Ismeila of Zarburi

Ismeila of Zarburi (c. 19 November 741-27 August 817), was a Maharapurese princess who later married Kyawswa II "the Incompetent" of Baland. She was known for her character of peaceful, quiet and pious. Her granddaughter Anne of Salin wedded to Emperor Kyantalin II, by whom she was an ancestor of the last two Uton monarchs and Hafra rulers since Kanaunt II.

Life
Ismeila was the granddaughter of Iven I, King of Maharapura, born to Prince Kensa, Count of Zarburi and Lord of Maiyin, and his wife Sumanee of Hullijeau. She was brought up by her aunt, Princess Anne of Shadra, who ran a convent after she lost her husband. Under Anne's influence, Ismeila enjoyed a reputation of piety since the young age, which was admired by Alan II, Balish Emperor, who picked her as his great-grandson Kyawswa's fiancée. She was wedded to Kyawswa, Duke of Hadon, on 3 May 755. Her married life with her husband was harmonious, although Kyawswa was never faithful to her by having amounts of mistresses. Alan II, Empress Elyene, and her father-in-law Alan Lebinande loved her and often praised her as they all thought that Ismeila will be a good empress with morals. When Alan Lebinande died in 760, she became the crown princess with her husband becoming the heir-apparent, she also took a responsibility to take care of Alan Lebinande's youngest son who was only 2 years old, the future Kyantalin II.

In 764, Kyawswa II succeeded the throne upon Alan II's death. Ismeila was crowned empress of Baland on 9 March 765. According to the history records, she had been pregnant for at least 9 times, but only 4 sons and 1 daughter were recorded born, which meant she had suffered from miscarriages or stillbirths for several times. Her only daughter, Princess Liuatrice, mothered Anne of Salin, who was married to Kyantalin II and gave birth to 2 sons and 1 daughter. Anne's eldest son, Suriya III, was the penultimate emperor during the Uton dynasty, and her second son, Prince Lebinande, fathered Menshan VII, last monarch of the Uton dynasty; besides, her daughter Manice was the mother of Galandaph of Andon, mother of Kanaunt II. In other words, last two Uton emperors and emperors since Kanaunt II during the Hafra dynasty were all her descendants.

Kyawswa II was overthrown by his brother Kyantalin II in 776. Ismeila retired from the palace and left for her fief Lepoen, where she ran a convent named the Dhammali Temple just like her aunt. She also attempted to persuade her sons to give up inheritance and make peace with their uncle. Kyawswa II died in 796, she didn't return to Pharimala, but sent a letter to Kyantalin II to ask the national mourning for her deceased husband, and the emperor agreed. When her great-grandson Suriya III came to the throne, she received some presents from Pharimala and annuity raised. Suriya III had visited her once in 803, then decided to donate more to support religious issues.

Ismeila passed away in 817, at the age of 75. She left the Dhammali Temple to Twan's daughter Sumanee. As the former empress, a grand funeral was held for her, and she was entombed in La Paja, Pharimala.