Yazathu of Talok

Yazathura of Talok (, ; or more commonly known as Yazathu, ) was governor Talok (in present-day central Myanmar) during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. A son-in-law of King Swa Saw Ke of Ava, Yazathu also served as a regimental commander in the Royal Ava Army. He participated in the first three wars against the southern Hanthawaddy kingdom.

Brief According to the royal chronicles, Yazathura (often shortened to Yazathu) was born to Princess Saw Min Hla of Pinya and Min Maha of Nyaungyan during the Pinya period. He was descended from the Pagan royal line through his father, and from both Pinya and Pagan royal lines through his mother. His paternal grandfather Min Letya was governor of Nyaungyan and ten towns, and his maternal grandfather was King Kyawswa I of Pinya (r. 1344–1350). A few pages later, the chronicle says Saw Me, the governor of Talok, was appointed as the vassal king of Arakan in 1380/81. It subsequently identifies Yazathu as governor of Talok, participating in the Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1385–1391). and later identifies Yazathu as governor of Talok participating in the Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1385–1391). The Hmannan Yazawin (1832) simply follows the Maha Yazawin's ambiguous narrative. Historian Michael Aung-Thwin places Yazathu's appointment in 1367/68 as part of Swa's coronation ceremony, citing the Maha Yazawin's initial narrative.

Furthermore, a more precise date for Yazathu's appointment may be 1383/84. The 1781 work, Mani Yadanabon, reports that Saw Me was appointed vassal king of Arakan in 745 ME (1383/84), not 742 ME (1380/81) as stated in the Maha Yazawin. This is another case of the Burmese numerals ၂ (2) and ၅ (5) being miscopied.

As a loyal vassal, Yazathu served as a regimental commander in the Royal Ava Army, and participated in the first three wars against the southern Hanthawaddy kingdom between 1385 and 1413, Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1385–1391) 1386–1387 1 regiment Commanded one marine regiment in the invasion navy Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1385–1391) 1390–1391 1 regiment Commanded one marine regiment in the invasion navy Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1401–1403) November 1401–April 1402 1 regiment Defended his fortified town of Talok, one the 12 Ava forts along the Irrawaddy Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1401–1403) Battle of Thaymathauk December 1402 1 regiment (1000 troops) Commanded a regiment in the Vanguard Army led by Thado of Myohla; Driven back at Thaymathauk by the Hanthawaddy Army Ava–Launggyet War (1406) November 1406 1 regiment (1000 troops) Commanded a regiment Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1408–1418) First Ava invasion of Hanthawaddy April–August 1408 1 regiment (1000 troops) Commanded a regiment in the Vanguard Army Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1408–1418) Battles of Prome and Talezi December 1412–March 1413 1 regiment (1000 troops) Commanded a regiment in the Royal Main Army

Family Ancestry Yazathu was descended from the Pagan royal line on his father's side, and from Pinya and Pagan royal lines on his mother's side.

Descendants Yazathu had at least three daughters.

Min Shwe Pan, wife of Maha Thinkhaya I. According to the Hmannan Yazawin, Min Shwe Pan was a great grandmother of King Mingyi Nyo, the founder of the Toungoo Dynasty. Unnamed daughter, wife of Sawbwa Htaw Hmaing Gyi of Nyaungshwe, married in 1405/06 Unnamed daughter, wife of Smin Bayan, married in 1415; Duchess of Legaing