The Journey to Amerapoora in 1855

The Journey to

Amerapoora

In 1855

Amerapoora, The Sleeping Capital in Myanmar History.

www.mingalarpar.org

Dedicated to Our People.

First Collection : August 2011

Especially Thank to

British Library

Who keeps the Photographs

And

The Photographer

Linnaeus Tripe

Who took the Photographs in 1855.

The Photographs and Information are downloaded from

British Library.

!" # $ %&( )(* +,#+ - #".

/+##("((+## !".0

1 )2(3+ 456789:; "* 4?@A 8:@ B86C@=> +,".!

" D D( # (#".! /#( (ED"(F G !".0

/#(H I *I +I J # "(F( /

#,+!#+,+(F(" DK( !".0

, L

About the Photographer (From wikipedia)

Linnaeus Tripe

(14 April 1822 2 March 1902)

He was a British photographer, best known for his photographs of India and Burma taken in the 1850s. His works are on display at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco.

He was born in Devonport, Devon, UK.

He joined the East India Company army in 1838 and became a lieutenant in 1840 based in the south of India. He returned to England in 1850 on leave which was extended due to ill health until 1854. During this time he began to experiment with photography. He returned to Bangalore, India, as a captain in June 1854. In December of that year he made his first photographs of India.

In February of the following year he took part in the "Madras Exhibition of Raw Products, Arts, and Manufactures of Southern India" displaying 68 photographs of previously unphotographed temples. These photographs were declared to be the "best series of photographic views on paper" by the jury.

In June 1855 Tripe accompanied an official expedition to Burma to obtain representations of scenes and buildings. The result of this visit was the publication of Burma Views. This was widely distributed and very well received.

In March 1857 he became official photographer to the Madras government, taking photographs of objects shown at the Madras exhibition and portraits of Madras residents. In 1858 he took photographs of subjects with architectural or antiquarian interest, and also those which would be useful from a practical, engineering perspective. He exhibited 50 photographs from this tour in the annual exhibition of the Madras Photographic Society in 1859.

Following the 1857 uprising, control of India went to the British Crown, and in June 1859 Tripe was ordered not to undertake any new work. At the end of that year he was told to close the business and sell off the equipment.

In 1863 Tripe returned to the army and was continually promoted, becoming colonel in August 1873. Whilst in Lower Burma in February 1869 he made his two final series of photographs. Here he took photographs of landscapes made on glass negatives. Tripe left India in 1873 and retired from the Army in April 1874. He died in Devonport on 2 March 1902.

Linnaeus Tripe (14 April 1822 2 March 1902)

In 1855, following the conclusion of the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852, a diplomatic mission was sent by the Indian Government to the Burmese court at Ava.

The expedition offered rare access to the little known territories of Upper Burma, and was accompanied by officers instructed to gather information on all aspects of Burmese life.

Included in the contingent as official photographer was the Madras Army officer Linnaeus Tripe, who, in the course of the journey up the Irrawaddy River, took over 200 photographs on large paper negatives.

120 of these prints, which are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma, were later issued in portfolio form by the Madras Government.

This view is one of an extensive series of architectural studies taken at the ancient royal capital of Pagan.

(From British Library)

Content

Page

No. 1. Prome. General View. (Pyay) 12

No. 2. Prome. North entrance to the Shwe San-dau Pagoda. 13

No. 3. Prome. West Entrance to the Shwe San-dau Pagoda. 14

No. 4. Prome. A small Pagoda. 15

No. 5. Prome. A small Pagoda. 16

No. 6. Thayet Myo. Pagoda on the S. of Cantonment. 17

No. 7. Ye-nan-gyoung [Yenangyaung]. Pagoda and Kyoung. 18

No. 8. Ye-nan-gyoung [Yenangyaung]. Kyoung. 19

No. 9. Ye-nan-gyoung [Yenangyaung]. Balcony of a Kyoung. 20

No. 10. Ye-nan-gyoung [Yenangyaung]. Tamarind tree. 21

No. 11. Ye-nan-gyoung [Yenangyaung]. Chatty Manufactory. 22

No. 12. Tantabeng. Group of Pagodas. 23

No. 13. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Sheen-byeen-baudi Pagoda [Mahabodhi Pagoda]. 24

No. 14. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Shwe-Koo Pagoda. [Shwegugyi Pagoda] 25

No. 15. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Thapinyu Pagoda. [That-byin-nu] 26

No. 16. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Pato-budho-nya Pagoda. [Pahtothamya] 28

No. 17. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Gauda-palen Pagoda. [Gawdawpalin Temple] 29

No. 18. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Distant view of Gauda-palen. [Gawdawpalin] 30

No. 19. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Ananda Pagoda. 31

No. 20. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Kyoung near the Ananda Pagoda. 32

No. 21. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. East facade of Damayangyee Pagoda. [Dhamma-yan-gyi Temple]

No. 22. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Flat Arch in Damayangyee Pagoda. [Dhamma-yan-gyi] 35

No. 23. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Figures in Damayangyee Pagoda. [Dhamma-yan-gyi] 37

No. 24. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Entrance to the Shwe Zeegong Pagoda. 38

No. 25. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Carved doorway. 40

No. 26. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. A small Pagoda. 42

No. 27. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Pagoda in ruins. 38

No. 28. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Tazaung. 44

No. 29. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. A roadway. 45

No. 30. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Ruined Tazaung. 46

No. 31. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Litters under a shed. 47

No. 32. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Doorway of a small Pagoda. 49

No. 33. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Zayat. 50

No. 34. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. View near the River. 51

No. 35. Tsaing Myo [Sagaing]. Kowa-doung Pagoda. 52

No. 36. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Water Pots. 53

No. 37. Ava. Tower of the Palace. 55

No. 38. Amerapoora. Portico of the Residency. 57

No. 39. Amerapoora. West Gate of the Residency Enclosure. 58

No. 40. Amerapoora. Barracks of the Burmese Guard. 59

No. 41. Amerapoora. East Door of the Maha-thugea-yan-tee Pagoda [Kyauktawgyi Pagoda].

No. 42. Amerapoora. Mygabhoodee-tee Kyoung from E. 61

No. 43. Amerapoora. Corner of Mygabhoodee Kyoung. 62

No. 44. Amerapoora. View at N. end of the Wooden Bridge 63

No. 45. Amerapoora. Wooden Bridge. 64

No. 46. Amerapoora. Colossal Statue of Gautama close to the North end of the bridge.

