| Abstract: |
The elements of urbanization detectable at Beikhtano and datable to c. 1st century BC or the beginning of the western era, are economic specialization, social inequality and hierarchical organization, a massively fortified site, a central place in relation to the hinterland, large ceremonial buildings and spaces made of durable materials, elaborate but non-Indian monumental architecture and burial rituals. These monuments are persuasive evidence that the societies concerned were either fully urbanized or well on the way to that stage of socio-economic development before indianization. The late 3rd/early 4th century AD saw conversion to Buddhism at Beikthano on a probably royal scale with the construction of a huge brick and timber monastery, large stupa and a shrine. Architectural affinities with the Krishna River Valley reveal the source and date of Buddhist influence on Beikhtano. Burials and the irrigation architecture of each Pyu city show pre-indianised religious concepts interacting with Indian thought throughout a time of flourishing indianization. Beikhtano reveals within a single site evolutionary stages of urbanization and throws new light on the highly complex nature of indianization in South East Asia.
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