WAO (USA) Writes Letter to UNESCO to Save the Ancient City of Mrauk U

The World Arakanese Association (USA) has sent an appeal letter to UNESCO through Irina Bokova, Director-General, to save the ancient city of Mrauk U from further destruction at the hands of the Burmese military junta, said Ko Kyaw Htoo Aung, General Secretary of WAO (USA).

He said, "We sent the letter to Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on 9 December on behalf of the Arakanese community, of the World Arakanese Organization (USA) on the matter of protecting our ancient city of Mrauk U from further destruction by the Burmese military government. Many ancient heritage sites have been damaged by railroad construction in Mrauk U." 
Many ancient temples, walls, and pagodas in Mrauk U were damaged when the Burmese military authority constructed a portion of a new railway through historic sites in Mrauk U recently. After that, the WAO sent the letter to UNESCO to save Mrauk U from further destruction. 

"UNESCO is the largest organization in the world to protect historic sites globally. Mrauk U is also an ancient historic site in Burma. So we hope UNESCO will protect and save our historic sites. Because of this, our organization wrote the letter to UNESCO," he said. 

According to inside sources, many pagodas, stupas, forts, religious libraries, moats, and city walls were damaged or destroyed in recent construction of the rail track. The historic sites that have been destroyed or damaged so far include: Laung Bwann Brauk, Pagodas on Thazontan Hill, Mungala Manaung Pagoda, Munglar Wall, Khrunkite Wall, Khrunkite Fortress, Praysoegree Pagoda, Mong-Thami Moat, Ahmrunt Taung Fortress, Ray Hla Fortress, Ray Hla Moat, Ray Hla Wall, Para Ouk Pagoda, Mong Khong Shwe Du Pagoda. 
Authorities have now moved the path of the railway to another area after Arakanese people expressed opposition to the original route in a letter to high authorities in Naypyidaw and the department of archaeology. The railway route was moved after two ministers - Transport Minister U Thein Swe and Industry Minister 1 U Aung Thaung - came to Mrauk U in the last week of November to inspect the area. 

However, there are no plans as of yet by the authority to restore the ancient sites that were damaged during the initial railway construction. 

"The heritage in Mrauk U is invaluable not only for our Arakanese people but also others who love antiques and heritage. So we have requested UNESCO and the international community to save our ancient city of Mrauk U from further destruction at the hands of the junta," Kyaw added. 

In the letter the WAO provided information about the ancient city of Mrauk U and Arakan, as follows: 

"Arakanese are one of the indigenous people of Burma (Myanmar) and Arakan became a part of Burma after occupation by the Burmese king in 1784. Mrauk U (Myauk-U) was the last capital of the Mrauk U Kingdom, the most developed and powerful Arakanese kingdom. It was established in 1430 by Kin Min Saw Mon and it grew into a major business hub along the eastern shore of the Bay of Bengal, trading not just with Asian powers but also with European powers such as the Portuguese and the Dutch. During the prosperous times of Mrauk U, the kings, ministers, and peasants built many pagodas and temples for religious purposes and fortresses and moats for security purposes. Now they all are in danger due to the government's railroad project. I understand basic infrastructures such as railroads are the backbone for the growth of the nation and they are extremely needed in poor Burma. However, in this era of construction, any construction project planning requires not only cost and benefits analysis, but also assessment of the impact on environment and historic places. Public comments should also be collected and considered in the planning process. In contrast to the typical standard procedures, the current military government of Burma contracted the project to a construction firm that has no local knowledge whatsoever. 

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Thousands of Giri Victims Still Homeless

Mray Bon: Thousands of cyclone victims in Arakan State are still living in temporary huts two months after Giri struck the area as they have been unable to repair their damaged homes due to the high price of local construction materials, said villagers.

A teacher from Mray Bon Township said, "We have not been able to repair our home ourselves due to the high price of construction materials like bamboo, timbers, and nipa palms. We are still staying in temporary huts without homes in poor conditions." 

The price of bamboo is up to 30,000 kyat for 100 pieces since the cyclone hit, while the price of stitched palm leaf flaps is over 30,000 kyat for 1,000 pieces. 

In Arakan State, the homes are traditionally constructed with nipa palm and wood pillars. 

"We build the roof of homes with nipa palms and wells of home with bamboo in our state. The prices of such materials are going up recently. All residents have given up repairing their homes that were damaged during the Giri attack in Arakan State," he said. 

