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U Kala

1678 – 1738

Burmese historian

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About U Kala

Lived 1678 – 1738 (aged 59–60). U Kala was a Myanmar historian, known for Maha Yazawin.

U Kala was a Burmese historian and chronicler best known for compiling the Maha Yazawin (lit. 'Great Royal Chronicle'), the first extensive national chronicle of Burma. U Kala single-handedly revolutionized secular Burmese historiography and ushered in a new generation of private chroniclers, including Buddhist monks and laymen.

U Kala was a wealthy descendant of court and regional administrative officers from both sides of his family. His father, Dewa Setha, was a banker from Singaing, a village south of Inwa, and descended from regional administrative officers of the crown. His mother, Mani Awga, of mixed Shan and Burman noble descent, came from a prominent family of courtier-administrators who served the Taungoo Dynasty since the mid-1500s.

In compiling the Maha Yazawin, U Kala likely had access to Toungoo court documents, including royal correspondence, parabaik, notebooks of daily court schedules prepared by astrologers and scribes, official records of military affairs, and royal genealogies. He supplemented his sources with private local chronicles, inscriptions, biographies, and religious histories held in monastic or royal collections at the royal capital.

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Important facts

Born
1678, Taungoo dynasty
Birth century
Died
1738
Occupation
Nationality
Known for
Maha Yazawin

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped U Kala's

Frequently asked questions

Who was U Kala?

Burmese historian

When was U Kala born?

U Kala was born in 1678 in Taungoo dynasty.

When did U Kala die?

U Kala died in 1738.

What was U Kala's occupation?

U Kala was a historian.

What was U Kala known for?

U Kala was known for Maha Yazawin.

What nationality was U Kala?

U Kala was Myanmar.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: U Kala

· Wikidata: Q7876210

· DBpedia: U Kala

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). U Kala. https://biography.guide/u-kala/

MLA: "U Kala." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/u-kala/.

Chicago: "U Kala." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/u-kala/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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