Machine summary:
On the return of the ship to its native port, the sailors lost no time in reporting their discovery to the King, who despatched a body of troops to occupy the newly• found land.
In the reign of the Burmese King Anawrahta (1044-1077) we have our first definite glimpse of Muslim adventurers in Burma.
' Thus we have evidence to show that from very early times during the period of Muslim commercial supremacy, trading colonies may have been established in Pegu, and that voyages to Burma by Arab vessels weI8frequent.
Naturally, therefore, when from the eighth century onwards, Muslim traders and navi• gators were spreading over the eastern seas from Egypt and Madagascar to China, and forming conunercial settlements at points of vantage, the coastal regions of Burma were not overlooked.
"! The forced entries into Burmese ports for shelter led to the found• ing of the settlements before mentioned and established regular Arab commercial relations with the seaports of Burma.
From Anawrahta's reign in the I rth century, Indian troops and body-guards, among whom there must have been many Muslims, esteemed for their valour and warlike qualities, began to be engaged in the Burmese army in ever-increasing numbers.
This period of Burmese Muslim history came to a close with the beginning of the sixteenth century and the advent of European traders in eastern waters.