The Arakan Army's (AA) Arakan People's Government has begun prohibiting large trucks from traveling along the road that goes over the Waithali city wall in Mrauk-U Township, Arakan State, where the historic Arakanese city of Waithali used to be located.
Recently, signs were discovered along the route from Gate No. 8 of Waithali city, situated approximately nine miles north of Mrauk-U town, leading to the Waithali pagoda. These signs restrict large trucks from passing near the Waithali city wall.
U Khin Maung San, a Mrauk-U resident, expressed to Narinjara News his support for initiatives aimed at conserving important heritage sites linked to ancient history.
“Mrauk-U boasts a wealth of ancient heritage and is a location where pertinent organizations are diligently striving for future UNESCO recognition. Maintaining these significant locations is a beneficial move for the nation," he remarked.
Residents have proposed that the AA might prohibit large trucks on the road to safeguard ancient historical sites from possible harm.
U Hla Myint from Rakhine Thar Gyi Publications informed Narinjara News that during the period of the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP), the military government built the Sittwe-Yangon highway over the Waithali city wall, resulting in considerable harm to the historical artifacts of Arakan.
"When I was a kid, I learned that it was the Waithali city wall. In the BSPP period, a roadway was constructed atop the city wall. While the road was under construction, I noticed numerous temples and Buddha statues positioned alongside it," he remarked.
Throughout Arakan's history, there existed four kingdoms: Dhanyawadi, Waithali, Laymro, and Mrauk-U, with Waithali being among the most historically important.
Arakanese historians assert that the Waithali kingdom thrived from the 2nd century BC until the 7th century AD, according to the western portion of the Ananda Sanda King's stone inscription located at Shaitthaung Temple in Mrauk-U Town. The inscription's northern side reveals that the kingdom existed during the 9th and 10th centuries AD.
Moreover, historical records indicate that the Rakha Wunna alphabet, as well as Arakanese coins, were derived from the Waithali kingdom.
Arakanese historical documents also mention that the building of stupas and the casting of “yin-see” Buddha images commenced during the Waithali kingdom.
