by Mandalay City. the second largest city after the capital Yangon is understood as YA-Da-Na-Bon (cluster of gems) NAY-PYAY-DAW (capital city) in olden days. it’s also called the golden capital Mandalay. Mandalay City came into existence on Sunday 3rd. May within the year AD 1859. At an equivalent time. the cities walls. royal moat. Mahalawka Marazain Pagoda. Tripitaka (Sacred Buddhist Teachings) Royal library. ThuDhamma Zayat (Religious resting place for pilgrims or travelers). MahaAthuLawayan monastery and therefore the Dhamma Myitzu Pathan Zayat or Ordination Hall were also built. By watching these massive city walls and therefore the Hugh royal moat. you’ll imagine the greatness and might of Myanmar’s monarchy which reigns supreme in those olden days. all sides of the royal city wall may be a mile two furlongs long. and every one four walls features a total length of 5 miles 1 furlong and rectangular in shape.
Its height is 27 feet and its width is 10 feet. right along the town walls there are 3800 merlons for musket shooting. thus with this we will contemplate the immense might of the military of our ancient Myanmar monarchies. Each of the musket shooting holes is 2 feet nine inches wide.
The four city walls have 12 large main gates. 4 Hugh tiered roof outlook towers. 32 smaller tiered roof outlook towers. altogether 48 of the tiered roof outlook towers.On each city wall there are 3 gates. So. in the least the four sides of the wall there are 12 gates and every one main gates are connected by bridges crossing the royal moat. The royal moat is 225 feet wide and 11 feet deep. the center gates resulting in the palace are named ” Dat Ta-Gaa ” which suggests doors mandated with special powers and therefore the small gates on the left and right side of the “Dat” gates. 12 gates altogether . are called “Mate” which suggests adjourning gates.The gate facing the south. the Mingalar (or) Kyaw Moe gate means auspicious. luck and glory.
In conclusion. the water within the royal moat. the old reddish bricks retaining the town walls and therefore the musket holes you’ll see within the city walls. reveals to you about our past glory. patriotism. national culture and custom to whoever visit this documented ancient royal city of the last Myanmar Kings.
Mandalay was also the last seat of the Myanmar King. The King who built this city from empty land was Mindon. who reigned from 1853 to 1878. In 1856 he was residing within the capital of Amarapura which he deemed not fortuitous. the complete official name of this old capital was Amarapura Mandalar. and therefore the King decided to require the last word and named the new capital Mandalay. thanks to air strike during British occupation in 1945 of World War-II the golden palace built by King Mindon has burnt to the grounds. Mya Nan San Kyaw golden palace has now been rebuilt in original form consistent with the record of the history. ranging from scratch. the King was ready to design the town to his liking. with wide streets set during a grid pattern. and his palace enclosed within the town walls which stretched one mile long on each of its four sides. surrounded by a moat. Inside these walls. the middle area was enclosed again for the king’s own palaces.
Outside of this Royal Compound and within the town walls are houses of ministers and nobles. several homes for the aged dowager. minor queen’s apartments and barracks. the most great Audience Hall housed the Thiha Thana Lion. Throne and was considered the middle of the world . Now you’re viewing the “Zay Da Won Hall” which is additionally called the ” Hall of Victory”. At the side of the hall. you’ll find the “Hintha Throne”. “Hintha” may be a mythical bird. His throne which is of octagon-shaped. The council Hall is where most of the wed by the king during this Council Hall. The Southern and northern balls of musketeers are where security detachment and riflemen will keep.
The royal crown hall or Baung Daw Sanw hall is where the king keep his treasured head years embedded with precious gems. during this hall the king also changes his royal dress before giving audience. “The Breezy Hall” which is additionally called “Lay Thar Hall” is at the south of the “Hall of Victory”. this is often the place where the kings. relax and received monks and listened to spiritual sermons. The Hall you’re now witnessing called the “Brick Meeting Hall”.
In this hall the king and his ministers meet to debate matters concerning royal declarations. Beside. the above-mentioned Halls. you’ll also witness the “East Entrance Hall”. “South Entrance Hall”. “Left Reception Hall”. “Right Reception Hall”. “The Southern Dedicating Pavilion Hall”. “Treasury” and “Palace Power”. The palace tower is that the prominent structure you’ll see within the royal palace grounds. there have been a complete of 360 teak pillars within the whole palace. signifying the 360 days of the calendar . of these halls are decorated within the traditional Myanmar architectural designs. woodcarvings and paintings. once you run through these hall. are going to be amazed at the palace traditions. and Myanmar cultural heritage which you’ll still longing in these halls. one among the foremost beautiful palace pavilions was the Glass Palace. which had interior walls and pillars completely covered with glass mosaic.
We as Myanmars can pride oneself during this royal palace of ours. which upholds many of our cultures and traditions. and can show vistors to our country that we had an exceptional and authentic grandeur past.Mandalay as a royal capital left wonderful historical accounts. most of which was thanks to the glory and wisdom of its founder. King Mindon.
