AVA  , the

ancient capital of the Burman empire, now a subdivision of the Sagaing district in the Sagaing division of Upper Burma . It is situated on the Irrawaddy on the opposite bank to Sagaing, with which it was amalgamated in 1889 . Amarapura, another ancient capital, lies 5 M. to the north-east of Ava, and Mandalay, the present capital, 6 m. to the north . The classical name of Ava is Yadanapura, " the city of precious gems." It was founded by Thadomin Paya in A.D . 1364 as successor to Pagan, and the religious buildings of Pagan were to a certain extent reproduced here, although on nothing like the same scale as regards either size or splendour . It remained the seat of government for about four centuries with a succession of thirty kings . In 1782 a new capital, Amarapura, was founded by Bodaw Paya, but was deserted again in favour of Ava by King Baggidaw in 1823 . On his deposition by King Tharawaddi in 1837, the capital reverted to Amarapura; but finally in r86o the last capital of Mandalay was occupied by King Mindon . For picturesque beauty Ava is unequalled in Burma, but it is now more like a park than the site of an old capital . Traces of the great council chamber and various portions of the royal palace are still visible, but otherwise the secular buildings are completely destroyed; and most of the religious edifices are also dilapidated .