Chiefdom of Kokang

Chiefdom of Kokang
果敢土司
1739–1959
CapitalKya Tzi Shu (in modern Kokang)
Common languagesSouthwestern Mandarin
GovernmentMonarchy
Saopha 
• 1739–1758
Yang Shien-tsai (first)
• 1947–1949
Sao Yang Wen Pin
• 1949–1959
Sao Edward Yang Kyein Tsai (last)
History 
• Established
1739
• Disestablished
1959
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Hsenwi State
Myanmar
Today part ofMyanmar

The Chiefdom of Kokang (Chinese: 果敢土司; pinyin: Guǒgǎn Tǔsī), was a chiefdom in modern-day Kokang, Shan State, Myanmar ruled by the Han Chinese Yang Clan. The Yang Clan were Ming Empire loyalists that moved to Kokang with other Ming loyalists. Yang Gaoxue was one such loyalists whose descendant, Yang Shien-tsai formed the Chiefdom of Kokang officially on 1739. When the Qing dynasty rose to power in China, the Chiefdom of Kokang decided to acknowledge Qing suzerainty in order to prevent an invasion by the Qing regime. The region was ceded to the British Raj in 1894 after the British defeated the Qing, and the British started chipping away its autonomous status.