Bagan: From Buddhist Superpower to a Place of Longing for Myanmar’s Ruling Elite

This chapter explores Bagan as the primary object of investigation of this book and as a national sanctuary where power relations are determined through an interplay of rituals and architectural symbols. Initially, the chapter provides a rich description of the site’s history and characterizing features, including geography, population, vegetation, urbanization, and infrastructure. However, the religious architecture takes centerstage in this chapter, since its rich materiality, as well as, its associated belief system and cultural practices are vital points of reference for the continued discussions in the book.