The Origin and Development of the Burmese Composite Word (Mô Kwan:)

Abstract

[Abbreviations of titles of books and works in this article are the same as those employed in The New Burmese-English Dictionary, pt. I, compiled by Stewart and Dunn. The transliteration of words taken from the Inscriptions of Burma (Old Burmese) follows the system devised by C. O. Blagden and Chas. Duroiselle (see Epigraphia Birmanica, vol. i, pt. i, pp. 6–12): that of words from other Burmese works is similar, with the addition of the tone-mark () and the symbol (^) representing the Burmese + .]There are few such words in the Burmese language as the composite word A Mô Kwan:. It has excited the curiosity and attention of Burmese scholars, and will always conjure up interesting reminiscences in the mind of Burmese historians. The word is about 700 years old and has undergone remarkable changes of form and meaning. (Amu Kwan, Amū Kwan)It has been established by Professor G. H. Luce that the origin of Mô Kwan: is Amu Kwan, which occurs in a Burmese inscription of the 13th century. During the reign of Narathihapati (1254–87), the last king of the Pagan Dynasty, “Saka era 628 (A.D. 1266), in the Pisyak (Vaisakhā) year, on Thursday”, the daughter of minister Singasū dedicated lands to a monastery and “informed the great and noble king (of her act of merit). The king thereupon poured out pure water and had the record of the deed placed in the archives (Amu Kwan tan e).” Again, “Saka era 633 (A.D. 1271) in the Āsin (Asvin) year, on Friday, the 10th of the waxing moon of the month of Tan Khū (April), when the honourable Lady (Queen) Phwa Jaw went to the Ornamented Abode (Kwan Prok), she showed the list of her dedications to the great king; and the king had it placed in the archives (Amū Kwan tan e’).”