328 RUt3Y MINES DISTRICT
three years ending 1903 it averaged 44 inches at Thabeikkyin,'43
inches at'M6ngmit, and 98 inches at Mogok.
The RubyMines District was constituted in 1886 on the annexation
of Upper Burma, but was practically left to itself, so far as any attempt
History. At formal administration was concerned, until the end
of the year, when a column under General Stewart
marched up to Mogok. Some opposition was encountered in the
neighbourhood of Taungme; but it was slight and easily overcome, and
the new District remained quiet for about two years, after its first
occupation. Then troubles felt on it from outside, the result of the
vigorous operations in the neighbouring plains, which drove the insur-
gents into the hills. Towards the 'end of the two years it was reported
that the--capital of Mongmit was being threatened by a large gathering
under Saw Van Naing, a rebel leader who had established his head-
quarters at Manpon, a village situated three days' march north-east
of Mongmit. As a result of these reports a small detachment of troops:
was posted at Mongmit and after an unfortunate encounter in which,
owing to insufficient information, 'a handful of troops suffered a reverse,
a considerable body of dacoits which had advanced on Mongmit was
attacked and severely defeated. The disturbances naturally affected
the rest of the District. Twinnge,, an important village of 3oo houses
on the bank of the Irrawaddy, was taken and burnt. by a band under
one Nga Maung. Another man of the same name and other minor
dacoits from the same part threatened the District, and a feeling
of insecurity prevailed. On the Tawngpeng border also Nga Zeya,
a noted desperado, who had been driven out of Mandalay, was reported
to have a 'considerable following. Dacoities were numerous, and the
main road from Mogok to Thabeikkyin became very unsafe, especially
during the rains, when it was haunted by the two Nga Maungs and
other outlaws. The military, garrison was therefore strengthened; an
attack was made on Manpon and Saw Yan Naing's gathering was dis-
persed ; at the same time steps were taken to strike at the root of the
`'evil by improving the`' administration of the neighbouring States of
Monglong and Tawngpeng, and Gurkha troops were substituted' for
the existing garrison. The net result of all these measures was that
,the dis'tu'rbances were reduced to sporadic dacoities of a petty nature,
-chiefly committed on traders on the road between Mogok and Tha-
beikkyin, and these were finally checked by the maintenance of patrols
on the road and the establishment of military police. posts in the more
important wayside villages. The District is now perfectly quiet.
The oldest pagoda of which anything is known in the neighbourhood
of Mogok is the Shwekugyi, built in Dhammathawka Min's time. It
-is said to have been erected on the precise spot where the elephant
which brought some bones and hair' and a 'tooth of Gautama from
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