeating rebel forces and seizing control, establishing the Qing Dynasty. In essence, environmental and economic pressures triggered massive social unrest, which the weakened, corrupt Ming government couldn't control, allowing external invaders to deliver the final blow. The Fall of the Ming Dynasty in China in 1644 Dec 22, 2018 — Other factors that contributed to the Ming's downfall include: * **Rebellion** Rebel leader Li Zicheng captured Beijin... ThoughtCo Why Did the Ming Dynasty Collapse? Historian Timothy Brook ... Apr 7, 2024 — before and to somehow blame blame Ming officials for having allowed the dynasty to fall is quite beside the point if yo... YouTube·Manchester China Institute 59s End of the Ming Dynasty in China | Davis Publications Apr 24, 2022 — The ultimate collapse of the Ming came about from a number of calamities in the 1630s: a severe financial downturn, an... Davis Publications
So what a Sino-Burmese man told me was wrong.
AI Overview
The Ming Emperor did not formally "give" the Kokan State (Kokang) to the Yang family; rather, the
Yang clan were Ming loyalists who fled to the region and established a feudal state after the Ming dynasty collapsed in 1644.
Here is a breakdown of the events:
1644: Soldiers from the Yang clan fled Nanjing following the collapse of the Ming Dynasty, making their way to the remote Yunnan border areas.
18th Century: Most of the Chinese who formed the basis of the Kokang population migrated to the area in the 18th century.
1739: A descendant, Yang Shien-tsai, officially formed the Chiefdom of Kokang in 1739.
Later Acknowledgment: The new state eventually acknowledged the suzerainty of the succeeding Qing dynasty of China to prevent an invasion, not because it was given to them by the Ming.
The "gift" from a Ming Emperor appears to be a historical misconception; the Yang family established their rule through migration and settlement after the dynasty's fall.
Chiefdom of Kokang - Wikipedia
The Chiefdom of Kokang (Chinese: 果敢土司; pinyin: Guǒgǎn Tǔsī), was a chiefdom in modern-day Kokang, Shan State, Myanmar ruled by the...
Wikipedia
HAN CHINESE, KOKANG - Asia Harvest
History: Most Kokang are descended from Chinese who migrated to what is now northern Myanmar in the 18th century. Earlier, in 1644...
Asia Harvest
HAN CHINESE, KOKANG - Asia Harvest
History: Most Kokang are descended from Chinese who migrated to what is now northern Myanmar in the 18th century. Earlier, in 1644...
Asia Harvest
AI--novels about men who sleep with diplomats' wives.
AI Overview
Novels featuring men sleeping with diplomats' wives often involve intrigue, secrets, and cultural clashes, with top examples including
Beatriz Williams' Husbands & Lovers (affair in 1950s Cairo) and Pam Jenoff's The Diplomat's Wife (historical intrigue in Prague), while Olen Steinhauer's The Cairo Affair offers spy-thriller angles with diplomatic affairs and betrayals, showing these themes woven into various genres from historical fiction to spy thrillers.
Historical Fiction/Romance Focus:
Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams: Set in 1950s Egypt, a woman married to a British diplomat has a passionate affair with a hotel manager, with echoes in modern times.
The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff: A historical novel centered on secrets and survival during wartime, featuring diplomatic settings and complex relationships.
The Diplomat's Wife by Michael Ridpath: Explores a woman's loyalty conflicts as she marries a diplomat in Nazi Berlin and is asked to spy on him.
Spy Thriller/Political Intrigue:
The Cairo Affair by Olen Steinhauer: A spy novel where CIA agents and diplomats navigate betrayals and affairs in Cairo and Hungary.
Key Themes & Settings:
Exotic Locations: Cairo, Prague, Paris, Berlin, and colonial settings provide rich backdrops.
Secrets & Betrayal: Affairs often drive plots involving political espionage or family secrets.
Identity & Class: Characters grapple with privilege, duty, and personal desires within complex social structures.
These novels offer a mix of romance, history, and suspense, all centered around the unique world of diplomacy and its personal entanglements.
Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams | Goodreads
Jun 24, 2024 — Husbands and Lovers is a deeply moving novel that earns 4.5 stars, rounded up. This historical fiction captivates with...
