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Battle of Ngasaunggyan

Type Event Region Southeast Asia Time 1277

In winter 1277, the army of Burma's Pagan Kingdom repelled a Yuan expeditionary force at Ngasaunggyan (present-day northern Myanmar along the Irrawad…

Timeline

  1. 1277From Yunnang to the northern Myanmar border · MyanmarKublai ordered the Yunnan province to dispatch troops against Burma; the Yuan general Nasu led his forces south from Yunnan. Pagan king Narathihapate ordered border troops and war elephant units to take up positions along the Ngasaunggyan line, holding the strategic point on the Irrawaddy.
  2. 1277Ngasaunggyan · Kachin StateThe Yuan forces crossed the river to attack; the Burmese met them with war elephant charges and massed bow and crossbow fire. According to the History of Yuan and Burmese sources, the Yuan were repulsed by unfavorable terrain, supply difficulties and elephant charges, and were forced to retreat. This battle is regarded by the Burmese side as their first victory against the Mongols.
  3. 1277–1278Northern Myanmar border · MyanmarThe Yuan forces withdrew to Yunnan to regroup, and the Pagan Kingdom temporarily stabilized its northern defenses. However, Kublai did not abandon his plan to conquer Burma; diplomatic friction and border clashes continued, laying the groundwork for subsequent, larger-scale Yuan-Burmese wars.

Sources