Obalokun vs Thalun

Obalokun established diplomatic and commercial relations with Portuguese traders along the coast. He allowed European merchants to enter Oyo territory and trade for slaves, ivory, and pepper. This opened Oyo to the Atlantic slave trade, which would become a major source of wealth and power for the empire.

Obalokun is credited with significantly expanding and reorganizing Oyo's cavalry, importing horses from the north. This military reform made Oyo's army one of the most powerful in the region, enabling future conquests and the empire's expansion into a major power.

After the assassination of Anaukpetlun and the brief reign of Minyedeippa, Thalun ascended the throne as king of the Toungoo dynasty. He faced a kingdom weakened by internal strife and began consolidating power and restoring stability.

Thalun conducted a comprehensive revenue survey of the Irrawaddy valley, measuring land and assessing taxes. This survey standardized the tax system, increased state revenue, and provided a detailed record of agricultural production and population.

Thalun issued a new legal code, known as the 'Thalun Min Law', which codified customary law and royal decrees. This code standardized judicial procedures and remained influential in Burmese law for centuries.

Thalun moved the capital of the Toungoo kingdom from Pegu (Bago) back to Ava (Inwa) in Upper Burma. This shift reflected a strategic focus on the agrarian heartland and away from maritime trade, influencing the kingdom's economic orientation.