5 – The Ancient City of Bagan
Located in Myanmar (or Burma), the city of Bagan was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan from the 9th to the 13th century. Those who have traveled to the city believe it is on a par with the far more famous Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia. However, due to the relative isolation of Myanmar, it isn’t well known. During the height of the Pagan Empire between the 11th and 13th centuries, approximately 10,000 pagodas and temples were built. There were also grand palaces, monasteries, and other buildings but since they were made of wood, they are long since destroyed.
The history of Bagan begins in the 9th century, but the remarkable program of building didn’t occur until the reign of King Anawrahta who founded the Empire in 1044. He converted to Theravada Buddhism and created a number of amazing temples including the Shwezigon Pagoda and soon, the city became a draw for Buddhist monks who traveled hundreds of miles to visit Bagan.
Over the next 250 years, around 14,000 religious monuments were built in Pagan including 3,000 monasteries and 10,000 temples over a total area of 104 square kilometers. The city grew and became one of the most prosperous in the region. It became a center for religious and secular studies and also encouraged study in medicine, law, alchemy, astrology and grammar. It attracted monks from as far away as India, the Khmer Empire, and Sri Lanka.
The Pagan Empire lasted until 1287 when it collapsed due to the Mongol invasions which began in 1277. According to modern historians, the Mongols probably didn’t reach the city of Bagan, and even if they did, the damage was minimal. This is borne out of the fact that 2,200 structures survive today. Given the Mongol reputation for pillaging, slaughter, and destruction, there would be little left of Bagan if they had reached it. However, the threat of invasion probably caused inhabitants to flee, and while the city once had a population of up to 200,000, it became nothing more than a small town. Bagan lost its status as the capital of Burma in 1297 when the Myinsaing Kingdom took control and was abandoned soon after.
We should be grateful that the city avoided plunder and devastation because what remains is one of the most incredible ancient cities in the world. Even though many of the temples and pagodas are over 800 years old, they are in excellent condition. Apparently, inhabitants in the surrounding area believed the city was haunted which is why it was avoided for up to four centuries after its abandonment. As a result, new developments were not created which means the space between the temples remained untouched.
If you ever visit Myanmar, you simply must take some time to visit Bagan. Hire a bicycle and explore as much of the area as possible. As well as viewing the temples from the outside, go inside and look at the remnants of murals on the walls and ceilings. Although it is something of a tourist destination, it remains a relatively unspoiled reminder of what life was like centuries ago.