Thihapate of Mohnyin
He was a principal figure in Ava's reconquest of Mohnyin (1439), Kale (1439) and Mogaung (1442), and defense of the northern frontier states from Chinese incursions in the 1440s.
The royal chronicles have no information about his background or early life except to mention in passing that he was a nephew of Queen Shin Myat Hla of Ava.
[2][3] Although it can be inferred from chronicle reporting that his parents were probably Thiri Zeya Thura the Elder and Shin Myat Hla of Pakhan, the narratives are not conclusive.
The new king, who had just seized the Ava throne, wedded his eldest daughter Shin Hla Myat to a nephew of his chief queen consort.
[note 2] Chronicles have no mention of Thihapate for the rest of Thado's reign except in early 1434 when his second son was given the title of Thinkhaya by the king.
Later in the year, Thihapate marched with a sizable army (9000 men, 500 cavalry, 30 elephants) in an expedition, and was able to gain the submission of Mohnyin and Kale (Kalay) without a fight.
[9][10] The expedition benefited greatly from Mohnyin's overlord Mong Mao being preoccupied with the Chinese attacks, and unable to respond.
King Minye Kyawswa had suddenly died without leaving a male heir, and although his younger brother Viceroy Thihathu of Prome was next in line of succession, the court had selected Thihapate as the successor.
It was a major achievement for Ava as Tho Ngan Bwa not only was the supreme sawbwa of Mong Mao which consisted of 21 vassal states,[16] but also a most wanted man by the Ming court, which had offered the Luchuan district (present-day Longchuan County, Yunnan, China) as reward.
[21][22] Thihapate successfully formed a close relationship with the two sawbwas of Mogaung in defense of the northern states against Chinese incursions in 1444–1445,[23] and 1449–1450,[21] which began due to Ava's refusal to hand over Tho Ngan Bwa.
However, his eldest son Min Uti in league with the co-sawbwas of Mogaung revolted, apparently with Chinese encouragement.
[note 6] Ava responded by sending two large armies (combined strength of 19,000 troops, 800 cavalry, 40 elephants) led by the king and the crown prince themselves.
