Mandalay, city, central Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), capital of Mandalay Division, on the Irrawaddy River. Mandalay is one of the largest cities in the country. It is also the major trading and communications center in northern and central Myanmar and is linked by rail with other large Myanmar cities. Among the leading industries are silk weaving, jade cutting, brewing, distilling, the manufacture of matches, and the working of silver. Mandalay is a cultural and religious center of Buddhism, having many monasteries and more than 700 pagodas of great beauty. Built in 1850, Mandalay was the capital of the independent Kingdom of Burma until captured by the British in 1885, after which it was the headquarters, known as Fort Dufferin, of Upper Burma. The Japanese captured it in 1942. In 1948, with the formation of the Union of Burma, the city became the capital of Mandalay Division. Population (1983) 532,949.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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