Mongol invasions of Burma
1277 · From Ngasaunggyan (near modern Yingjiang, Yunnan) to Pagan (modern Myanmar) · China · Early modern
In 1277 the Yuan army defeated the Burmese elephant corps with a small cavalry force; in 1287 the Yuan army stormed Pagan, and the Pagan Kingdom went into decline
Belligerents
Yuan
- Commanders
- Qutuq, Nasir al-Din
- Strength
- 700 Yuan cavalry (first battle)
Pagan Kingdom
- Commanders
- Narathihapate
- Strength
- Pagan army and war elephants
Background
The Pagan Kingdom refused to submit as a vassal to the Yuan dynasty and attacked the Yuan frontier.
Course of the battle
- War elephants attackIn 1277 a Burmese army of tens of thousands with several hundred war elephants attacked the Yuan frontier
- Shooting the elephants to break the lineThe Yuan cavalry withdrew into the woods and shot arrows at the war elephants; the frightened elephants turned and stampeded back, throwing the Burmese army into disorder
- Marching south againIn 1283 the Yuan army marched south again and took Kaungsin
- Storming PaganIn 1287 the Yuan army stormed Pagan, and the Pagan Kingdom declined from then on
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1277 |
|---|---|
| Place | Ngasaunggyan (around present-day Yingjiang, Yunnan) to Pagan (in present-day Myanmar) |
| Result | In 1277 the Yuan army defeated the Burmese elephant corps with a small cavalry force; in 1287 the Yuan army stormed Pagan, and the Pagan Kingdom went into decline |
| Winner | Yuan |
| Casualties | Heavy losses among the Burmese elephant corps |
| Territorial change | The Pagan Kingdom collapsed, and Myanmar entered a period of fragmentation |
Impact
The Mongol invasions of Burma were a famous clash between Mongol cavalry and Southeast Asian war elephants; Marco Polo also recorded this battle in his travelogue.
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