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Early civilization in Myanmar
dates back to the 1st century with archaeological
evidences of the Pyu Kingdoms of Thayekhittaya
(Sriksetra), Beikthano (Visnu) and Hanlin.
Myanmar entered a period of greatness in the early
11th century when King Anawrahta unified the country
and created the first Myanmar Empire with its
capital in Bagan. The Empire, which lasted until
the end of the 13th century, produced a glorious
civilization whose monuments still endure. The
second Myanmar Empire with its capital in Bago
was created in the middle of the 16th century
by King Bayinnaung.
The third and last Myanmar Empire was founded
by King Alaungpaya in 1752 and had a number of
capitals, the last being Mandalay.
In the later years of the Empire, Myanmar was
annexed by the British in three stages, in 1825,
1852, 1885 and became a British colony. Myanmar
was occupied by the Japanese during World War
II, and in the postwar period the independence
movement, which had begun in the early 20th century,
came to a climax and Myanmar attained independence
on 4 January 1948 |
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