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Quick takeaways
- The Bagan Empire of Myanmar built a remarkable series of monuments that survived from the medieval world.
- Life in Bagan revolved around the construction and maintenance of temples, attracting artists, scholars, and traders.
- Bhagan had a rich poetic tradition and produced highly valuable manuscripts, limiting literacy among common people.
- The dress styles in Bhagan combined Indian and Chinese influences, with tattooing being common among ethnic groups.
Deep dives
Marco Polo's Travels through Southeast Asia
Marco Polo, a Venetian explorer, travelled through Southeast Asia in the late 13th century. After many years of journeying along the Silk Road and serving as an ambassador for the Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan, he reached the city of Mi-Yen, with its grand temples and former magnificence.
The Rise and Fall of the Bhagawan Empire
The Bhagawan Empire of medieval Myanmar was founded by King Anorata. His reign was characterized by conquest, building fortresses, irrigation canals, and bringing a new form of Buddhism to the kingdom. After Anorata's death, his son Salu ruled briefly before being overthrown, and Kian Sittha came to power, bringing peace and prosperity to Bhagawan.
The Prosperous Era of Bhagawan
Under the rule of Kian Sittha, Bhagawan experienced a period of great prosperity, with a booming population and the construction of numerous temples. The city grew to over 100 square kilometers, and its temples, including the Tat Bianu and Ananda temples, rose to impressive heights. The building of temples became a symbol of devotion and a bridge to enlightenment.
Daily Life in Bhagawan
The daily life of the people in Bhagawan during its prosperous era revolved around the construction and maintenance of temples. People from various professions, such as masons, carpenters, sculptors, goldsmiths, and farmers, worked on the temple projects and contributed to the city's growth. Bhagawan became a cultural center, attracting artists, scholars, and traders.
The Decline of Bagan's Literary Legacy
The time of Bhagan was a great poetic tradition for centuries, with many poets flourishing among its scholarly communities, temples, and royal courts. The manuscripts produced by these scholars were highly valuable, with some Buddhist texts costing more than 5,000 acres of rice land or 150 slaves. However, the high cost of these texts limited literacy among common people.
The Connection Between Food and Poetry
Poets from Bhagan often discussed food, offering insights into the diet and culinary practices of the time. Farmers supplemented their rice and curry meals with various creatures found in their fields, including crabs, frogs, and snails. The poets depicted the enjoyment and satisfaction of indulging in a curry cooked with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
The Impact of Buddhism on Fashion and Tattoo Culture
Paintings in temples showed that the dress styles of Bhagan's wealthy inhabitants combined Indian and Chinese influences. The people wore long silk and cotton dresses, adorned with bangles, necklaces, and foot chains. Tattooing, especially on the legs, was common among the ethnic groups of Burma, illustrating their cultural practices and traditions.
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