MYANMAR HISTORY

Brief Myanmar Burma Birma history

The History of Myanmar / Burma - ancient history- according to the ancient chronicles, begins with the founding of Tagaung city in the upper reaches of the Ayeyarwady in about 850 B.C. The time is so early (Rome was then not yet built) that western historians would not take the statement.

But the Myanmar / Burma chronicles say that the founder of this earliest Myanmar dynasty was a king of the Sakyan tribe from the Himalayas, who came looking for a quiet and peaceful land. His dynasty of 50 kings ruled Tagaung for about 400 years and they were often harassed by some wandering tribes from China.

The chronicles also indicate that at the time there were early settlers in the land, namely Pyus, Kanyans, and Theks in Central Myanmar, Shan, on the eastern plateau, Rakhines on the western coastal strip, and Mons in the delta and along the southern coastal strip. There were also many mountain tribes, the forefathers of Kachin, Karen and Kayah.

Mons, Rakhines and Shans were powerful groups who had founded contemporary states with their own dynasties and chronicles.

Myanmar history is closely connected to the Ayeyarwady valley.

After the fall of Tagaung Myanmar history data indicate a long dynasty of Pyu kings in about 484 B.C.

Their main city was Tharekittaya (now Pyi, or Prome in British period.) This Pyu dynasty had 27 kings lasting for nearly 600 years. A Pyu cultural mission even went to China. Then there were smaller Pyu states at Beikthano and Hanlin. Archaeological excavation and some old stupas pointed out those Pyu sites. Yet western historians would not accept the native Myanmar history chronicles because the period was still unbelievably early and also because, in ancient writing the Myanmar history facts were often mixed up with fiction.

But it is a Myanmar history fact that Buddhism - history of Buddhism- ,

driven away from India, had started to enter Myanmar through Sri Lanka during this dynasty of Pyu

myanmar history shan state pagoda-temple relief and painting
kings. Of course Myanmar history are also the Mon cities near the seacoast, such as Thaton, Dagon and Dala, could have received Buddhism even earlier than the Pyus. Seafaring Mons had reached India even when Buddha was living (i.e. about 623-543 B.C.).

The foremost shrines in Myanmar -Shwe Dagon at Dagon (Yangon) and Kyaiktiyo at Thaton

were built by Mons at that very early period. The King of Thaton (Manuha) had in his library 30 sets of the whole Buddhist scriptures translated from Pali to Mon (1057 A.D.). Myanmar history indicates that the great wheel of
Myanmar history foremost shrines Kyaiktiyo
Buddha’s Dhamma had been brought to Myanmars shores by missionaries since Asoka’s time. The wheel was then set up and ready, but it needed a strong person like King Anawrahta of Bagan to start turning the wheel in motion, Myanmar is somehow part of history of Buddhism.

Some of the subjects you will find on this page:

Myanmar, Burma, Birma, history, archeology, ancient places, ancient kings, Buddha, gautama, British colonial times, Myanmar Chinese history, kublai khan, historisches, Myanmar, Burma, Birma, Birmanie, Birmania, Bagan, Pagan, history channel, art history, Myanmar art history, Burma art history, world history, China history, history of India, ancient history, history of Buddhism.

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MYANMAR - BURMA HISTORY