Amarapura Period Burmese Wood Buddha Statue

Medallions of coloured glass mosaics decorate the edges of the robe with a Mandalay-style tiered lapel draped over both shoulders also decorated with glass mosaic mosaics. A single band of mosaics outlines the lotus petals on the pedestal.

Amayapura also referred to as Amarapura, in Sanskrit means “City of immortality”, and was once the capital of Burma (Myanmar) during the 19th century, but only for a short period of time. King Bodawpaya the ruling king at that time instigated the move to Amarapura from the then capital of Innwa in 1783, after brutally murdering his rivals, some of whom were family members. In 1823 the seat of government was again returned to Innwa briefly after which it was returned to Amarapura in 1841. The popular and much-loved King Mindon (1853-1878) made Mandalay the last capital In 1857.

Innwa is now a peaceful and tranquil area showing scant evidence of its once vibrant history. There are very few remains of the old city as the palace was moved with the help of elephants to the new locale in Mandalay. The city walls were later used for building railways and roads by the British during their occupation from 1824 – 1948.