The First Anglo-Burmese War, also known as the First Burma War, (March 5, 1824 – February 24, 1826) is the first of three wars fought between the British and Burmese empires in the nineteenth century.

The war, which begins primarily over the control of northeastern India, ends in a decisive British victory, giving the British total control of Assam, Manipur, Cachar and Jaintia as well as Arakan Province and Tenasserim.

The Burmese are also forced to pay an indemnity of one million pounds sterling, and sign a commercial treaty.

Fifteen thousand European and Indian soldiers diee, together with an unknown number of Burmese military and civilian casualties.

The high cost of the campaign to the British, 5–13 million pounds sterling (£375 million-£976 million as of 2015) contribute to a severe economic crisis in British India which costs the East India Company its remaining privileges.

For the Burmese Empire, it is the beginning of the end of their independence.

The Third Burmese Empire, for a brief time the terror of British India, is crippled and no longer a threat to the eastern frontier of British India.

The Burmese will 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 will wage two more wars against a much-weakened Burma, and swallow up the entire country by 1885.