The people of Arakan in cyclone-affected areas are still living in poor conditions as they have no homes, but there has been no relief aid to help them rebuild. 

A housewife in Taung Sai Kan in Mray Bon Township said that in the area of Taung Sai Kan, there are over 40 villages, but no one has received any plastic sheets, canvas, or tents. Neither the government nor NGOs have provided any material for home repairs in the area. 

Dr. Pyo Win, a senior member of the NGO Mingla Myanmar, said, "We are working for cyclone affected areas in Mray Bon and Kyauk Pru Townships, but we can not provide materials for home construction due to lack of funds. We already discussed with the UNDP to provide local products such as timber, bamboo, and nipa palm to cyclone victims to repair their homes, but we can not implement it because we have not yet received any assistance for the matter." 

However, his organization is trying hard to get some funds for home repairs, he added. 

Most Giri victims throughout Arakan State are extremely anxious for their health because the cold season is just starting. Many people will have their health affected if they are living in temporary huts without roofs and wells during the cold season. 

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ANCIENT GATES IN MRAUK-U

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A view of Letsaykan Sluice gate and city wall

Mrauk-U is an ancient capital of Rakhine where abundant cultural heritage lies. Study of the old capital is like study of a cultural knowledge bank. In the city where 48 kings ruled for 355 years from AD 1430 to AD 1785, we can still see stupas, pagodas, temples, the sites of monasteries, palace, granaries, city walls, turrets, banquettes, barricades, garrisons, various types of moats and gates in original forms or in ruin. Out of these cultural heritage, it would be a good idea to have some knowledge of the old gates. There are three walls; palace wall, city wall and city boundary wall in Mrauk-U. Total length of the walls was about 19 miles. At the walls, winded gates, main gates and sluice gates were constructed.

The gates of the palace

The compounds of the palace was divided with three walls. The name of the gates constructed at the walls were Mingalar, Ape’, Nanthakan, Taungnan, Pankhondaw, Sindaw, East and West. Some famous gates are as follows;

Mingalar gate was northeast gate of the second compound to the north of the palace. It is located a few yards away from the former office of Township Peace and Development Council. Royal people used the gate for auspicious ceremonies.

Ape’ gate was the west gate of the second compound to the north of the palace. It is located to the west of Mingalar gate. It was used by royal people for funerals.

Nanthakan gate located at the east wall of the first compound was used by royal people to go to the Nanthakan Lake to the east of the second compound to the east of the palace.

Pankhondaw gate (Garden gate) was used to go to the garden to the south of the palace. It was located at the south of the second compound. Sedaw gate was located to the southeast of the second compound. This was the gate to the time signal drum at Suntaung.

Letsaykan sluice gate

Northern gates

The gates consturcted at the walls to the north of the palace were Mingalar, Pyanpyaw, Biluma (Sluice gate), Tayzarama, Natdon, (sluice gate), Tabindaing, Kanthonsint, Khringaik (Chaing Kaik), Minthamee, Yehla, Waikhin and Nganandon. Among them, some famous gates are as follows:

Natdon sluice gate

In northern part of the city, Panzee Myaung Creek which links Lemro river. The creek was created as an active moat and installed with an adjustable sluice gate; Natdon. The gate was to the north of Natdon wall and over 100 yards to the east of Tabindaing gate.

Tabindaing gate

The kings accommodated their daughters at a separate residence located to the north of the palace through out the Mrauk-U era. The gate to the residence was to the east of Tharikonbaung ridge and to the west of Natdon gate.

Minthamee gate

It was located to the east of Tharikonbaung ridge, and between the southern most part of the wall of Amyint Taung garrison and the wall of Yehla garrison. It was made of stone and 9 feet high, 10 feet wide and 33 feet wide.

To the south of the gate, there was Minthamee moat where princesses took bath. In time of war, the water from this moat was irrigated through this gate and made Tharikonboung dry moat full of water. It has been renovated by the Department of Archeology.

