Glimpse back to 1885. The air crackles with tension. The last vestige of Burmese sovereignty hangs precariously in the balance right here at Mandalay Palace.
This is Mandalay Palace. It is the last royal palace of Burma’s final monarchy. Imagine King Mindon’s vision. He founded Mandalay as the new royal capital in 1857. Construction of the palace began that same year and was completed in 1859. The Mandalay Palace design adhered to traditional Burmese architecture. It was a walled fort surrounded by a moat.
Mandalay Palace has another name. It’s formal name is Mya Nan San Kyaw meaning The Famed Royal Emerald Palace. People also call it Shwe Nan Daw. That means Great Golden Royal Palace.
King Mindon wanted to create a Buddhist capital. The location was chosen to fulfill a prophecy. The palace was built using teak wood. The wood rested on a raised brick plinth. It glistened with gold and vermilion.
The entire royal compound covers 413 hectares. Four walls stretched two kilometers long. A moat that was 64 meters wide and 4.5 meters deep defended the grounds. Bastions punctuated the walls. They featured gold-tipped spires every 169 meters. Each wall had three gates. These twelve gates represented the zodiac signs.
But war loomed. Resources dwindled. The former royal palace of Amarapura was dismantled. Elephants moved it to Mandalay’s foothills. On May 23, 1859, the new Mandalay Palace officially opened.
Not long after, British forces arrived. They looted the palace. The royal library was burned. Artifacts were taken. Today, some are in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The British renamed the palace compound Fort Dufferin.
During World War II, the Japanese used the palace as a supply depot. Allied bombing destroyed it. Only the royal mint and watch tower survived. Reconstruction began in 1989. Funds were scarce. Regional governments helped with architectural plans. The overall design was faithful. However, modern materials like corrugated sheet metal and concrete were used. The original Mandalay Palace was constructed only with teak.
Now, look around. The walls and gates greet visitors. They lead to the Clock Tower and Relic Tower. Don’t miss the Hluttaw or Royal Mausoleums. The Royal Mint and Watch Tower are also worth seeing. Gaze at the Great Audience Hall. Imagine the Lion Throne Room’s grandeur. Explore the Glass Palace’s beauty.
From the southeastern corner, watch the Mandalay Palace reflected in the eastern moat. The Sagaing Bridge spans the Ayeyarwady River. The hill ranges fade into the sunset.
Mandalay Palace is more than a building. It embodies Myanmar’s rich past. It is a testament to resilience. Its story inspires awe. It connects us to kings and queens. It connects us to a kingdom’s rise and fall.