jan 1, 1885 - Annexation of Burma 1885

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In 1885, King Thibaw signed a purely commercial treaty with
France, providing for trade. The British were intensely jealous of the
growing French influence in Burma. The British merchants feared that the
rich Burmese market would be captured by their French and American
rivals. The chambers of commerce in Britain and the British merchants in
Rangoon now pressed the willing British government for the immediate
annexation of Upper Burma. The British invaded Burma on 13 November
1885. King Thibaw surrendered on 28 November 1885 and his dominions
were annexed to the Indian empire soon after.
The ease with which Burma had been conquered proved to be deceptive.
The patriotic soldiers and officers of the Burmese army refused to surrender
and vanished into the thick jungles. From there, they carried on widespread
guerrilla warfare. The people of Lower Burma also rose up in rebellion. The
British had to employ a 40,000 strong army for nearly five years to suppress
the popular revolt. The expenses of the war as well as of the campaign of
suppression were once again thrown on the Indian exchequer

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