THE GREAT BELL OF Dhamasedi
DAMASEDI BELL The Great Bell of Dhammazedi: A Historical and Cultural Examination Executive Summary: The Enduring Mystery of the Dhammazedi Bell The Dhammazedi Bell stands as a monumental bronze artifact, widely believed to be the largest bell ever cast. Commissioned by King Dhammazedi in 1484 for the revered Shwedagon Pagoda in Dagon (modern-day Yangon, Myanmar), this colossal bell weighed an estimated 294 to 300 metric tons. It remained a prominent feature at the pagoda for over a century until its fateful sinking in 1608. During an attempted theft by Filipe de Brito e Nicote, a Portuguese mercenary, the bell plummeted to the bottom of the Yangon River, where it has remained elusive despite centuries of search efforts. Beyond its historical reality, the bell holds profound cultural significance in Myanmar, serving as a powerful symbol of national pride, hope, and spiritual protection, intricately woven into both historical accounts and rich folklore. Introduction: The Enduring ...