The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c23.s4.68

v4.c23.s4.68

In 1774 the king made a royal progress down the river to Rangoon in splendid barges with the queens, court, and captive Talaing princes, holding high festival at every halt, and worshipping at the pagodas on the way, especially the Shwezigon at Pagan and the Shwehsandaw at Prome.² He came to Rangoon to impress the Talaings in two ways because they continued rebelling and migrating to Siam. Firstly, he executed the captive Talaing king and princes; secondly, he raised the Shwedagon to its present height, 327 feet, regilded it with his own weight in gold, and erected a golden spire, studded with gems, to replace the one thrown down in the 1769 earthquake.