KING ANAWRAHTA THE GREAT
KING ANAWRAHTA (A.D. 1044-1077)
King Anawrahta, also spelled ANIRUDDHA, the first king of all of Myanmar, (reigned 1044-77), introduced his people to Theravada Buddhism. His capital at Bagan on the Ayeyarwaddy River (The Irrawaddy River) became a prominent city of pagodas and temples.
During his reign, Anawrahta united the northern homeland of the Myanmar people with the Mon kingdoms of the south. He extended his dominion as far north as the kingdom of Nanchao, west to Arakan, south to the Gulf of Martaban (near what is now Yangon), and as far east as what is now northern Thailand.
In 1057 Anawrahta captured the Mon city of Thaton, a centre of Indian civilization. Its fall led the other Mon rulers to submit to Anawrahta; for the first time, a Myanmar ruler dominated the Ayeyarwaddy delta area. Contact with the Mons enriched Myanmar civilization. The Mons gave the Myanmar an artistic and literary tradition and a system of writing. The earliest extant Myanmar inscription, written in Mon characters, appeared in 1058.
Anawrahta was converted to Theravada Buddhism by a Mon monk, Shin Arahan. As king, Anawrahta strove to convert his people from the influence of the Ari, a Mahayana Tantric Buddhist sect that was at that time predominant in central Myanmar. Primarily through his efforts, Theravada Buddhism became the dominant religion of Myanmar and the inspiration for its culture and civilization. He maintained diplomatic relations with King Vijayabahu of Ceylon, who in 1071 requested the assistance of Myanmar monks to help revive the Buddhist faith. The Ceylonese king sent Anawrahta a replica of the Buddha’s tooth relic, which was placed in the Shwezigon pagoda at Bagan.
SHOOTING
It was a week after my road trip to Bagan, the biggest dream land of me and my photography. I went there with two of my friends, Tha Khin Gyi and Mg Hla. Spent two and a half days shooting around the legendary city. I have got heaps of photos during my stay and yes they are for YELWINOO.COM. But then, I was lost where to start these BAGAN posts. Foundation, yes. Before unveiling something, it’s always right to talk about the foundation or the founder. That’s the reason, I woke up early on one of the June’s morning, stood in front of National Museum and made this shot.
KING ANAWRAHTA THE GREAT, founder of BAGAN DYNASTY.
Photo Information
Camera – Nikon D90
Lens – NIKKOR AF NIKON 50mm F1.8D
Aperture – f/5.6
Exposure Time – 1/640s
ISO Speed – 160
Focal Length – 50mm
Just looking great! :)