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The Coexistence of Orthogenetic and Heterogenetic City Cultures at Ancient Mrauk-U
Aung Aung Hlaing — Scholar Research and Development Journal (SRDJ) , Myanmar, Aug 1, 2011
The very purpose of this paper is to investigate the type of ancient city cultures classified by Redfield and Singer to which Mrauk-U belonged. They suggested that ancient cities should be categorized into two types: orthogenetic and heterogenetic. I like to challenge two prominent theories for Southeast Asian urbanism: the first is Paul Wheatley’s theory that Southeast Asians would not have evolved an urban life style without external influence and the second, the theory of Wicks and Reid which stated that Islamization constituted a causal factor in the transition to new economic structures. Based on the three criteria for analysis of the ancient city, I explored the factors of these cultures and examined whether or not two theories stated above are valid with respect to the case study of the old Rakhine capital, Mrauk-U.
My work mainly depends on comparative study: the Rakine traditional chronicles, the archaeological finds, and the contemporary European accounts of the 16th and 17th centuries. John N. Miksic explained in brief in his research that Redfield and Singer suggested ancient cities should be categorized into two types: orthogenetic and heterogenetic. The architecture in the orthogenetic city is more monumental for political or religious functions than in the heterogenetic city. The economic activities of the orthogenetic cities are redistributive and the authorities control most of the crops through taxation and tribute; this can be found where a surplus of staple crops food such as rice can be produced and stored in the city and distributed to the public in accordance with a centrally planned system. In contrast, the heterogenetic city is less monumental than the orthogenetic. Manufacturing evidence is characteristic of that type. The driving force is the market based economy where population is dense and the ways of production are varied.
The historical background had a great influence on the strategic thinking of the founder of Mrauk-U, especially his selection of the city site. During the 40 year long war of Ava-Hanthawady, Longgret was vulnerable to any attack from both sides. Both of them, Min Khaung and Rajadrit replaced their princes. Nara Meikhla was the last king of the Lemyo period; his throne was based at Longgret in 1404 during the war of Ava-Hanthawaddy. At that time, the Governor of Dallet asked for military help from Ava and King Min Khaung and attacked Longgret in 1406. As a consequence, Nara Meikhla abandoned Longgret, went to the city of Bengal(Gaur) and took political refuge for twenty two years under the Sultan, Ahmed Shad.
The Sultan of Gaur welcomed him warmly but he could not help him to regain his throne. During his time as a refugee under the Gaur sultanate, Nara Meikhla showed his ability in the Sultanate war against the Moguls by managing Sultanate’s battalions, demonstrating his military experience. It helped Nara Meikhla to impress the Sultan. Finally, the Sultan rendered military help to Nara Meikhla to reconquer Longgret, and in 1430, he was able to regain his throne. Nevertheless, he seemed to feel insecure at Longgret because it was situated in the delta of the Lemyo river which was easy for Ava and Hanthawaddy to attack. This was the last throne overthrown by the Ava king. The late Longgret kings lost self-determination occasionally and were frequently colonized by them. As an experienced warrior, he knew the defense system of Longgret was vulnerable to any attack from the east as long as he remained there.
The first thing he did was to consult his Brahman advisory body about whether or not he should move his throne from Longgret. One of his ministers, Kawi Kyaw said to him, “ The prosperity and peace free from the enemies depends on the strict adherence to justice by the king. Although the kingdom has the seven places which dignifies the country and full 4 battalions of armed forces, the country will fall into poverty unless the king is not just. So, what Your Majesty had better do right now is that you should take Baiktheik or celebrate the coronation ceremony.”
Nara Meikhla rejected his advice as having no foundation. Zananda Yaza advised him to move the royal capital from Longgret which had been devastated by Ava and Hanthawaddy kings. He sought the possible site for a new royal capital so that his succeeding generations would be secure and free from attack from external powers. At that time, the Rakhine delta was sandwiched between the Mogul threat from the west and that from Hanthawaddy and Ava on the east. The advantages of Mrauk-U’s site were its good water transportation and supply to the public and the mountain range serving as a natural defensive wall. He chose the place where three mountain ranges meet namely Taung Nyo Mountain, Kokar Mountain and Taung Kala. He had Taung Nyo cleared and leveled for his royal palace. He assumed Min Saw Mon as his royal title. He set the border area of Taung Kala and Taung Kokar and 50 feet as the palace height. After constructing the palace, he carried on building the city in 1430. He ordered the construction of the royal town and towns with a population of one thousand, 54 city gates, 4 lakes, 5 pagodas, and city and town creeks inside the city. He understood that manpower for the new royal city can be gained through popular belief in the supernatural. So, he propagated the extraordinary events found while he sought city area. Thus, he could mobilize public opinion to convince them that Mrauk-U was suitable for their aspiration of being prosperous and free from enemy. Min Saw Mon built his palace with the brick foundation. Before finishing it, he passed away in 1433 at a temporary palace.
