Internet Journal of Society for Social Management Systems ISSN: ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Structure of Ancient

Kyaw Sann Oo1*, Masataka Takagi2

1 Advanced Agricultural Engineering Co., Ltd., 19 Myay Nu Street, Sanchaung Township, Yangon 11111, MYANMAR

2 School of Systems Engineering, Kochi University of Technology 185 Tosayamadacho-Miyanokuchi, Kami, Kochi, 782-8502, JAPAN

*E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Satellite Remote Sensing helps to look the existing ground features from the above since mid of 20th century. Moreover, important geographic information of the ground features could be recorded and analysis using GIS. On the world, many ancient cities are ruining not only by the times and weathering but also destroyed by human being. Fortunately, some important ancient cities structures are still resilience under the soil. Mrauk U ancient city's walls are also remained resiliently. Those structures could be recorded using RS/GIS technique. Based on the GIS recorded database, the information are generated such as archeological information, socio-cultural information and ancient irrigation system to use as agricultural and fortress. Implemented GIS database and analysis information could be used as input data for world heritage application of Ancient Mrauk U. Once the site become world heritage, tourism sector businesses will be developed and social standard will be improved. Finally, this study will highlight the phenomena western trade interaction with east ward.

Keywords: Ancient, Fortress, Agriculture, Heritage

1. Introduction Mrauk U, the last capital of Rakhine, lies on Mrauk U lies about sixty-five kilometer from the rocky ranges of hills which are located the coast of Bangle, although the largest ocean- between the watershed of Lemro and Kaladan going ships of that period could reach her port rivers. It is situated (65) kilometers from the coast through the deep creeks network which drained of ocean-going ships. Mrauk U city (latitude 20° 35’ surrounding the city, without the attendant risk of 26”, longitude 93° 11’ 35”) was founded on 1430 enemy fleet, the city gained advantages by her September 17 by Arakanese King Min Saw Mon and port. Additionally, large rice cultivating area recorded as one of major port cities in the Bay of closely enveloped by her access. Burma is Bangal. strategically located as hinterland as trade resources feeder, while India’s dynasties were 1.1 Objectives adjacent to her. The main objective of the study is to highlight the

Received: / Accepted: Internet Journal of Society for Social Management Systems Published Date: 1

Internet Journal of Society for Social Management Systems ISSN: resilient structures of ancient Mrauk U city and to use rivers. remote sensing and GIS data in the construction of Heritage database. 2.2 Historic Data Historic data are acquired from the 2. Methodology archaeological documents, research papers and local Required data are acquired from the freely historical texts (Figure 2.2). available internet web resources. The acquired data are simplified to meaningful data based on the local knowledge and archaeological documented data using location-based software tools such as google earth and quantum GIS.

2.1 Study Area Mrauk U ancient city is located in the of western Myanmar (figure 2.1).

Figure 2.2: Ancient map of Mrauk U Palace and its environs.

2.3 Remote Sensing Data High resolution ground data are acquired from the air photo, satellite data. Freely accessible high- resolution ground data of the area are acquired on 1968, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

Figure 2.1: Location map of study area. Since western Myanmar is located on the east shore of Bay of Bangle, Mrauk U ancient city is strategically situated between Myanmar and India and more specifically located between two major river basins of Rakhine State called Kuladan and Laymro river. Both rivers are connected with a stream and managed to reach to ancient city palace from both

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Figure 2.3: Time series high-resolution ground data (Source: USGS Earth Explorer and Google Earth).

2.4 GIS Data Geographic features are acquired from the OpenStreetMap. Since OSM data are publish by many contributors, data are required to simple to in line with specific study using open source software QGIS.

Figure: 2.4: GIS data (Source: ©OpenStreetMap contributors).

