A Burmese wonderland; a tale of travel in Lower and ... - Khamkoo

A BURMESE WONDERLAND. 89
numbers to resist. Round Prome there began, in the
early part of our era, that age-long struggle between
Burmans and Takings which continued with varied
fortunes until the 18th century, when Alaungpra delivered
the coup de grace from which there
will be no recovery.
In the 1st century A.D., the Pyu established a
capital at Hmawza, six miles from Prome, and gradually
fell under the influence of a powerful Indian colony.
Their capital at Prome was a centre of culture,
which, as already indicated, had an important influence
upon the development of the Talaings in the south,
and of the Burmese tribes slowly concentrating at
Pagan in the north. Their pagodas, the Baw-Baw-Gyi,
Paya Gyi and Paya Ma, cylindrical, and still wonderfully
preserved, are amongst the oldest in Burma, and
are believed to be one o^the direct links between the
Indian stupa and the Burmese pagoda. They are
probably 6th or 7th century. A large Pyu inscription
has been found on the Baw-Baw-Gyi, but is
not legible.
The four lower terraces of this pagoda have not yet
been cleared of debris. When excavated, they will no
doubt reveal something. A large number of Pyu
inscriptions, it is feared, have gone as ballast into the
Prome railway
track.
In the 1st century A.D., the Pyu are mentioned as
associated with two other tribes, the Thet and the
Kanran. According to Phajrre,' the Pyu were attacked
^ Phayre's History of Burma, Page 18.