Prior to his appointment as King of Arakan, he was known as Gamani,[1] the governor of Kalay, a vassal Shan state of Ava.

[note 3] According to the Arakanese chronicle Rakhine Razawin Thit, Anawrahta's regime brutally suppressed dissent, and never gained popular support.

About a year later, Minkhaung sent his eldest daughter Saw Pyei Chantha to the Arakanese capital Launggyet to be Anawrahta's chief queen.

[note 5] The invasion force consisted of just 4000[4] to 5000 troops[3] but they were greeted as liberators by the populace, and quickly advanced to the capital Launggyet.

[note 6] Anawrahta, Saw Pyei Chantha and 3000 prisoners of war (probably including the garrison's families) were deported to Bassein (Pathein) in the Irrawaddy delta.