Sein Myo Myint - Mrauk-U Ancient Cultural Heritage

There are many historical documents, articles, and research reports on the history of Arakan. As for books, valuable historical records have been published, such as "Dhanyawaddy Rajashwin Thit Kyin" (1910) by the Bago Min Kyaung Sayadaw U Pandita, and "Rakhine Rajashwin Thit Kyin" (1931) by the Rambre Taung Kyaung Sayadaw U Sanda Mala. The book "Burma's Lost Kingdoms, Splen-downs of Arakan" by Dr. Pinmala Gattamin of the Australian National University has also been published in English.

Among the books that have been published, there are few that have documented the ancient heritage of regions such as Mrauk-U, Waisali, Dhanyawaddy, and Kyauktaw in a comprehensive manner.

In fact, the history of Rakhine is quite long and extensive. The early historical information about Rakhine is somewhat mythological and story-like, and there are also some controversies. In Rakhine history, there are many historical periods such as Dwarawaddy, ancient Wethali, Ngakwolthin Taung, First Dhanyawaddy, Three Lakes, Nilapadaung, Second Dhanyawaddy, Third Dhanyawaddy, etc., and it is said that the beginning of Rakhine history is quite early, in the 1st century BC. Even the history of the First Dhanyawaddy is said to have begun in 3000 BC. It is difficult to document it with certainty.

The reigns of Vesali are recorded as 327 to 776, the first Mruk-U reign 776-792, the first half of the reign 794-816, the fifth half of the reign 818-1103, the first half of the reign 1103, the first half of the reign 1103-1123, the second half of the reign 1123-1142. The last half of the reign 1142-1154, the second half of the reign 1155-1163, the old city of Taungoo reign 1163-1250, and the second half of the reign 1251-1406 (1428). (The period from 818 to 1406 is called the Four Cities Period.)

The Mrauk-U period began in 1430 AD and ended in 1784 AD when King Bodaw Pagoda attacked and captured the country, ending the Mrauk-U dynasty. During the Mrauk-U period, the dynasty ended and the Mrauk-U capital was destroyed. The Mrauk-U period lasted for 354 years.

During the Mrauk-U period, there was also good relations between the Burmese kings and the Rakhine kings. During the reign of Min Khiri, who ascended the throne in 1433, Mrauk-U formed an alliance with King Narapati of Inwa (1442 - 1468). After the war that took place in 1546, Tabin Shwe Htee, Bayint Naung and King Min Bagyee of Rakhine (1531 - 1553) later established friendly relations. In 1597, the Taungoo Prince (Min Ye Thiha Thu) and the Rakhine King Min Raja Gyi exchanged friendly messages. In 1622 - 1638, the Nyaung Ram Prince Thalun Min Dhaya sent ambassadors to each other and established friendly relations.

Mrauk-U was once called the Old City. If you want to visit the ancient relics of the most famous and developed period of Rakhine history, the Mrauk-U period, you should visit the ancient relics of the Waisaali, Dhanyawaddy, and Kyauktaw areas, which are not far from Mrauk-U.