From george orwell to aung san suu kyi, author rory maclean looks at 10 books that chart the countrys tumultuous history rory maclean wed 8 may 20 10. Written by a renowned scholar of burmese culture, politics and language, this is the first englishlanguage work to provide a comprehensive history of burma, based both on burmese written sources and on the narratives of european travellers and residents prior to the end of the nineteenth century. Myanmar, has had a long, and at times, traumatic history. Michael and maitrii aungthwin have gone back to original sources to explain the structure of myanmars history in a readable, but highly informed and original single volume. In 1989 the countrys official english name, which it had held since 1885, was changed from the union of burma to the union of myanmar. Rangoon university was a hotbed of radicalism and a young law student, aung san, gained increasing prominence in the.
Burmese days by george orwell, the glass palace by amitav ghosh, the art of hearing heartbeats by janphilipp sendker, fr. Responsible tourists like to stop by the store and buy some books to give as presents to kids they come across in their travels. Travel the great ayeyawady river to kiplings mandalay, the last of burmas royal capitals, explore the exotic inle lake and, of course, meet the people of this richly varied land, from the northern hill tribes to the amiable burmese themselves. Myanmar pushed into the plains of myanmar from the north.
The muslim communities of the southern philippines, southern thailand, and western burma myanmar by moshe yegar from lexington books out of print try used books. Michael charneys book the first general history of modern burma in over five decades traces the highs and lows of burma s history from its precolonial past to the saffron revolution of 2007 and, by exploring key themes, explains the forces that have made the country what it is today. The hidden history of burma is an urgent book about a heavy subject, but thant myintu, whose previous work includes the marvelous the river of lost footsteps, a mixture of memoir and. This namechange is sometimes seen as part of an attempt by the ruling military junta to stamp out the populist, colloquial. An isolated and remote country unspoiled by mass tourism, burma is for the adventurous traveler, not the average tourist. Mar 25, 2016 myanmars transition to democracy remains fraught by ethnic violence. From the early 19th century until wwii, the insatiable machine that was the british empire held sway over burma. The ethnic origins of modern myanmar known historically as burma are a mixture of indoaryans, who began pushing into the area around 700 b. This is a great way to help distribute these educational books to remote areas of myanmar. Burma has an ancient royal history which has left behind many magnificent monuments across the country. A people called the mon lived in the estuaries of the rivers sittang and saliveen. Myanmar books history with myanmar version for myanmar people.
A history of myanmar since ancient times is an essential volume for anyone seeking to understand the warp and woof of that littleknown society today. Myanmar has long been a kleptocratic petrostate spinning out billions in natural gas wealth each year. Their language was closely related to the language of the myanmar and was later absorbed by it. The earliest inhabitants of recorded history were a tibetoburmanspeaking people who established the pyu citystates ranged as far south as pyay. Another title taken from kipling, thant myintu roams through burmas early history, the colonial period, independence and the juntas rule. The first identifiable civilization is that of the mon. However, the british soon began to covet myanmars rich resources and initiated the second angloburmese war in 1852. India, burma has spent much of its history cut off from the rest of the world. Some books are solely devoted to a particular aspect of culture, including textiles, whilst others include a few pages of information within a wider study. Their script was in use until about the fourteenth century, but was then lost.
The country comprised within the limits of the province of british burma includes the once independent kingdoms of arakau and pegu, the petty principalities of. The flag of myanmar is relatively new, having been adopted in 2010. Many peoples have lived in the region and the history began. The hidden history of burma traces the vanishing of hope the. The myanmar people began to colonise the plains of myanmar only towards the middle of the first millennium ad. However, the british soon began to covet myanmar s rich resources and initiated the second angloburmese war in 1852. Myanmar history, language and culture world travel guide. The earliest inhabitants of recorded history were a tibetoburmanspeaking people who established the pyu citystates ranged as far south as pyay and adopted theravada buddhism. Ive checked out amazon and found a few interesting books on burma. This civilization in burma was also known to the chinese. From its earliest inhabitants, the pyu in 849, right up until present day, well give you a glimpse into. British colonial rule in burma 18241948 british colonial period. Myanmar has experienced a seemingly endless series of conquerors, dating from prehistoric times through the reign of kublai khans mongol forces beginning in the late 1200s, all the way through the modern era, when it was subject to both british colonial control and invasion by the japanese. History early history through world war ii myanmar s early history is mainly the story of the struggle of the burmans against the mons, or talaings of monkhmer origin.
