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Anawrahta (Burmese: အနော်ရထာ; 1014-1077) was the founder of the Pagan Empire and the first ruler of a unified Burma (Myanmar).

His father was Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu, who took the throne of Pagan from Nyaung-u Sawrahan and in turn was overthrown by the sons of Nyaung-u Sawrahan, Kyiso and Sokka-te, who forced Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu to become a monk. When Anawrahta came of age, he challenged the surviving brother Sokka-te to single combat and slew him. Anawrahta offered to return rulership to his father, who refused and remained a monk, so he took the throne in 1044.

He made a pilgrimage to Ceylon, returning to convert his country from Ari Buddhism to Theravada Buddhism. To further this goal he appointed Arahan, a famous Mon monk of Thaton. In 1057 he invaded Thaton under the premise that they had refused to lend Pagan the Pali Tipitaka, and successfully returned with the Mon king Manuha as prisoner. From 1057-1059 he took an army to Nanzhao to seek a Buddha's tooth relic. As he returned, Shan chiefs swore allegiance to him, and he married Saw Mon Hla, princess of the Shan chief of Moguang. In 1071 Anawrahta received the complete Tipitaka from Sri Lanka. Buddhists from Dai regions (southern Yunnan and Laos), Thailand, and India (where Buddhism had been oppressed) came to study in Pagan as Anawrahta moved the center of Burmese Buddhism north from Thaton.

He also built the famous Shwezigon Pagoda.

In the end, Anawrahta was successful in his quest, and Theravada Buddhism became the dominant religion in Burma within two centuries.

Commemorations

• Anawrahta Street (Fraser Street) in Yangon is named after him.

References

External links

• Maung Htin Aung, A History of Burma. 1967.
• G. E. Harvey, History of Burma. 1967.

Burmese monarchs   Pagan Dynasty 849–1287 Pyinbya  · Tannet · Sale Ngahkwe  · Theinhko  · Nyaung-u Sawrahan  · Kunhsaw Kyaunghpyu  · Kyiso  · Sokkate  · Anawrahta · Sawlu  · Kyanzittha · Alaungsithu  · Narathu  · Naratheinkha  · Narapatisithu  · Htilominlo  · Kyaswa  · Uzana  · Narathihapate  · Kyawswa1 Kingdom of Myinsaing 1298-1312 Athinhkaya, Yazathingyan and Thihathu2 Kingdom of Pinya 1312-1364 Thihathu  · Uzana I  · Kyawswa I  · Kyawswa II  · Narathu  · Uzana II Kingdom of Sagaing 1315-1364 Sawyun  · Tarabya I  · Shwetaungtet  · Kyaswa  · Nawrahta Minye  · Tarabya II  · Minbyauk Thihapate Kingdom of Ava 1364-1555 Thadominbya  · Nga Nu  · Swasawke  · Tarabya  · Nganaukhsan  · Minkhaung I  · Thihathu  · Minhlange  · Kalekyet Taungnyo  · Mohnyinthado  · Minyekyawswa  · Narapati  · Thihathura  · Minkhaung II  · Shwenankyawtshin  · Thohanbwa3  · Hkonmaing3  · Mobye Narapati3  · Sithu Kyaw Htin3 Kingdom of Hanthawaddy 1287-1539 Wareru  · Hkun Law  · Saw O  · Saw Zein  · Zein Pun  · Saw E  · Binnya E Law  · Binnya U  · Razadarit  · Binnya Dhammaraza  · Binnya Ran I  · Binnya Waru  · Binnya Kyan  · Leik Munhtaw  · Shin Sawbu  · Dhammazedi  · Binnya Ran II  · Takayutpi  · Smim Sawhtut4  · Smim Htaw4 Toungoo Dynasty 1486-1752 Minkyinyo  · Tabinshwehti  · Bayinnaung  · Nanda  · Nyaungyan  · Anaukpetlun  · Minyedaikpa  · Thalun  · Pindale  · Pye  · Narawara  · Minyekyawdin  · Sanay  · Taninganway  · Mahadhammaraza Dipadi Kingdom of Hanthawaddy II 1740-1757 Smim Htaw Buddhaketi  · Binnya Dala Konbaung Dynasty 1752-1885 Alaungpaya  · Naungdawgyi  · Hsinbyushin  · Singu  · Phaungka  · Bodawpaya  · Bagyidaw  · Tharrawaddy  · Pagan  · Mindon  · Thibaw 1Mongol vassal (1297-1298) 2Co-Regents 3Shan chiefs (1527-1555) 4Brief revival (1550-1551)