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3. Relationships with other countries Mahāli ganga at Getambe near Peradeniya in 1696. Several members of the royal and noble families were 3.1 Religious ordained. Thus, Sinhalese Buddhist Sanghas were King Ba Sawphru (1459-1482 A.D.) of restored by Buddhist monks from Rakhine and they Mrauk U sent a 40 of religious delegates headed by held the higher ordination in Sri Lanka. Ven. Siddhithha and he received a set of Ti-pitka from Sri Lanka in A.D. 1476. As there was a need of some 3.2 Trade monks from abroad, King Vimaladhammasuriya-I of In the 16th century the Portuguese Sri Lanka sent and envoy to Rakhine and invited a moved into the region of the Bay of Bengal and Buddhist mission in return. King Min Khaung Raza set up their bases all along the coast and in the (1521-1531 A.D.) commanded his son. Min Bar to archipelago. From these bases they carried out manage for this. So, he selected Van. Tejosāra from piracies and slave raids, their only professions, Sandoway and Ven. Dhammavilāsa from Mrauk U and at the same time they placed their service at and sent them to Sri Lanka. After their missionary the disposal of the Rakhine Kings so as to win work they came back to Mrauk U with a precious gift royal favor and reward. Slave raids were of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha which still economically profitable to Rakhine. The king, to exists at Bandhula Monastery, as the mark of close use as laborers in paddy fields, bought physically religious friendship with Sri Lanka. In the reign of strong and healthy slaves. There were always King Min Razagyi (1593-1612), an envoy of King abundant supplies of slaves and rice in the Vimala Dharmasuriya-I from Sri Lanka arrived at Rakhine market and the slave trade and rice trade Mrauk U and the Rakhine king also sent a mission grew together. including twenty monks led by Candavilāsa At that time the Dutch were getting Mahāthera, Mauk Tansaung Sayadaw, to Sri Lanka involved in local politics. In Rakhine Kings as for the missionary purposes. They reformed the used them a makeweight to counterbalance the Buddhist Sa’ngha and held the higher ordination powers of the Portuguese and the Mughals. The ceremony in the Udakukkhepasīmā. During the reign kings of Rakhine, aware of the naval strength of of King Mārupiya (1696-1697), King the Dutch, sought their aid as allies against the Vimaladhammasuriya-II from Sri Lanka again sent an Mughals. But the Dutch wanted trade rather than envoy to Rakhine. After receiving the message from war, and strove to keep clear of the King of Sri Lanka, again sent an envoy to Rakhine. After Rakhine’s schemes. From time to time they set receiving the message from the king if Sri Lanka, up a factory in Rakhine, but it was only a King Mārupiya selected Ven. Indamanju, the temporary affair and little trade was done, save presiding Sayadaw of the Sattathāna monestry and by pirate traders. Then the Portuguese began Ven. Nandicakka, the presiding Sayadaw of the intriguing in court politics, and even tried to put Laungkret monastery, and sent them with forty monks on the throne a candidate of their choice. To to perform missionary works in Sri Lanka. When they suppress the rebels the King sought military aid arrived there, they were received with great honor and from the Dutch who were only too willing to offer the Upasampada ordination was held under the it because the King was destroying the leadership of Ven. Nandicakka in the Portuguese, their enemies. This timely assistance Udakukkhepasīmā on the Mahāvaluka ganga or enabled the Rakhine to gain the upper land. In

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1615, with Dutch ships and arms, Ming 1674) reigned at the city of Mrauk U. The kings Khamaung (1612-1622) was able to subdue the casted coins and on these coins Thadomintara rebellion. In return for their help. The King wrote his name as follows “1007 Lord of Cinni, offered the Dutch permission to open a factory at the Lord of Cinphyu Thadomintara”. From Mrauk U. Then Dutch first came to set up their Narapatigyi (1628-1645) to Thamada Min (1785) trading base in Rakhine and they became the there were eight Rakhine Kings from 1638-1785. King’s chief customers. In 1608, the Dutch’s Vernigde As the Dutch were major buyers of Oostindische Compagnie Company sent Pieter slaves in this period, it may be appropriate to start Willensz to Rakhine to investigate the possibility with their role in the slave trade. As early as 1615 of opening trade relations. In his report sent to the A.D. the Dutch were concerned with the Dutch company he said that the time was not ripe provision of labor for their fortification works in to open a factory because the Rakhine kings were the East and cultivation of the lands. At first their more or less interested in securing military and trade with Rakhine was intermittent; but late in naval assistance from the Dutch rather than 1614 A.D. the Daghregister of Batavia records opening trade. Two years later, Rakhine king that the Vovernor-General authorized Anthony gave the Dutch permission to establish their first Caen the conclusion of a trading agreement with factory at Mrauk U, which was opened in 1610. the King of Rakhine for the import of rice and Min Khamon (1612-1622), received Dutch slaves. As a result, a Resident was installed at military assistance in 1615 while resisting the Mrauk U and for a time settled trade developed. entry of Portuguese free-booters who intended to, In 1626 four ships sent to Rakhine to buy usurp the Rakhine throne. Their attempts failed rice and slaves returned to the Coromandel coast when the free-booters’ fleet was repelled just with 250 slaves. Their factories in the spice- below Uritaung when they met Rakhine armada growing districts were in such need of food aided by the common of Dutch vessels. supplies that their agents were inevitably drawn Subsequently Min Khamon managed to mobilize to the great rice-growing kingdoms. In 1631, the Dutch against the Portuguese due to his however, this was brought to a standstill by the defensive strategy and as a result contacts with terribly famine of that period in Rakhine. The the Vernigde Oostindische Compagnie Company Resident reported that both people and cattle VOC remained intermittent. The Dutch later on were dying of starvation. By trading directly with felt that they have been deceived on trade the King, however, he had managed to send away liberalization, so in 1621 the factory opened by cargoes of rice on three ships. It would appear the Vernigde Oostindische Compagnie was that the Dutch factory was withdrawn shortly closed down. afterwards, and that for some time the trade was During Thirithudhamanaraja (1622- left to private merchants and isolated voyages 1638) reign, Manrique’s embassies arrived at from the Coromandel Coast. Rakhine. The VOC tried several times to resume their contacts with Rakhine and to re-establish During the last period of Mrauk U, kings their factory for the company needed to promote such as Narapati (AD. 1638-1645). Thadomin- and to re-establish slaves and rice with trade. tara (1645-1652), Sandathudhammaraja (1652- Slave-labour was needed for new plantations in

