Burma and Arakan

The chronicle writings of Burma are a branch of the country’s literature of great interest and value. Their accounts of Burma’s very early history do, of course, contain much myth and legend, and Western historians have resorted to searching for other forms of evidence, such as inscriptions, Chinese writings, linguistics and archaeological explorations for use in checking their statements. The chronicles make Tagaung in Upper Burma their first capital and provide dated lists of its kings from the ninth century b.c. They also provide dated lists of the kings of Tharekittara (Old Prome) from 443 b.c. , the supposed date of the city’s foundation, which, according to tradition, was prophesied by Gautama Budda before entering Nirvana. The city’s first king, Dwattabaung, is said to have married two wives, his sister and a naga princess. Thus do the chronicles explain the custom which persisted up to the end of the monarchy—that the chief queen must be the king’s sister.

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Art history · Foundation (evidence) · Genealogy · Legend · Literature · Monarchy · Mythology · Ninth · Queen (butterfly) · Sister · Sociology · Anthropology · Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography · Bangladesh Politics, Society, and Development · Classics · History · Law · Southeast Asian Sociopolitical Studies