Francis Buchanan-Hamilton obtained the Map of Koshanpri from the slave in Ava.[3]: 246 Hamilton didn't research the proper name of "Koshanpri" or the literal meaning "Nine Provinces of Shan", but he pointed out that the Shan territory had been divided into 18 lordships, the slave even alleged that this number had been increased to 22.[3]: 248–249 After that, many scholars have given conflicting lists of "nine Shan states" strove to explain the name.[2]: 189
Some of the scholars don't agree with the literal meaning of "nine Shan states". James George Scott believe "Koshanpye" was a corrupted form of "Kaushambi" (Pali: Kosambī) because Mong Mao and Hsenwi use the name "Kosambī" as their classical buddhist name. The Burman official did not admit that a Shan kingdom had any right to a classical name.[2]: 189 But the Shan scholar Sao Saimong opposes this opinion; he states that Koshanpyi could never be mistaken for Kosambī, Burman central court respected Shan states using their own classical name, and Koshanpyi is specifically referred to Chinese Shan states.[1]: 42
