The Making of Modern Burma

Book Details

• Author: Thant Myint-U

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

• Language: English

• ISBN: 9780521799140

• Cover: Paperback

• Pages: 296

• Release Date: 26-03-2001

• Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.0 x 0.9 inches

About the Book

The Making of Modern Burma by Thant Myint-U offers a refined and essential historical study of nineteenth-century Burma—an era that shaped much of the nation’s modern identity. Far beyond a conventional colonial history, this insightful work explores how British expansion and administrative reforms intertwined with indigenous power structures, cultural transformations, and internal conflicts to create the complex socio-political fabric of present-day Myanmar.

Myint-U draws from rich archival sources and a nuanced understanding of Southeast Asian history to trace the sweeping changes that occurred under British rule. He demonstrates how colonialism not only altered the Burmese monarchy and administration but also redefined identities, reshaped economic systems, and influenced emerging national consciousness.

This scholarly yet accessible book is indispensable for students of Southeast Asian history, political science, and postcolonial studies. It is also a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the deep historical roots behind Myanmar's modern challenges and political transitions.

An important contribution to both imperial historiography and Burmese studies, this volume lays the foundation for comprehending the legacy of empire in shaping national structures and societal dynamics.