Setkya Dewi
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| Setkya Dewi Siripavaramahārajindaratanadevī | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Statue of Setkya Devi at Mandalay Palace | |||||
| Chief queen consort of Burma | |||||
| Tenure | 26 March 1853 - 12 November 1876 | ||||
| Predecessor | Thiri Tilawka Maha Yadana Devi | ||||
| Successor | Supayagyi | ||||
| Tabindaing Princess of Burma | |||||
| Tenure | ? – 26 March 1853 | ||||
| Successor | Salin Supaya | ||||
| King | Tharrawaddy Min | ||||
| Born | 22 December 1813 Ava | ||||
| Died | 12 November 1876 (aged 62) Mandalay | ||||
| Burial | |||||
| Spouse | Mindon Min | ||||
| Issue | None | ||||
| |||||
| House | Konbaung | ||||
| Father | Tharrawaddy Min | ||||
| Mother | Kyapin Mibaya | ||||
| Religion | Theravada Buddhism | ||||
Setkya Devi (Template:Lang-my; Template:Lang-sa; 22 December 1813 – 12 November 1876), commonly known by her regnal title Thiri Pavara Mahayazeinda Yadana Dewi (Template:Lang-my; Template:Lang-pi), was the chief queen of King Mindon Min during the Konbaung dynasty.[1] She had a strong influence over her husband and was known for her knowledge of modern science and astrology.[2] She was popular with the British and visitors would often bring her gifts relating to her astrological interests.[3] She has also been described as a well educated woman "Bluestocking" by British. She was also known for her extraordinary kindness.[4]
Biography
Setkya Devi was born on 22 December 1813 to King Tharrawaddy and his consort Kyapin Mibaya. She had seven siblings, five of whom died at young, and one of the other two, King Pagan was younger brother. She was granted the appanages of Sagaing, Myedu, Kyangyun, Tharawaddy, and Della in fief from 1837 to 1851, and later exchanged for Taunbaing in 1852. She was chosen as the Tabindaing Princess (always remained unmarried in order to become the chief queen of the next monarch) or as the Einshe Hteik Hta Mibaya (Queen of the crown prince, အိမ်ရှေ့ထိပ်ထား မိဖုရား) by her father. Setkya Devi is as wise as she is intelligent and optimistic. She acted as an adviser of her father and even had the authority to acquit inmates of crime, which lasted until the reign of King Mindon.[5] Because of her privilege, fifteen people were rescued including Myawaddy Mingyi U Sa, Hsinbyumashin, Yaw Mingyi U Po Hlaing and Hlaing Hteik Khaung Tin. Among them, rescuing Yaw Mingyi was very fruitful.
Death
She died in 1876 and was buried in the Mandalay Palace stockade.[6] After Setkya Devi died, King Mindon was so respected that no one allowed to enter her palace and no one was allowed to comb his hair. Extremely sad, King Mindon dressed in pure white and lived near the tomb of Sakya Devi. Her tomb was the third erected within the sacred precincts of the Palace, the first being that of Khin The (the Queen of the Northern Palace), the favourite wife of King Mindon.[6]
References
- ^ King Mindon (amya Pyi Thu Chit Kyi Byu Daw Min). Printed at New Light of Burma Press. 1935.
- ^ Nyunt, Dr Khin Maung (2006). Radio Talks on Myanma Culture. Union of Myanmar, Ministry of Information.
- ^ "Setkya Devi" (PDF). umoar.mu.edu.mm. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
- ^ "Compassionate letter No 4:The most remarkable leader of our time". San Oo Aung's Weblog. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
- ^ Papers Presented in Honour of Myanmar Women's Day, 3 July 2005. Universities Press. 2005.
- ^ a b List of Ancient Monuments in Burma (I. Mandalay Division). Vol. 1. Rangoon: Office of the Superintendent, Government Printing, Burma. 1910.