British rule in Burma
Tawngpeng state was founded in 1753; it was the only Palaung kingdom in the former Shan States, the ruling family belonging to this ethnic group as well, although adopting the paraphernalia and the style of ethnic Shan rulers. The people of the area are predominantly of the Ka-tur (Samlong) tribe. The main industry of this mostly hilly state was tea production. Before British rule in Burma two successive saophas were executed and a further one was murdered.