Is Burma And Myanmar The Same

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02 Nov 2017

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Burma is a Southeast Asian country located between India and Thailand. From its northern end the country stretches from the borders of India and China into the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal in the south. Burma covers an area of 678,500 square kilometres of which land borders comprises of 5,876 km and 1,930 by it s coastline. Its capital Rangoon also known as Yangon is located in the south of this country.

Is Burma and Myanmar the same?

Yes Burma is also known as Myanmar. Although even today it is debatable as to what the officially name should be. Until 1989 it was called Burma when the military junta enacted the Adaption of expression Law. This not only brought about change in its geographical location but also a change in the name of its capital from Rangoon to Yangon.

As of today the country’s current military leadership is not recognized by all nations. The USA and UK do not recognize the junta hence still refers to this country as Burma. So when you call it Burma you would be considered as a person who does not recognize military junta, where as referring to it as Myanmar is an indication of one’s distaste of the colonial powers. And if you interchange and use either of the names it indicates "no preference."

Wow that surely is some preference, but what is the history that lies behind such military rule?

The country was formed in the 11th century during the golden age of Pagan. King Anawratha ascended the throne in 1044.

Not much is known about the following centuries, but what we surely know is from the time the Europeans arrived. It was the 16th century, the British had already colonised India and wanted to expand their territory in the east. In 1885 the British took over Myanmar and the king and queen were exiled to India. Their palace Mandalay was looted and used as barracks as a station for the Indian and British army. This was the colonial era.

What changes took place due to the colonial era?

This era can be considered as an era of development. The British encouraged the Indians and Chinese to immigrate to Burma. These immigrants were appointed as civil servant. Soon the British built ports, railways and started trading in teak and rice. By 1886 Burma was occupied by British ruled India. It was only in the year 1937 that it became a separate colony.

But when did it gain its independence?

During World War II Aung San Suu Kyi, a Burmese opposition politician and chairperson of the National League for Democracy found an opportunity to gain Burmese independence. He along with 30 Comrades went to Japan for military training and in 1941 fought along the Japanese invading Burma. The Japanese had promised Aung San the freedom of Burma if the British were defeated. But what Aung planned cannot be thought off. He made a deal with the British stating that he will help them defeat the Japanese and in return Burma should be given complete freedom from British rule. The agreement was negotiated.

Burmese history was taking a turn starting with the assassination of Aung and members of his newly formed cabinet in 1947. Soon U NU a member of Aung’s cabinet was selected to fill the empty post. And soon with the Japanese being defeated Burma gained its independence on 4th January, 1948 at 4:20am.

What about the military rule?

After independence the democratic government face oppositions from different communist and ethnic group for almost 10 years. Many civil wars took place which weakened the nation. BY 1958 U NU was removed from his post by General Ne Win who led a ‘care taker government’. He too was Aung’s follower. Ne win took control over the command to "restore law and order" in Burma. He forced the minority states to remain under the jurisdiction of the central government and by 1960 staged a revolution and froze his position as a military dictator.

The first parliament of this country was formed in 2011 and Thein Sein was elected as its President. This parliament brought an end to the military junta in March 2011.

Even today the fight for complete independence continues.

So do they follow any religion or it has been hampered by the military rule for decades?

"Freedom of religion" is practiced in Burma, although majority consider themselves Buddhists. The democracy here has still not recognized Buddhism as its official religion as according to them faith and religion are controversial matters.

What do they do for a living?

Burma is rich in forests and woodland and is regarded as the "last frontier of biodiversity in Asia." A huge amount of timber used in Asia is supplied from Burma although it is illegal to do so. But the military junta is at larger in indiscriminate destruction forests which is a major cause for soil erosion and landslides threatening the wildlife and rain forests.

Elephants and water buffalo are used to haul teak and bamboo which is supplied in the international market.

Burmese farmers raise various animals like water buffalo, goats, sheep, chickens and pigs. Oxen and water buffalo are used for rural transportation and trained to transfer load. Maximum of these cattle is raised in the North of Burma.

Besides farming fishing is another important source of income. Surround by the Bay of Bengal forms the perfect fishing ground. Not only is it a source of income but an important source of protein. Due to the Tenasserim area which produces some of the world’s finest pearls the export value of fish and fish products have doubled in the last couple of decades.

Burma has its share of minerals too. It has large amounts of gold, silver, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, lead and antimony. Semi precious stones like jade, ruby and sapphires are also found in Burma.

What about the petroleum industry?

It was in the year 1963/64 that the government took over control over petroleum exploration, extraction and purification which dates back to pre-independence days. Petroleum can be found in the Irrawaddy basin, the delta region and at offshore sites.

Besides this natural gas was discovered in the Gulf of Martaban and has large deposits in the Andaman off shore fields.

10) Do these mines make it a place of tourist attraction?

No they do not but pagodas do. King Anawratha was a strong follower of Buddhism hence he built numerous temples and pagodas in the city of Pagan which also was the first capital of Burma. The city has acquired the name "city of four million pagodas."

What are these pagodas?

Pagodas are Hindu or Buddhist temple. The origin of pagodas can be traced back in India which states that it initially served as a tomb fro Buddhist monks or saints. The word pagoda is derived form an Indian word ‘Stupa’ which means to ‘accumulate’.

It is said that Buddha wished for his bones to be put in a stupa after his death. Since then stupas have become a symbol ‘Buddha’s tomb’, thus the structure became an important part of a temple.

The pagoda is a multi storied tower like or cone like structure made up of wood, stone or brick. According to the Buddhist this is a form which is considered as a suitable arsenal for scared relics.



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