Were going to take a peek into its deep and incredible history and why it became myanmar, rather than its earlier name burma, today. Burma is the largest country in mainland southeast asia, which officially has been named the union of myanmar since 1989. The muslim communities of the southern philippines, southern thailand, and western burmamyanmar by moshe yegar from lexington books out of print try used books. Michael charneys book the first general history of modern burma in over five decades traces the highs and lows of burmas history from its precolonial past to the saffron revolution of 2007 and, by exploring key themes, explains the forces that have made the country what it is today. Nov 01, 2012 an isolated and remote country unspoiled by mass tourism, burma is for the adventurous traveler, not the average tourist. Burmese the largest ethnic minority in modern myanmar are not the original owners of myanmar. From george orwell to aung san suu kyi, 10 books chart the countrys tumultuous history. Jennifer szalai, new york times thant myintus most. Apr 18, 2008 protests by university students in 1920 were the first signs of renewed resistance against british rule. Rory macleans top 10 books on burma books the guardian. Myanmar is bordered by bangladesh and india to its northwest, china to its northeast, laos and thailand to its east and southeast, and the andaman sea and the bay of.
May 08, 20 from george orwell to aung san suu kyi, author rory maclean looks at 10 books that chart the countrys tumultuous history rory maclean wed 8 may 20 10. Travel the great ayeyawady river to kiplings mandalay, the last of burma s royal capitals, explore the exotic inle lake and, of course, meet the people of this richly varied land, from the northern hill tribes to the amiable burmese themselves. Anawratha adopted theravada buddhism from the mons. The british took control of southern burma at that time and added the rest of the country to its indian sphere after the third angloburmese war in 1885.
List of books and articles about burmese history online. Protests by university students in 1920 were the first signs of renewed resistance against british rule. From george orwell to aung san suu kyi, author rory maclean looks at 10 books that chart the countrys tumultuous history rory maclean wed 8. In a history of myanmar since ancient times, michael aungthwin and maitrii aungthwin take us from the sacred stupas of the plains of pagan to grand, colonialera british mansions, revealing the storied past and rich culture of this country. Before traveling to myanmar, an excellent historical novel to read is the glass palace by amitav ghosh. History of myanmarburma lonely planet travel information. Burma is a southeast asian country located between india and thailand. Myanmar history legendary kingdoms 3325 bc1483 bc 1st danyawaddy dynasty according to ancient arakanese chronicles, the first arakanese kings were indoaryans from the ganges valley. This namechange is sometimes seen as part of an attempt by the ruling military junta to stamp out the populist, colloquial form of the burmese language, and promote the literary form. Myanmar lost some of its recent conquests but was basically unscathed. Myanmar books history with myanmar version for myanmar people april 12, 2018 posted by mr. Scott was one of the few colonials who really seemed to understand burma and be interested in burmese culture and history. Josh reed, financial times the book on burma ive been waiting to read. A general look at myanmars history along with other.
Win hlaing no comments you are so interesting to read history books. However, throughout time, the countrys fertililty h. Myanmar, also called burma, country, located in the western portion of mainland southeast asia. The first civilization that was identified was the one of mon people, who is believed to migrate to the area of birman in about 300 bc, forming their first kingdom of suwarnabhumi according to the archeaological findings near thaton port. Myanmar, once and still more famously known as burma, is a. In october 2015, the government signed a nationwide ceasefire with eight armed ethnic groups after more than two years of.
