U Nu

First Prime Minister of independent Burma, overthrown in a military coup in 1962.

Life

Teacher

In his early years U Nu was a teacher and a student movement leader, and he joined the Dobama Asiayone together with Aung San.

First Prime Minister

After Aung San was assassinated, he took over leadership of the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League, and after Burma became independent in January 1948 he became its first Prime Minister. Facing insurgencies by communists and ethnic minority armed groups, he promoted Buddhist socialism and in 1961 made Buddhism the state religion. Together with Zhou Enlai he championed the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and he was one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Five Principles

In 1962 Ne Win staged a military coup, and U Nu was arrested and imprisoned; he later went into exile abroad, returned home in 1980, and died in Yangon in 1995.

Legacy

U Nu was a representative figure of Myanmar's era of parliamentary democracy and an important figure in the diplomacy of newly independent states.

Did you know? He was a devout Buddhist who for a time became a monk, and he also wrote novels and plays.

Key dates

• 1938Joined the Dobama Asiayone
• 1948Burmese Independence; became Prime Minister
• 1954Co-championed the Five Principles with Zhou Enlai
• 1955Attended the Bandung Conference
• 1962Overthrown in a coup
• 1995Died