Singu Min Bell

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Singu Min Bell
စဉ့်ကူးမင်း ခေါင်းလောင်းတော်
Singu Min Bell.JPG
Location Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
Type Temple Bell
Material bronze
23,000-25,000 kg
Width 2.01 metres (6.6 ft)
Height 2.13 metres (7.0 ft)
Beginning datec. 1776
Completion date 1779
Opening date 17 January 1779
Dedicated to Shwedagon Pagoda

The Singu Min Bell (Burmese : စဉ့်ကူးမင်း ခေါင်းလောင်းတော်), also known as the Maha Gandha Bell, is a large bell located at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma). It was donated in 1779 by King Singu, the fourth king of Konbaung Dynasty. The official Pali name of the bell is Maha Gandha, which means "Great Sound". [1] [2] [3]

Burmese language language spoken in Myanmar

The Burmese language is the Sino-Tibetan language spoken in Myanmar where it is an official language and the language of the Bamar people, the country's principal ethnic group. Although the Constitution of Myanmar officially recognizes the English name of the language as the Myanmar language, most English speakers continue to refer to the language as Burmese, after Burma, the older name for Myanmar. In 2007, it was spoken as a first language by 33 million, primarily the Bamar (Burman) people and related ethnic groups, and as a second language by 10 million, particularly ethnic minorities in Myanmar and neighboring countries.

Shwedagon Pagoda

The Shwedagon Pagoda, officially named Shwedagon Zedi Daw and also known as the Great Dagon Pagoda and the Golden Pagoda, is a gilded stupa located in Yangon, Myanmar. The 326-foot-tall (99 m) pagoda is situated on Singuttara Hill, to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, and dominates the Yangon skyline.

Yangon Metropolitan City in Yangon Region, Myanmar

Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the capital of the Yangon Region and commercial capital of Myanmar. Yangon served as the administrative capital of Myanmar until 2006, when the military government relocated the administrative functions to the purpose-built city of Naypyidaw [nèpjìdɔ̀] in central Myanmar. With over 7 million people, Yangon is Myanmar's largest city and its most important commercial centre.

Contents

Description

The bell weighs about 23-25 tons and measures 2.13 metres (7.0 ft) high, 2.01 metres (6.6 ft) wide at the mouth and 0.305 metres (1.00 ft) thick. [4] There are twelve lines of inscription on the bell. The inscriptions describe King Singu, who came to the throne on 9 June 1776, who ruled over the country of 16 provinces, cast and donated the bell to the Shwedagon Pagoda on 17 January 1779. [1]

History

The bell was cast between 1776 and 1779. In 1825, British attempted to take it from the pagoda during first Anglo-Burmese War. However, the ship that carried the bell to Calcutta sank in Yangon River together with the bell. After several unsuccessful attempts to salvage the bell, British finally gave up. Then, a group of Burmese people successfully raised the bell from the riverbed and restored to its original position at the pagoda. [1] [5] [6]

First Anglo-Burmese War First 19th century war fought between the British and Burmese empires

The First Anglo-Burmese War, also known as the First Burma War, was the first of three wars fought between the British and Burmese empires in the 19th century. The war, which began primarily over the control of Northeastern India, ended in a decisive British victory, giving the British total control of Assam, Manipur, Cachar and Jaintia as well as Arakan Province and Tenasserim. The Burmese were also forced to pay an indemnity of one million pounds sterling, and sign a commercial treaty.

Yangon River river in Myanmar

The Yangon River is formed by the confluence of the Pegu and Myitmaka Rivers in Myanmar. It is a marine estuary that runs from Yangon to the Gulf of Martaban of the Andaman Sea. The channel is navigable by ocean-going vessels, thus plays a critical role in the economy of Myanmar.

Current status

The bell is housed in a pavilion located on the northwest side of the pagoda's middle terrace. [6]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Maha Ganda Bell". Worldvisitguide.com. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  2. ↑ "The Maha Gandha Or Singu Min Bell At Shwedagon Pagoda Myanmar". Getintravel.com. 2013-02-07. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  3. ↑ "Great Bells - Asia and the Pacific Rim". Towerbells.org. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  4. ↑ "Destination in Yangon - Pro Asia Travel and Tour". Proasiamyanmar.com. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  5. ↑ "Singu Min Bell | I See You See". Jtdytravels.com. 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  6. 1 2 "Great Bell, Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Rangoon". Bl.uk. 2003-11-30. Retrieved 2014-04-06.

Coordinates: 16°47′54″N96°8′58″E / 16.79833°N 96.14944°E / 16.79833; 96.14944

Geographic coordinate system Coordinate system

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