Burma’s King Mindon had tried to modernize the Burmese state and economy to resist British encroachments, and has established a new capital at Mandalay, which he had proceeded to fortify.

This was not enough to stop the British, however, who claim that Mindon's son and successor Thibaw Min, King of Burma from 1878, is a tyrant intending to side with the French, that he has lost control of the country, thus allowing for disorder at the frontiers, and that he is reneging on a treaty signed by his father.

The British declare war once again in 1885, conquering the remainder of the country in the Third Anglo-Burmese War, resulting in the total annexation of Burma in November.

Thibaw is sent to exile in India.