The First Anglo-Burmese War, begun in 1824,…

The First Anglo-Burmese War, begun in 1824, had ended in 1826 in a British victory, and by the Treaty of Yandabo, Burma lost territory previously conquered in Assam, Manipur and Arakan.

The British also took possession of Tenasserim with the intention to use it as a bargaining chip in future negotiations with either Myanmar or Siam.

As the century progresses, the British in India have begun to covet the resources—teak, oil, and rubies—and main port of Burma during an era of great territorial expansion.

The second Anglo-Burmese war, which begins on April 1, 1852, is provoked by the British, who want access to the teak forests in and around Pegu and also want to secure the gap in their coastline stretching from Calcutta to Singapore.

By July 1852, the British have captured the ports of Lower Burma and have begun a march on the capital.

Slowly but steadily, the British-Indian forces occupy the central teak forests of Burma.