Pak Lat Chronicles

Pak Lat Chronicles is a Mon language chronicle. It is so called because it was first published in Pak Lat, near Bangkok in Siam in two volumes.

The provenance and chronology of the manuscripts of these two volumes are uncertain, and as of 2005, had not been analyzed in depth by a Burma Mon scholar. Scholarship, mainly by British colonial period historians, finds internal inconsistencies, and suggests the chronicles, judging by their vocabulary usage, were written in the late 19th century, probably after 1874. However, W.G. Cooper says the words could have been miscopied, and the original manuscripts might have been written much earlier as claimed.^[1] It is a subject, Michael Aung-Thwin writes, that "needs a competent Burma Mon scholar to untangle properly."^[1]

Despite its problems, the chronicles have been referenced by later historians such as G.E. Harvey^[2] and Nai Pan Hla.^[3] Pan Hla wrote his version of Razadarit Ayedawbon by incorporating details from Pak Lat.^[3]

According to Aung-Thwin, it is also first Mon-language chronicle to mention King Anawrahta's conquest of Thaton, a topic that all previous Mon language chronicles never once mentioned. He suggests that the British historians' narratives and interpretations were incorporated into the leitmotif of this supposedly ancient text.^[1]

References

Bibliography

• Aung-Thwin, Michael A. (2005). The Mists of Rāmañña: The Legend that was Lower Burma (illustrated ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 9780824828868. 
• Harvey, G. E. (1925). History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824. London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd. 
• Pan Hla, Nai (1968). Razadarit Ayedawbon (in Burmese) (8th printing, 2005 ed.). Yangon: Armanthit Sarpay. 

Burmese chronicles
National chronicles	Standard chronicles Maha Yazawin Hmannan Yazawin (Glass Palace Chronicle) Hmannan Yazawin, Part II Hmannan Yazawin, Part III Other nationals Yazawin Kyaw Yazawin Thit Maha Yazawin Kyaw
Biographic chronicles	Zatadawbon Yazawin Razadarit Ayedawbon Hanthawaddy Hsinbyushin Ayedawbon Alaung Mintayagyi Ayedawbon Alaungpaya Ayedawbon Nyaungyan Mintaya Ayedawbon Hsinbyushin Ayedawbon
Regional chronicles	Upper Burma Pagan Yazawin Pagan Yazawin Thit Inwa Yazawin Toungoo Yazawin Pyay Yazawin Myauk Nan Kyaung Yazawin Ramanya Razadarit Ayedawbon Nidana Arambhakatha Gavampati Slapat Rajawan Lik Amin Asah Pak Lat Chronicles Arakan Maha Razawin Rakhine Razawin Inzauk Razawin Razawin Linka Rakhine Razawin Haung Dhanyawaddy Ayedawbon Mizzimadetha Ayedawbon Maha Razawin (Saya Me) Rakhine Razawin Thit Shan states Jinakalamali Zinme Yazawin Kengtung Yazawin Hsenwi Yazawin Hsipaw Yazawin Mong Yawng Yazawin Miscellaneous Pawtugi Yazawin Dawei Yazawin Myeik Yazawin
Religious chronicles	Yazawin Kyaw Sasana Vamsa
Chronicles in verse	Rakhine Minthami Eigyin Pyay Zon Mawgun Thakin Htwe Eigyin Shwe Sa-daing Hsindaw Minye Deibba Eigyin Yodaya Naing Mawgun Dhanyawaddy Naing Mawgun Minzet Yazawin Thanbauk
Administrative treatises	Zabu Kun-Cha Lawka Byuha Mani Yadanabon Wawhara Linathta Dipani Yazawwada Shwebon Nidan Myanmar Min Okchokpon Sa-dan Shwenanthon Wawhara Abhidan
Law treatises	Alaungsithu Hpyat-hton Wareru Dhammathat Dhammathat Kyaw Hanthawaddy Hsinbyumyashin Hpyat-hton Manu Thara Shwe Myin Dhammathat Manu Kye Dhammathat Manu Wunnana Shwe Myin Dhammathat
Notable inscriptions	Myazedi Inscription Sawlumin inscription Kalyani Inscriptions Shwezigon Pagoda Bell Inscription Kuthodaw Pagoda Inscriptions