Laihka State, also spelt Legya or Lecha , was a state in the central division of the Southern Shan States of Burma, with an area of 3711 km2. The general character of the state was hilly and broken, with a mean altitude of a little under 3000 ft. The main rivers were the Nam Teng, an important tributary of the Salween, and the Nam Pawn. Laihka, located in the plain of the Nam Teng, was the capital where the saopha had his palace (haw). The town of Panglong, where the Panglong Agreement took place, is located close to Laihka.

History

Traditional legends talk about a predecessor kingdom in the area named Hansavadi. Laihka State was founded in 1505 as a state subordinated to Hsenwi State. On the downfall of King Thibaw civil war broke out, and reduced the population to a few hundred. In 1901 it had risen again to 25,811. About seven-ninths of the land under cultivation consisted of wet rice cultivation. A certain amount of upland rice was also cultivated, and cotton, sugarcane and garden produce made up the rest. Laihka, the capital, was noted for its ironwork, both the iron and the implements made being produced at Pang Long in the west of the state. This and lacquerware were the chief exports, as also a considerable amount of pottery. The imports were chiefly cotton piece-goods and salt.

Rulers

The rulers bore the title Myosa until mid nineteenth century.

Myosas

Saophas

The ritual style was Kambawsa Rahta Mahawunths Thiri Thudamaraza. The saopha start at 1505 the first Sao Khua Hpa and in 1542 the linege of him is vacant Sao Hkun Möng (Hso Han Hpa) the saopha of Hsipaw send his son Hkun Naw to be the saopha here