The King of Pagan in Griggs’s Robber Tale

Overview

The unnamed King of Pagan captures a notorious robber by becoming his supposed pupil in Griggs’s historical collection of Shan tales. Boh Lek Byah has terrorised the city, and the chief minister fails to stop him. A purchased head proves to belong to someone else, exposing a failed attempt to buy the robber’s death. The king removes the minister from office and decides to make the arrest himself.

When a village headman reports the robber’s movements, the king exchanges his royal clothing for poor garments, takes an ordinary wooden-handled sword and waits beside the river. He asks to learn the robber’s trade. His manner of speaking arouses suspicion. The narrative’s hpeas, spirits who favour the king, hear the robber’s thoughts and direct him towards the royal astrologer’s house. There the robber overhears the astrologer identify the stars of both men and discovers his companion’s rank.

The king urges his new teacher to enter the Golden Palace. Afraid to disobey a recognised ruler, the robber reluctantly follows. They collect the sleeping guards’ weapons, and the king gives him drugged food before binding him. Next morning he presents the capture as proof of his own skill and orders the negligent guards’ deaths. Yet he spares the robber after the prisoner explains that he recognised the king and therefore had to obey his commands. Admiring this answer, the ruler gives him the former guard captain’s sword and promises advancement to chief minister. Cleverness and royal authority secure the king’s triumph, while the punishments and compelled obedience keep its violence visible.

Origins & earliest records

William C. Griggs, Shan Folk Lore Stories from the Hill and Water Country

Records & interpretation

Complete selected tale, full introduction and dedication, all six historical footnotes and complete historical glossary read.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Shan Folk Lore Stories from the Hill and Water Country (combined-volume edition)

   William C. Griggs · 1903

   January 1903 date from retained earlier title/copyright inspection; not a claim of first publication. Selected tale pp. 92–108. Introduction dated Bhamo, 1902.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Historical English primary collectionGriggs — complete selected narrative, introduction, glossary and notesResearch access: 2026-10-21
2. Earlier project inspection of primary bibliographic scan; not newly viewedCombined-volume title/copyright bibliographic witness retained from earlier reviewResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

AI-generated interpretation of Griggs’s tale; appearance and clothing are imagined.