09.04.2025 (12:01 PM)

The Department of Archaeology and National Museums (Inwa, Pinya) reported that about 600 ancient pagodas and ancient buildings were damaged by a very strong earthquake on the afternoon of March 28, 2025 in the ancient city of Inwa.

“According to the inspection, about 600 ancient pagodas and ancient buildings in Inwa were damaged by the earthquake, including collapsed and broken structures. There are a total of 961 ancient pagodas and ancient buildings in Inwa,” said an official from the department.

“The pagoda and the surrounding pagodas were completely destroyed. It happened when people were out because they were hot. There were no injuries or deaths. The ancient pagodas have been inspected. We don’t dare to do anything. There are many cracks,” said Ko Khin Maung Than (custodian of Maha Tustha Mar Aung pagoda).

“The main tourist attractions in Inwa, such as Mae Nuouk Monastery, Lay Taunggyi Monastery, Nan Myint Myaw Sin and other major sites, were badly damaged and collapsed due to the earthquake. Most of the pagodas in Inwa did not collapse, but only cracked or collapsed slightly,” said a man living in the old town of Inwa.

The old town of Inwa is located about 2 miles (4 furlongs) north of Tada U, Mandalay Region, and about 20 miles (20) southwest of Mandalay, at latitude (21 degrees 50 minutes north), longitude (95 degrees 57 minutes east) and altitude (285) above sea level. It is located at the confluence of the Ayeyarwady River and the Duhthawady River (Myit Nge River).

Inwa was founded in 726 by King Thatoe Min (1364-1368 AD) and ruled until King Konbaungset Ba Gyi Taw (1819-1837 AD) and was an old city that existed for 400 years. According to literary evidence, it is divided into 4 periods and 31 dynasties ruled. Since the Inwa period lasted for about 400 years, the architectural structure of the palace, city walls and pagodas and the decorative works of the pagodas have changed significantly over time. Religious buildings built during the Inwa period can also be seen. In the old city of Inwa, there are 5 pagodas with mural paintings, 7 pagodas with ancient stone inscriptions and 3 pagodas with bronze bell inscriptions.

In the old city of Inwa, most of the ancient buildings were in ruins before the severe earthquake.