Toungoo dynasty

Toungoo dynasty

Ruling house in Myanmar (Burma) from the 15th or 16th century to the 18th century. The founder of the empire is considered to be either King Minkyinyo (r. 1486–1531) or his son Tabinshwehti (r. 1531–50), who expanded the empire and welded it together. Tabinshwehti's brother-in-law Bayinnaung (r. 1551–81) extended the dynasty's reach to include much of Laos and Siam (Thailand). No ruler ever managed to conquer Arakan (in southern Myanmar), though Tabinshwehti, Bayinnaung, and others tried. The empire slowly disintegrated after Bayinnaung's death, but the dynasty continued until 1752.