Chitthaung temple seen after renovation

The gates in eastern part of the city

The gates in eastern part of the city were Meethama, Phonegyi Done, Yannaung, Winmana, Kyaung Ledon (Sluice gate), Makya, Pandaronar Kyaukse (Sluice gate), Kunse, Sinphyudaw, Natpauk and Letha. Some famous gates are as follows:

Wimmana gate (Kyidaw gate)

Winmana granary was one of the biggest granaries in the city. It was located to the north of Wuntenat mountain, to the west of the ridge where Nibuza pagoda lies and beside Mrauk-U Poephyu Kyun motor road. The winding gate was constructed at southern Kyidaw city wall. Gates in western part of the city were Zeekyi (sluice gate), Nganat, Mauktaw, Taungshwe, Kazipat, (Kanseepat), Ngwedaung (sluice gate), Sinwin, Thazintan and Moelinwa.

Mauktaw gate was located at the meeting point of Nganat and Yathedaing city walls. It is about 50 yards from Shwekyathein pagoda. It was named after princess Mauktaw (Saw Shwe Kya), daughter of King Ba Saw Phyu. It was built of sandstone and 13 feet high, 9 feet wide and 14 feet long.

Kazinat (Kanzeepat) gate was built on Kyaukyit wall. It was located at the upper reaches of Kanzeepat creek to the south of Nwedaung garrison. During the reign of King Minba Gyi, the army of Tabin Shwehti was attached by irrigating water through this gate.

Moelinwa (Taung Phyu) gate was built on Taung Phyu outer city wall. When the Anandacandra Inscriptions Pillar was drawn from Vesali by the elephant Ziwazoe, it was dawn when the stone pillar reached the gate. It was called Moelinwa in memory of the event.

An ancient pagoda in Maruk-U

The gates on the palace wall were used by royal people, king’s counsellors and high ranking officers of king’s army.

Tabintaing, Minthamee, Mauktaw and Thazintan gates were used by princesses. And they were named after the princesses.

Mingalar, Khinkaik (Chaingkaik), Makya, Latsaykan, Babutaung, Nganet, Taungphyu, Biluma, Kanthonsint, etc were named after the city wall.

Shun Pjo, Meethama, Minhtutse, Taung Shwe, Kanseepat, Maw Leik, etc were named after creeks, lakes and dams.

In Mrauk-U, there were rivers, creeks, lakes and dams named after Don, a Rakhine word for deep valley in a creek in Mrauk U. They were Nat Don, Narin Don, Ngaman Don, Bongyi Don and Kyaun Le Don gates were name after the Dons.

Ye Hla, Yan Naung, Ngwe Daung, Letha gates are named after garrisons. Moelinwa, Kyakhet, Sinphudaw, Tezarama, Wai Khin, Winmana, Kyetpaik, Thantamen and Sinwin gates were name after events and the use.

All the gates called "Paungwa" in Rakhine language were built of sandstone with the use of keystone archway construction technique. Sandstones were carved out to get necessary shape and joined with cement. One can study prominent architecture in Mrauk-U era at the gates. Out of the gates, only Minthamee, Shinphyudaw, Kyakhet, Letsaykan and Mauktaw gates remain in good condition.

Mrauk-U is an ancient capital of Rakhine where abundant cultural heritage lies. Study of the old capital is like study of a cultural knowledge bank. In the city where 48 kings ruled for 355 years from AD 1430 to AD 1785, we can still see stupas, pagodas, temples, the sites of monasteries, palace, granaries, city walls, turrets, banquettes, barricades, garrisons, various types of moats and gates in original forms or in ruin. Out of these cultural heritage, it would be a good idea to have some knowledge of the old gates. There are three walls; palace wall, city wall and city boundary wall in Mrauk-U. Total length of the walls was about 19 miles. At the walls, winded gates, main gates and sluice gates were constructed.

The gates of the palace

The compounds of the palace was divided with three walls. The name of the gates constructed at the walls were Mingalar, Ape’, Nanthakan, Taungnan, Pankhondaw, Sindaw, East and West. Some famous gates are as follows;

Mingalar gate was northeast gate of the second compound to the north of the palace. It is located a few yards away from the former office of Township Peace and Development Council. Royal people used the gate for auspicious ceremonies.

Ape’ gate was the west gate of the second compound to the north of the palace. It is located to the west of Mingalar gate. It was used by royal people for funerals.

Nanthakan gate located at the east wall of the first compound was used by royal people to go to the Nanthakan Lake to the east of the second compound to the east of the palace.

Pankhondaw gate (Garden gate) was used to go to the garden to the south of the palace. It was located at the south of the second compound. Sedaw gate was located to the southeast of the second compound. This was the gate to the time signal drum at Suntaung.

