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The Burma Wars: 1824-1886
Between 1824 and 1885 Britain and Burma fought in three deadly struggles.
The first was the longest and most expensive war in British Indian history, the second was criticised at the time as being caused by gunboat diplomacy, and the third led to the removal of Burma’s Konbaung dynasty and the incorporation of Burma into the British Raj.
These wars were fraught with military blunders and incompetence.
Why did the tensions arise initially and how did the first battles begin? How were Burmese forces able to resist the powerful armaments of their opponents for so long? And what were the implications of this controversial war for the British?
The Burma Wars: 1824-1886 uses a vast assortment of contemporary sources to build up a vivid picture of the clashes, highlighting the courage and perseverance of the men who fought for both sides in difficult conditions.
The Times described Bruce’s books as “well researched, with a keen eye for historical detail.”
The Burma Wars: 1824-1886 is a brilliant account of one of the conflicts that led to the formation of the British Empire. It is part of the series Conflicts of Empire, which also includes Retreat from Kabul and Six Battles for India: The Anglo-Sikh Wars, 1845-6 and 1848-9.
The first was the longest and most expensive war in British Indian history, the second was criticised at the time as being caused by gunboat diplomacy, and the third led to the removal of Burma’s Konbaung dynasty and the incorporation of Burma into the British Raj.
These wars were fraught with military blunders and incompetence.
Why did the tensions arise initially and how did the first battles begin? How were Burmese forces able to resist the powerful armaments of their opponents for so long? And what were the implications of this controversial war for the British?
The Burma Wars: 1824-1886 uses a vast assortment of contemporary sources to build up a vivid picture of the clashes, highlighting the courage and perseverance of the men who fought for both sides in difficult conditions.
The Times described Bruce’s books as “well researched, with a keen eye for historical detail.”
The Burma Wars: 1824-1886 is a brilliant account of one of the conflicts that led to the formation of the British Empire. It is part of the series Conflicts of Empire, which also includes Retreat from Kabul and Six Battles for India: The Anglo-Sikh Wars, 1845-6 and 1848-9.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1973
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51 people want to read
About the author
George Bruce
126 books7 followersA former freelance journalist who worked as a sub-editor for Reuters and as European news editor for UPA, George Bruce was an author of popular military histories and company histories.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 27, 2018
In January 1824, the Burmese king presented his best General, Maya Bundula, a set of Golden fetters with which to bind the British Governor General's hands and feet. The Burmese were set on a war to rid them of the grasping Empire on their western border. And they had no idea of the power of western military arms.
Three exhausting wars later, in 1886, Burma was a dependent state in the British Indian Raj Her strange tactical mix of earthworks and hand to hand combat had been proven ineffective against British firepower. Her direct divinity form of royalty had been proven unworkable. And the closed society of the the last three centuries had been ripped open to western exploitation. How it all happened makes for a fascinating read, even as Bruce's book's focus is quite narrowly on the military action. These were wars where Logistics and Medical services proved overwhelmingly important -keeping both European and Sepoy soldiers and sailors fit for duty in Jungle tropics a challenge that has echoes to the modern day.
Junior readers will find the pace and prose well within their grasp. For Military Enthusiasts/Gamers/Modellers, this is a rare source on this forgotten campaign. With both an over view and a fair amount of anecdotal detail, scenarios/dioramas will both benefit from perusal of this tome. For me this was the first book I've seen on this topic, so I had to read it- glad I did.
Three exhausting wars later, in 1886, Burma was a dependent state in the British Indian Raj Her strange tactical mix of earthworks and hand to hand combat had been proven ineffective against British firepower. Her direct divinity form of royalty had been proven unworkable. And the closed society of the the last three centuries had been ripped open to western exploitation. How it all happened makes for a fascinating read, even as Bruce's book's focus is quite narrowly on the military action. These were wars where Logistics and Medical services proved overwhelmingly important -keeping both European and Sepoy soldiers and sailors fit for duty in Jungle tropics a challenge that has echoes to the modern day.
Junior readers will find the pace and prose well within their grasp. For Military Enthusiasts/Gamers/Modellers, this is a rare source on this forgotten campaign. With both an over view and a fair amount of anecdotal detail, scenarios/dioramas will both benefit from perusal of this tome. For me this was the first book I've seen on this topic, so I had to read it- glad I did.
June 2, 2021
Another rollicking and truculent journey through the Asian territorial misadventures and misplaced arrogance of British imperialism during the 19th century. The story of the long, costly and at the end useless military endeavors by various British governments to annex and/or bring about political changes in Burma. Another moronic quagmire similar to the Afghan wars from which the British military forces came out badly bruised and deeply humiliated. George Bruce was a brilliant historian and his fascinating and captivating account of these absurdly and badly planned attempts to enlarge the overseas Empire, reads like the best swashbuckling military fiction ever written. A higly fascinating and captivating retelling of a monumental but too often forgotten British imperialist failure. A marvellous rediscovery that needs to be enjoyed without any moderation! Many thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Books for this terrific ARC
June 17, 2021
NB: free copy received for honest review
I'm always interested to read about parts of history that are a bit more 'off the beaten track' by Anglophone standards. So I was very pleased to check out this was a very readable account of the wars between Britain and Burma, with the first of these three conflicts taking up by far the largest part of the book. Mr Bruce seems relatively frank and balanced in his assessment of the mistakes and malpractices of both sides.
I'm always interested to read about parts of history that are a bit more 'off the beaten track' by Anglophone standards. So I was very pleased to check out this was a very readable account of the wars between Britain and Burma, with the first of these three conflicts taking up by far the largest part of the book. Mr Bruce seems relatively frank and balanced in his assessment of the mistakes and malpractices of both sides.
July 7, 2025
Knowing nothing about the topic this book covered the first (most important) war in great detail, with the following two wars taking up far less time.
The author goes into great detail on the military campaigns, noting the units involved and commanders. Quotes from participants are spinkled throughout.
I would have preferred that far more of the book to have been spent on the politics surrounding the conflicts. Whilst it is included it is brief in comparison to descriptions of individual battles.
If you have any interest in British imperialism this would be a useful book. The author's other books are better, for instance on the Anglo-Sikh wars.
The author goes into great detail on the military campaigns, noting the units involved and commanders. Quotes from participants are spinkled throughout.
I would have preferred that far more of the book to have been spent on the politics surrounding the conflicts. Whilst it is included it is brief in comparison to descriptions of individual battles.
If you have any interest in British imperialism this would be a useful book. The author's other books are better, for instance on the Anglo-Sikh wars.
June 12, 2021
A good historical novel about a little I own series of wars 9n Burma. The story is well told and the first hand accounts really add tho the enjoyment of this book. A good read for the history enthusiast looking for little known conflicts like this one.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 31, 2023
A good narrative military history, surprisingly objective overall.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews