Faded Splendour, Golden Past

Aiming to go beyond the standard guidebook, this text offers a detailed analysis of three of Burma's most often visited cities. It analyzes the origins, important historical events, and landmarks of the cities, and offers glimpses into the everyday life of the people.

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Faded Splendour, Golden Past: Urban Images of Burma focuses on Burma's best-known and most often visited cities: Pagan, Mandalay, and Rangoon. It analyses the role each city played at critical periods in Burma's history from ancient times up to World War II. Pagan and Mandalay were both associated with the rise and fall of two of Burma's great empires, founded by the Pagan and Konbaung dynasties. Even though centuries separate them, there are surprising similarities between the two royal capitals. In contrast, everything about Rangoon from its physical layout to the amenities which it offered was vastly different. Although established by a Konbaung king, Rangoon was completely rebuilt by the British who made it their colonial capital. Topics of interest include the physical plan of each city, important landmarks such as palaces, temples, and pagodas, and everyday city life. This book goes beyond the standard guidebook and should be of interest to urban historians as well as specialists in South-East Asia.