The Consequences of British Rule and Japanese Occupation

Abstract

Although Lord Dufferin had declared Burma to be a province of the Indian Empire, for the next four years the real administration of Upper Burma was in the hands of the British army, because of the great fight put up by the Burmese guerrillas. From the very beginning the British took up the position that as Theebaw had made a formal surrender of his power and authority, all those fighting on his behalf or fighting for the restoration of the monarchy were mere bandits and robbers, to be given the name of “dacoits” On the other hand, the British argued that these dacoits were guilty of treason, and therefore should be given the penalty of death. Although martial law was not actually proclaimed, it was the Provost Marshall who meted out justice. There were mass executions of the Burmese guerrillas. Burning of villages and general massacre of villagers were resorted to, so as to overawe the countryside from giving any assistance to the so-called dacoits. Some English language papers in India, which had approved the annexation, now criticized the British Government for the slaughter of the patriots. The English merchants at Rangoon approved of those harsh measures, forgetting that only a few years before they were recoiling in disgust at Theebaw’s massacre of his relations and Taingdar’s massacre of prisoners in his jails. But the press in England protested against the executions authorized without proper trial and the callous way in which they were carried out. The London Times gave the following report:

The ghastly scenes which constantly recur in executions carried out by the Provost Marshall constitute grave public scandals. The Provost Marshall, who is an ardent amateur photographer, is desirous of securing views of the persons executed at the precise moment when they are struck by the bullets. To secure this result, after the orders “Ready,” “Present” have been given to the firing party, the Provost Marshall fixes his camera on the prisoners, who at times are kept waiting for some minutes in the position. The officer commanding the firing party is then directed by the Provost Marshall to give the order to fire at the moment when he exposes his plate.¹

Until this very earth doth crumble

We shall remain Burmese.

This precious heirloom from our forefathers

This land that we adore.

This is our country,

This is our land,

Our own land!

Song: “We the Burmese”