No. 47. Amerapoora. Gateway behind the Statue. 66

No. 48. Amerapoora. View amongst the Pagodas near the Statue [of Gautama]. 67

No. 49. Amerapoora. Mhoo-daughee Pagoda[Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, Sagaing]. 69

No. 50. Amerapoora. Thamboukday Pagoda. [Thanbodde Paya] 71

No. 51. Amerapoora. Sekia Pagoda. 73

No. 52. Amerapoora. Mosque. 74

No. 53. Amerapoora. Nagayoung Pagoda. [Naga-yon temple] 76

No. 54. Amerapoora. Bodan Pagoda. 78

No. 55. Amerapoora. Toung-lay-tiy Kyoung. 79

No. 56. Amerapoora. View on the Lake. 80

No. 57. Amerapoora. Street in the Suburbs. 81

No. 58. Amerapoora. S.E. Corner of the City Wall. 82

No. 59. Amerapoora. S. Ditch of the City Wall. 83

No. 60. Amerapoora. Gateway of Maha Bounghian Kyoung. 84

No. 61. Amerapoora. Hut near Maha Bounghian Kyoung. 85

No. 62. Amerapoora. Magwe Wundouk Kyoung. 86

No. 63. Amerapoora. Pyee-dyk kyoung. 87

No. 64. Amerapoora. Mohdee Kyoung. 88

No. 65. Amerapoora. Mohdee Kyoung. 89

No. 66. Amerapoora. Shwe-doung-dyk Pagoda. 90

No. 67. Amerapoora. Ouk Kyoung. [Maha Aungmye Bonzan at Ava] 91

No. 68. Amerapoora. Wild Elephant Palace. 92

No. 69. Amerapoora. Ooh-nein Gate of the City. 93

No. 70. Amerapoora. Guardhouse, at the Ooh-nein Gate. 94

No. 71. Amerapoora. A street leading to the Palace. 95

No. 72. [unnumbered]. Amerapoora. The Yoom-dau. 97

No. 73. Amerapoora. Palace of the White Elephant. 98

No. 74. Amerapoora. Gautamas Shrine. 100

No. 75. Amerapoora. A street in the city. 102

No. 76. Amerapoora. Sindu Shwe koo Pagoda. 103

No. 77. Amerapoora. The Kings Water Palace. 104

No. 78. Amerapoora. Entrance of the Aracan Pagoda. 106

No. 79. Amerapoora. Aracan Pagoda. 107

No. 80. Amerapoora. Kyoung near the Aracan Pagoda. 108

No. 81 Amerapoora. My-an-dyk Kyoung. 110

No. 82. Amerapoora. Seboutkya Kyoung. 111

No. 83. Amerapoora. Maha-oung-meeay-liy-mhan Kyoung. 112

No. 84. Amerapoora. Steps on the South side of Kyoung No. 83. 113

No. 85. Amerapoora. Part of Balcony on S. side of Kyoung No. 83 [Maha-oung-meeay-liy-mhan

Kyoung]. 114

No. 86. Amerapoora. Maha-too-lo-Bounghian Kyoung. 115

No. 87. Amerapoora. Pyathat on East of Kyoung No. 86 [Maha-too-lo-Bounghian Kyoung].

No. 88. Amerapoora. Doorway of Pyathat No. 87 [Maha-too-lo-Bounghian Kyoung]. 118

No. 89. Amerapoora. A doorway of Kyoung No. 86 [Maha-too-lo-Bounghian Kyoung]. 119

No. 90. Amerapoora. Front of the West part of Kyoung No. 86 [Maha-too-lo-Bounghian

Kyoung]. 122

No. 91. Amerapoora. Balcony of Kyoung No. 86 [Maha-too-lo-Bounghian Kyoung]. 123

No. 92. Amerapoora. Another part of the balcony of Kyoung No. 86 [Maha-too-lo-Bounghian

Kyoung]. 125

No. 93. Amerapoora. Entrance of a Kyoung. 126

No. 94. Amerapoora. Pyathat of Kyoung No. 93 [Maha Too Lo Bounghian Kyaung]. 127

No. 95. Amerapoora. Balcony of a small Kyoung. 129

No. 96. Mengoon [Mingun]. Ruined Griffins. 130

No. 97. Mengoon [Mingun]. Pagoda from North West. 131

No. 98. Mengoon [Mingun]. Pagoda from South East. 132

No. 99. Mengoon. Small bell in front of Pagoda. 133

No. 100. Rangoon. Patent slip. 134

No. 101. Rangoon. A Street; old Style. 135

No. 102. Rangoon. Signal Pagoda. 136

No. 103. Rangoon. The Church. 137

No. 104. Rangoon. The Lake. 138

No. 105. Rangoon. View of the Cantonment. 139

No. 107. Rangoon. Shwe Dagon Pagoda. 140

No. 108. Rangoon. South Entrance of Shwe Dagon Pagoda. 141

No. 109. Rangoon. North Entrance to the Shwe Dagon Pagoda. 142

No. 110. Rangoon. South Tazoung of the [Shwe Dagon] Pagoda. 143

No. 111. Rangoon. Side view of East Tazoung [Shwe Dagon Pagoda]. 145

No. 112. Rangoon. Henzas [hinthas or hamsas] on the East side of the [Shwe Dagon] Pagoda.

No. 113. Rangoon. Great Bell of the [Shwe Dagon] Pagoda. 147

No. 114. Rangoon. The Votive Tree. 148

No. 115. Rangoon. Rear View of the [Shwe Dagon] Pagoda. 150

No. 116. Rangoon. Small Pagoda [on platform of Shwe Dagon]. 152

No. 117. Rangoon. Portico of the West Entrance of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda. 154

No. 118. Rangoon. Natural Bridge. 155

No. 119. Rangoon. Mission House at Kemindine. 156

No. 120. Rangoon. Tiger Alley. 157

No. 1. Prome. General View. (Pyay)

Photographer: Tripe, Linnaeus, Medium: Photographic print, Date: 1855

Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a panoramic view looking over the town of Prome (Pyay) in Burma (Myanmar) towards the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river, from a portfolio of 120 prints. With the ending of the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852 and the British annexation of Pegu, the East India Company instructed the Governor-General Lord Dalhousie to persuade King Mindon Min to sign a treaty formally acknowledging the extension of British rule over the province.

An abortive embassy sent to Calcutta by the King in late 1854 to negotiate the return of Pegu yielded no concrete results, and in the following year Dalhousie (with no great hope of success), despatched a British mission to attempt to negotiate a settlement. This was headed by Arthur Phayre, with Henry Yule (Under-Secretary of the Public Works Department) as Secretary. Part of the missions instructions was to obtain accurate information about the country, culture and people of a land little-known to Europeans, and to this end Colesworthy Grant was sent as artist and Linnaeus Tripe as photographer to the mission.

Tripe took some 200 architectural and topographical photographs during his time in Burma and notwithstanding his disclaimer below, many are of a very high photographic standard in addition to their documentary importance as among the earliest surviving photographs of several parts of Burma.

