Yangon

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History

The village of Dagon

Yangon was founded as Dagon in the 500's by the Mon, who dominated the lower portions of present-day Myanmar at the time. Dagon was a small fishing village centered around the Shwedagon Pagoda. In 1753, King Alaungpaya conquered Lower Burma, and renamed Dagon, "Yangon", which derives from the words yan, which means enemies, and koun, which means end. The city was destroyed by a fire in 1841, and suffered extensive damage in the Second Anglo-Burmese War of 1852.

Related Topics:
Shwedagon Pagoda - King Alaungpaya - Second Anglo-Burmese War

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British Rangoon

The British Empire seized Dagon in 1852, and transformed it into the commercial and political hub of Burma. As lower Burma became integrated into British India, the city's present boundaries were established, with the Cantonment's streets (downtown area) paved in a chessboard fashion along the eastern banks of the Hlaing River. In addition, the British introduced a Westernised educational system in Burma, establishing major colleges, such as Rangoon College (now Yangon University) and the Theological College for Karens (now Myanmar Institute of Theology). In addition, many religiously-affiliated boarding schools were built in order to teach the privileged English. During the colonial period, Rangoon's main industries were rice and timber, although other exports, such as raw cotton, precious stones, cheroots, and ivory were also exported.

Related Topics:
1852 - Lower Burma - British India - Hlaing River - Myanmar Institute of Theology - English - Ivory

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Contemporary Yangon

Rangoon was heavily damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in 1930, and again during World War II. After the war, it retained its position as capital of Myanmar. The name of Rangoon was officially changed in 1989 to Yangon. This is controversial, however, because the military junta that changed the name is not officially recognized as legitimate by some governments. For example, the United States government still maintains the usage of Rangoon, as well as Burma.

Related Topics:
1930 - World War II

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