The First Anglo-Burmese War ( 5 March 1824 - 24 February 1826) was the first of three wars fought between the British and Burmese Empire in the 19th century. The war; which began primarily over the control of northeastern India; ended in a decisive British victory; giving the British total control of Assam; Manipur; Cachar and Jaintia as well as Arakan Province and Tenasserim. The Burmese were also forced to pay an indemnity of one million pounds sterling; and sign a commercial treaty.

The war was the longest and most expensive war in British Indian history. Fifteen thousand European and Indian soldiers died; together with an unknown number of Burmese army and civilian casualties. The high cost of the campaign to the British; five million pounds sterling to 13 million pounds sterling (roughly 18.5 billion to 48 billion in 2006 US dollars); led to a severe economic crisis in British India in 1833.

For the Burmese; it was the beginning of the end of their independence. The Third Burmese Empire; for a brief moment the terror of British India; was crippled and no longer a threat to the eastern frontier of the British Raj. The Burmese would be crushed for years to come by repaying the large indemnity of one million pounds (then US$5 million); a large sum even in Europe of that time. The British would make two more wars against a much weakened Burma; and swallow up the entire country by 1885. Pictures From History