Burma's Pagan empire begins to disintegrate after being defeated by Kublai Khan at Ngasaungsyan[?], near the Chinese border. The Khan ordered the invasion after the Burmese refused to pay tribute.
... secures the admiration of Count Vronsky to the jealously of Dolly's sister Katarina (Kitty) whom he has previously been courting.
As the novel opens, Stiva's friend ...