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The Pyu

The Pyu arrived in Myanmar in the 1st century BC and established city kingdoms at Binnaka, Mongamo, Sri Ksetra, Beikthano myo, and Halingyi. During this period, Myanmar was part of an overland trade route from China to India. Chinese sources state that the Pyu controlled 18 kingdoms and describe them as a humane and peaceful people. War was virtually unknown amongst the Pyu, and disputes were often solved through duels by champions or building competitions. They even wore silk cotton instead of actual silk so they would not have to kill silk worms. Crime was punished by whippings and jails were unknown, though serious crimes could result in the death penalty. The Pyu practised Theravada Buddhism, and all children were educated as novices in the temples from the age of seven until the age of 20.

The Pyu city-states never unified into a Pyu kingdom, but the more powerful cities often dominated and called for tribute from the lesser cities. The most powerful city by far was Sri Ksetra, which archaeological evidence indicates was the largest city that has ever been built in Burma. The exact date of its founding is not known, though likely to be prior to a dynastic change in A.D. 94 that Pyu chronicles speak of. Sri Ksetra was apparently abandoned around A.D. 656 in favor of a more northerly capital, though the exact site is not known. Some historians believe it was Halingyi. Wherever the new capital was located, it was sacked by the kingdom of Nanzhao in the mid-9th century, ending the Pyu's period of dominance.

Pyu Sites

Pyay is located about 5 hours north of Yangon by road, or an overnight boat trip south of Bagan. The British Irrawaddy Flotilla Company established the current town in the late 1800s on the Ayeyarwady River as a trans-shipment point for cargo between upper and lower Myanmar. It is also called Pyi by the locals.

The name “Pyi” means “capital” in Burmese, and refers to the ruins of the Pyu capital of Sri Ksetra (City of Splendor) which is located 8 km to the southeast of modern Pyi and is known today as the village of Hmawa. Sri Ksetra was built around 638 AD and was the capital of the new Pyu dynasty of Vikrama. The city was circular with walls enclosing an around of 46 sq km. The city fell to Bagan in 1057, and the Pyu retreated northward. The Burmese came continued to call the old Pyu centre Pyi. The extensive ruins have been the subject of intensive archaeological investigation.

Beikthano city is located 12 miles west of Taungdwingyi Townshipin the Magway Division. Beikthano was destroyed in the 4th or 5th Century C.E. Buildings and city gates were consumed by fire, indicating that it was the result of enemy attack. After a short period as a ruined city, it was rebuilt again as a succeeding kingdom, only to be sacked again and burnt to the ground. However the Pyu people continued to occupy the surrounding countryside in spite their no longer having city-walls and a Palace to protect them. The next Pyu kingdom was established down-river at Thayekhittara (Sri Kshestra), 5 miles west of Pyay (Bago Division) that grew to prominence during the 4th and 5th Centuries.