Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, together with his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo of the National Defence and Security Council and his wife, the entourage, the Bago Region Chief Minister and officials, yesterday inspected preservation of ancient cultural heritage sites of Kanbawzathadi Palace in Bago.
At the palace, the Senior General, his wife and party observed display of the teak posts excavated from the ground tier-roofed hall, the layout of the respect-paying ceremony of ancient Myanmar kings, documentary photos depicting the reconstruction and maintenance of palaces namely Thirizeyabumi Golden Palace of King Anawrahta in Bagan era, Kanbawzathadi Golden Palace of King Bayintnaung in Hanthawady era, Shwebonyadana Mingala Golden Palace of King Alaungmintaya in Yadanabon era, progress of maintenance of Kanbawzathadi Golden Palace, some royal utensils of ancient kings, maintenance of the ground tier-roofed hall, and excavation process of Kanbawzathadi Golden Palace at relevant booths.
After hearing the reports of officials, the Senior General gave guidance that display of ancient teak posts at Kanbawzathadi Golden Palace and royal utensils used by ancient kings are precious heritages which cannot be evaluated in money. As such, it is necessary to maintain these objects in detail and hand over the duties to further generations. Photos and paintings must be preserved with the modern technology to have better works.
He continued that it is necessary to preserve and showcase the traditions, customs, fine arts, grand royal palaces, and the widespread influence of ancient Myanmar kings, which reflect the nation’s heritage, religion, and culture. The Kanbawzathadi Golden Palace must be consistently maintained to remain clean, serene, and beautiful. Likewise, efforts to excavate and conserve the ancient city of Hanthawady must continue. The moat of the Kanbawzathadi Palace of ancient Hanthawady city must also be restored without segments.
The Senior General inspected progress of rebuilding the original-sized hall for the chariot facilitated with 16 horses used by King Bayintnaung and gave necessary guidance.
He inspected Theinni Gate of the wall of Hanthawady City where officials reported on facts about the ancient Hanthawady city of Bago, the moat, the walls and the gates, and maintenance of these structures.
In his response to the reports, the Senior General gave guidance that preserving ancient cultural heritage without compromising its originality is a way to instill and strengthen patriotic spirit among future generations. As these are historically significant and valuable heritages, preservation must be carried out systematically and properly. The ancient moats along the old city wall of Hanthawady must be excavated and conserved. The bridge at Theinni Gate must be restored and reconstructed using modern technology in accordance with its original design. Furthermore, areas around the moat should be developed into peaceful rest spots for the public and spaces for physical well-being, as well as enhanced to serve as scenic attractions.
The Senior General viewed round the walls of Hanthawady city and along the moat as well as Bago in a motorcade and gave guidance to officials to systematically maintain the Bago River crossing Bago city must be developed with the retaining walls to ensure proper flow of water.
King Bayintnaung built the magnificent Kanbawzathadi Palace on the 3,400 square metres of land fenced with the walls equipped with 30 gates including five major gates in 915 Myanmar Era (AD 1553). King Bayintnaung passed away at 66 years old in 943 ME (AD 1581). In the tenure of his son King Nanda, Hanthawady was destroyed and the Kanbawzathadi Palace was burned down. From early 1990 to 1997, the Archaeology Department excavated the Kanbawzathadi Palace which had lost under damaged parts for more than 400 years. In excavating, the foundations of ground tier-roofed hall, the Sanu hall, the left hall and the right hall were found. Remnant teak posts were also found there. Some teak posts were decorated with names of donors. Hence, the ground tierroofed hall, the left hall and the right hall of King Bayintnaung were reconstructed in original state in accord with the documents. These structures are crowded with local and foreign visitors.
MNA/TTA
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