The ancient city of Inwa (Ava) was founded in 1364 by King Thadominbya, and became the capital of a new Burmese empire that took shape after the fall of Bagan in 1287 to the Mongol army of Kublai Khan. After that, the greatness of Inwa reached its peak again when the new and last dynasty of Burma rose in 1753. During the 19th century, the entire Burmese empire was generally known as “Ava”, and when the seat of government moved to Amarapura and later to Mandalay, the government was still referred to as the “Court of Ava”.

From Sagaing we went to Inwa, and rode on a horse-drawn cart for the last part of the journey to reach the ancient city. The horse-cart was an absolute bone-shaker, and none of us felt the better for riding it, especially after a heavy lunch. The ride was so bumpy that I could not hold my camera still for even a split second throughout the journey, and I thought that it was not possible to take any decent pictures under the circumstances. I half-heartedly snapped a few shots, and that was it. Only when I was reviewing the photos at the end of the day, did I realise that the fast shutter speeds of the camera afforded by the good lighting of the early afternoon were able to freeze out the violent shakes and bumps of the horse-cart ride, quite acceptably if not completely. Pity I passed up the opportunity to take pictures during the ride, as there was some beautiful scenery on the way to Inwa that was worthy of a picture.