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

20 A BURMESE WONDERLAND.
At the same time, though the Indians of those days
dispensed unintentional blessings upon the peoples of
Burma, they were a serious menace. Hinduism triumphed
over Buddhism in Cambcdia, though the Takings
successfully resisted this influence. There resulted also
considerable mixing of blood, and some confusion as to
the true origin of the Takings : and there still survive
all sorts of conflicting legends which obscure their real
Mongolian origin. Mon is the true national name, and
Talaing is merely a foreign appellation referring to the
Indian strain which, by long association, has entered
into their composition. Talaing is derived from Talingana,
a country still shown on Burmese maps of India
to the south of the river Gcdavari^
It was very likely the growth and aggression of
Indian Colonies that induced Anawratta's descent on
Lower Burma in 1057 A.D. He drove ' the Kalas into
the sea ' : and the smashing of the Pyu at Prome, and
of the Talaing at Thaton may have been incidental.
Before Anawratta's campaign the neighbouring kingdom
of Cambodia, itself largely Hinduised, had probably
spread its influence to the Talaing country for a long
period. Forchhammer points out^ that these events are
sufficient to account for the blank of five centuries (6th
to 11th) in the pohtical history of the Takings : and in
the 11th century they only emerge in order to receive
another crushing blow in 1057 A.D.
'
See also Phayre's History of Burma. Page 28.
* Jardine Essay. Page 25.