Tripe wrote of his work: The accompanying views, taken by the undersigned when attached to the Embassy to Amerapoora in 1855, in justice to him as a photographer employed by the Government of India, should not be looked upon as a challenge to photographic criticism; but as a series of views of subjects interesting on account of their novelty; many having been retained solely on that account when they would certainly have been otherwise discarded.

As excuses, too, for these defective photographs he would wish it known, that he was working against time; and frequently with no opportunity of replacing poor proofs by better. Also that, from unfavourable weather, sickness, and the circumstances unavoidably attending such a mission, his actual working time was narrowed to thirty six days. If criticism be provoked, it is

trusted that her chiding will be mild. [Signed] L. Tripe Bangalore 20th Feby/57. The letterpress accompanying this photograph says: Taken from a height S.E. of the town. The Pagoda on the hill to the right, is the Shwe San-dau, or Golden Hair one of the most sacred places in Burmah. It enshrines a hair of Gautama.

No. 2. Prome. North entrance to the Shwe San-dau Pagoda.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the north entrance of the Shwesandaw Paya (Pagoda) at Prome (Pyay) in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. The photographer wrote, Burmese temples are usually, if the ground permit, on heights, the approach being by a flight of steps, guarded by Griffins [chinthes]: that shown above is very fine, the Griffins are eighty feet high, and with the carved gables of the roof, bristling with gilded vanes, form a magnificent approach to the golden Pagoda above.

Pyay lies on a bend of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river, and near it are the ruins of the ancient Pyu capital of Sri Kshetra (Thayekhittaya), an important archaeological site of Myanmar. The stupa or zedi of Shwesandaw is the main point of interest in Pyay, perched on top of a hill.

The name refers to the Golden Hair Relics and legend states that the stupa was built to house the hairs of the Buddha over 2000 years ago. While the core of the stupa may be very ancient,

the current structure dates from much later. Shwesandaw is believed to be the first monument built by King Anawrahta after his conquest of Thaton and the Mons in 1057.

No. 3. Prome. West Entrance to the Shwe San-dau Pagoda.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the west entrance of the Shwesandow Paya (Pagoda) at Prome in Burma, from a portfolio of 120 prints. Pyay lies on a bend of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river, and near it are the ruins of the ancient Pyu capital of Sri Kshetra (Thayekhittaya), an important archaeological site of Myanmar.

The stupa or zedi of Shwesandaw is the main point of interest in Pyay, perched on top of a hill. The name refers to the Golden Hair Relics and legend states that the stupa was built to house the hairs of the Buddha over 2000 years ago. While the core of the stupa may be very ancient, the current structure dates from much later.

Shwesandaw is believed to be the first monument built by King Anawrahta after his conquest of Thaton and the Mons in 1057.

No. 4. Prome. A small Pagoda.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a small temple at Prome (Pyay) in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe, an officer in the Madras Infantry, was attached to a British diplomatic mission to the Burmese court in 1855, the purpose of which was to persuade King Mindon Min to ratify the peace treaty of his predecessor Pagan Min who had signed away the province of Pegu at the conclusion of the Anglo-Burmese war of 1852.

In the words of Lord Dalhousie explaining the mission to his superiors in London: such officers should be chosen for this purpose as shall be capable, in various ways, of collecting and furnishing information to the Government upon all points, on which it may be of advantage hereafter to possess accurate knowledge, and which may be useful also for our future purposes. Tripes portfolio, produced for government purposes, comprises the first extensive photographic record produced in Myanmar.

He was one of the early pioneers of 19th century architectural and landscape photography, his preferred subject matter. He wrote of this view, This and No. 5 are close together in an open space near the house in which Captain Latter was murdered. Captain Thomas Latter was a junior officer with the East India Company and interpreter with a British mission led by Commodore Lambert which investigated charges made by British merchants against Maung Ok,

the Burmese governor of Rangoon. He was a key player in the discord between Burmese and British authorities which eventually led to the second Anglo-Burmese war.

No. 5. Prome. A small Pagoda.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a small temple at Prome (Pyay) in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe, an officer in the Madras Infantry, was attached to a British diplomatic mission to the Burmese court in 1855, the purpose of which was to persuade King Mindon Min to ratify the peace treaty of his predecessor Pagan Min who had signed away the province of Pegu at the conclusion of the Anglo-Burmese war of 1852.

In the words of Lord Dalhousie explaining the mission to his superiors in London: such officers should be chosen for this purpose as shall be capable, in various ways, of collecting and furnishing information to the Government upon all points, on which it may be of advantage hereafter to possess accurate knowledge, and which may be useful also for our future purposes.

Tripes portfolio, produced for government purposes, comprises the first extensive photographic record produced in Myanmar. He was one of the early pioneers of 19th century architectural and

landscape photography, his preferred subject matter. He wrote of this view, The carved wood work of this has been stripped off. The centre building is of white stucco, gilt in the ornamental parts.

No. 6. Thayet Myo. Pagoda on the S. of Cantonment.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a small temple at Prome (Pyay) in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.

The 1855 British Mission to Burma was instructed to persuade the Burmese king Mindon Min to accept the annexation of Pegu (Lower Burma) following the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852. It was also the intention of the government to collect both cultural and practical information regarding the little known country.

The mission spent a little over three months in Burma from August to early November 1855 stopping at various places to allow Linnaeus Tripe, the official photographer, and the Missions artist, Colesworthy Grant, to perform their duties.

Thayetmyo was a town strategically located on the right bank of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) just south of the border between Upper and Lower Burma, about 60 miles north of Prome and with water communication to Rangoon (Yangon). Hence it was the British base in the efforts to master Upper Burma.

No. 7. Ye-nan-gyoung [Yenangyaung]. Pagoda and Kyoung.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a kyaung or monastery at Ye nang yaung in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe was the official photographer on a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma. Yenangyaung was a town in west-central Myanmar on the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), the centre of the most productive oil-fields in the country.

No. 8. Ye-nan-gyoung [Yenangyaung]. Kyoung.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe with a close view of the kyaung or monastery at Yenangyaung in Burma (Myanmar), showing the intricate carved decoration of the tiered roof and balustrade, from a portfolio of 120 prints.

Tripe was the official photographer on a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people.

Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma.

Yenangyaung was a town in west-central Myanmar on the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), the centre of the most productive oil-fields in the country. Tripe wrote, This monastery is a fine specimen of provincial architecture.

No. 9. Ye-nan-gyoung [Yenangyaung]. Balcony of a Kyoung.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe with a close view of a balcony of the kyaung or monastery at Yenangyaung in Burma (Myanmar), showing the intricate carved decoration, from a portfolio of 120 prints.

The 1855 British Mission to Burma was instructed to persuade the Burmese king Mindon Min to accept the annexation of Pegu (Lower Burma) following the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852. It was also the intention of the British to collect both cultural and practical information regarding the little known country.

