Previous   Next
Home » CPA0022573

Burma / Myanmar: Filipe de Brito, Portuguese mercenary and governor of Syriam, Burma, circa 1602. Unknown artist, possibly Portuguese, c. late 19th century

Burma / Myanmar: Filipe de Brito, Portuguese mercenary and governor of Syriam, Burma, circa 1602. Unknown artist, possibly Portuguese, c. late 19th century

Filipe de Brito e Nicote or Nga Zinga (d. April 1613) was a Portuguese adventurer and mercenary in Rakhine (Arakanese) service.

Born to a French father in Lisbon, Portugal, de Brito first travelled to Southeast Asia as a cabin boy. He eventually served under the King of Arakan, and became governor of Thanlyin (Syriam) in 1599. Returning to Goa the next year to gain official recognition, he returned in 1602 and was appointed 'Commander of Syriam' and 'King of Pegu' by the Portuguese royal court.

In 1613, de Brito's Thanlyin was besieged by the Burmese forces of King Anaukpetlun. After the fall of the city in April 1613, de Brito was executed by impalement. His friend and ally, Burmese Toungoo prince Natshinnaung was converted to Roman Catholicism and was baptised by a priest from Goa. Being the rebellious ruler of Toungoo, Natshinnaung was also executed in 1613 with de Brito.