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108 (1496), Hieronymo da Santo Stephano, a Genoese, and Ludovico Bartlema of Bologna, came to Pegu. The first Portuguese was Ruy Nunez d'Acunha, early in the 16th century. Next came the reputed liar, Fernan Mendez Pinto, who says he was at sieges of Martaban and Prome and mentions the well-known names of Dalla (opposite Rangoon), Dagôn (the great pagoda), Danubyu, Henzada, and Myedè. Later in the 16th century, Cæsar Frederick, a Venetian merchant (1569), and Ralph Fitch (1586), the first Englishman in Burma, came to Pegu and have left valuable records of their journeys.

Relations with European countries. The Portuguese, the earliest European settlers, established factories at Martaban and Syriam. Later (1519), Dutch settlements were founded at Syriam, Negrais and even as far north as Bhamo. Early in the 17th century, the British East India Company began to trade regularly with Burma and in process of time set up agencies at Syriam, Prome, Ava and Bhamo. British merchants settled also at Mergui, then a Siamese port. In the first years of the 17th century the Portuguese were expelled and somewhat later all other foreigners were driven out. The Portuguese and Dutch did not return. But at the close of the century British factories were again established at Syriam, Bassein and Negrais. The French also had an agency at Syriam till they were evicted by Alaungpaya. The British factory at Negrais was destroyed in 1759; but was rebuilt two years later. From that time, the East India Company maintained uninterrupted commercial relations with Burma.

When first annexed (1826) the Divisions of Arakan and Tenasserim were administered by Commissioners. The Pegu Division was constituted after the Second War (1853). Some years later (1862) these three Divisions were amalgamated into the Province of British Burma, the first Chief Commissioner being Sir Arthur Phayre, one of the most