Anawratha adopted theravada buddhism from the mons. Rangoon university was a hotbed of radicalism and a young law student, aung san, gained increasing prominence in the. There is no greater illustration of corporate americas moral decay than amazon. Their language was closely related to the language of the myanmar and was later absorbed by it. Commentary nonofficial books, academic papers, articles and reports 29. Most of the travel hubs are at nearby nyaung u which serves bagan. The author tells the story of his family by telling the history of his own burma. Yangon heritage building to become national library. Myanmar, has had a long, and at times, traumatic history. As the third irrawaddy literature festival draws near, i thought it timely to write a post about my favourite books on the fascinating country that is myanmar. Ive checked out amazon and found a few interesting books on burma. The earliest inhabitants of recorded history were a tibetoburmanspeaking people who established the pyu citystates ranged as far south as pyay. The myanmar people began to colonise the plains of myanmar only towards the middle of the first millennium ad.
Myanmar has long been a kleptocratic petrostate spinning out billions in natural gas wealth each year. History early history through world war ii myanmars early history is mainly the story of the struggle of the burmans against the mons, or talaings of monkhmer origin. Mandalay and bagan, culture and history in myanmar gonomad. My favorite books are policy, history and government. Before the british, there were the kings of old, who rose to power by eliminating rivals with claims to the throne. By beginning with an explanation of the history of the area and its. Bagan is a plain in the middle of myanmar, covering a tract of country measuring about 16 square miles along the east bank of the ayeyarwaddy. The muslim communities of the southern philippines, southern thailand, and western burma myanmar by moshe yegar from lexington books out of print try used books. The global new light of myanmar published a brief history of the library, which has reportedly been relocated several times since independence. From the early 19th century until wwii, the insatiable machine that was the british empire held sway over burma. Here is the collection of books shared by many vistors by online and by post. Aug 28, 2014 even though myanmar already nominated bagan for listing as a unesco world heritage site in 1996, it still remains only on the tentative list.
Many bagan inscriptions record the donors as well as those who repaired the. However, throughout time, the countrys fertililty h. Myanmar has had a tumultuous history, having been both the invaders and victims over the centuries. The book comes at a useful juncture as it highlights the connectivity and influence that the country exerted throughout history. From the british invasion of mandalay in 1885, this lively novel of love, loss and longing sweeps across more than 100 years of history in burma, india and malaya. Today, bagan is one of the major attractions in myanmar and is a unesco. With 120 highresolution images, maps and a detailed tour itinerary, this is the definitive travel guide to myanmars ancient city of bagan. Understanding myanmar council on foreign relations. Monuments, which are currently in all stages of decomposition were erected espec. May 08, 20 from george orwell to aung san suu kyi, author rory maclean looks at 10 books that chart the countrys tumultuous history rory maclean wed 8 may 20 10. Before traveling to myanmar, an excellent historical novel to read is the glass palace by amitav ghosh. It has had a tenuous relationship with its border countries and has been influenced by the many different ethnic groups that have immigrated in. List of books and articles about burmese history online. However, the british soon began to covet myanmars rich resources and initiated the second angloburmese war in 1852.
Established in 1952, the national library, along with yangon university library, is one of only two research libraries in yangon. However, throughout time, the countrys fertililty has meant. Mandalay and bagan, culture and history in myanmar. Other ways to get to bagan include train, bus, and taxi.
A history of myanmar since ancient times by maitrii aung. History of myanmarburma lonely planet travel information. Strikes and antitax protests followed, with buddhist monks playing a prominent role and even leading armed rebellion. Top 10 books about burma closed off for half a century by the generals, there is a shortage of writing about this richly diverse country available in english but there are some gems david eimer.
Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. In a history of myanmar since ancient times, michael aungthwin and maitrii aungthwin take us from the sacred stupas of the plains of bagan to the grand, colonialera british mansions, revealing the storied past and rich culture of this country. Even though myanmar already nominated bagan for listing as a unesco world heritage site in 1996, it still remains only on the tentative list. Bagan is plain in the central part of myanmar, covering an area of the country, which measures approximately 16 square miles along the eastern shore of the irrawaddy. The book traces the traditions and transformations of myanmars communities over nearly three millennia, from the relics of its neolithic civilization. History of bagan the bagan dynasty, the first dynasty in the history of myanmar, flourished from the 11th to centuries and built the foundation of myanmar culture.
Rory macleans top 10 books on burma books the guardian. Save myanmar has had a tumultuous history, having been both the invaders and victims over the centuries. Burma history books on the history of the burmese people and the military dictatorship. Myanmar history legendary kingdoms 3325 bc1483 bc 1st danyawaddy dynasty according to ancient arakanese chronicles, the first arakanese kings were indoaryans from the ganges valley. From george orwell to aung san suu kyi, author rory maclean looks at 10 books that chart the countrys tumultuous history rory maclean wed 8. In 1989 the countrys official english name, which it had held since 1885, was changed from the union of burma to the union of myanmar. The stores carry a wide selection of books including and uptodate range of popular fiction and nonfiction, children books, history of. Bagan, the ancient buddhist capital in central myanmar burma that thrived from 8500, is one of the most magnificent and inspiring sites in southeast asia. After years of unrest, the government is slowly but steadily working towards unescos suggested plans for conservation and preservation of bagans more than 3000 temples, stupas and monasteries.
Protests by university students in 1920 were the first signs of renewed resistance against british rule. Books on myanmar the history of burma from broughs books. In a history of myanmar since ancient times, michael aungthwin and maitrii aungthwin take us from the sacred stupas of the plains of pagan to grand, colonialera british mansions, revealing the storied past and rich culture of this country. Merchant ships from india, sri lanka, and even farther west converged on. This wall street journal interactive explores what hasand has notchanged in. Monument books offers a selection of books in a variety of other languages such as english, french and some korean and japanese, other than myanmar. Before the burmese migrated and established their dynasty, pyu had built city states during its first century bc in central and northern myanmar modern. The bernard free library was taken over by the ministry of culture in 1952, renamed state library, and moved to the jubilee hall, it said. Were going to take a peek into its deep and incredible history and why it became myanmar, rather than its earlier name burma, today.
The myanma sword, the power of blacksmith from the minn lann village. With 120 highresolution images, maps and a detailed tour itinerary, this is the definitive travel guide to myanmar s ancient city of bagan. Discover the exciting history, language and culture of myanmar. History myanmar was ruled with an iron fist long before the current regime came to power.
In 1044, king anawratha established burman supremacy over the ayeyarwady delta and over thaton, capital of the mon kingdom. Theres so much good literature around that i wont even limit myself to a top 10 ill keep adding as i keep reading. If myanmar was for decades the black hole in the heart of asia a frozen nation in the middle of the most dynamic region on earth the secretariat building is the black hole in the heart of yangon. You wont be starved for choice when it comes to books about myanmar.
He obtained his masters in 1972 from yangon university. History early history through world war ii myanmar s early history is mainly the story of the struggle of the burmans against the mons, or talaings of monkhmer origin. A beginners guide to bagan myanmar architecture of the. Sep 22, 2016 bagan is plain in the central part of myanmar, covering an area of the country, which measures approximately 16 square miles along the eastern shore of the irrawaddy. The library houses more than 220,000 books, divided into 10 sections. He has published over forty books on various subjects. Myanmar has been a nexus of cultural and material exchange for thousands of years. He is a wellknown and highly respected educator, literary critic and writer. The national library of myanmar, located in yankin township, yangon, is the national library of myanmar.
