Saopha

Saopha
Sawbwa, Chaopha, Chao Fa
Sukapha, first Chaopha of the Ahom kingdom
StatusDefunct
Extinction date20th century
A nobility title used by Tai rulers

Saopha (lit.'lord of the heavens'), also spelled Sawbwa, was the title used by hereditary rulers of Shan states in Upper Myanmar. Chaopha and Chao Fa were similar titles used by the hereditary Tai rulers in mainland Southeast Asia and the Ahom kingdom in India.