Goodreads
The Cairo Affair (2014) — Olen Steinhauer
*The Cairo Affair* is a 2014 spy novel by Olen Steinhauer. The book is about a marriage, betrayal, and political games. It feature...
www.olensteinhauer.com
Pam Jenoff's The Diplomat's Wife Book Review - Facebook
May 1, 2025 — I highly recommend The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff especially if you are traveling to Prague or have been there like ...
Facebook
Novels/books about sperm donor--AI search--some for adults only--
AI Overview
Novels and books about sperm donation explore themes like family creation, identity, and donor-conceived children's experiences, ranging from children's picture books (like
The Pea That Was Me) to memoirs and adult fiction, featuring stories for single parents, same-sex couples, and broader discussions on genetic connection, as seen in Goodreads lists and specific titles like Normal Family or romance novels such as The Donor.
For Children & Families (Picture Books/Early Readers)
The Pea That Was Me (Series): Gentle introductions for kids about sperm donation for two moms or single moms by choice.
My Extra Special Leaves: A story about donor conception for families with Mom & Dad.
Hope & Will Have a Baby: Focuses on the gift of sperm donation.
What Makes a Baby: A book by Cory Silverberg exploring conception.
For Adults & Broader Audiences (Fiction/Memoir/Non-Fiction)
Normal Family: On Truth, Love, and How I Met My 35 Siblings by Chrysta Bilton: A memoir about a donor-conceived person's journey.
Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro: Explores family secrets uncovered through DNA.
The Ones We Choose by Julie Clark: A novel touching on donor conception.
Red Clocks by Leni Zumas: A novel that includes themes around reproductive rights and family building.
Popular Topics/Keywords to Search
Donor Conception: A broad term for books about sperm, egg, or embryo donation. Donor-Conceived Children/Families: Focuses on the perspective of the child or family unit. Same-Sex Parenting/Two Moms/Single Mom by Choice: Highlights specific family structures using donors. You can find extensive lists on sites like Goodreads shelf "donor-conception-books" and Amazon's resource lists by searching these terms. Amazon Resource List - The Center for Family Building Lisa's Amazon recommendation list includes books and products for families with donor eggs, donor sperm, surrogacy, or adoption. S... The Center for Family Building Popular Donor Conception Books Books - Goodreads Chosen Family: A Donor-Conceived Woman's Journey to Redefining Family Kiara Rae Schuh. Normal Family: On Truth, Love, and How I Me... Goodreads
The Pea That Was Me (Volume 4): A Single Mom’s/Sperm Donation ... Book overview The Pea That Was Me is a charming introduction to sperm donation for kids of single moms by choice for children ages... Amazon.com end
Tuesday, December 09, 2025
Manipur king who lost to Alaunghpaya--when he was still U Aung Zeya?
The Manipur king who lost to Alaungpaya during his 1758-59 invasion was
Meidingu Gourashyam (Gaurisiam), though Gaurisiam fled, and his brother Bhagyachandra (also known as Bhagyachandra) fought and was defeated, with the Burmese finding the capital deserted as Gaurisiam and his people hid in the jungles. Alaungpaya's campaign aimed to avenge earlier Manipuri incursions and spread Buddhism, resulting in devastation for Manipur before he was called back to deal with a Mon rebellion in Lower Burma.
Key Details of the Conflict:
The Invader: Alaungpaya, founder of the Konbaung Dynasty, led the Burmese forces.
The Manipuri Rulers: King Gourashyam (reigned 1753-1759) was on the throne, but Alaungpaya defeated his brother Bhagyachandra, forcing Gaurisiam to flee.
Outcome: Alaungpaya occupied the capital, Imphal, but soon withdrew due to Mon uprisings, leaving Manipur devastated but temporarily free from direct Burmese rule until later invasions.
Burmese–Siamese War (1759–1760) - Wikipedia
Next year, in 1753, Bharatsai was overthrown and Gaurisiam, son of Shyam Shai and grandson of Gharib Niwaz, was made new King of M...
