History

It is unknown when the Order of the Tsalwé was established, however regulations regarding the award were issued in 1784.

The Order was worn over the left shoulder across the breast and the class was indicated by the number of gold strands - 3, 6, 9, or 12 for non-Royal recipients. There are six classes of the Order.
The lowest being 3 gold chains of open work. Then 3 twisted gold chains. Next is 6 twisted gold chains and then 9 and then 12. The 12 twisted gold chains in the highest class of the award next to the 24 twisted gold chains, which is the highest class only worn by the King.

Royal recipients received more gold strands according to their seniority and the King wore 24 (in two sets of 12).

On October 11,1867, the British Envoy to Burma, Major-General Albert Fytche, was awarded the Order in the first class (3 gold strands) at the Royal Palace in Mandalay by King Mindon Min. It weighed over half a kilogram. Major-General Fytche discussed the awarding of the Order in his book "Burma Past and Present with Personal Reminiscences of the Country" Volume 1 (1878).