Bureng Naung, the foster brother and general of Tabeng
Shwethi, who was rightful heir to the throne, had been
forced to retire to Taungu consequent on the Talaing
risings in Pegu. Claiming his right to the throne of his
native city, he soon was powerful enough to advance on
Pegu. Smih Dhaw was driven out and Bureng Naung
became king of Pegu in A.D. 1551. His ambition, like that
of his foster brother, was to be master of the neighbouring
kingdoms of Burma and Siam as well as Pegu. To this end
he made war with the Shan chiefs, who at that time lorded
over the upper country and carried his arras into Chiengmai
which he entirely subjugated. In a second expedition into
Lower Siam the king of Ayuthia was taken and carried to
Pegu, and Siam for some years was counted a vassalage of
Pegu. Wiang Chan, the capital of Eastern Laos, was also
taken. Before this, Bureng Naung had rebuilt Pegu and
European travellers of the time speak of its glories. The
glowing descriptions of the city which one finds in the native
books are no doubt reminiscent of this new city of Bureng
Naung.
