Binnya U

Who was Binnya U?

Binnya U was the eighth king of Hanthawaddy Pegu, who ruled from 1348 to 1383. Over his 35-year reign, the king faced several internal rebellions and external invasions. He tried to reestablish the kingdom's power out of its traditional capital Martaban but was forced back to Pegu, which ultimately proved to be a more strategic location to hold Mon-speaking lands of Lower Burma. His last years were filled with palace intrigues over succession. He died in 1384 while facing a rebellion by his eldest son Razadarit.

Binnya U was known as Hsinbyushin because he possessed a white elephant, considered a great hallmark of a Buddhist king. When the white elephant died, he spent many years looking for another one. In 1362, Binnya U repaired the Shwedagon Pagoda, raising its height to 20 meters.