Shan

The Shan States were Tai principalities in the hills of northern and eastern Burma, each ruled by a saopha. After the fall of Pagan in 1287, Shan rulers expanded their power; Möng Mao destroyed Sagaing and Pinya in 1364.

Ming campaigns broke Möng Mao's power in the 1440s, and its rulers withdrew to Möng Yang. In 1527 a confederation led from Möng Yang captured Ava, but the Toungoo dynasty conquered the Burmese Shan States in 1557, leaving their chiefs considerable local autonomy.