The Treaty of Yandabo was signed on 24th February 1826 between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Burma, ending the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826). The treaty was signed at the village of Yandabo, located on the banks of the Irrawaddy river in present-day Myanmar.

Background
- The British East India Company was expanding its influence in Southeast Asia and had already established a foothold in India, Sri Lanka, and Malaya.
- The Kingdom of Burma, ruled by King Bagyidaw, was a powerful empire in the region and had been expanding its influence in Assam and Manipur.
- The British, fearing a Burmese invasion of British India, launched an attack on Burma in 1824.

Terms of the Treaty
- Burma ceded the provinces of Arakan and Tenasserim to the British.
- Burma agreed to pay an indemnity of one million pounds sterling to the British, which was later reduced to 250,000 pounds.
- The British were granted free trade rights in Burma.
- The Burmese army was limited to 5,000 soldiers, and the British were allowed to station troops in Rangoon.

Impact of the Treaty
- The Treaty of Yandabo marked the beginning of British colonial rule in Burma.
- The annexation of Arakan and Tenasserim provided the British with a strategic foothold in Southeast Asia and access to the Bay of Bengal.
- The treaty also opened up Burma to British trade and investment, leading to the exploitation of its resources and the establishment of British plantations and industries.
- The loss of territory and indemnity payment weakened the Burmese economy and government, leading to a period of political instability and internal conflict.
- The treaty also established a precedent for British intervention in Southeast Asia, leading to further wars and conquests in the region.

Conclusion
The Treaty of Yandabo was a significant event in the history of Southeast Asia and marked the beginning of British colonial rule in Burma. While it provided the British with strategic and economic benefits, it also had a lasting impact on the Burmese economy and society. The treaty remains a controversial topic in Myanmar today, with some viewing it as a symbol of colonial oppression and others as a necessary step towards modernization and development.