But Bayinnaung, who began his reign as a "king without a kingdom", ended his reign as an "emperor without an empire." According to Than Tun, Bayinnaung conquered territories not to colonize them but to gain the loyalty of their rulers. He kept conquered kings and lords in their own positions so long as they remained loyal to him. Tun Aung Chain adds that "the extensive polity was held together not so much by formal institutions as personal relationships" based on the concepts of "thissa" (, 'allegiance') and "kyezu" (, 'obligation')." Lieberman writes: "...he presented himself as "cakkavatti", or World Ruler, par excellence..."