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Internet Journal of Society for Social Management Systems ISSN: their new colonies in the Indonesian archipelago. relations with the Dutch again. He tried to open The Rakhine king favoured a re-opening of VOC trade with Dutch East-India Company. He gave factory as this has become their main interest, and opportunities to the Dutch traders and gave so the king made an offer to provide a fixed permission to the Dutch interpreter to enter to the minimum number of slaves annually. court. In former times according to the principle In 1625, the new VOC factory was laid down foreigners were given audience before established, but it operated successfully for only the king accompanied by the Rakhine minister three years: in response to the Company’s only. Now this principle has been abolished and demand, the Rakhine often commanded by the Dutch were given the chance to bring with Portuguese mercenaries expended their them their interpreter when they were given depredations along the Bay of Bengal coast and audience by the King. They were also given as a result procured captives which are a thousand permission to bring home their Rakhine-Dutch in number as slaves. There were given back to mixed parentages. Rakhine rulers. The Dutch blamed themselves for In conclusion, during these years the the loss and in 1628, the slave trade organized by role play by Rakhine kings involved closer the Dutch Company nearly came to a closed. contact with Bengal. During capable young The prevailing condition of famine Rakhine kings, official contacts with Bengal was which existed from 1631 through 1635 were thus maintained and the people share many common hardly favourable to VOC’s re-opening of its experiences in the field of culture, beliefs etc. But Mrauk U factory in 1634. like the Dutch, foreign trade communities The successor of Thirithudhammaraja, economic privileges sailed to the city of Mrauk U Narapati (1638-1645) usually maintained good and tried their best to get closer linkage with interactions with the VOC Factor in Charge, even Rakhine kings. while extending a new “capuk-tax” on slaves In the management of the rice trade in purchased by the Dutch. Narapati offered a royal Mrauk U period at Rakhine the King’s influence elephant to the Factory and re-established head- was very apparent. The Babusara Pyinsoegyi was tax-free trading in slaves but he did not release the authority in the rice trade and he cleverly the Dutch prisoners. Making good on the threat, handled all the work, his activity and the VOC factory was once again closed in 1645. management being very systematic procedure. The VOC’s Mrauk U factory remained close But the political situation deteriorated in last two throughout Santo Dhammaraja’s reign. decades of by 17th century and trade relation During the reign of King Sandathrdham- between the Dutch and the Rakhine kingdom also maraja (1652-1684), the relationship between the decline. The effect of the Dutch commercial Voc and the Rakhine kingdom improved. Batavia withdrawal from Mrauk U was worsened to the proposed a new free-trade agreement for political economic situation and the loss of the rice and commercial reasons and the Rakhine court markets make more instability and political agreed that the VOC factory be re-opened in disintegration to the Mrauk U Kingdom. Mrauk U in 1653. During Sandathudhammaraja’s reign (1652- 1684), he reestablished former international

