Bagan

• Location: Burma, China, Russia, Togo
• Variant names: Arimaddanapura, Tambadipa/Tainpa Deepa, Nyaung-U, Pagan (Burma)

Burma: a Pyu city-state, the first Pali name meant 'City of the Tramplers on the Enemy' because Anawrahta, King of Bagan (1044–77/84), besieged the Mon capital, Thaton, and left it in ruins in 1057. The second name meant 'Copper Land'. Pagan is said to come from Pugan, itself from Pyugam 'Village of the Pyu'. Pagan was transformed into Bagan in the 19th century but was later corrupted by the British back to Pagan. On their departure Bagan was readopted. It is now only a small town, but surrounded by hundreds of temples and religious sites.

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