Burma myanmar history, southeast asian history, books. If you have only time for two books on myanmar, then read the glass. Myanmar, also called burma, country, located in the western portion of mainland southeast asia. Most recently there has been a focus on books that will help kids work through the trauma caused by cyclone nargis yinthway means our beloved little children in burmese, and books are a great. However, the british soon began to covet myanmar s rich resources and initiated the second angloburmese war in 1852. It has an airport which services domestic flights from yangon and other parts of burma. From the british invasion of mandalay in 1885, this lively novel of love, loss and longing sweeps across more than 100. The stores carry a wide selection of books including and uptodate range of popular fiction and nonfiction, children books, history of myanmar and southeast asia. From its earliest inhabitants, the pyu in 849, right up until present day, well give you a glimpse into. Another way to arrive is by river boat along the ayeyarwady from mandalay. A history of myanmar since ancient times traditions and transformations maitrii aungthwin, michael aungthwin in a history of myanmar since ancient times, michael aungthwin and maitrii aungthwin take us from the sacred stupas of the plains of pagan to the grand, colonialera british mansions, revealing the storied past and rich culture of this country. Its collection used to be about 618,000 books and periodicals as well as 15,800 rare and.
The abandoned secretariat ministers building, north gate. This text provides a thorough examination of the history of myanmar from neolithic times to the present. The book traces the traditions and transformations of myanmars communities over nearly three. Myanmar burma bibliography listed below are details of a few books from my own collection which feature the textiles of myanmar burma. Their script was in use until about the fourteenth century, but was then lost. Myanmar pushed into the plains of myanmar from the north. Mahathir bin mohamad, the prime minister of malaysia. From the 9th to th centuries, the city was the capital of the pagan kingdom, the first kingdom that unified the regions that would later constitute modern myanmar. Known as burma under british colonial rule, a name still used by many foreign governments, myanmar was populated through three waves of migration. Myanmar history, language and culture history of myanmar. Burmese days by george orwell, the glass palace by amitav ghosh, the art of hearing heartbeats by janphilipp sendker, fr. The monuments which are now in all stages of decay were erected mostly from the 11th to th centuries a. It really enables the reader to appreciate the days before the fall of the last imperial dynasty, the years under british colonial rule, world war ii and the japanese occupation, and more.
For many years he was a faculty member of the myanmar department of yangon university. Myanmar lost some of its recent conquests but was basically unscathed. This period is described as the most troubled in the myanmar history. The british took control of southern burma at that time and added the rest of the country to its indian sphere after the third angloburmese war in 1885. Buddhism was introduced throughout the coastal region, people endeavored to build pagodas in order to perform religious practices. Yoke son parabeik one of the earliest paintings in myanmar after paper was available could be seen in the folded books called parabeik. This 2016 economist infographic provides an overview of myanmars history, population, government, and economy.
Awarded novel discovery of history che guevara, revolutionary. Yinthway foundations mission to support the development of young children in myanmar through the development of learning tools has led to the creation of a wide variety of childrens books. Myanmar style by luca invernizzi tettoni et al out of print try. Burmese the largest ethnic minority in modern myanmar are not the original owners of myanmar. Under military rule, the money was pocketed by generals and lavished on dubious vanity projects like the new capital, which boasts a 20lane road reputed to be the widest in the world, leading to a moated, 31building seat of government. Before the use of paper traditional books were made of palm leaves or lacquered sheets, and even of bronze, copper or gold and the words etched or embossed upon them.
The countrys coasts and river valleys have been inhabited since prehistoric times, and during most of the 1st millennium ce the overland trade route between china and india passed through myanmars borders. Bagan pagan history bagan is a plain in the middle of myanmar, covering a tract of country measuring about 16 square miles along the east bank of the ayeyarwaddy. We also would like to say thanks to all vistors who sent and shared books at our bookshelf. Myanmar has experienced a seemingly endless series of conquerors, dating from prehistoric times through the reign of kublai khans mongol forces beginning in the late 1200s, all the way through the modern era, when it was subject to both british colonial control and invasion by the japanese. Before you start planning your myanmar itinerary, read up on its history and its culture, read about its people, read these burmese books.