Northern gates

The gates consturcted at the walls to the north of the palace were Mingalar, Pyanpyaw, Biluma (Sluice gate), Tayzarama, Natdon, (sluice gate), Tabindaing, Kanthonsint, Khringaik (Chaing Kaik), Minthamee, Yehla, Waikhin and Nganandon. Among them, some famous gates are as follows:

Natdon sluice gate

In northern part of the city, Panzee Myaung Creek which links Lemro river. The creek was created as an active moat and installed with an adjustable sluice gate; Natdon. The gate was to the north of Natdon wall and over 100 yards to the east of Tabindaing gate.

Tabindaing gate

The kings accommodated their daughters at a separate residence located to the north of the palace through out the Mrauk-U era. The gate to the residence was to the east of Tharikonbaung ridge and to the west of Natdon gate.

Minthamee gate

It was located to the east of Tharikonbaung ridge, and between the southern most part of the wall of Amyint Taung garrison and the wall of Yehla garrison. It was made of stone and 9 feet high, 10 feet wide and 33 feet wide.

To the south of the gate, there was Minthamee moat where princesses took bath. In time of war, the water from this moat was irrigated through this gate and made Tharikonboung dry moat full of water. It has been renovated by the Department of Archeology.

The gates in eastern part of the city

The gates in eastern part of the city were Meethama, Phonegyi Done, Yannaung, Winmana, Kyaung Ledon (Sluice gate), Makya, Pandaronar Kyaukse (Sluice gate), Kunse, Sinphyudaw, Natpauk and Letha. Some famous gates are as follows:

Wimmana gate (Kyidaw gate)

Winmana granary was one of the biggest granaries in the city. It was located to the north of Wuntenat mountain, to the west of the ridge where Nibuza pagoda lies and beside Mrauk-U Poephyu Kyun motor road. The winding gate was constructed at southern Kyidaw city wall. Gates in western part of the city were Zeekyi (sluice gate), Nganat, Mauktaw, Taungshwe, Kazipat, (Kanseepat), Ngwedaung (sluice gate), Sinwin, Thazintan and Moelinwa.

Mauktaw gate was located at the meeting point of Nganat and Yathedaing city walls. It is about 50 yards from Shwekyathein pagoda. It was named after princess Mauktaw (Saw Shwe Kya), daughter of King Ba Saw Phyu. It was built of sandstone and 13 feet high, 9 feet wide and 14 feet long.

Kazinat (Kanzeepat) gate was built on Kyaukyit wall. It was located at the upper reaches of Kanzeepat creek to the south of Nwedaung garrison. During the reign of King Minba Gyi, the army of Tabin Shwehti was attached by irrigating water through this gate.

A close-up of Letsaykan sluice gate

Moelinwa (Taung Phyu) gate was built on Taung Phyu outer city wall. When the Anandacandra Inscriptions Pillar was drawn from Vesali by the elephant Ziwazoe, it was dawn when the stone pillar reached the gate. It was called Moelinwa in memory of the event.

The gates on the palace wall were used by royal people, king’s counsellors and high ranking officers of king’s army.

Tabintaing, Minthamee, Mauktaw and Thazintan gates were used by princesses. And they were named after the princesses.

Mingalar, Khinkaik (Chaingkaik), Makya, Latsaykan, Babutaung, Nganet, Taungphyu, Biluma, Kanthonsint, etc were named after the city wall.

Shun Pjo, Meethama, Minhtutse, Taung Shwe, Kanseepat, Maw Leik, etc were named after creeks, lakes and dams.

In Mrauk-U, there were rivers, creeks, lakes and dams named after Don, a Rakhine word for deep valley in a creek in Mrauk U. They were Nat Don, Narin Don, Ngaman Don, Bongyi Don and Kyaun Le Don gates were name after the Dons.

Ye Hla, Yan Naung, Ngwe Daung, Letha gates are named after garrisons. Moelinwa, Kyakhet, Sinphudaw, Tezarama, Wai Khin, Winmana, Kyetpaik, Thantamen and Sinwin gates were name after events and the use.

All the gates called "Paungwa" in Rakhine language were built of sandstone with the use of keystone archway construction technique. Sandstones were carved out to get necessary shape and joined with cement. One can study prominent architecture in Mrauk-U era at the gates. Out of the gates, only Minthamee, Shinphyudaw, Kyakhet, Letsaykan and Mauktaw gates remain in good condition.

Ref: Arakan Indobhasa

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