He is best known in Burmese history for his spirited defense Fort Kaungton against repeated attacks by numerically superior Chinese invasion forces in the Sino-Burmese War (1765–1769).
The determined resistance by the Burmese at Kaungton proved critical in stopping the last three Chinese invasions.
[1] Balamindin was born Maung Lwin in the Moksobo region (present-day Shwebo District) in Upper Burma.
Lwin was selected as one of 68 elite commanders that would become the core leadership of Konbaung armies for the next thirty years.
He served with distinction in Alaungpaya's reunification campaigns, first achieving the title Ye Kyaw Thura, and then Balamindin.