Summary: Would you believe it, the podcast is now one year old! In continuation of the narrative, this episode will cover the history of Burma/Myanmar in the nineteenth century. The main event is the British conquest, which made Burma part of British India. You will also hear me read a poem by Rudyard Kipling; listen and enjoy! (http://xenohistorian.faithweb.com/seasia/ABWthumb.jpg) I have several pictures to share today. The first is a map showing Britain's gains in the Anglo-Burmese Wars. This is a thumbnail; click on the picture to see it full size (it will open in a separate window). The British proclaimed their rule over the pink territories in 1826, the red area in 1853, and the green area in 1886. (http://xenohistorian.faithweb.com/seasia/mingun-pahtodawgyi.jpg) Here is what I call the Burmese answer to the Tower of Babel -- the Mingun Pahtodawgyi Pagoda. If it had been completed, it would have been the world's largest pagoda, standing 490 feet high. The unfinished ruins are 172 feet high today. (http://xenohistorian.faithweb.com/seasia/9749385_orig.jpg) And here is the other side of Mingun, showing the main archway split by the 1838 earthquake. (http://xenohistorian.faithweb.com/seasia/m000302.jpg) Some of the shrines around the Kutho Daw Pagoda in Mandalay. Each shrine is built over a stone slab, carved with Buddhist scriptures. (http://xenohistorian.faithweb.com/seasia/m000307.jpg) A model of the whole Kutho Daw complex, the world's heaviest book. (http://xenohistorian.faithweb.com/seasia/MandalayXmas.jpg) Finally, here is a Christmas card sent from Mandalay in 1886. Do you think you would like to become a podcaster on Blubrry? Click here for the details on joining. (http://create.blubrry.com/resources/podcast-media-hosting/?code=HSEASIA) Enter my promo code, HSEASIA, to let them know I sent you, and you will get the first month's hosting for free! Support this podcast! (https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif)
