Shin Mi-Nauk

Who is Shin Mi-Nauk?

Shin Mi-Nauk was the chief queen of King Minkhaung I of Ava from 1400 to 1407. She was the mother of Crown Prince Minyekyawswa, who is one of the most celebrated generals in Burmese history, and King Thihathu of Ava. Mi-Nauk was a daughter of Hsongamhpa, the saopha of Shan state of Mohnyin. She was married to Minkhaung, son King Swasawke of Ava when Ava and Mohnyin were in a rare period of good relations in the late 1380s. From 1391 to 1395, she gave birth to two sons, Minyekyawswa and Thihathu, and a daughter, Saw Pye Chantha at Pyinsi, which was Minkhaung's fief.

Mi-Nauk became of queen of Ava on 25 November 1400 when Minkhaung ascended to the throne of Ava. Ava at that time was fighting against the Kingdom of Hanthawaddy in the south. In April 1407, Minkhaung invaded the Hanthawaddy country and reached the outskirts of Pegu. As it was the custom of the day, she accompanied Minkhaung during his military expeditions. Three months later, c. July 1407, the Hanthawaddy army counter-attacked and soundly defeated the Ava army. In the process of chaotic retreat, Mi-Nauk was captured by the Hanthawaddy army. King Razadarit of Hanthawaddy made a queen of his.