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to let water rush in canals and channels crisscrossing Mrauk U today are Kyon shin constructed by Rakhine Kings of the past. Shunt Kyons are beds of boggy and sticky mud of knee depth specially made so that no one could walk across them. Such type of Kyons were made Figure 3.2: The structure of Dutch granary at Baung within the city walls. Nyun Kyons are beds of dwet trade port. mud of human heights depth which no one could pass through Nyun Kyons were also located 4. Resilient Structures within the city walls. Kyon Chauks are dry 4.1 Fortress moats with no water but in them were installed iron spikes, traps, thorns, sharp stone blocks and Fortress surround the city walls. They were barriers. Kyon chauks are located outside the city built very steep of stone bricks and blocks on the walls. Kyon Pinlei is Like a sea, the entire moat mountain ranges in alignment with natural is filled with water to the brim or large reservoirs features of the mountain ranges. Within the full of water. Their large expanse of water looks fortresses were built in flights of stone steps for like sea. Kyon Pinlei were built outside the city warriors to come up with ease and speed, their walls. enemies approached all defense forces could be In addition to the palace enclosure walls immediately alerted by pulling the chains and city walls there are found 28 Kyon Pinlei attached to the bells to ring. These warning bells around the city walls. Mrauk U Palace was were installed hidden in the mouths of big lion defended with three city walls, and 18 palace statues. Fortress that service till today are: Aung enclosure walls. These walls in a straight line Mingalar Fortress [southern side], Pein Hne would measure 2 miles from and to west 2 miles Chaung Sar Fortress [southern side], Lay Thar from north to south long and 15 feet in width and Taung Fortress [eastern side], Mya Taung over 20 feet in height. Fortress [eastern side], Pan Na Myaung Fortress Within the palace walls were dwellings [eastern side], Kyaung Lei Don Fortress [eastern of queens, ministers, knights, counsellors, side], Ngwe Taung Fortress [western side], monasteries, pagodas and other religious edifices. Amyint Taung Fortress [western side], Ye Ta Gar

Fortress [northern side], Ye Hla Fortress 4.2 City Walls [northern side], Mintha Gyi Fortress [northern Outside the enclosed palace’s walls, side]. (17) surrounding towns were defended to the city Moats (local people called ‘Kyon’) are water walls. Princes, princesses, royal children, barrier to prevent access of enemies. There are wealthy men, men of high rank and high social five types of moat used in the Mrauk U city. status people are settled in the surrounding towns. Kyon shin using the ebb and flow of tide, water Archaeologists were discovered (13) is let in through canals and channels to run locations with their name of city walls. It is around the palace city. Or water is stored up in expected that more will be found. Discovered city big reservoirs and in the event of enemies’ walls were built up of with stones and east to west approach water gates and sluices are flung open

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Internet Journal of Society for Social Management Systems ISSN: and north to south walls are in square shape with 5.2 Future Works length of five miles. Outer walls were mostly Geographic database will expend to natural hill ranges and man-made earthen walls more historical and archaeological based data and combined. Dwellings of grassroot people, who will research ancient water way for both earned their living by cultivating, fishing hunting fortification and trading. Moreover, ancient and wood cutting, were found in the space agricultural system and social activities will between the inner and outer city walls. locate to map.

References Arasaratnan, S, “Slave trade in the Indian ocean in the seventeenth century,” Mariners, Merchants and Oceans, Studies in Maritime History, New Delhi, 1995, 200-203. Collis, M. S, The City of Golden Mrauk-U, JBRS, XIII, KRAUS (Reprint), Liechtemstein, 1977, 244. Figure 4.2: City wall (east gate). Khin Mar Lwin (2004), External relations of Rakhine during Mrauk-U period (1638-1785), Myanmar 5. Results and Future Works Historical Research Journal, Yangon. p. 49-57. 5.1 Results Khin Maung Nyunt, Dr., “Portuguese-Myanmar Partially result is draw in the paper with Relation between 16th and 7th Century the combination of geographic data and remote (Myanmar)”, Journal of Literature and Social sensing based map data (figure 5.1). Both data are Science (Myanmar), Vol. II, ii, Yangon, 1969, constructed as heritage database with simplified 148-149. historic data. All acquired data are registered to Khin Maung Nyunt (2004), The Defense System of geographical system and available demographic Ancient Mrauk U City, Myanmar Historical Research data are recorded as information. Journal, Yangon. p. 59-64. Hall, D. G. E, Europe and Burma, London, 1945, 41. Hall, D. G. E, “Studies in Dutch Relations with ”, JBRS, Vol. XXVI, Part I, Yangon, 1936, 4. Myint Thein (2004), Rice trade and traditional rice management system in Muauk U Kingdom, Myanmar Historical Research Journal, Yangon. p. 37-48. Oo Tha Tun (I.T.B.M.U) (2017), Religious Relations between Sri Lanka and Rakhine, Rakhine Thahaya Figure 5.1: Heritage database. Association (Yangon) Magazine No. 11, July 2017, pp. 187-191.

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