History early history through world war ii myanmars early history is mainly the story of the struggle of the burmans against the mons, or talaings of monkhmer origin. Ahlanpya pagoda road, dagon township,yangon, myanmar phone. It really enables the reader to appreciate the days before the fall of the last imperial dynasty, the years under british colonial rule, world war ii and the japanese occupation, and more. The konbaung dynasty, founded by king alaungpaya in. This is bringing travellers to the country in droves to experience its natural wonders and its rich culture and history. A general look at myanmar s history along with other. Fathersangermano,whowasinburmaasa missionaryfrom1782to1806,haswrittenanabridg. Top 10 books about burma closed off for half a century by the generals, there is a shortage of writing about this richly diverse country available in english but there are some gems david eimer. Before the burmese migrated and established their dynasty, pyu had built city states during its first century bc in central and northern myanmar modern. To understand burma s 20th century and its current state, these ten books are indispensable guides, all. Myanmar history, language and culture history of myanmar. It has had a tenuous relationship with its border countries and has been influenced by the many different ethnic groups that have immigrated in.
Myanmar style by luca invernizzi tettoni et al out of print try. The burmese in the history textbook prescribed for burmese. Strikes and antitax protests followed, with buddhist monks playing a prominent role and even leading armed rebellion. The hidden history of burma should become a guiding reference work for how we view the new myanmar. Republic of the union of myanmar i msdboyy do not own any s and or trademarks to this video or the news clips in the video. Myanmar has had a tumultuous history, having been both the invaders and victims over the centuries. Aug 18, 2018 myanmar lost some of its recent conquests but was basically unscathed. The book traces the traditions and transformations of myanmar s communities over nearly three millennia, from the relics of its neolithic civilization. Under military rule, the money was pocketed by generals and lavished on dubious vanity projects like the new capital, which boasts a 20lane road reputed to be the widest in the world, leading to a moated, 31building seat of government.
Apr 05, 2015 republic of the union of myanmar i msdboyy do not own any s and or trademarks to this video or the news clips in the video. Burma myanmar history, southeast asian history, books. Burma myanmar the original official name union of burma, since 1989 union of myanmar now the republic of the union of burma is situated in southeast asia. From north to south, tibetohimalayan mountains stretch along the border. The hidden history of burma traces the vanishing of hope. Myanmar books history with myanmar version for myanmar. May 23, 2018 burma is the largest country in mainland southeast asia, which officially has been named the union of myanmar since 1989. The mon probably began migrating into the area in about 300 bc. Burma, which is now officially known as myanmar, has suffered a turbulent 20th century but is now attaining previously inconceivable levels of stability and prosperity. The best books on burma five books expert recommendations. This text provides a thorough examination of the history of myanmar from neolithic times to the present. Myanmar burma bibliography listed below are details of a few books from my own collection which feature the textiles of myanmar burma. It consists of three horizontal stripes yellow, green, red and white star in the middle.
Yellow represents solidarity, green denotes peace and greenery, red represents courage, and the star stands for the union of the country. Myanmar has been a nexus of cultural and material exchange for thousands of years. This book tells than myintus own family history, most impressively that of his. In 1044, king anawratha established burman supremacy over the ayeyarwady delta and over thaton, capital of the mon kingdom. Before the british, there were the kings of old, who rose to power by eliminating rivals with claims to the throne. Known as burma under british colonial rule, a name still used by many foreign governments, myanmar was populated through three waves of migration. From its northern end the country stretches from the borders of india and china into the andaman sea and bay of bengal in the south. Learned yet also intimate, the hidden history of burma is an urgent book about a heavy subject. By 300 bce a rich civilization existed in southern burma.
1610 619 1425 1644 150 1697 140 1164 311 1026 1496 502 430 1123 1194 76 1478 851 1585 907 372 1293 311 369 962 1129 1452 906 225 1669 369 736 1117 500 693 1341 397 908 629 1467 833 1084 595