The mission spent a little over three months in Burma from August to early November 1855 stopping at various places to allow Linnaeus Tripe, the official photographer and the Missions artist, Colesworthy Grant to perform their duties. Tripe declared the wood-carving on the balcony of the monastery, Quite Burmese in its grotesqueness.

Yenangyaung is a town in west-central Myanmar on the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), long the centre of the most productive oil-fields in the country.

No. 10. Ye-nan-gyoung [Yenangyaung]. Tamarind tree.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a tamarind tree, with a pagoda on the hillside in the background, at Yenangyaung in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints.

Tripe was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people.


Yenangyaung was a town in west-central Myanmar on the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), the centre of the most productive oil-fields in the country.

Tamarind is commonly used in Burmese cuisine and the tamarind tree is widespread in Burma. It is also used as raw material in joss-stick production

No. 11. Ye-nan-gyoung [Yenangyaung]. Chatty Manufactory.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a pottery at Yenangyaung in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints.

Tripe was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people.

Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma. Yenangyaung was a town in west-central Myanmar on the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), long the centre of the most productive oil-fields in the country.

This view of a pottery with thatched buildings and a pile of chatties or round earthenware pots lying in the foreground has an accompanying letterpress which states,

Petroleum is exported from Ye-nan-gyoung (whence its name river of fetid water) in pots such as represented above.

No. 12. Tantabeng. Group of Pagodas.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of three ruined temples at Tantabeng in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. A trip to Tantabeng a few miles north of Yenangyaung on the east bank of the Irrawaddy (just visible in the background of this picture) is mentioned in Yules narrative Mission to the Court of Ava in 1855, and Tantabeng is marked (with a question mark) on the map in that volume.

A brief description of the monuments is given at p.34 of Yules narrative. The text accompanying the photograph in Tripes portfolio states, These buildings are in a remarkable and ancient style, seen more highly developed at Pugahm [Pagan or Bagan]. The interiors are painted; and almost by the designs remind one of Byzantine frescoes rudely copied.

Tripe, an officer in the Madras Infantry, was attached to the British diplomatic mission to the Burmese court in 1855, the purpose of which was to persuade King Mindon Min to ratify the peace treaty of his predecessor Pagan Min who had signed away the province of Pegu at the conclusion of the Anglo-Burmese war of 1852.

The mission was headed by Arthur Phayre with Henry Yule as Secretary. In the words of Lord Dalhousie explaining the mission to his superiors in London: such officers should be chosen for this purpose as shall be capable, in various ways, of collecting and furnishing information to the

Government upon all points, on which it may be of advantage hereafter to possess accurate knowledge, and which may be useful also for our future purposes. Tripes portfolio, produced for government purposes, comprises the first extensive photographic record produced in Burma.

No.13. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Sheen-byeen-baudi Pagoda [Mahabodhi Pagoda].


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the Mahabodhi temple at Bagan (Pagan) in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.

The 1855 British Mission to Burma was instructed to persuade the Burmese king Mindon Min to accept the annexation of Pegu (Lower Burma) following the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852. It was also the intention of the British to collect both cultural and practical information about the country. They travelled in Burma from August to early November 1855, stopping at various places to allow Linnaeus Tripe, the official photographer, and the missions artist, Colesworthy Grant, to perform their duties.

Tripe writes of this view, A peculiar specimen of Pugahm architecture rather Hindoo-like in style. The spire and walls outside are crowded with figures of Gautama in niches. In the enclosure in front are some fifty ancient inscribed stones. It dates from about 1200 A.D.

The Burmese Mahabodhi temple is modelled on the temple of the same name built at the spot in Bodh Gaya in India where the Buddha attained enlightenment in 6th century BC. The 140 foot high brick and stucco structure has a large square pyramidal tower topped by a conical spire and umbrella and was built in the reign of Nadaungmya (1211-1234). Its stuccoed exterior is ornamented with numerous niches containing over 450 Buddha images.

No. 14. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Shwe-Koo Pagoda. [Shwegugyi Pagoda]


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the Shwegugyi temple in the Pagan (Bagan) region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.

The 1855 British Mission to Burma was instructed to persuade the Burmese king Mindon Min to accept the annexation of Pegu (Lower Burma) following the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852. It was also the intention of the British to collect information about the country. They travelled in Burma from August to early November 1855, stopping at various places to allow Linnaeus Tripe, the official photographer, and the missions artist, Colesworthy Grant, to perform their duties.

Capital of the first kingdom of Burma from the 11th to the 14th century, Pagan is one of the most important archaeological sites in South East Asia, with the remains of over 2000 stupas, temples and monasteries scattered over a 30 km radius. The Shwegugyi or Great Golden Cave is not one of the largest of Pagans monuments but is an elegant structure on a high brick platform with its history recorded on two stone slabs set in the inner walls. The inscription dates the building to 1131 and states that the construction took only seven and a half months. It is considered one of the finest poetic works in Burmese literature.

Tripe wrote of this view, Or Golden Cave. A good miniature specimen of the most decorated style of Pugahm architecture. It contains some remarkable inscriptions, and dates from around A.D. 1500. The Shwegugyis donor was Alaungsitthu (ruled 1112-67).

No. 15. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Thapinyu Pagoda. [That-byin-nu]


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the That-byin-nu temple in the Pagan (Bagan)region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.

The 1855 British Mission to Burma was instructed to persuade the Burmese king Mindon Min to accept the annexation of Pegu (Lower Burma) following the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852. It was also the intention of the British to collect information about the country.

They travelled in Burma from August to early November 1855, stopping at various places to allow Linnaeus Tripe, the official photographer, and the missions artist, Colesworthy Grant, to perform their duties.

Capital of the first kingdom of Burma from the 11th to the 14th century, Pagan is one of the most important archaeological sites in South East Asia, with the remains of over 2000 stupas, temples and monasteries scattered over a 30 km radius.

Tripe wrote of the That-byin-nu, Or the Omniscient. It is about 230 feet square, and 200 feet high; divided into two stages, each stage into two stories.

An arched corridor passes round each stage, with arched doorways opening outwards; opposite those on the ground story are sitting figures of Gautama. In the centre of each side of the lower stage, is a projecting wing with a lofty doorway, opening into a vestibule: this forms a centre porch to the corridor, a colossal seated figure of Gautama facing it. The centre of the building is a solid mass of masonry terminated by a bulging pyramidal spire crowned by a tee. Its date is about 1100 A.D.

The temple is the tallest construction in Pagan, towering to 61 ms. Built by King Alaungsitthu in the middle of the 12th century, its square plan is the most elaborate of the middle period of building in Pagan (ca.1120-70).

No. 16. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Pato-budho-nya Pagoda. [Pahtothamya]


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the Pahtothamya temple in the Pagan (Bagan) region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.


