Shans at home . it is probably above370,000. Each State is governed by a Chief, called by theShans the Sao-hpa, by the English the the Sawbwas are many grades of nativeofficials; some are locally styled Sao-hpa by thepeople, although they have no right to the this is the case, their ancestors were probablyruling Chiefs, who in former times were conquered,remaining subject to more powerful princes, but per-mitted to govern their districts on payment of yearlytribute. Before the country was annexed to Great Britain—in 1886 A. D.—each Chief governed his own State, andthe K
Shans at home . it is probably above370,000. Each State is governed by a Chief, called by theShans the Sao-hpa, by the English the the Sawbwas are many grades of nativeofficials; some are locally styled Sao-hpa by thepeople, although they have no right to the this is the case, their ancestors were probablyruling Chiefs, who in former times were conquered,remaining subject to more powerful princes, but per-mitted to govern their districts on payment of yearlytribute. Before the country was annexed to Great Britain—in 1886 A. D.—each Chief governed his own State, andthe King of Upper Burma was his over-lord, to whomhe was obliged to pay a heavy tribute. Burmanofficials tyrannised over the Shans, and, owing toheavy and unjust taxation, the people were in a stateof perpetual rebellion against their Chiefs ; the Chiefswere constantly fighting among themselves, and werealso trying to free themselves from the Burman rule. Imperial Gazetteer of India, s N p |-^ • --^^^. KACHIN INVASION 187 The condition of the country whilst under Burma hasbeen described already in the historical chapter, so itneed not be repeated here, but I should like to drawattention to the unhappy state of the people underthe invasion :of the Kachins, who were slowly butsurely taking possession of the hill-country. We readin the Parliamentary Papers for 1859-1876: TheKakyen ^ are a portion of the vast hordes of Singphosthat inhabit the mountain districts of Northern Assam,and stretch round the north of Burma into WesternChina. These extend not only all along the northernfrontier, but dip down southward wherever themountain ranges lead them. . They have oustedmany Shan tribes . . and wherever they appearthey assume the same character of lords of all theycan reach, only to be appeased by some form of black mail. . They inspire such terror, that inthe neighbouring plains no Burman or Shan willventure alone, or even in company, unarmed alongthe roads within their reac
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