• Burmese
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
28 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home Specials On This Day

Looted Throne Comes Home

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
March 12, 2019
in On This Day
Reading Time: 1 min read
0 0
A A
Looted Throne Comes Home

The Lion Throne in Mandalay, Burma in1908 / Stereo Travel Co

6.9k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

On this day in 1948, Lord Mountbatten, the governor-general of India, returned the Thihathana Palin — the Lion Throne — to Myanmar’s first president, Sao Shwe Thaik. Mountbatten originally intended to return it on Jan.4, the day Myanmar gained independence from Britain. However, due to difficulties disassembling the giant chair, it could only be returned in March.

There were eight types of thrones in the royal court, of which the Lion Throne was the most important, representing sovereignty. The throne was placed in the royal assembly and used when the king received foreign envoys, accepted presents from vassals and issued royal decrees.

The Lion Throne.

After the British moved the Myanmar royal family to Ratnagiri, India, on Nov. 29, 1885, General Harry Prendergast’s forces looted Mandalay Palace and took the Lion Throne there as well. The throne was then put on display at the India Museum in Kolkata in 1902. When Myanmar was on the verge of independence, Mountbatten discussed returning the throne with King Gorge. It finally made its way back to Myanmar on this day in 1948, after spending more than 50 years abroad.

RelatedPosts

‘Indian Troops Killed Myanmar Resistance Fighters to Send a Message’

‘Indian Troops Killed Myanmar Resistance Fighters to Send a Message’

May 22, 2025
3.5k
India Asked to Probe Myanmar Rebel Deaths

India Asked to Probe Myanmar Rebel Deaths

May 21, 2025
2.2k
Disaster Diplomacy in Myanmar: A Convenient Narrative for the Int’l Community

Disaster Diplomacy in Myanmar: A Convenient Narrative for the Int’l Community

May 15, 2025
1k

Once back home, the throne was taken to the presidential residence on Ahlon Street in Yangon. Myanmar’s presidents used it to received international dignitaries including Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt and U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon.

On September 12, 1959, the throne was moved to the National Museum in Yangon for public display and remains there to this day.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: BritainIndependenceIndiaMountbattenreturnroyal
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

Myanmar’s Blackout Junta Seeks Solar Power Aid From Neighbors
Burma

Myanmar’s Blackout Junta Seeks Solar Power Aid From Neighbors

by The Irrawaddy
February 14, 2025
14.9k

China and India have been approached for help with solar power projects, the electricity minister says, as the country’s chronic...

Read moreDetails
China and the Wars in Myanmar
Guest Column

China and the Wars in Myanmar

by Bertil Lintner
January 21, 2025
10.7k

Recent truces declared by ethnic armies show that China is still the only outside power that can intervene in Myanmar,...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Rejects Bangladeshi Call for Rohingya State
Burma

Myanmar Junta Rejects Bangladeshi Call for Rohingya State

by Maung Kavi
May 2, 2025
10.4k

A political party in Bangladesh says a Rohingya-majority area of Rakhine State should become an independent state for returning refugees.

Read moreDetails
AA Chief: Neighbors Propping Up Myanmar Junta
Politics

AA Chief: Neighbors Propping Up Myanmar Junta

by The Irrawaddy
April 11, 2024
6.4k

Arakan Army leader Major General Tun Myat Naing says neighboring countries are allowing the regime to remain in power.

Read moreDetails
War-Torn Myanmar to Entice Tourists With Visas on Arrival
Business

War-Torn Myanmar to Entice Tourists With Visas on Arrival

by The Irrawaddy
September 14, 2023
5.7k

Chinese, Indian tourists will be the first to benefit from the pilot project, but tour operators say conflict is a...

Read moreDetails
Senior Indian Officer Talks Cooperation with Myanmar Military’s No. 3
Myanmar’s Crisis & the World

Senior Indian Officer Talks Cooperation with Myanmar Military’s No. 3

by The Irrawaddy
September 3, 2024
4.4k

The general’s visit marks the latest in a near-monthly string of talks about military cooperation between India and Myanmar’s pariah...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
A view of the island of Bhasan Char in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh photographed on February 14, 2018. / REUTERS

UN Envoy Fears ‘New Crisis’ for Rohingya if Moved to Bangladesh Island

The Chinese national flag flies in front of a Catholic underground church in the village of Huangtugang, Hebei Province, China, on Sept. 30. / Reuters

China Official Says West Using Christianity to 'Subvert' Power

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

37 Years and Counting: Why Has Myanmar’s Democracy Struggle Taken So Long?

37 Years and Counting: Why Has Myanmar’s Democracy Struggle Taken So Long?

5 days ago
1.2k
Myanmar Junta Blacklists 200 Firms for Dodging Hard Currency Grab

Myanmar Junta Blacklists 200 Firms for Dodging Hard Currency Grab

6 days ago
1.3k

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Starves Last Rakhine Strongholds as AA Closes In

    Myanmar Junta Starves Last Rakhine Strongholds as AA Closes In

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Chin Resistance Tensions Boil Over as CNA Seizes Rival’s Myanmar HQ

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Timor-Leste Hits Back at Myanmar Junta’s Objection to ASEAN Membership

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • TNLA Defies Myanmar Junta Push to Cede Shan Towns in China Talks  

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar People Skeptical of Junta’s Promises of Election, Peace

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.