Bagan

Related Topics:
Bagan_Serai

Bagan (), formerly Pagan, formally titled Arimaddanapura (the City of the Enemy Crusher) and also known as Tambadipa (the Land of Copper) was the ancient capital of several ancient kingdoms in Myanmar (Burma). It is located in the dry central plains of the country, located on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River (Irrawaddy River), and is 145 kilometres (90 miles) southwest of Mandalay.

UNESCO has unsuccessfully tried to designate Bagan as a World Heritage Site. The military junta (SPDC) has haphazardly restored ancient stupas, temples and buildings, ignoring original architectural styles and using modern materials that bear no resemblance to the original designs. Likewise, the junta is planning to construct a golf course, a paved highway, and a 61-metre (200-ft) watchtower, which is believed to be completed by 2007.

Architectural styles

The religious buildings of Bagan are often reminiscent of popular architectural styles in the period of their constructions. The most common types are:

Stupa with a relic-shaped dome
Stupa with tomb-shaped dome
Sinhalese-styled stupa
North Indian model
Central Indian model
South Indian model
Mon model

History

The ruins of Bagan cover an area of 16 square miles. The majority of its buildings were built in the 11th to 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. It was not made a major city until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 A.D. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and because of this, Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of Anawratha. In 1057, King Anawratha conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen and they were utilised to transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. After he converted to Theravada Buddhism,he sent a Sangha mission to Sri Lanka, and by the help of the Sangha, he successfully converted his country. Bagan then became the sole centre of religious studies, and the university in Bagan attracted students from as far as the Khmer kingdoms. In 1287 the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. The city was sacked, and many religious relics were stolen.

**Rulers of Bagan**
Name	Relationship	Reign (A.D.)	Notes
Thamudarit		107-152	^†founder of Bagan
Pyinbya	Son of Khelu	846-878	moved capital from Tampawadi (modern Pwasaw) to Bagan
Anawratha	Son of Kunsaw Kyaunghpyu	1044-1077	^†founder of Bagan and the First Burmese Empire
Sawlu	Son	1077-1084
Kyanzittha	Brother	1084-1113
Alaungsithu	Grandson	1113-1167	1113-1160(?)
Narathu	Son	1167-1170	1160-1165(?), aka Kala-gya Min ( king fallen by Indians)
Naratheinkha	Son	1170-1173
Narapatisithu	Brother	1174-1211
Htilominlo	Son	1211-1234	aka Nandaungmya (one who often asked for the throne)
Kyaswa	Son	1234-1250
Uzana	Son	1250-1255
Narathihapati	Son	1255-1287	lost the kingdom to the Mongols and known as Tayoke Pyay Min (king who fled from the Chinese) to posterity
Kyawswa	Son	1287-1298
Sawhnit	Son	1298-1325
Sawmunnit	Son	1325-1369

^† Although Anawratha is accounted for the founding of Bagan, Thamudarit is the listed as the "traditional" founder of Bagan in Hmannan Yazawin (The Glass Palace Chronicles).

Cultural sites

Ananda Temple, c.1105 (built by Kyanzittha)
Dhamma-yan-gyi, c.1165, the biggest temple in Bagan (built by Alaungsithu but never finished)
Dhamma-yazika, 1196 (built by Narapatisithu)
Hti-lo-min-lo Temple, 1218 (built by Htilominlo)
Lokananda, (built by Anawrahta)
Manuha Temple (built by the captive Mon king Manuha)
Mingala-Zedi, 1268-74 (built by Narathihapati)
Mya-zedi Stone, 1113, described as the "Rosetta Stone of Burma" with inscriptions in four languages: Pyu, Mon, Old Burmese and Pali(dedicated to Ku-byauk-kyi temple by Prince Rajakumar, son of Kyanzittha)
Nan-paya Temple, c.1060-70, Mon style, believed to be Manuha's old residence
Sein-nyet Ama & Nyima (temple and pagoda, 13th century)
Shwe-gu-gyi Temple, 1131 (built by Alaungsithu and where he died)
Shwe-hsan-daw, c.1070 (built by Anawrahta)
Shwe-zigon, 1102 (built by Anawrahta, finished by Kyanzittha)
Sula-mani Temple, 1183 (built by Narapatisithu)
Tan-chi-daung Paya, on the west bank (built by Anawrahta)
Tharaba Gate, c.850
That-byin-nyu, the tallest temple at 61 metres, 12th century (built by Alaungsithu}
Tu-win-daung Paya, on the eastern boundary of Bagan(built by Anawrahta)

Neighbours

Thaton (to the south, in modern-day Burma) until subdued in 1057
Nanzhao (to the north, in modern-day Yunnan Province, China)

More photos

Image:PaganBuddha3.JPG|A Bagan Buddha, 12th century Image:Ananda Temple Bagan.jpg|Gate tower of Ananda Temple Image:That-byin-nyu.jpg|Thatbyinnyu Temple

Note

References

Pictorial Guide to Pagan. 2nd ed. Rangoon: Ministry of Culture, 1975.
Pagan - Art and Architecture of Old Burma Paul Strachan 1989, Kiscadale, Arran, Scotland.
Glimpses of Glorious Pagan Department of History, University of Rangoon, The Universities Press 1986.

External Links

History of Myanmar | Buddhist temples in Myanmar | Cities in Myanmar

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