First Burma War, 5 March 1824 – 24 February 1826) was the first ofthree warsfought between theBritishandBurmese empiresin the 19th century. The war, which began primarily over the control ofNortheastern India, ended in a decisive British victory, giving the British total control ofAssam,Manipur,CacharandJaintiaas well asArakan ProvinceandTenasserim. The Burmese were also forced to pay an indemnity of one millionpounds sterling, and sign a commercial treaty.

Fifteen thousand European and Indian soldiers died, together with an unknown number of Burmese military and civilian casualties. The high cost of the campaign to the British, 5–13million pounds sterling contributed to a severe economic crisis in British India which cost theEast India Companyits remaining privileges.

For the Burmese Empire, it was the beginning of the end of their independence. The Third Burmese Empire, for a brief time the terror of British India, was crippled and no longer a threat to the eastern frontier of British India.The Burmese would be crushed for years to come by repaying the large indemnity of one million pounds (then US$5 million), a large sum at that time.The British would wage two more wars against a much-weakened Burma, and swallow up the entire country by 1885.