Political unification returned in the mid-16th century, due to the efforts of Taungoo, a former vassal state of Ava. Taungoo's young, ambitious king Tabinshwehti defeated the more powerful Hanthawaddy in the Toungoo–Hanthawaddy War (1534–41).
Before attempting to obtain political unification, what title did Taungoo,hold ? 
a former vassal state of Ava.