Krishna pays homage to last Mughal emperor

Accompanied by Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Indian Ambassador to Myanmar V S Seshadri, Krishna on Monday offered fateha (prayer) at the `mazar` of the former ruler, who died here five years after he was exiled to Yangon following his defeat in the 1857 war of independence.

Krishna, who is on a three-day visit to the country, also offered a chadar at the emperor`s grave. "The memory of this great patriot has been kept alive by careful preservation and upkeep of this monument," he wrote in the visitors` book.

"The Mazar is a reminder of the close historical association between India and Myanmar and contributes to deepening relations between our two countries. The Government of India will continue to keep alive its active association with this important monument," he wrote.

interestingly, till few years back, there was no authentic information on where exactly the original tomb of the last Mughal emperor lays. The tomb was discovered during a restoration exercise in 1991.

The tombs of his queen Zeenat Mahal, who died in 1886, and his grandchild are next to that of the Mughal ruler. Krishna also visited the legendary and spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda. The 2,500 years old Pagoda enshrines strands of Budha`s hair and other holy relics and is one of the most sacred and impressive Budhist site.

The Pagoda which began with a height of 8.2 metres today stands at close to 110 metres. The Pagoda is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top of the stupa is encrusted with 4,531 diamonds, the largest of which is a 72 carat diamond.

Krishna said he was struck by the dignity and splendor of the pagoda as well as the atmosphere of peace, tranquility and spirituality.