Hanlin, Burma

For other uses, see Hanlin eReader.
Hanlin
City

Hanlin – Pyu Ancient City
Hanlin

Location in Burma

Coordinates: 22°28′54″N 95°48′00″E / 22.48167°N 95.80000°E / 22.48167; 95.80000Coordinates: 22°28′54″N 95°48′00″E / 22.48167°N 95.80000°E / 22.48167; 95.80000
Country  Burma
Region Sagaing Region
District Shwebo District
Township Hanlin
Time zone MST (UTC+6.30)

Hanlin (also known as Halingyi and Halim) is a village near Shwebo in the Sagaing Division of Burma. In the Pyu era it was a city of considerable significance, possibly a local capital replacing Shri Ksetra. Today the modest village is noted for its hot springs and archaeological sites.[1][2] Hanlin, Beikthano and Sri Kestra, the ancient cities of the Pyu Kingdom that existed in irrigated fields of the dry zone of the Ayeyawady River basin, were inscribed by the UNESCO in the List of World Heritage Sites October 1996 for their archaeological heritage traced to more than 1,000 years between 200 BC and 900 AD.[3]

Geography

The archaeological sites of Hanlin, spelled Halingyi, Halin, Halim, are located above the village in the Watlet Township, Shwebo District, Sagaing Division. It has a population of about 6400 (2014).[2][4][5] It is 12 miles (19 km) to the southeast of Shwebo where 33 archaeological excavations at mounds have been carried out. One road goes for 6 miles (9.7 km) from the bus terminal to Bo Te village and then along a rough road which is under improvement. The other route is to the south of the bus station for 6 miles (9.7 km) along a bad rocky road that leads to the Archaeological site 29 and the village. The village is slightly above the surrounding flat land.[2] The land is generally barren except for some irrigated areas.[6] Following the inscription of the site on the List of World Heritage Sites, approach road conditions for a distance of 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Shwebo to Halin are now under improvement with funding provided by Italy.[5]

History

Hanlin's history is linked to the history of the Pyu people who lived between the 2 century BC to 9th century AD in the kingdoms that existed at Binnaka, Mongamo, Shri Kshetra, and Halingyi. They spoke the Tibeto-Burman languages. There was then trade relations with China and India. Their authority extended to 18 kingdoms, most of them in Southern region of Myanmar. They were refined in their behaviuor, dress habits, culture, art, and were Buddhists of the Sarvastivada school. The architectural styles which evolved fromthe 11th to 14th centuries are evident in the Pagan area. Initially their capital city was Shri Kshetra, at the northern edge of the Irrawaddy river delta. in the 7th century they moved their capital to Halingyi which is dry zone. For trade purposes they still operated from Shri Kshetra for their trading with foreign countries. Their southern neighbours were the Mon people who were followers of Theravada Buddhism.[1]

The logical reason, based on archaeological findings, indicate that habitation existed in this area since the Bronze age about 400 years back and Hanlin was established by the Pyu people only during the first century or second century BC.[6][7]

Archaeologist have opined that Hanlin was the largest Pyu city till the ninth century AD.[7] Subsequently Sri Ksetra near Pyay became a more prominent city. However, over the years Pae culture got overshadowed by the Bagan culture.[5]

UNESCO inscription

In October 1996, Hanlin, Beikthano, and Sri Kestra were proposed to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This proposal was approved by UNESCO in the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee in Doha, Qatar held in May 2014.[5][8] According to the UNESCO report the Pyu Kingdom prospered for over 1,000 years between 200 BC and AD 900. All the three sites are inscribed under Criterion (ii), (iii), and (iv) covering an area of 5,809 hectares (14,350 acres) with buffer zone of 6,790 hectares (16,800 acres). The integrity assessment by the UNESCO of the three sites is: "The completeness and reliability of dated archaeological sequences from the site, with the radiocarbon dates derived from intact architectural features dating back to 190 BCE, provide scientific proof of the entire one-thousand year period of occupation of the cities, and reinforces palaeographic dates provided by inscriptions in Pyu script on artifacts excavated at the site"[7]

Legends

Many legends have been narrated for the sudden disappearance of the Pyu kingdoms. In one legend it is said that a hot sand storm destroyed most of Hanlin due to the reason that the king had murdered his brother with a dagger as he could not create a shower of diamonds fall on a Chinese diplomat. But his son had escaped the disaster that befell Hanlin only to return later as a Buddhist and establish the city and build the Shwegugyi Pagoda. Now this pagoda is encircled by agricultural fields with many ancient stupas built of bricks, while Hanlin lies to its north and Halingyi to its south.[6]

In another legend it is said that the misdeeds of a prince of Hanlin caused "a rain of ash and molten matter pour[ing] down heavily and bury[ing] the city completely".[6]

Archaeological finds

Silver coins found at Hanlin
A Pyu inscription in Hanlin

The Archaeological excavations have been carried out by the Department of Archeological National Museum and Library during 1904–05, 1929–30, 1962 to 1967, and from 1963 to 2012. Thirty three mounds have been excavated so far in Halin City, in the southern and northern areas of Shwegugyi Pagoda and in the old Halin town. These have unearthed structures of palace fortresses, cremation grounds, manufacturing sites, brick monuments of Buddhist stupas, walls in different sizes, and water management structures. Also unearthed were 11 human skeletons in fossilized condition.[4][9]

Archaeological excavations at Hanlin village have unearthed a city enclosed within walls provided with 12 gates and with tell tale marks of a moat. This city is in rectangular shape and has an area of 541.4 hectares (1,338 acres). It is situated on an undulating terrain of volcanic material at a distance of about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from the Ayeyarwady River and 27 kilometres (17 mi) from the Mu River to its western side. In the explored area hot water springs have been found which are stated to have curative properties. A particular find of interest is at excavation site designated HL-22 where three sets of standing stone slabs dated to the second century AD are indicative of the megalithic culture. The "Southern Gateway" has been dated to about 200 AD.[5]

At a museum near the archaeological site of Shwegugyi there are exhibits which show archaeological finds from excavations of human skeletal remains along with pottery, jewelry and bronze rattles laid in graves, as a series of rows, as found at depths below the surface of the ground. Carbon dating of some of the earliest grave finds indicate a dating of about 5,000 years.[6] The museum also has exhibits of finds of silver coins, gold ornaments, bricks with inscriptions of texts and many antiquities recovered from the Hanlin sites. The Pyu alphabet with links to Sanskrit and present day's Bamar language, inscribed on a tomb stone, is also on display.[5]

Gallery

See also

Halin Taungbo

References

  1. 1 2 Steinberg, David I. "Myanmar: The Pyu state". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Planet & Richmond 2014, pp. 599–600.
  3. ↑ Khinbe, Aung. "UNESCO: Myanmar’s first site inscribed to World Heritage List" (pdf). The New Light of Myanmar. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Hanlin". Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Becker, Stuart Alan (28 July 2014). "Stepping back in time in Hanlin". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Long, Douglas (28 July 2014). "Legends of Hanlin". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 "Pyu Ancient Cities". UNESCO Organization. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "Myanmar's 3 ancient cities now on UNESCO World Heritage list". Philippines News Agency, Xinhua. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Ancient Cities and Sites In Myanmar: Hanlin Ancient Pyu City". Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library. Retrieved 9 November 2015.

Bibliography

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