Wikipedia
Chahi Taret Khuntakpa - Wikipedia
The first significant Burmese invasion occurred in 1755 under the leadership of Alaungpaya (also known as Alempara), the founder o...
Wikipedia
Bhagya Chandra - Wikipedia
The Burmese record states that the Manipuris invaded again in 1754 and Alaungpaya set out to settle scores with Manipur. He person...
Wikipedia
Enough for today--I'll look for deBruno tomorrow.
AI Overview
Joseph François Dupleix, Governor-General of French India (1742-1754), attempted to expand French influence into Burma by allying with the
Mon people against the Burmese, sending envoy Sieur de Bruno in 1751 to forge closer ties and secure military assistance for the Mon. Bruno successfully established an alliance, but Dupleix's requests for French troops were denied by the French court due to shifting priorities (like the Seven Years' War), ultimately hindering French expansion into Burma and leading to Dupleix's recall from India in 1754.
Dupleix's Burmese Venture (c. 1750s)
The Opportunity: A Mon envoy sought French aid against the dominant Burmese kingdom (Konbaung Dynasty).
The Strategy: Dupleix saw this as a chance to expand French power beyond India and sent Sieur de Bruno to the Mon capital, Pegu.
Bruno's Success: Bruno secured an alliance with the Mon and even convinced them to reject British overtures for land in the region (Negrais Island).
French Government's Role: Despite Bruno's reports of the potential to control the Irrawaddy Delta, the French government, focused on European conflicts, refused to send the needed troops.
Outcome: The lack of support and Dupleix's eventual recall ended French prospects for influence in Burma, allowing the Burmese kingdom to consolidate its power.
Context: Dupleix in India
Dupleix was a visionary French administrator aiming for French supremacy in India against the British East India Company, engaging in the Carnatic Wars.
His policies often involved interfering in Indian politics and building armies of native sepoys.
His ambitious, costly policies and rivalries with the British led to his recall and ruin, despite initial successes.
Joseph François Dupleix - Wikiwand
Jan 14, 2018 — In 1750 the Subadar of Deccan gifted the Alamparai Fort to the French. This was a token of his appreciation of the ser...
Wikiwand
Sieur de Bruno - Wikipedia
Envoy in Burma ... A few years later, a Mon envoy visited Dupleix requesting French help in the fight against the Burmese. Dupleix...
Wikipedia
French in Syriam, Burma--first AI showed me "Syria"
AI Overview
French presence in Syriam (Thanlyin), Burma, dates back to the 18th century, marked by the establishment of a shipyard by Joseph François Dupleix in 1729 for teak and oil, and later French military aid to the Mon kingdom against the Burmese Konbaung dynasty, culminating in the fall of Syriam to King Alaungpaya in 1756, ending French influence there for a time, though French interests in Burmese resources, like oil, persisted and led to later modern engagements. Key Historical Periods & Events: 1729-1742 (Early French Presence): Governor-General Dupleix of French India set up a shipyard in Syriam to build ships and exploit resources like teak and crude oil, but it was abandoned due to Mon revolts. 1750s (Burmese-Mon Conflict): The French supported the Mon kingdom in Lower Burma against the rising Burmese Konbaung dynasty, with French troops and artillery playing a role. 1756 (Fall of Syriam): King Alaungpaya conquered Syriam, ending the French-Mon alliance and destroying the French base, leading to the enslavement of French allies. Late 18th Century (De Milard): French officer Pierre de Milard gained favor at the Burmese court, becoming a noble and supporting Burmese military efforts, but France's focus shifted after the French Revolution. 20th Century & Beyond: After WWII, diplomatic ties resumed, and modern French companies, like TotalEnergies (in oil), have had significant operations in Myanmar (Burma), continuing France's economic involvement. Significance of Syriam: Syriam (Thanlyin) was a strategic port on the Yangon River, crucial for trade and resource extraction (teak, oil). Its control was vital in the Burmese-Mon wars, eventually shifting importance to the newly founded Yangon (Rangoon) after Alaungpaya's conquest. France–Myanmar relations - Wikipedia The Governor-General of French India Joseph François Dupleix had started to show interest in Burma since 1727, on account of the c... Wikipedia
Alaunghpaya's conquests--List--in chronological order.
