Burmese students have been going to Britain to study abroad for at least the past 150 years. While there were only a few young Burmese men studying in Britain in the 19th century, by 1910 there were almost 100.
These young men, who were mostly from wealthy backgrounds, returned home to become doctors, magistrates, and civil servants—but the way to the highest political positions within the colony was barred to them by the racist hierarchies of the British Empire.
Nevertheless, many rose to positions of prominence such as U Tin Tut (1895-1948), Pe Maung Tin (1888-1973), and Sir Joseph Maung Gyi (1875-1951), who was knighted.
Others strove to fight the empire from inside, and still others became outlaws sought by imperial agents. Many imported business ideas from the West, opening new factories, while others adopted Western habits such as wearing shoes and carrying canes.
Altogether, they brought home knowledge and experience that they then used to help modernize Burmese society. Read about their varied paths through the heart of the empire here.
