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Untitled - Sabrizain.org

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42 BIIIMAH.<br />

took refuge in the Dumbuck hills on the borders of<br />

the Chittagong district, and amid the forlorn waste*<br />

and jungles skirting the frontiers ; where, having<br />

formed themselves into independent tribes of robbers,<br />

they have carried on unceasing hostilities against the<br />

Birmans. Some settled in the districts of Dacca and<br />

Chittagong, under the protection of the British flag;<br />

while others, rather than abandon their country, sub-<br />

mitted to the conqueror.<br />

The total reduction of Arracan occupied but a few<br />

months. The booty is said to have been considerable ;<br />

but on nothing was so high a value placed as on the<br />

original sitting statue of Guadma Buddha, made of<br />

brass highly burnished.* This, together with five<br />

other gigantic images, of the same metal, representing<br />

racshyaSy or Hindoo demons, the guardians of the<br />

sanctuary, and an enormous brass cannon, thirty feet<br />

in length, was conveyed by water to the capital with<br />

much pomp and superstitious parade. It was upon<br />

this occasion, we are told, that the Birman monarch,<br />

having gained possession of so important a trophy, and<br />

succeeded to the prerogatives of the great Mogo, assumed<br />

the imperial title of .Boa, and the still prouder<br />

designation of Lord of the White Elephant, the<br />

highest distinction in the Buddhic world. This important<br />

acquisition did not, however, satisfy the<br />

conqueror's ambition. The rival state of Siam was<br />

* " The figure is about ten feet high, in the customary sitting<br />

posture, with the legs crossed and inverted, the left hand resting on<br />

the lap, and the right pendant. This image is believed to be the<br />

original resemblance of the reshee (saint), taken from life, and is so<br />

highly venerated, that pilgrims have for centuries been accustccned<br />

to come from the remotest countries where the supremacy of<br />

Guadma is acknowledged, to pay their devotions at the feet of his<br />

brazen representative." SYMBS, voL i. p. 253.

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