Echoes of Merit : How Ancient Myanmar Kings Selected Their Officials
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By Hsu (NP News) - February 13
Yangon – In today’s Myanmar, entry into government service or the military requires examinations, interviews, and formal qualifications. But centuries ago, under the reigns of Myanmar’s kings, the path to becoming an official or military commander was strikingly different—yet no less rigorous.
A recent exploration into royal traditions reveals that ancient Myanmar had its own merit-based systems, blending monastic education, oral examinations, and battlefield testing. These practices not only shaped governance but also reflected the cultural values of bravery, eloquence, and discipline.
The Meaning of “Ahtan”
In modern parlance, an “official” is anyone holding a government post. But in the royal courts of Myanmar, the term ahtan carried a narrower, more prestigious meaning. Only those whose names were inscribed in the Royal Treasury Register—an equivalent of today’s state gazette—were recognized as true officials.
Military officials began at the rank of Thway-thauk-gyi, comparable to a lieutenant or captain. Civil officials started as assistant clerks in the five central offices, while medical officials entered service as Thama Let-htauk, akin to township medical officers today.
Monastic Education: The Universities of the Past
Education was the backbone of officialdom. From the age of six, boys entered monastery schools, where they learned literacy, grammar, ethics (nīti), and arithmetic. By adolescence, many were ordained as novice monks (sāmaṇera), continuing studies under the watchful eyes of abbots and senior teachers.
Monastic education was divided into two streams:
Southern Monasteries (Taung Kyaung): Focused on religious studies, scriptures, and Pali literature.
Northern Monasteries (Myauk Kyaung or Pwe Kyaung): Specialized in secular knowledge—martial arts, astrology, astronomy, numerology, and even protective charms.
This dual system ensured that future officials were steeped in both spiritual wisdom and worldly skills.
The Sarpyan Examination: Myanmar’s Civil Service Test
Among Myanmar’s twelve seasonal festivals, the Nayon Sarpyan festival doubled as a civil service examination. Unlike written tests in China or Korea, Myanmar’s exams were oral recitations. Candidates, usually aged 16 to 19, knelt before examiners—senior monks and lay scholars—and were tested on grammar, scriptures, arithmetic, and reasoning.
Questions could range from “recite major grammar” to “calculate and assign duties to a town using the nawa-eka-nawa method.” Success required not only knowledge but also composure, wit, and confidence.
This emphasis on byatti—eloquence and presence—was crucial. Officials were expected to speak boldly in royal councils and public assemblies. A timid scholar, no matter how learned, was deemed unfit for service.
Honors and Adoption
Top performers were celebrated as First Laureates. Some were even adopted by the king or high-ranking officials, trained in statecraft, and groomed for leadership. Families with daughters often sought marriage alliances with these promising young men, seeing them as destined for greatness.
One month after the exams, successful candidates were paraded into the palace in grand processions. The First Laureate rode a golden palanquin, adorned with a twelve-strand gold sash reserved for princes. Others followed on horseback or palanquins, wearing nine-strand sashes.
The king himself poured ceremonial water over them, while orchestras played and citizens showered them with gold and silver coins. The spectacle mirrored novice ordination ceremonies still seen in Upper Myanmar today, underscoring the continuity of tradition.
Choosing Paths: Monastic or Civil Service
After their training, candidates faced a choice: enter the monastic order or serve the state. Those who became monks were ordained during the Waso full moon, with the king as patron. Their monasteries and material needs were supported by royal donations.
Those who chose civil service began as assistant clerks, apprenticing under senior scribes. They learned law, petitions, treasury records, and provincial administration. Once proven competent, their names were entered into the Royal Treasury Register, marking their official appointment.
Military Selection: Testing Strength and Skill
The military had its own rigorous system. Non-commissioned ranks included Ohsar and Akyat (similar to corporals and sergeants). Officer ranks ranged from Thway-thauk (lieutenant) to Sit-thu-gyi (field marshal).
Promotion was earned through combat success and examinations:
Infantry: Candidates had to win ten engagements, master 37 sword techniques, and demonstrate tactical knowledge.
Cavalry: Required mastery of 37 cavalry techniques, archery accuracy, and horse care.
Elephant Corps: Officers personally captured and trained war elephants before appointment.
Navy: Apprenticeship was key; only those who mastered rowing and ship operations advanced.
The rarest honor was becoming “Commander of Four Hundred,” awarded to warriors who triumphed in ten engagements across land, cavalry, elephant, and naval battles. Such figures were celebrated as legends.
Lessons from History
These traditions reveal a society deeply invested in merit, discipline, and public recognition. Officials were not merely appointed by birthright; they had to prove themselves through education, examinations, and service.
The system combined intellectual rigor with practical training, ensuring that officials could both debate in councils and command on battlefields. It also reflected Myanmar’s cultural values: bravery (thatti) and eloquence (byatti) were seen as twin pillars of leadership.
While internal disunity eventually weakened the kingdom, these institutions helped Myanmar build strong states and empires, standing independently between powerful neighbors like China and India.
Modern Resonance
Today, Myanmar’s civil service and military rely on written examinations, degrees, and formal qualifications. Yet echoes of the past remain. The emphasis on confidence, public speaking, and ethical conduct continues to shape expectations of leadership.
The grand ceremonies honoring successful candidates may no longer exist, but the idea that officials should embody both knowledge and presence still resonates.
As Myanmar reflects on its history, the story of how kings selected their officials offers more than nostalgia. It is a reminder that governance rooted in merit, discipline, and cultural values can strengthen national institutions—and inspire future generations.
Reference from Living Myanmar Media Fb page