Capital of the first kingdom of Burma from the 11th to the 14th century, Pagan is one of the most important archaeological sites in South East Asia, with the remains of over 2000 stupas, temples and monasteries scattered over a 30 km radius. Tripe wrote of the Pahtothamya temple, Apparently one of the most ancient of these temples; and probably dating from the tenth century.

Scholars locate this temple to the Early Period of building in Pagan and interpret its name, Temple of Great Fruitfulness, to indicate that it is the symbol of the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Pagan in the 11th century.

No. 17. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Gauda-palen Pagoda. [Gawdawpalin Temple]


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the Gawdawpalin temple in the Pagan (Bagan) region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.


They travelled in Burma from August to early November 1855, stopping at various places to allow Linnaeus Tripe, the official photographer, and the missions artist, Colesworthy Grant, to perform their duties. Capital of the first kingdom of Burma from the 11th to the 14th century,

Pagan is one of the most important archaeological sites in South East Asia, with the remains of over 2000 stupas, temples and monasteries scattered over a 30 km radius. One of the most beautiful and graceful of Pagans temples, the Late Period Gawdawpalin or Throne of Obeisance was begun in the reign of Narapatisithu (1174-1211) and completed by Nadaungmya (ruled 1211-34).

No. 18. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Distant view of Gauda-palen. [Gawdawpalin]


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe with a distant view of the Gawdawpalin temple in the Pagan (Bagan) region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.


They travelled in Burma from August to early November 1855, stopping at various places to allow Linnaeus Tripe, the official photographer, and the missions artist, Colesworthy Grant, to perform their duties. Capital of the first kingdom of Burma from the 11th to the 14th century,

Pagan is one of the most important archaeological sites in South East Asia, with the remains of over 2000 stupas, temples and monasteries scattered over a 30 km radius. One of the most beautiful and graceful of Pagans temples, the Late Period Gawdawpalin or Throne of Obeisance was begun in the reign of Narapatisithu (1174-1211) and completed by Nadaungmya (ruled 1211-34).

Tripe wrote, Taken from the top of Thapinyu. [That-byin-nu]. The ruins of all shapes and sizes seen in this view, give an idea of the manner in which they are scattered for about eight miles along the river [the Irrawaddy], to a depth of sometimes three miles.

No. 19. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Ananda Pagoda.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the Ananda temple in the Pagan (Bagan) region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma. The 1855 British Mission to Burma was instructed to persuade the Burmese king Mindon Min to accept the annexation of Pegu (Lower Burma) following the Anglo-Burmese War of 1852. It was also the intention of the British to collect information about the country. They travelled in Burma from August to early November 1855, stopping at various places to allow Linnaeus Tripe, the official photographer, and the missions artist, Colesworthy Grant, to perform their duties.

Capital of the first kingdom of Burma from the 11th to the 14th century, Pagan is one of the most important archaeological sites in South East Asia, with the remains of over 2000 stupas, temples and monasteries scattered over a 30 km radius. Tripe wrote of the Ananda, It was built about A.D. 1060, and restored during the present century and is now in perfect repair. The chant of the worshippers, the lofty aisles with their long vistas, make this building resemble a Christian Cathedral rather than a Heathen Temple. One of the most venerated of Pagans temples, the Ananda commemorates Buddhas Infinite Wisdom (Anantapanna). Its style is of the Early Period and it is dated to ca.1105.

No. 20. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Kyoung near the Ananda Pagoda.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe with a general view of the kyaung or monastery attached to the Ananda Pagoda in the Pagan (Bagan) region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.




Tripe wrote of this kyaung, Has some fine carvings about it; and attached to it, is a small building of masonry, the interior of which is covered with paintings, representing the Burmese Hell called Ngara, and the Paradise of the Nats. Sawing asunder, pounding in a mortar, are amongst the punishments of the former.

The happiness of the latter seems to consist in ease, numerous attendants, and viewing sports, dancing, &c.

No. 21. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. East facade of Damayangyee Pagoda. [Dhamma-yan-gyi Temple]


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the Dhamma-yan-gyi temple in the Pagan (Bagan) region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.



Tripe found that the Dhamma-yan-gyi, is one of the best examples of design, and in some parts of it, of workmanship at Pugahm... He continued, In the vestibule on the east face, the vaulting of brickwork has been laid bare, and shows less careful work in that important part, than in the walls below.

This, with its having been more neglected than the other temples, may account for its dilapidated condition. The central aisles have been blocked up, but not so carefully as to escape notice. This shuts up all the centre of the building; for what purpose is unknown. A strong wall 12 feet high, surrounds it.

It dates from about the year 1154 A.D. Noted for its fine brickwork, the powerful shape of this massive temple is one of the most enigmatic in Pagan, both its history and its architecture have afforded scholars much debate. Built in the late 12th century, possibly by Narapatisithu , the interior has been blocked up by brickwork for some unknown reason.

No. 22. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Flat Arch in Damayangyee Pagoda. [Dhamma-yan-gyi]


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of an arch of the Dhamma-yan-gyi temple in the Pagan (Bagan) region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.




Noted for its fine brickwork, the powerful shape of this massive temple is one of the most enigmatic in Pagan, both its history and its architecture have afforded scholars much debate.

Built in the late 12th century, possibly by Narapatisithu, the interior has been blocked up by brickwork for some unknown reason.

Tripe wrote of this view, The flat arch here seen is well worth notice. How did the art of it get to Pugahm in the 12th century?

No. 23. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Figures in Damayangyee Pagoda. [Dhamma-yan-gyi]


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of sculptures of the Dhamma-yan-gyi temple in the Pagan (Bagan) region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.



Noted for its fine brickwork, the powerful shape of the Dhamma-yan-gyi is one of the most enigmatic in Pagan, both its history and its architecture have afforded scholars much debate. Built in the late 12th century, possibly by Narapatisithu, the interior has been blocked up by brickwork for some unknown reason.

Linnaeus Tripe wrote of these four figures, These are in the east vestibule. They represent four favourite disciples of Gautama seated, a lotus flower being the footstool of each. There were two smaller figures (one only remains) kneeling on the lotus, intimating perhaps that as the disciples of Gautama adored him so they in turn were adored by ordinary mortals.

No. 24. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Entrance to the Shwe Zeegong Pagoda.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the entrance to the Shwezigon temple in the Pagan (Bagan) region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.



This view of the Shwezigon Pagoda shows the massive Burmese temple guardian figures, also known as chinthes, or leogryphs. Tripe wrote, Shwe Zeegong is one of the most favourite places of worship in Burmah. It contains a facsimile of one of Gautamas teeth. It dates from about A.D. 1064.

An important place of pilgrimage in Pagan, the Shwezigons lower terraces were apparently built by Anawrahta (ruled 1044-77) and the rest of the edifice was built by Kyanzittha (ruled 1084-1113).

