1287--Chinese invasion of Bagan--

Chinese (Yuan) Invasion of Burma in 1287

The Battle of Pagan in 1287 was the final major clash in the Yuan dynasty’s series of invasions of the Pagan Kingdom of Burma (modern Myanmar), which had begun in 1277 and continued through 1283–1287 Wikipedia+1. It marked a turning point in the collapse of the 250-year-old Pagan Empire. Background

After the Yuan’s 1283 victory at the Battle of Bhamo, they had penetrated the Irrawaddy River valley and established garrisons. This political instability emboldened Esen-Temür, Kublai Khan’s grandson stationed in Yunnan, to launch another campaign Wikipedia. King Narathihapate fled Pagan to Lower Burma, leaving the capital’s defenses to his three brother commanders — Athinkhaya, Yazathingyan, and Thihathu — who became central figures in the 1287 defense Wikipedia+1. The 1287 Campaign

Esen-Temür led a large Mongol force down the Irrawaddy, aiming to capture Pagan. Traditional colonial-era accounts claimed the Mongols ignored orders to retreat, advanced to the city, occupied it, and sent detachments south toward Prome Wikipedia. However, modern scholarship suggests the Mongols likely never reached Pagan itself, being held at bay by the Burmese forces and possibly never getting closer than about 160 km north of the capital Wikipedia+1. Even if they did reach Pagan, the damage was probably minimal, and the Mongols suffered heavy casualties before retreating north to Tagaung Wikipedia.

Aftermath

Political collapse: Narathihapate was assassinated in Lower Burma by his son Thihathu of Prome Wikipedia.

Fragmentation: The Pagan Empire disintegrated into smaller kingdoms, including Ava, Hanthawaddy, and various Shan states History Atlas+1.

Yuan position: The Yuan did not fully occupy the Irrawaddy valley; their forces remained in northern Burma at Tagaung Wikipedia+1.

Legacy: In Burmese history, Narathihapate is remembered as Tayokpyemin (“the king who ran away from the Chinese”) Wikipedia.

Significance

The 1287 campaign, whether or not it directly captured Pagan, accelerated the empire’s collapse. The Yuan’s inability to consolidate control in the central and lower Irrawaddy region allowed local powers to rise, reshaping the political map of mainland Southeast Asia for centuries History Atlas+1.