This is the first book to disclose the cultural history, art and architecture of the country straddling India and Southeast Asia, today a state of Burma.
Off the Bay of Bengal, in the northwest corner of Burma, lie the splendid capital cities of ancient Arakan. Largely unknown to the Western world for much of its turbulent history, Arakan played a pivotal role in the exchange of cultures and religion between India and Southeast Asia.
Arakan was from earliest times a cosmopolitan state with a vigorous and mixed culture; Indian Brahmins conducted the royal ceremonials, Buddhist monks spread their teachings, traders came and went, and artists and architects used Indian models for inspiration. Through Buddhism, Arakan came into contact with other remote countries including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tibet and China. To the east were the many early empires of Southeast Asia: Burman, Siamese and Khmer, while later came influences from the Islamic courts of Bengal and Delhi.
When the state was at its most powerful its culture was innovative an original, and at other times reflected that of its stronger neighbours. This is the first comprehensive study on the history, art and culture of Arakan. It also serves as an excellent introduction to the hitherto almost unknown bronze and stone art of Arakan. The book is lavishly illustrated with 186 full-colour photographs, lithograph reproductions, maps, time charts, a glossary and an index of plates.
