Lord Dufferin held the position of Governor General and Viceroy of India from 1884 to 1888, a tenure marked by significant historical events, including the Third Burmese War. This conflict culminated in the complete annexation of Burma and the subsequent banishment of the Burmese monarch to India. As the eighth Viceroy in the succession of Indian Viceroys, Lord Dufferin witnessed a series of pivotal occurrences in the country.

Third Burmese War

Prelude

The Third Burmese War, which led to the annexation of Burma by the British Empire, originated from a series of events that underscored the escalating tensions between the British colonial administration and the Burmese government. This conflict was not merely a military confrontation but also involved economic disputes and issues of sovereignty that exacerbated the relations between the two entities.

Border Dispute with Manipur

1.Issue: The initial spark for the conflict was a disagreement over the demarcation of the border between Burma and the princely state of Manipur, which was under British suzerainty.

2.Reaction: Burmese authorities refused to accept the border delineation carried out by an English Commission and threatened to demolish the boundary posts set up by the British, signalling a clear defiance of British-imposed decisions.