AI Overview
(1714–1760), founder of , reunified through swift campaigns, conquering Upper Burma (by 1753), Lower Burma & (1755), Pegu/Mon Kingdom (1757), and parts of (1758–59) before invading (1759-60), capturing and besieging before his death during retreat, consolidating Burmese power
.
Here's a chronological list of Alaungpaya's major conquests:
(1752–1753): After becoming chief of Moksobo, Alaungpaya led forces to conquer the fragmented Upper Burma, overthrowing the 's control by late 1753, establishing the Konbaung Dynasty. & (1755): He launched a major offensive into the Mon-held south, capturing the delta, including Dagon (renamed Yangon) by May 1755. (1756): The French-defended port of Syriam (Thanlyin) fell in July 1756, ending French involvement and securing the delta. (1757): Alaungpaya sacked the Hanthawaddy capital of Pegu (Bago) in May 1757, effectively ending Mon resistance and bringing all of Lower Burma under Konbaung rule. (1758–1759): Expeditions re-established Burmese authority over the eastern Shan states, some of which had been under 's influence. & (1759–1760): The final campaign saw Burmese forces sweep down the Tenasserim coast (taking Tavoy) and invade Siam, reaching and besieging the capital, Ayutthaya, in April 1760, where Alaungpaya died. Alaungpaya - Wikipedia Contents * 1 Background. * 2 Chief of Moksobo and deputy chief of Mu valley. * 3 Founding of Konbaung Dynasty. * 4 Reunification o... Wikipedia Alaungpaya | Burmese Empire, Monarchy, Unification - Britannica In 1755, at the end of a lightning campaign into the Mon country, he founded a new port, to be called Yangon (Rangoon), at the sit... Britannica Alaungpaya Facts for Kids Oct 16, 2025 — With more soldiers from all over Upper Burma, Alaungpaya launched a huge attack on Lower Burma in January 1755. By May... Kids encyclopedia facts end
Alaunghpaya's Generals.
AI Overview
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/Alaungpaya.JPG/220px-Alaungpaya.JPG
Alaungpaya's key generals were trusted childhood friends and loyal commanders who helped him forge the Konbaung Dynasty, including Minhla Minkhaung Kyaw, his top general who died conquering Syriam; Minkhaung Nawrahta, a skilled rearguard commander during the Siamese invasion; and Ne Myo Nawrahta, an early supporter who became Yangon's first mayor. Other prominent figures included Maha Thiha Thura, known for campaigns against Siam and China, and his own sons, like Hsinbyushin, who continued his military expansion.
Key Generals & Commanders:
Minhla Minkhaung Kyaw (c. 1714–1756): Alaungpaya's childhood friend and chief of the Musket Corps, he was a top general who captured Dagon (Yangon) but died in battle at Syriam, receiving high posthumous honors.
Minkhaung Nawrahta: A childhood friend and key commander, he led the rearguard during the 1760 Siamese invasion, ensuring the safe retreat of the main army.
Ne Myo Nawrahta (Shwe Yi): One of the first commanders selected for Alaungpaya's resistance, he became the first mayor of Yangon in 1757.
Maha Thiha Thura (c. 1720-1780): A distinguished commander under both Alaungpaya and his son Hsinbyushin, known for his role in the Siamese wars and brilliant defense against Chinese invasions.
Ne Myo Thihapate: A significant commander in the later wars with Siam and China, serving under Hsinbyushin.
Family & Successors:
Prince Thiri Damayaza of Myedu (later King Hsinbyushin): Alaungpaya's second son, he served as a vanguard commander and continued his father's military conquests, expanding the empire.
Bodawpaya: Another son of Alaungpaya, he further expanded the empire after his father and brother.
These generals were instrumental in Alaungpaya's campaigns to reunify Burma, conquer Manipur, and challenge the Siamese, establishing the foundation for the powerful Konbaung Empire.
Maha Thiha Thura - Wikipedia
He served with distinction throughout Alaungpaya's reunification campaigns, which by 1758 had reunited all of Burma, conquered Man...
