Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 8.djvu/243

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

BURMAN.—GROUP OF BURMESE.

in fact entirely altered the conditions of the first war. Peace soon ensued, and the province of Pegu was annexed to British India in satisfaction for the war. The distraction at the court was so complete, that no reply to British demands could be obtained; but after a revolution at Ava, the new king admitted all the demands upon him, and eventually, on the 30th June, 1853, peace was proclaimed.

It had been supposed by many that the Burmese would be found difficult to govern, and that the new provinces would be found unmanageable and profitless; but the result has proved the very contrary: production and trade have enormously increased, the revenue is in a healthy state, and the people are peaceable and content; schools have been established, and education progresses; roads have been opened through the province; and all civilized improvements advance in a satisfactory manner, according to the last official reports.