He is best remembered in Burmese history as the courageous general who waged the fiercest battles of the Forty Years' War (1385–1424) against King Razadarit of Hanthawaddy Pegu.

Minkhaung and Minye Kyawswa's struggles against Razadarit are retold as classic stories of legend in Burmese popular culture.

His father was a son of then King Swa Saw Ke of Ava while his mother was a daughter of Sawbwa (Chief) Tho Ngan Bwa of Mohnyin.

[1][2] According to the royal chronicles, Phyu had already gained notoriety before his birth, which came near the end of the first phase of the Forty Years' War between Ava and Hanthawaddy Pegu.

Ava and Pegu courts believed that he was the reincarnation of Prince Baw Law Kyan Daw of Hanthawaddy, who was executed on the orders of his father King Razadarit for suspicion of treason c. April 1390.

The prince is said to have sworn an oath before taking the poison that if he were innocent, he was to be reborn in the dynasty of Ava kings, and be the scourge of Peguans.

Chronicles continue that about three to four months after the prince's death, Mi-Nauk became known to be pregnant, and she longed for three types of delicacies from the south.

In the superstitious world of Burmese politics, Razadarit believed that the unborn child must be Baw Law Kyan Daw himself taking flesh again according to his dying prayer.

The main chronicles say Phyu, styled as Minye Kyawswa, was given command of the Arakan campaign before he turned 12 (c. late 1402 to early 1403).

However, the Arakan invasion took place in November 1406;[note 4] if he did begin military service before turning 12 as the chronicles say, then it must have been towards the end of Razadarit's invasion—i.e.

[note 5] Though he may have also taken part in his father's 1404–1406 acquisition spree that pulled the nearer Shan states of Nyaungshwe, Bhamo, and Mohnyin into Ava's orbit, the prince's first confirmed campaign came in 1406.

In November 1406, the 15-year-old prince led the invasion force (10,000 men, 500 horses, 40 elephants) into Arakan, and advanced to the main fort guarding Launggyet.

On 27 November 1406, Minye Kyawswa on his war elephant, Ye Myat Swa, led the charge against the opposing forces.

[9] At Ava, the king made his eldest son crown prince,[note 7] and married him to Saw Min Hla, a cousin of the groom.

Combined Ava forces proceeded to attack the key delta cities of Myaungmya and Bassein (Pathein).

But they had to retreat in early 1412 when Minkhaung recalled the troops to defend against Hanthawaddy's ally Hsenwi (Theinni), which had opened a new front by invading Ava territory in the north.

Reinforced Hanthawaddy troops then marched to Launggyet, and drove out the Ava garrison led by Letya and Sokkate.

Back at Ava, Minye Kyawswa took command of a new army (7000 troops, 300 horses, 20 elephants), and immediately marched to the front.

Minye Kyawswa moved four regiments (4000 men, 300 horses, 20 elephants) of the army near the Sinkhan forest outside the city.

[23][24] The siege lasted one more month until c. November 1412 when Minkhaung called back Minye Kyawswa in order to face off Razadarit who had just reopened the southern front by attacking Prome.

Shaken by the deaths, Razadarit hastily retreated with Hanthawaddy rearguard losing about 300 troops from Ava attacks.

Minye Kyawswa's army was driven back outside Dala by three Hanthawaddy regiments led by three sons of Razadarit.

[note 13] Another Ava army led by Minye Kyawswa's father-in-law, Tarabya I of Pakhan, was also defeated at Syriam (Thanlyin).

In response, Minkhaung recalled Minye Kyawswa to Ava, and sent his middle son Thihathu to Prome to take over as viceroy.

[35] Circa October 1414,[note 15] Minye Kyawswa launched the invasion with a joint naval and land attack on Fort Khebaung (north of Hinthada).

Then, he on his favorite war elephant, Nga Chit Khaing, along with his elite regiment of 800 men, led the charge.

[36] Nonetheless, they managed to fight off a joint land-naval attack by Hanthawaddy forces from Pegu, and captured Gen. Smin Bayan, a son-in-law of Razadarit, and 20 other senior commanders.

He made a 17-day return trip to Ava, bringing with him captured Hanthawaddy commanders, including Smin Bayan.

[41][42] On 22 February 1415, the Pegu command drew up a plan to fight Minye Kyawswa; eight days later, on 2 March 1415, Razadarit himself led the army to the front.

Minkhaung and Minye Kyawswa's struggles against Razadarit are retold as classic stories of legend in Burmese popular culture.