Wikipedia
Alaungpaya Unites Burma | Research Starters - EBSCO Under Alaungpaya's sons, Hsinbyushin and Bodawpaya, the Burmese Empire continued to expand, reaching its greatest territorial exte... EBSCO
Minkhaung Nawrahta - Wikipedia Siam. Minkhaung Nawrahta was one of the lead commanders in Alaungpaya's invasion of Siam in 1759. He led one of the three armies t... Wikipedia
Monday, December 08, 2025
Copy and paste of Introduction I wrote of Sean Turnell and Alison Vicary's Report on Arbitrary Taxation in Burma, 2010.
Preface to Report on Arbitrary Taxation in Burma --by Sean Turnell & Alison Vicarey.
by Kyi May Kaung--(written in 2010)
It gives me great pleasure to, if one can ever be "pleased" about the horrendous Burma situation, to be asked to write a preface to this comprehensive 93 page report on arbitrary taxation in Burma by Sean Turnell and Alison Vicarey of Burma Economic Watch, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
Up front, I want to state that I have been a board member of Burma Economic Watch since about 2005. I share many of the views of Dr. Turnell and Dr. Vicarey, as published in this Report.
In 2002, when I was working for The Burma Fund, affiliated to the NCGUB, informally known as the Burmese democratic government in exile, I first met Sean in Gottenberg, Sweden, at a Burma Studies Conference, convened with much imagination I thought, by anthropologist Gustav Houtman.
Sean just came out of the woodwork at the conference, talking about money and banking in Burma as if he had really been there. (At this point he was not, but he is the most grounded and focused of the economists working on Burma).
I met Alison Vicarey shortly thereafter, in Australia. For those of you who do not know, Alison was one of the "Rangoon 18" from the Free Burma Coalition arrested in Rangoon for protesting Human Rights Abuses in the late 90s. The kangaroo trials they were subjected to predated those conducted by the Burmese junta in 2009 against Aung San Suu Kyi, and earlier against James Mawdsley and Rachel Goldwyn, and later against Yettaw, Kyaw Zaw Lwin and many others. (Note, 6-15-2014--A DVB reporter has been arrested and sentenced to one year in prison for reporting--i.e. doing his job).
This report is about arbitrary taxation.
The word "arbitrary" in plain English means, "without rhyme or reason, on a whim" and this is the situation the authors describe, based on responses from over 2000 entries and 2500 responses from the Generation 1988 Group's Open Hearts Campaign, in which Burmese living inside Burma risked their lives, essentially to kvetch about the abuses they suffered at the hands of the junta and its agents. Trained human rights data collectors were employed.
The seasoned cynic or junta apologist may ask what another of the zillions of detailed reports about Burma could do.
My reply would be that this report is a gold mine of insights about Burma and takes the rare systemic or regime critical view, while being based on solid hands-on economic research at the micro-economic level.
In a practical sense, Vicarey and Turnell present "to do" lists for ASEAN, China, India and Thailad, as well as for the SPDC. Whether they do it or not is the duty and responsibility of the governments concerned and of ASEAN. The researchers here have done their part.
The conclusion is that only a democratic system can lead to optimum distribution of resources, besides being humane and fair. We surely need more independent special interest groups and a free press in Burma.
This report is presented in jargon-free language and everyone seriously interested in Burma should read it, as well as check out the Burma Economic Watch Website and the other writings of both the authors.
Well done mates! (In Australese)
Kyi May Kaung (Ph.D.)
June 24, 2010.
Washington, DC.
FB and blog 6-15-2014
Sunday, December 07, 2025
Now to add the sounds--
These are results for sounds scenes of SE Asian battles 16th century from movies
Search instead for sounds scenes of SE Asian battles 16th century frommovies
AI Overview
What was warfare in Mainland Southeast Asia in the 16-17th ...
Finding specific 16th-century SE Asian battle sounds in mainstream movies is tough, as most war films focus on later eras (WWII, Vietnam, etc.), but you'll find raw, historical battle soundscapes (steel, drums, shouting, ancient weaponry) in epics like Kingdom of Heaven (for medieval feel), Japanese historical films like Ran (samurai clash), Korean epics like The Admiral: Roaring Currents (naval), and The 13 Assassins (feudal Japan), focusing on traditional instruments, armor clanging, and primal yells for that historical grit.
