Wareru

Wareru (20 March 1253 – c. 14 January 1307), founder of the Martaban Kingdom, was born Ma Gadu at Tagaw Wun near Thaton and served in the elephant stables of King Ram Khamhaeng of Sukhothai before returning home.

He seized the governorship of Martaban in 1285 and in 1287 declared independence from the collapsing Pagan Empire with Sukhothai's backing. In 1295–1296 he and Tarabya of Pegu crushed a Pagan invasion, then he eliminated Tarabya and united the three Mon provinces.

Recognized by Yuan China in 1298, he commissioned the Wareru Dhammathat law code, which influenced Burmese and Siamese law for centuries. In January 1307 he was assassinated by Tarabya's sons.