His son Hsinbyushin (ruled 1763-76) returned to Ayutthaya in 1766 and had conquered it before the end of the next year. Even China took notice of Myanmar now, but Hsinbyushin successfully repulsed four Chinese invasions between 1766 and 1769.

Another of Alaungpaya's sons, Bodawpaya (ruled 1781-1819) lost Ayutthaya, but added Arakan (1784) and Tenasserim (1793) to the kingdom as well. In Jaunary 1824, during the reign of King Bagyidaw (ruled 1819-37), a general named Maha Bandula succeeded in conquering Assam, bringing Myanmar face to face with British interests in India.

Alaungpaya

Alaungpaya or Alaung Mintaya, 1714 – April 13, 1760) was a Burmese king who founded the Konbaung Dynasty (Heaven's platform) and the Third Burmese Empire in the early 18th century which lasted until the final annexation of Burma by the British on January 1, 1886.

He died of his wounds while invading the Ayutthaya kingdom thus ending the invasion

King Alaungpaya

He was born Aung Zeya (Victorious) in 1714 at Moksobo later renamed Shwebo and acquiring more titles namely Yan Gyi Aung, Konbaung and Yadana Theinhka, a small village 50 m. north-west of Ava. Of humble origins, he had risen to be chief of his native village when the invasion of Burma by the Mon kingdom of Pegu in 1752 gave him the opportunity of attaining the highest distinction. The whole country had tamely submitted to the invader, and the leading chiefs had taken the water of allegiance (thissa yei thauk). Alaungpaya, however, of a more independent spirit, not only contrived to regain possession of his village, but was able to defeat a body of Peguan troops that had been sent on a punitive expedition. Upon this the Burmese, to the number of a thousand, rallied to his standard and marched with him upon Ava, which was recovered from the invaders before the close of 1753. For several years he prosecuted the war with uniform success.

In 1754 the Peguans, to avenge themselves for a severe defeat at Kyaukmyaung, slew the captive king of Burma. The heir apparent claimed the throne, and he was supported by the Gwe Shans; but Alaungpaya resisted, being determined to maintain his own supremacy. In 1755 Alaungpaya conquered Dagon and renamed it Yangon (meaning 'The End of Strife'). In 1757 he had established his position as one of the most powerful monarchs of the East by the invasion and conquest of Pegu although the Mon were aided by the French.

Before a year elapsed the Peguans revolted; but Alaungpaya, with his usual promptitude, at once quelled the insurrection. The Europeans were suspected of having instigated the rising, and the massacre of the British at Negrais in October 1759 is supposed to have been approved by Alaungpaya after the event, though there is no evidence that he ordered it. Against the Siamese, who were also suspected of having aided and abetted the Peguan rebels, he proceeded more openly and severely. Entering their territory, he laid siege to the capital Ayutthaya but he was badly injured when a cannon he was watching being loaded burst, prompting a hasty retreat of the Burmese. Alaungpaya died of his wounds before they reached the River Salween. He was not yet 46 and his meteoric rise and energetic reign lasted just 8 years

Alaungpaya was succeeded by his eldest son, Naungdawgyi (1760-1763).

Hsinbyushin is best known for his invasion of the Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya. In 1764, he went eastward, claiming the cities of Chiang Mai and Vientiane. The Ayutthaya capital fell again into Burmese hands on April 1767, when he sent thousands of prisoners back to Burma. The wanton destruction wrought by the invading Burmese army this time moved one Thai chronicler to comment that "the king of Hanthawaddy (Bayinnaung) waged war like a monarch, but the king of Ava (Hsinbyushin) like a robber". This conquest began the tradition of absorbing Thai elements into Burmese culture, which is most pronounced in music and literature.

However, Burmese reign of Ayutthaya was brief; Taksin, an Ayutthaya general, drove out the Burmese. After this defeat, Hsinbyushin invaded the Indian kingdom of Manipur, an action seen as a threat by the British.

The Kingdom of Ava, as it was known at the time, continued to politically dominate the Shan States, Laos, and the Lanna Kingdom. After waging four unsuccessful wars against the Konbaung Dynasty (1765 - 1769), the Qing Dynasty of China, led by Qianlong Emperor eventually established diplomatic relations with the Burmese. In 1769, a treaty was negotiated to establish formal trade and diplomatic missions between the two countries.

Chiang Mai moat gate

Chaing Mai - Wat Chedi Luang

He moved the capital from Amarapura back to Ava in 1823.

He was defeated in the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826), losing Arakan (now Rakhine) and Tenassarim (now Taninthayi) Under the guidance of General Maha Bandula, he had pursued a policy of expansionism, conquering Assam and Manipur and making them tributaries of the kingdom. The British consequently pursued war which began on 5 March 1824, driving the Burmese forces from Assam, Rakhine, and Manipur. On 24 February 1826, Bagyidaw signed the Treaty of Yandabo, ending the war.

John Crawford, the first British envoy after the war, failed in his mission of negotiating for a commercial treaty and exchange of Residents between Ava and Calcutta. His successsor, Major Henry Burney, however had better luck winning over the king with his charming personality and was able to establish the Residency. His greatest achievement was in settling the dispute between Manipur and Burma over which kingdom the Kabaw Valley belonged to in Ava's favour; the Manipuris had occupied the region since the war ended with the tacit approval of the Government of India until Burney concluded from historical records that the Burmese claim was justified. He did not however succeed in returning Tenassarim, which was becoming more of a liability than an asset, at a desired price to the Burmese even when they were informed that the Siamese might bid for the coastal province which once belonged to them

Bagyidaw became afflicted by bouts of depression after the loss of territory under the Treaty of Yandabo, and as his condition worsened the reins of government came under the control of his queen Nanmadaw Mè Nu and her brother Minthagyi Maung O. He was eventually forced to abdicate his throne in favour of his brother Tharrawaddy Min in 1837.