Where to Find Relevant Sounds/Films:
Ran (1985) / Kagemusha (1980) (Akira Kurosawa): While Japanese (not SE Asian), these offer intense, large-scale feudal battle sounds – drums, horns, katanas, yari (spears) – perfect for 16th-century feel.
The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014): A Korean naval epic with immense scale, featuring cannons, traditional drums, and ship-to-ship combat sounds. The 13 Assassins (2010) (Takashi Miike): A brutal, muddy samurai battle with visceral weapon sounds and organic chaos. Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut): Features large medieval sieges with authentic-sounding siege engines, swords, and crowds. The Lost Empire (The Monkey King) / Reign of Assassins (Wuxia/Xianxia):** These Chinese fantasy epics often blend historical martial arts with fantastical elements, providing unique weapon sounds and large choreographed fights. What to Listen For (Common Elements): Percussion: Deep war drums (taiko-style or larger), gongs, cymbals. Weaponry: Clashing steel (swords, polearms), arrows whistling, musket/arquebus fire (if applicable). Human Element: Chanting, war cries (kiai/battle yells), screams, heavy breathing, armor clanking. Atmosphere: Wood creaking on ships, earth/mud sounds, fire crackling. To find these sounds, search YouTube or film sound libraries for "Ran battle sound effects," "16th century Japanese battle sounds," or "Korean war film sounds".
I was just wondering how it must have felt for Aung Zeya (later King Alaunghpaya) as a boy growning up in the Kabaw Valley to experience a Manipuri raid and I found this.
It's all there, except the sounds, the mud, the dirt, the screams, the rapes--the fear, the tears, common to war.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olSQ9UdRGHA
AI--Cathay Cavalry.
AI Overview
The "Cathay Cavalry" refers to the famed, skilled horsemen from Manipur (called
"Kathe" by the Burmese) who were heavily integrated into the Burmese military, especially under the Konbaung dynasty (18th-19th centuries), serving as elite troops in major Burmese campaigns, including wars against Siam, after Manipur was devastated and its people conscripted following repeated Burmese invasions, culminating in Manipur's devastating Seven Years Devastation (1819-1826). These Manipuris, renowned for their hardy ponies and fighting prowess with lances (Arambais), became the core of the Burmese cavalry, known as the "Cassay Horse," and were instrumental in Burmese expansion before Manipur was liberated by British-backed forces, leading to its incorporation into British India.
Key Aspects of the Cassay Horse & Conflicts
Origins: After severe Burmese invasions, many Manipuri people were taken as captives and conscripted, forming a key part of the Burmese army's mounted forces.
Military Role: The Cassay Horse was a major fighting unit, famous for its effectiveness in Burmese wars, particularly against Siam, with some reports claiming 2,000 of Ava's 3,000 cavalry were Manipuris.
Distinctiveness: The Manipuris brought superior horses and fighting techniques, utilizing lances and javelins, making them a formidable, feared force.
Konbaung Dynasty: The integration peaked during the Konbaung era (1752-1885), supplying troops for expansionist wars and suppressing rebellions.
Seven Years Devastation (1819-1826): This period saw brutal Burmese occupation and devastation of Manipur, leading to mass displacement and increased conscription, further supplying the Cassay Horse.
End of Era: The First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826) eventually led to Manipur's liberation and its integration into the British Raj, ending the era of the Cassay Horse as a primary Burmese component.
In essence, the Cassay Horse highlights a complex history where military subjugation transformed a conquered people's martial skills into a powerful, defining element of their conqueror's army.
The Cassay Horse – Elite Manipur cavalry in Burmese Royal ...
Nov 8, 2020 — The Cassay Horse is a Burmese appellation given to the Manipur cavalry who were forcibly brought as war captives and em...
Imphal Times
Manipur Cavalry - Age of Empires Series Wiki
History. The Kingdom of Manipur (also known as Kingdom of Kangleipak) was often enemies with the Burmese Toungoo Empire, having ha...
Age of Empires Wiki
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