The Burmese Empire
a hundred years ago
As described by Father Vincenzo Sangermano
Edited and with notes by U Kyaw Tun, M.S. (I.P.S.T., U.S.A.). Set in html by UKT
and staff of TIL Computing and
Language Center, Yangon, for students and staff of TIL. Not for sale.
Preface to the First Edition
The following work was drawn up by F. Sangermano, partly during his residence as
a missionary in Ava, and partly after his return to Europe. He was sent out as a
missioner in 1782, and in the July of the following year arrived at Rangoon,
whence he proceeded directly to the city of Ava
{in:wa.}. But shortly after he was
remanded to Rangoon, which was the scene of his future missionary labours. The
cause of Christianity was greatly forwarded in this place by his exertions. He
completed the church of St. John, which had been begun before him, as well as
the college of the missionaries; both of which were built of brick. He
superintended the college as long as he remained there; and under his direction
it was very prosperous. It contained fifty students, who were instructed in
several branches of learning and science; so that besides some ecclesiastics, it
has produced skilful engineers, physicians, and even pilots. There is at present
a young Burmese practising as a surgeon in Rome who received his education in
this institution.
F. Sangermano was greatly esteemed by the natives of Rangoon: in particular, the Viceroy and his consort honoured him with many marks of distinction. The latter would often come to his church to be present at the Catholic ceremonies, especially those of Holy-week: and sometimes she would pay a visit to the Superior in his College, and hold long conferences with him on religion; so that it was thought that she would become a Christian. On these occasions she always came with her guards and her whole court. Her guards remained in the square opposite the college, but the rest of her suite entered with her.
F. Sangermano was also well known to the foreigners who frequented Rangoon, particularly to the English. From one of the latter he had a commission to make a chart of the port of Rangoon, which he executed with so much ability as to
receive a pension for life from our Government. He also experienced great attention from the English authorities when at Calcutta on his return home.
The individual who had given him the above-mentioned commission procured for him a letter of recommendation from the Governor-General, by which all English captains were required to afford him every facility for his return. He arrived in Italy in 1808: and after having got through the business which had recalled him home, endeavoured to return to his missionary labours. But the state of the times prevented him; and he was finally established as president of the college of his order at Arpinum, his native city. Here he employed himself in preparing the following work for publication; but his death in 1819 prevented the execution of his designs. His manuscript remained in the hands of the Barnabite Fathers, and would probably have never been presented to the public had not the Roman sub-committee of the Oriental Translation Fund undertaken its translation and publication. Although the primary regulations of this Society seem to sanction the publication of none but Oriental works, the Roman sub-committeed felt themselves warranted in proposing this history to the parent committee, on the ground that it is chiefly made up of translations from important Burmese writings, whereof probably copies do not exist in Europe.
The following note found among F. Sangermano's papers, after the work was partly translated, indicates the original documents he has principally followed.
'1. The Burmese cosmography has been extracted almost entirely from a book expressly composed for the elder brother of the reigning monarch, by a Zaradò or master of the Emperor, wherein he succinctly describes the system of the world, as taught by Godama, according to the expositions and opinions of the most celebrated Burmese Doctors.
UKT: Zaradò -- probably
{hsa.ra tau} pronounced loosely as hsa-yar-daw or the "royal tutor".
'2. All That is related of the ancient Burmese monarchs, and of the foundation and subsequent history of this kingdom, has been faithfully copied from the Maharazaven, that is, the great history of the kings.
'3. In what I have said of the superstitions, astrology, religion, constitutions of the Talapoins, and the sermons of
Godama, I have not followed the tales and reports of the common people, but
have carefully consulted the classical writings of the Burmese, known by the
name of Kiam
{kyam:}. The chapters on the rules of the Talapoins and the sermons of
Godama contain an abstract of all that is worthy of notice in the three Kiam,
called Vini, Padimot, and Sottan. I have translated nearly the whole of these
books with the assistance of an Ex-Talapoin of the name of Uba, who was one of
the most learned of that order in the vicinity of Nabek, where for several years
our seminary was situated. He has also taught the Pali language to two of my
scholars, one of whom is at the present time labouring in the work of the
mission at Rangoon.'
Some slight transposition has been made in the chapters in order to improve the connection between the subjects which they treat. The orthography of the manuscript has been kept, except in a few well-known names: hence the proper names are to be read as in Italian.
It cannot be necessary to enumerate the difficulties experienced in conducting a large English work through a foreign press. Independently of the great labour of correction, it required some courage to think of imitating the beauty of typography which distinguishes the works printed by the parent committee in London. We flatter ourselves that we have done as much as circumstances would allow us, and that our present attempt will be indulgently received, as an earnest of our desire to forward the useful and noble objects of the Fund.
N. WISEMAN.
Rome, June 1, 1833.