Mrauk U! The Wonder Land

--> Message of Rakhine in Modern Age
--> Kingdom's Glory
--> What shall we see?
--> How shall we enjoy?
--> Tell me a brief history of Mrauk U?

The Rakhine King, Min Saw Mon, founded Mrauk U in 1433, although in the common practice of the times, dynasty legends endow the kingdom with a make-believe 3000 years history. A network of chaung allowed access by large boats, even ocean going vassals. In the next century the city became a free port that traded with the Middle East. Elephant were the most commodities supplied from the Rakhine region.

The Dutch men who visit Mrauk U in 16th century described it s one of the richest city in Asia and compared it with Amsterdam and London in size and prosperities. The remains of a European quarter called Daingri Kan can still be seen southwest of the town.

All Kings blended elements of HTERAVADA and MAHAYANA Buddhism with HINDUISM and ISLAM, in the late 18th century the Kong Baung dynasty asserted it's power over the region and Mrauk U was integrated into the Myanmar kingdoms centered around Mandalay.

After the first Anglo Myanmar war (1824-26) the British Raj annexed Rakhine and set up its administrative head quarters in Sittwe, thus turning Mrauk U into a political backwater virtually overnight. The Myanmar name gradually changed into Mro Haung (Old City), though the Rakhine continued to called the town Mrauk U.

Today, the original city lies in ruins and a small, poor town with simple buildings of brick wood and thatch has grown up adjacent to the old city site. It's a kind of town where all men, women and children seem to chew betel and smoke cheroots.