No. 25. Pugahm Myo [Pagan]. Carved doorway.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a carved doorway of the Shwezigon temple in the Pagan (Bagan) region of Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. With this portfolio of

architectural and topographical views, Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, created an early photographic record of Burma.




An important place of pilgrimage in Pagan, the Shwezigons lower terraces were apparently built by Anawrahta (ruled 1044-77) and the rest of the edifice was built by Kyanzittha (ruled 1084-1113).

Tripe wrote of this picture, This is in the Court of Shwe Zeegong. It is ruinous and out of the perpendicular, but very interesting, and, being one of many in the same court and all differing, shows how fertile in design the Burmese are.

No. 26. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. A small Pagoda.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a stupa at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the british annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma. Mandalay in central Burma was the capital of the last Burmese kingdom. Clustered around it on the banks of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river are other earlier capitals, such as Ava (Inwa), Amarapura and Sagaing. The latter, 21 kms south-west of Mandalay, is on the opposite bank of the river from Ava and has long been revered as the religious centre of Burma where people come to meditate. Sagaing is popularly described as Little Pagan since there are hundreds of stupas and monasteries at this site. Founded in 1315 by a Shan chieftain, it was capital for only a few decades before the kings shifted to Ava.

No. 27. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Pagoda in ruins.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a ruined pagoda or stupa at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855.

This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma.

Mandalay in central Burma was the capital of the last Burmese kingdom. Clustered around it on the banks of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river are other earlier capitals, such as Ava (Inwa), Amarapura and Sagaing. The latter, 21 kms south-west of Mandalay, is on the opposite bank of the river from Ava and has long been revered as the religious centre of Burma.

Sagaing is popularly described as Little Pagan since there are hundreds of stupas and monasteries at this site. Founded in 1315 by a Shan chieftain, it was capital for only a few decades before the kings shifted to Ava.

No. 28. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Tazaung.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a tazaung at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852.

Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma.

Mandalay in central Burma was the capital of the last Burmese kingdom. Clustered around it on the banks of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river are other earlier capitals, such as Ava (Inwa), Amarapura and Sagaing. The latter, 21 kms south-west of Mandalay, is on the opposite bank of the river from Ava and has long been revered as the religious centre of Burma. People come from all over the country to meditate at Sagaing, popularly described as Little Pagan since there are hundreds of stupas and monasteries at this site. Founded in 1315 by a Shan chieftain, it was capital for only a few decades before the kings shifted to Ava.

Tripe wrote of this tazaung, an open-sided wooden structure with a series of sloping roofs, This is rather Moresco in character; I do not remember having seen a similar building in Burmah. A tazaung is an adoration hall where people offer flowers, light candles and joss sticks and pray before rows of Buddhas.

No. 29. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. A roadway.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a road at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852.


Mandalay in central Burma was the capital of the last Burmese kingdom. Clustered around it on the banks of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river are other earlier capitals, such as Ava (Inwa),

Amarapura and Sagaing. The latter, 21 kms south-west of Mandalay, is on the opposite bank of the river from Ava and has long been revered as the religious centre of Burma.

People come from all over the country to meditate at Sagaing, popularly described as Little Pagan since there are hundreds of stupas and monasteries at this site. Founded in 1315 by a Shan chieftain, it was capital for only a few decades before the kings shifted to Ava.

No. 30. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Ruined Tazaung.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a dilapidated tazaung at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. A tazaung is an adoration hall or idol house where people offer flowers, light candles and joss sticks and pray before rows of Buddhas. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma. Mandalay in central Burma was the capital of the last Burmese kingdom. Clustered

around it on the banks of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river are other earlier capitals, such as Ava (Inwa), Amarapura and Sagaing. The latter, 21 kms south-west of Mandalay, is on the opposite bank of the river from Ava and has long been revered as the religious centre of Burma. People come from all over the country to meditate at Sagaing, popularly described as Little Pagan since there are hundreds of stupas and monasteries at this site. Founded in 1315 by a Shan chieftain, it was capital for only a few decades before the kings shifted to Ava.

No. 31. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Litters under a shed.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of some sedan chairs in a shed at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855.

This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the

country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma.

Mandalay in central Burma was the capital of the last Burmese kingdom. Clustered around it on the banks of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river are other earlier capitals, such as Ava (Inwa), Amarapura and Sagaing.

The latter, 21 kms south-west of Mandalay, is on the opposite bank of the river from Ava and has long been revered as the religious centre of Burma.

People come from all over the country to meditate at Sagaing, popularly described as Little Pagan since there are hundreds of stupas and monasteries at this site.

Founded in 1315 by a Shan chieftain, it was capital for only a few decades before the kings shifted to Ava.

Linnaeus Tripe wrote of these intricately-carved wooden sedan chairs, These were left by will to the Aong-mre-lo-ka Pagoda [Aungmyelawka Paya] near them, by members of the Royal family; equipages belonging to them, being considered too sacred to be used by others after their death, are presented to the Temples.

They are of great size and weight, and would require about forty men to carry them.

No. 32. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Doorway of a small Pagoda.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the entrance of a small pagoda at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints.In 1855 a British mission was sent to King Mindon Min of Burma to negotiate a settlement regarding Pegu, annexed by the British following the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852.

Linnaeus Tripe, an officer of the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer on this mission, and his architectural and topographical views of the country are an important early photographic record of Burma. He wrote of this view, A very fair specimen of a style of architectural decoration in Burmah. Mandalay in central Burma was the capital of the last Burmese kingdom. Clustered around it on the banks of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river are other earlier capitals, such as Ava (Inwa), Amarapura and Sagaing. The latter, 21 kms south-west of Mandalay, is on the opposite bank of the river from Ava and has long been revered as the religious centre of Burma.

People come from all over the country to meditate at Sagaing, popularly described as Little Pagan since there are hundreds of stupas and monasteries at this site. Founded in 1315 by a Shan chieftain, it was capital for only a few decades before the kings shifted to Ava.

No. 33. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Zayat.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a zayat (an open-sided shelter for travellers) at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852.

Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma. He wrote of this scene, Buildings of this kind are both for secular and religious purposes. They are resting places for travellers, refectories for votaries of the Temples near them, and in them the Pungyis or Priests [pongyis], deliver their homilies.

Sagaing became capital of an independent Shan kingdom in 1315, after the fall of Bagan (Pagan) had thrown Burma into chaos. After a few decades, the Shan king shifted to Ava (Inwa) and Sagaing then declined in political importance, only briefly reverting to the capital of the Burman Konbaung dynasty under King Naungdawgyi in the 1760s. It became known more as a religious centre, supporting thousands of monks and nuns. Today, people from all over the country come

to Sagaing to meditate and it is known as Little Bagan because of the multitudes of temples and monasteries here.

