British Burma refers to the period when the region of Burma, now known as Myanmar, was under British colonial rule from the 19th century until 1948. The British annexed Burma in a series of wars, starting with the First Anglo-Burmese War in 1824. The territory was fully integrated into the British Empire, becoming a province of British India in 1886. During British rule, Burma underwent significant changes, including the introduction of railways, schools, and a new legal system. The colonial administration focused on exploiting the country's natural resources, particularly rice and teak. This period also saw the rise of nationalist movements that eventually led to Burma's independence after World War II.