|  Early
civilization in Myanmar dates back to the 1st century with archaeological evidences
of the Pyu Kingdoms of Thayekhittaya (Sriksetra), Beikthano (Visnu) and Hanlin.
Myanmar entered a period of greatness in the early 11th century when King Anawrahta
unified the country and created the first Myanmar Empire with its capital in Bagan.
The Empire, which lasted until the end of the 13th century, produced a glorious
civilization whose monuments still endure. The second Myanmar Empire with its
capital in Bago was created in the middle of the 16th century by King Bayinnaung.
The third and last Myanmar Empire was founded by King Alaungpaya in 1752 and had
a number of capitals, the last being Mandalay. In the later years of the Empire,
Myanmar was annexed by the British in three stages, in 1825, 1852, 1885 and became
a British colony. Myanmar was occupied by the Japanese during World War II, and
in the postwar period the independence movement, which had begun in the early
20th century, came to a climax and Myanmar attained independence on 4 January
1948. 
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