Mon tradition holds that the Suwarnabhumi mentioned in the Edicts of Ashoka and the Dîpavamsa was their first kingdom (pronounced Suvanna Bhoum), founded around the port of Thaton in about 300 BC, however, this is disputed by scholars.

The Mon converted to Theravada Buddhism sometime before the sixth century,[3] and they adopted the Indian Pali script.

The first recorded kingdom that can undisputedly be attributed to the Mon was Dvaravati, which prospered until around 1024 AD when their capital was ruled by the Khmer Empire.

Despite these challenges, the Mon contributed significantly to the spread of Theravada Buddhism and left a lasting influence on the region’s cultural and religious development.

Lower Burma, including what is now Mon State, was conquered by Great Britain in 1824 after the First Anglo-Burmese War.

Burmese Prime Minister U Nu refused, saying that no separate national rights for the Mon should be contemplated.

The Burmese army moved into areas claimed by the Mon nationalists and imposed rule by force which resulted in a civil war.

Since 1949, the eastern hills of the state (as well as portions of Thaninthaya Division) have been under control of the NMSP and its military arm, the Mon National Liberation Front (MNLF).

In addition to fighting the central government, the MNLF has fought the Karen people over control of lucrative border crossings into Thailand.

[5] Minority religious communities include Christians (0.5%), Muslims (5.8%), and Hindus (1%) who collectively comprise the remainder of Mon State’s population.

Production of Betel nut is also a sustaining business of Mon state, as the Mon peasants preserved their heredity land onwards along with the government regulations, however, there are some many parts of uncultivated crude land in the area closed to neighbour Karen state.

At the present time one of the biggest foreign investments into Myanmar is for the exploitation of natural gas reserves in Mon State.

In Mudon, a small town near Mawlamyine, there is an applied research center for agricultural science with laboratory bases in rubber plantation and fertilization of some other species.

The future plans with tourism will benefit Mon state a lot as it has excellent transportation with the capital Yangon.

The newly opened Mawlamyine Bridge gives quick access from southern Ye to North Bago and Yangon by a day journey.

Three Pagoda Pass is an alternative route which communicates Mon state with neighbour Kanchanaburi province of Thailand.

Although health care is nominally free, in reality, patients have to pay for medicine and treatment, even in public clinics and hospitals.