Genealogy
The Yawnghwe royal family is descended from King Beingyayett (who ruled in 661-600 BC). The family ruled in what is now northern Burma and southwestern China. In 1358, the Saopha (King/Ruler) Si Hseng Hpa, a direct ancestor of this family formed his capital at Yawnghwe.
In 1850, Sao Suu Deva, Crown Prince of Yawnghwe, was assassinated by a rival claimant. King Mindon of Burma helped Prince Deva's son Sao Maung (aka Sir Sao Maung - knighted by George V of the United Kingdom)regain the crown of Yawnghwe. In 1927, Sao Shwe Thaike ascended the throne of Yangwhe, succeeding his uncle Sao Maung.
Sao Shwe Thaike (b. October 1896) was instrumental in laying the foundation in 1945 for what was to become the Union of Burma in 1948. Thaike served as President of the Constitutional Assembly and was elected by Parliament to serve as the first President of the Union in 1948. On January 4, 1948 Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, handed the Union of Burma its independence.
The Mahadevi Sao Hearn Hkam (b. May 1916), Tiger’s mother, is sister to Saopha of Hsenwi, another ancient House. It is said by some Thai scholars that King Ramakhamheng of Sukhothai (the 13th Century precursor of modern Thailand ) was a scion of the House of Hsenwi. Sao Hern was elected to the Chamber of Deputies (Lower House or House of Commons) from 1954-58. In 1963, after Ne Wins coup of 1962 and the funeral of her husband Sao Shwe Thaike, she fled to Thailand with her younger children. Upon crossing the Thai border, the Provincial Governor called on the Mahadevi with a message of protection from the king. During her time in Thailand she organized and founded the Shan State Army (of resistance to Ne Win’s dictatorship). She became its commander-in-chief and her second son Chao Tzang served as her right hand man. The Mahadevi now lives quietly in Alberta .
Read more about this topic: Hso Khan Pha