King Thibaw talking with Colonel Sladen in the North Garden of his palace, Mandalay, 1885

Watercolour on Oriental paper by a Burmese artist, 1885.

Colonel Sir Edward Sladen (1827-1890) fought in the 2nd Burma War (1852-1853) and returned to Mandalay (at that time the capital of Burma) in 1866. Sladen's political role meant that by the time of the 3rd Burma War (1885-1887) he was well-known to King Thibaw (1858-1916). In 1885 Sladen was chief political officer with the force sent to depose the King.