The New
light of Myanmar
Tuesday, 28 August, 2001
Myanmar endowed with the glory of ruby and grace of pearl
(Continued from 27-08-2001)
While King George V of England was in New Delhi, India, to attend the coronation ceremony, King Thibaw wrote a letter to King George in consultation with his personal assistant U San Shwe. According to the records of U San Shwe, King Thibaw was sorry as he was not allowed to meet with King George and talk about the whole matter. Ngamauk ring and two big boxes of diamond earrings which had been entrusted to the care of Sladen were not returned to him yet. Sladen said that after concluding necessary agreements, they were going back.
However, he was then in Yadanagiri, and he wished to return to his country. Sladen retired on 14 April 1887, and died on 4 January 1890. Later, it was said that the relatives of Sladen presented Padamya Ngamauk to Queen Victoria. About 26 years after the death of Sladen, King Thibaw passed away in 1916. Queen Suphayalat and two daughters returned to Myanmar and resided at No 24, Koemin Koechin Street, Yangon. On 14 September 1924, a reporter from Bandoola Journal went and asked them about Padamya Ngamauk, the queen replied that Ngamauk ruby was not taken to India but given to Sladen, and she didn't know who kept it then.
On 24 November 1925, the queen passed away. The fourth daughter of King Thibaw sent to the British government a letter dated 15 December 1931 to the effect that royal gems were to be returned. As the letter was also sent to the then League of Nations (now the United Nations), she was sent to Mawlamyine and placed under restrictions. On 3 March 1936, she passed away in Mawlamyine. Taw Phaya (U Tun Aung) and Taw Phayagalay (U Aung Zay), sons of the fourth daughter of King Thibaw, continued to ask the British to give back Ngamauk Ruby and royal gems and jewellery on 9 May 1953 and on 16 February 1959 respectively.
But, the then British Ambassador to Myanmar RHS Allen replied in the letter dated on 9 May 1959 that he was regret to inform that it was impossible to consider the matter put forward by the relatives of Thibaw under the present circumstance. It had been 74 years long since independence and sovereignty were lost, and nothing about Ngamauk Ruby was heard any more. It is learnt that a demand is being made to return Kohi Nur diamond, which the British forcefully seized in 1850 (35 years earlier than the time Ngamauk was seized) to its former owner India.
In addition to royal gems and jewellery including Ngamauk Ruby which can enhance the grace of individual persons and uplift the prestige of the nation, 11 figures of kings and queens of Kongbaung Period were lost. These figures were kept under iron netting in Zetawun Hall of the Royal City for obeisance. Most of the time, they were kept at the treasure house for safety. They were kept in memory of the royal great grandfather, the royal grandfather, the royal father and the royal mother. These 11 figures represented a line of kings and queens starting from King Yadanatheinga Konbaung up to King Mindon of Yadanabon.
They were Alaungmintaya and his chief queen, the king (Naungdawgyi) who built Sagaing, King Hsinbyushin, the king (Bodaw Phaya @ King Badon) who built Amarapura and his chief queen, the king (Bagyidaw @ King Sagaing) who built the fourth Yadanapura, the king (King Thayawady @ King Shwebo) who built Amarapura Goatya City and his chief queen, the king (King Mindon) who built Yadanabon and his chief queen. These figures stood six inches high up to over twelve inches high. They were made out of gold weighing from four and half viss up to over five viss. Only the figure of King Hsinbyushin weighed over 192 ticals of gold. Some royal articles which were lost together with independence were given back. Mount Battan sent back Thihathana Throne in 1948 as a present for Myanmar independence.
In 1964, 17 royal articles and coronation regalia the four-edged dagger of Alaungphaya, the sword with the gems-studded hilt and scabbard, footwear, the crested headdress, the gold betel box, the gold tray, the seal of King Thibaw, the seal of the chief queen of King Mindon and so on were received again. They are on display at the National Museum. In view of the whole history of Myanmar, it is found that the British, taking the advantage of disunity and the rampant sectarianism in the palace, managed to seize the king of Myanmar. And independence was lost and the whole nation enslaved. It can be seen evidently that when sovereignty was lost, the race, religion, Sasana and the wealth of the nation were on the wane.
Obviously, non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of national sovereignty are as important as the lifeblood of every citizen. In the same vein, it is the duty of every citizen to safeguard the land and marine resources of Myanmar. It can be seen that gems are very important not only in the social field of the State but also in the economic field. Therefore, history has attested to the fact that the gems of Myanmar are of high quality and have promoted the prestige of the nation. Myanma gems can capture the interest of the world most.
The government holds mid-year emporiums, and gems merchants from other nations usually buy gems and jewellery including Myanma pearls, Myanma ruby and Myanma jade. Now arrangements are being made to hold the second mid-year emporium and some programmes have been extended for local people who sell gems and jewellery. Hailing that auspicious news, I present this article.
Author : Maung Kyinna