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Mawlamyine

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Mawlamyine is a major city located in the Salween River delta in Myanmar.

Moulmein-and-river
Moulmein-and-river

It serves as the capital of Mon State and is the fourth-largest city in the country. The city sits at the mouth of the Thanlwin River, also known as the Salween River. This area is near the Gulf of Martaban and the Andaman Sea. To the east and west, the landscape features low hills. These hills are often dotted with ancient pagodas.

Mawlamyine-1
Mawlamyine-1

The geography of the region is shaped by a tropical monsoon climate. This climate consists of two distinct seasons. There is a lengthy dry season from mid-November to mid-April. This is followed by an extremely wet season caused by the southwest monsoon. The wet season lasts from mid-April until mid-November. During the months of June, July, and August, westerly winds are at their strongest. These winds bring supersaturated air toward the nearby mountains. This process results in high amounts of monthly rainfall.

Mawlamyine has a very deep history involving many different dynasties. In 1479, King Dhammazedi mentioned the city in the Kalyani Inscriptions. At that time, it was one of thirty-two Mon cities within the Martaban division. In 1541, King Tabinshwehti and his deputy Bayinnaung captured the city. Under the Toungoo Empire, the region saw significant political shifts. In 1594, a local governor revolted against the court. This led to Siamese control of the city until 1614. Later, the Burmese army repaired the city during the Konbaung dynasty in 1760.

The colonial era brought massive changes to the city's role. Between 1826 and 1852, Mawlamyine served as the first capital of British Burma. This happened after the First Anglo-Burmese War ended with the Treaty of Yandabo. During this period, the British built government offices, churches, and a large prison. The city became a strategic geographical nodal point for British territory. It also became a major port for international shipping. Many nations, including Germany, Siam, and the United States, opened consulates there.

Moulmeinfromgreatpagoda
Moulmeinfromgreatpagoda

Economic prosperity in the city was often tied to natural resources. For a long time, the timber trade drove growth and wealth. However, this prosperity declined in the 1890s. This decline happened because the supply of marketable timber from the Salween Valley decreased. Despite this, the city remained culturally significant. It was the setting for George Orwell’s 1936 essay, "Shooting an Elephant." Orwell had served as a police officer in the city in 1926. The poet Rudyard Kipling also wrote about the city's pagodas in his poem "Mandalay."

Religious landmarks are central to the identity of Mawlamyine. The Kyaikthanlan Pagoda is one of the most important sites. It was built in 875 AD during the reign of Mon King Mutpi Raja.

Architecture at Kyaikthanlan Paya
Architecture at Kyaikthanlan Paya

The pagoda stands on a ridge and offers a panoramic view of the city and the sea. It is surrounded by 34 smaller temples. The site holds sacred treasures, including a hair relic of Buddha and a tooth relic. Another important site is the U-zina Pagoda. This pagoda was named after a sage who restored it in 1838.

Mawlamyine University - panoramio
Mawlamyine University - panoramio

Modern transportation connects Mawlamyine to the rest of Myanmar. The Thanlwin Bridge is a major landmark in the area.

Tanlwen
Tanlwen

It is the longest road and rail bridge in the country. This bridge connects the southeastern region to Yangon. The city is also a gateway to other areas via road and rail. The Mawlamyine Railway Station is the terminus for the Yangon–Mawlamyine Railway. For local travel, people use motorcycles and motorized tricycles called tuk-tuks.

A and J Inglis SS Karagola (1887) 01
A and J Inglis SS Karagola (1887) 01

While the shipping industry is smaller now, water transport still connects the city to upstream towns.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Moulmein-and-river.jpg
Moulmein-and-river.jpg
File:Mawlamyine-1.jpg
Mawlamyine-1.jpg
File:Tanlwen.jpg
Tanlwen.jpg
File:A and J Inglis SS Karagola (1887) 01.jpg
A and J Inglis SS Karagola (1887) 01.jpg
File:Moulmeinfromgreatpagoda.JPG
Moulmeinfromgreatpagoda.JPG
File:Architecture at Kyaikthanlan Paya.jpg
Architecture at Kyaikthanlan Paya.jpg
File:Four Princesses of Burma.jpg
Four Princesses of Burma.jpg
File:Silk Road in the I century AD - en.svg
Silk Road in the I century AD - en.svg
File:Mawlamyine MMR011001701, Myanmar (Burma) - panoramio (50).jpg
Mawlamyine MMR011001701, Myanmar (Burma)...
File:Mawlamyine University - panoramio.jpg
Mawlamyine University - panoramio.jpg
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