Mission Education in Burma, 1600–1948

Abstract

Scholars, historians, and researchers who are keenly interested in Burmese studies have not paid enough attention to the considerable roles Christian missionaries played in the history of precolonial and colonial Burma. This article explores the neglected and hidden history of the Western missionaries who introduced modern education to Burma and who educated some of the best minds of the Burmese at that time. Despite missionaries being underrated and criticized by some Burman nationalists and politicians, they made a remarkable contribution to education in Burmese history. Education was and has always been crowned in Christianity, and advancing education remains indispensable to Christian mission in Burma and elsewhere. Public knowledge of this constructive story in history would be helpful for Buddhist–Christian relations.