The European Field Hospital and Officers’s Quarters at Mandalay. Click on images to enlarge them.
“Our Troops in Burmah,” as we have already mentioned, include the 3rd Ghoorka regiment from India, one of whose officers, Captain, C. Pulley, continues to supply us with interesting sketches.
“The European Field Hospital and Medical Officers' Quarters of the force now concentrated in and about Mandalay are situated in Kyoungs (elaborately carved wooden houses) formerly occupied by Poongyees (or priests) who looked after the numerous pagodas on the north-east side of the city; these have now had to seek fresh habitations, but many of them are still to be seen in the streets of Mandalay, wearing their curious saffron-coloured robes, somewhat resembling the Roman toga. The hill on the right of the Sketch is Mandalay Hill, on the summit of which are several pagodas, all dedi- cated to Gotama, the princely and sainted or deified founder of the Buddhist religion. Our other Illustration is a view of the “Incomparable Pagoda,” with its gorgeous Poongyee Kyoungs, now occupied by the 67th (Hampshire Regiment). The exterior of this pagoda is unlike the ordinary Burmese style of build- ing, as it is merely a mass of white stone, unrelieved by the usual carving and decorations with which the Burmese adorn their temples. An old Poongyee or priest still lives in it to keep the interior clean; he is most attentive in showing visitors over the place, and is not above accepting a douceur. The sheet of water in front is the great place of resort for company “dhobies,” who are to be seen at all hours busy at their vocation, and doing their best in effect to make holes in their masters' linen. In one of the Mandalay pagodas stands a colossal figure of Buddha, 60 ft. high, made of teak, and originally gilded all over supported by trunks of teak, 80 ft. or 90 ft. high, with another smaller figure kneeling beside him, Buldha's right hand is extended towards the city, with a gesture of benediction. We have some par- ticulars respecting the subjects of these Sketches from Lieutenant Battye, another officer of the 3rd Ghoorkas.”
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Bibliography
“Sketches in Burmah.” The Illustrated London News. 90 (15 January 1887): 82. Hathi Diigital Library Trust vesrion of a copy in the University of Chicago Library. Web. 6 December 2015.
Last modified 2 January 2016