A groundbreaking ceremony for a Mandalay museum dedicated to Burma’s Konbaung Dynasty was held on Friday.
The Konbaung Dynasty was also Burma’s last monarchy, and reigned from 1752 until 1885 from their kingdom’s capital in Mandalay. Estimated to cost two billion kyats (over US$1.6 million), the museum will showcase historic records of buildings and businesses in Mandalay during this period, as well as documentary photos, and both gems– including rubies and jade– and tools used in mining. Also present will be historic artifacts from Bagan’s Archaeological Zone.
“Such a museum will be the first of its kind in Mandalay. We want it to become the landmark of Mandalay Division. We will build the museum to make the visitors feel they can see the entire Mandalay Division there,” said Thet Naing Tun, joint secretary of Mandalay City Development Committee.
Hsuu Ngat, a renowned historian and writer in Mandalay said: “If the museum is to be named Konbaung, it should represent the entire Konbaung Dynasty. But if it mainly exhibits jade and gems, it will just become a jade promotion.”
The museum will be built on land owned by Mandalay City Development Committee on 73rd Street in Chanmyathazi Township. It will be funded by Chan Hein Construction Co. and is scheduled to be completed in three years.