No. 34. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. View near the River.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a view at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. The view is on the bank of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady), looking towards a building raised on piles over the water. Tripe wrote in the accompanying letterpress, The Irrawadi at the time of the freshes, inundates the country from some distance from its banks; the necessity therefore of building on piles, as above seen is very evident.

Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma.

Sagaing became capital of an independent Shan kingdom in 1315, after the fall of Bagan (Pagan) had thrown Burma into chaos. After a few decades, the Shan king shifted to Ava (Inwa) and Sagaing then declined in political importance, only briefly reverting to the capital of the Burman Konbaung dynasty under King Naungdawgyi in the 1760s. It became known more as a religious centre, supporting thousands of monks and nuns. Today, people from all over the country come to Sagaing to meditate and it is known as Little Bagan because of the multitudes of temples and monasteries here.

No. 35. Tsaing Myo [Sagaing]. Kowa-doung Pagoda.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of pagodas, with the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) visible in the background at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints.

The photographer wrote, The terrace, on which this stands, is one of three covered with Pagodas and Kyoungs. On the opposite of the Irrawadi is Ava; the river at this point is about 1100 yards broad. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852.


Mandalay in central Burma was the capital of the last Burmese kingdom. Clustered around it on the banks of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river are other earlier capitals, such as Ava (Inwa), Amarapura and Sagaing. The latter, 21 kms south-west of Mandalay, is on the opposite bank of the river from Ava and has long been revered as the religious centre of Burma. Sagaing is popularly described as Little Pagan since there are hundreds of stupas and monasteries at this site. Founded in 1315 by a Shan chieftain, it was capital for only a few decades before the kings shifted to Ava.

No. 36. Tsagain Myo [Sagaing]. Water Pots.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of water pots on a covered platform at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints.

Tripe wrote, It is a frequent thing, in a Burmese thoroughfare to see, placed for the use of passers by, waterpots, suspended from the boughs of trees, or under a carved wooden shed, or in one roughly made as above.

Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855.

This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852.

Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people.


Sagaing became capital of an independent Shan kingdom in 1315, after the fall of Bagan (Pagan) had thrown Burma into chaos.

After a few decades, the Shan king shifted to Ava (Inwa) and Sagaing then declined in political importance, only briefly reverting to the capital of the Burman Konbaung dynasty under King Naungdawgyi in the 1760s.

It became known more as a religious centre, supporting thousands of monks and nuns.

Today, people from all over the country come to Sagaing to meditate and it is known as Little Bagan because of the multitudes of temples and monasteries here.

No. 37. Ava. Tower of the Palace.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a watchtower at Ava (Inwa) in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints.


This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people.

Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma. Tripe described this view of the Nanmyin, a square brick and stucco watchtower, tilting and surrounded by fallen masonry, This is the only coherent remains of the palace. The earthquake of 1839 covered the ground with the rest of it and tilted this considerably.

Ava, located south-west of Amarapura at the confluence of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) and the Myitnge rivers, was founded in about 1365 as the third capital of the Shan rulers previously established at Pinya and Sagaing.

For the most part of the next five centuries it remained the royal city until finally abandoned as capital in favour of Amarapura. Much of Ava including the 19th century palace of King Bagyidaw at its centre was destroyed in a disastrous earthquake in 1838.

The Nanmyin is all that remains of the palace although the upper part of this 30 m high masonry tower was destroyed. The lower part leans to one side, earning it the nickname of the leaning tower of Ava.

No. 38. Amerapoora. Portico of the Residency.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the portico of the British Residency building at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. The photographer wrote of this view from the courtyard, looking towards the open-sided portico, This covered a square of ninety feet having a dome-like roof of thatched bamboo, and closed on the outer side by a Proscenium for Marionettes, draperied with blue cloth laced with gold and silver.In this portico, the ground being the stage, were performed pu-es (the Burmese opera) for the amusement of members of the mission. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma.

Amarapura, on the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river, was twice the capital of the Burmese kings of the Konbaung dynasty: from 1782 (the year of its foundation by King Bodawpaya) to 1823 and again from 1837 to 1860, after which Mandalay, 11 km to the north, became capital. Amarapura was the site of the first British Embassy to Burma in 1795, and played host again to Tripes Mission.

No. 39. Amerapoora. West Gate of the Residency Enclosure.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe with a view from outside the British Residency enclosure at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar), looking towards the gate, from a portfolio of 120 prints. The accompanying letterpress states, This enclosure was formed by a bamboo wall about eighteen feet high, on the outer side of which was a continuous shed all round except at the east and west sides, in the centre of which were gateways. This shed was a barrack for some 600 Burmese soldiers with their officers, forming the Guard of Honor to the mission.

Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma. Amarapura, on the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river, was twice the capital of the Burmese kings of the Konbaung dynasty: from 1782 (the year of its foundation by King Bodawpaya) to 1823 and again from 1837 to 1860, after which Mandalay, 11 km to the north, became capital. Amarapura was the site of the first British Embassy to Burma in 1795, and played host again to Tripes Mission.

No. 40. Amerapoora. Barracks of the Burmese Guard.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe, from a portfolio of 120 prints, of a view looking along the thatched huts running along the outer wall that served as barracks for the Burmese guard of honour to the British mission staying at the Residency at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar). Tripe wrote, Their arms are tied to the racks, their bandolier-like belts, and red or green lacquered tin chacoes (nearly a wide-awake in shape) hang above. At intervals are the javelins of the sub-officers. Between the trees Amerapoora can be seen across the lake.

Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma. Amarapura, on the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river, was twice the capital of the Burmese kings of the Konbaung dynasty: from 1782 (the year of its foundation by King Bodawpaya) to 1823 and again from 1837 to 1860, after which Mandalay, 11 km to the north, became capital. Amarapura was the site of the first British Embassy to Burma in 1795, and played host again to Tripes Mission.

No. 41. Amerapoora. East Door of the Maha-thugea-yan-tee Pagoda [Kyauktawgyi Pagoda].


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe, from a portfolio of 120 prints, showing a view of the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar). In 1855 an officer from the Madras Infantry, Linneaus Tripe, was attached as official photographer to the diplomatic mission sent from India to the Burmese capital of Amarapura. The missions goal was two-fold: to negotiate with King Mindon Min his acceptance of British rule over Pegu, and to gather information about the country in every detail. During the journey up the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) from Rangoon to Amarapura, Tripe produced a portfolio of 120 large views of scenery and architecture which are amongst the earliest and finest - surviving images of this then little-known kingdom. A few years after they were taken, the royal capital was transferred 11 km upriver to Mandalay. The letterpress accompanying this views states, Near the Residency [where the British Misssion was housed], said to have been built after the plan of the Ananda at Pugahm [Pagan]. There are four entrances like this, the interiors of which are decorated with representations of the worship of Gautama. The Kyauktawgyi Pagoda (once known as the Maha-thet-kya-yan-ti or Great Light of Sakyamuni after the colossal Buddha image of Sagyin marble housed in it) was built by King Pagan Min in 1847 at one end of a massive wooden bridge spanning the seasonal Taungthaman Lake, and once marked the very edge of Amarapura. It is said to be modelled on the Ananda

Pagoda at Pagan (Bagan). Its interior is decorated with mural paintings at the eastern and western sides.

