2011, DEC 18: MYANMAR, INWA-A

After lunch, we headed to Inwa. After the Shan conquered Sagaing in 1364, the capital was moved here, and named Ratnapura, “the City of Gems.” But in 1782 the town was packed up and moved about 8 kilometers to the Northeast, to the Amaraputra.

In 1823 the entire capital was dismantled again and rebuilt 8 kilometers Southwest in Ava. But in 1838 Ava was damaged by an earthquake, and was therefore in 1841 packed up again and once more transferred to Amarapura. However, only 16 years later the entire town was moved again this time 12 kilometers to the Northeast to the present Mandalay.

Due to all this movement, and the 1838 earthquake, very little remains of the royal buildings. The villages that have now grown up on the site of the former capital portray rural atmosphere – paddy fields, rustic dwellings on stilts, and unpaved, rough roads.

As Inwa is situated on an island between the Rivers Irrawaddy and Myitnge, we had to board a ferry to go across the River Irrawaddy.

But before we could get to the boat, we had to face a group of young, but persistent hawkers. The youngest one was the most persistent of them all. She even asked Kundan, her name, and
warned her that she would be waiting for on her return from Inwa.

Across the river, we had to use a horse carriage to go places. It was a long, bumpy ride on dusty, potholed roads.

Our first stop was a factory where iron bowls are made for use by monks and nuns to collect alms. Our guide, Mr.
Suday, explained the process to us.

Nanmyin, the 'leaning tower of Inwa,’ is all that remains of the royal palace built by Bagyidaw. The upper portion this 90-ft high masonry watchtower was shattered by the 1838 earthquake and the rest has taken on a precarious tilt.

Also there are ruins of some pagodas. Some have intact

Buddha shrines.

The Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, however, is relatively well preserved. More well-known as Me Nu Oak Kyaung, this monastery was commissioned by King Bagyidaw's principal wife, Me Nu, in 1818. It is built of stone in traditional style, with elaborate stucco ornamentations that look like carvings.