Chao Pha

Chao Pha or Chao Fa (literally meaning "lord of the heavens"[1][2] Thai: เจ้าฟ้า, Shan: ၸဝ်ႈၾႃႉ, Assamese: স্বৰ্গদেউ) was a royal title used by the hereditary rulers of the Tai peoples of Mong Dun, Mong Shan, Mong Mao, kingdoms of Mueang Thai and Tai-Khamti people. It is the Thai equivalent.[1] Chao means "master" or "lord", and Fa means "sky" or "heaven". According to local chronicles, some fiefdoms of saophas date from as early as the 2nd century BCE; however, the earlier sections of these chronicles are generally agreed to be legendary.[3]

"Chao Fa" redirects here. For the title used by some rulers of the Shan states, see Saopha. For the Hmong resistance movement, see ChaoFa.
"Sawbwa" redirects here. For the fish, see Sawbwa barb.
Chao Pha
Chao Pha and Prince of Mong Mao and Mong Kham
Last holderChao Pha Purandar Singha
StatusNot used in Modern days
A Tai Nobility Title used by Ahom Kings, Shan Chiefs, Thai Prince / Princess and Khamti Chief.

Overview

During British colonial rule, there were 14 to 16 saophas at a time, each ruling a highly autonomous state, until 1922 when the Federated Shan States were formed and the saophas' powers were reduced. However, they nominally kept their positions as well as their courts and still played a role in local administration until they collectively relinquished their titles in favour of the Union of Burma in 1959.[1]Shan is the semi-independent Shan States (Mong, Shan: မိူင်း, pronounced [mə́ŋ]) in what today is Eastern Myanmar (Burma). It may also be used for rulers of similar Tai/Dai states in neighbouring countries, notably including China's Yunnan Province.[1].

Pictures of Chao Pha

See also

References
  1. Donald M. Seekins (2006). Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar). Scarecrow Press. entry Sawbwa, p. 391.
  2. Barbara Watson Andaya; Leonard Y. Andaya (2015). A History of Early Modern Southeast Asia, 1400-1830. Cambridge University Press. p. 170.
  3. "Pinkaew Leungaramsri. - Women, Nation, and the Ambivalence of Subversive Identification along the Thai-Burmese Border - Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia 21:1". muse.jhu.edu. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
  • Media related to Saopha at Wikimedia Commons


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