No. 42. Amerapoora. Mygabhoodee-tee Kyoung from E.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe, from a portfolio of 120 prints, showing a kyaung (monastery) near the building where the British delegation was housed at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar). In 1855 an officer from the Madras Infantry, Linneaus Tripe, was attached as official photographer to the diplomatic mission sent from India to the Burmese capital of Amarapura. The missions goal was two-fold: to negotiate with King Mindon Min his acceptance of British rule over Pegu, and to gather information about the country in every detail. During the journey up the Irrawaddy

(Ayeyarwady) from Rangoon (Yangon) to Amarapura, Tripe produced a portfolio of 120 large views of scenery and architecture which are amongst the earliest and finest - surviving images of this then little-known kingdom. A few years after they were taken, the royal capital was transferred 11 km upriver to Mandalay. Tripe wrote of this view, This small monastery, near the Residency, attracted much attention from the richness of its carving and the beauty of its situation.

No. 43. Amerapoora. Corner of Mygabhoodee Kyoung.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe, from a portfolio of 120 prints, with a close view of the wood-carving at the corner of a kyaung (monastery) near where the British delegation was housed at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar). In 1855 an officer from the Madras Infantry, Linneaus Tripe, was attached as official photographer to the diplomatic mission sent from India to the Burmese capital of Amarapura.

The missions goal was two-fold: to negotiate with King Mindon Min his acceptance of British rule over Pegu, and to gather information about the country in every detail. During the journey up the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) from Rangoon (Yangon) to Amarapura, Tripe produced a portfolio of 120 large views of scenery and architecture which are amongst the earliest and finest - surviving images of this then little-known kingdom.

A few years after they were taken, the royal capital was transferred 11 km upriver to Mandalay. Tripe wrote of this kyaung, This small monastery, near the Residency, attracted much attention from the richness of its carving and the beauty of its situation. The Burmese are highly skilled at wood-carving, creating designs of great beauty, intricacy and fluidity.

No. 44. Amerapoora. View at N. end of the Wooden Bridge


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe, from a portfolio of 120 prints, showing a view of the wooden bridge (U Bein Bridge) at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar). In 1855 an officer from the Madras Infantry, Linneaus Tripe, was attached as official photographer to the diplomatic mission sent from India to the Burmese capital of Amarapura.

The missions goal was two-fold: to negotiate with King Mindon Min his acceptance of British rule over Pegu, and to gather information about the country in every detail.

During the journey up the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) from Rangoon to Amarapura, Tripe produced a portfolio of 120 large views of scenery and architecture which are amongst the earliest and finest - surviving images of this then little-known kingdom.

A few years after they were taken, the royal capital was transferred 11 km upriver to Mandalay. While the teak bridge on the left of this photograph still exists, few old buildings in the abandoned capital survive and Tripes photographs remain the only accurate visual record of the old royal capital.

No. 45. Amerapoora. Wooden Bridge.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe, from a portfolio of 120 prints, showing a view of the wooden bridge at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar). In 1855 an officer from the Madras Infantry, Linneaus Tripe, was attached as official photographer to the diplomatic mission sent from India to the Burmese capital of Amarapura. The missions goal was two-fold: to negotiate with King Mindon Min his acceptance of British rule over Pegu, and to gather information about the country in every detail. During the journey up the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) from Rangoon (Yangon) to Amarapura, Tripe produced a portfolio of 120 large views of scenery and architecture which are amongst the earliest - and finest - surviving images of this then little-known kingdom. A few years after they were taken, the royal capital was transferred 11 km upriver to Mandalay. While the U Bein bridge in this photograph still exists, few buildings in the abandoned capital survive and Tripes photographs remain the only accurate visual record of the old royal capital. The bridge spans the seasonal Taungthaman Lake to the south of Amarapura and is 1.5 kms long. Built by a mayor, U Bein, in 1784, it was constructed from teak posts salvaged from the ruined former capital city of Ava (Inwa). Tripe wrote of this view, Carried over the west limb of the Lake on piles about 7 feet apart with some openings (bridged with loose planks) for the passage through of large boats.

No. 46. Amerapoora. Colossal Statue of Gautama close to the North end of the bridge.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a statue of the seated Buddha, near the U Bein bridge at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripes architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma.

Amarapura, on the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river, was twice the capital of the Burmese kings of the Konbaung dynasty: from 1782 (the year of its foundation by King Bodawpaya) to 1823 and again from 1837 to 1860, after which Mandalay, 11 km to the north, became capital. Amarapura was the site of the first British Embassy to Burma in 1795, and played host again to Tripes Mission. Tripe wrote of this Buddha surrounded by small pagodas, Its height is about 37 and a half feet above the throne.

No. 47. Amerapoora. Gateway behind the Statue.


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a gateway of a pagoda complex near the U Bein bridge at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people.


Amarapura, on the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river, was twice the capital of the Burmese kings of the Konbaung dynasty: from 1782 (the year of its foundation by King Bodawpaya) to 1823 and again from 1837 to 1860, after which Mandalay, 11 km to the north, became capital. Amarapura was the site of the first British Embassy to Burma in 1795, and played host again to Tripes Mission.

No. 48. Amerapoora. View amongst the Pagodas near the Statue [of Gautama].


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of a pagoda complex near the U Bein bridge at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints.




Amarapura, on the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river, was twice the capital of the Burmese kings of the Konbaung dynasty: from 1782 (the year of its foundation by King Bodawpaya) to 1823 and again from 1837 to 1860, after which Mandalay, 11 km to the north, became capital.

Amarapura was the site of the first British Embassy to Burma in 1795, and played host again to Tripes Mission.

No.49. Amerapoora. Mhoo-daughee Pagoda [Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, Sagaing].


Photograph by Linnaeus Tripe of the Kaungmudaw Pagoda at Sagaing in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints, the stupa partially obscured by a tree in the foreground.




The 46 m high Kaunghmudaw (the name means work of great merit) Pagoda dome rises a few miles north of Sagaing rather than in Amarapura and was built in 1636 by King Thalon to commemorate Ava (Inwa) being re-established as capital.

The huge whitewashed dome is said to be modelled after the Mahaceti (Great Stupa) in Sri Lanka although legend also states that it represents the perfect breast of Thaluns queen.

Tripe wrote that the structure was, Very like the Bilsa Topes described by Major Cunningham. This is h

Documents

The Journey to Amerapoora in 1855