Maha Thiha Thura

Maha Thiha Thura
Maha Thiha Thura
	21st century portrait of Maha Thihathura
Native name	မဟာသီဟသူရ
Born	c. 1720s; Mu valley, Kingdom of Burma
Died	23 February 1782; Saturday, 12th waxing of Tabaung 1143 ME; ; Ava, Kingdom of Burma
Allegiance	Konbaung Dynasty
Branch	Royal Burmese Army
Service years	1752–1776
Rank	Commander, General (1752–1768); Commander-in-chief (1768–1776);
Conflicts	Konbaung–Hanthawaddy War (1752–1757); Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767) (1765); Burmese–Siamese War (1775–1776); Sino-Burmese War (1765–1769); Manipuri Rebellion (1770);
Other work	Minister (1776–1777); Chief Minister (1782);

Maha Thiha Thura ( Pali: mahā sīha sūra ;d. 23 February 1782), personal name U Thaa (ဦးသာ), also known as Atheh Wun Jee (အသည်ဝန်ကြီး , "Minister of Commoners"), was commander-in-chief of the Burmese military from 1768 to 1776. Regarded as a brilliant military strategist, he is best known in Burmese history for defeating the Chinese invasions of Burma (1765–1769). He rose to be a top commander in the service of King Alaungpaya during the latter's reunification campaigns of Burma (1752–1759), and later commanded Burmese armies in Siam, Lan Na, Luang Prabang (Laos), and Manipur.

The well-respected general's support was sought after by kings. His support was crucial in securing the throne for Singu, his son-in-law, above the remaining sons of Alaungpaya. However, the general had a fallout with his son-in-law afterwards, and was pushed aside. In 1782, he was appointed Chief Minister by King Phaungka, who overthrew Singu. When Phaungka himself was overthrown six days later by Bodawpaya, the new king kept Maha Thiha Thura as his Chief Minister. However, the old general, who had so often led his countrymen to victory, and had won the greatest of their wars, was found plotting against the king, and was executed for treason.