Internet Journal of Society for Social Management Systems ISSN: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Structure of Ancient Mrauk U 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 Rakhine State 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 2 Internet Journal of Society for Social Management Systems ISSN: 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). 3 Internet Journal of Society for Social Management Systems ISSN: 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 4 Internet Journal of Society for Social Management Systems ISSN: 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.