RANGOON', the principal sea-port and chief t. of Pegu (q.v.), is built on the left bank of the Ilagoou river, the eastern branch of the Irrawaddy, at the distance of 26 tn. from the sea, in lat. 16° 42' n., and long. 96° 13' east. Rangoon was founded or rebuilt by the gnat Alompra in 1755. The British flag was first planted in the town, May, 1824, when the Anglo-Indian troops took possession of it at the commencement of the first Burman war. The second Burman war began with the bombardment of Rangoon, April 11, 1852, and it was captured April 14 by the united forces of Bengal and Madras. At the close of the contest Pegu was annexed to British India, and Rangoon became a part of the same territory. Pop. '69, 87,553; of whom 1627 were Christians, 11,997 Mohammedans, 5,998 Hindus, 62,054.Burmese, and 5,887 others. Pop. '72, 98,745. A great change has taken place in Rangoon under the dominion of the British, and large sums have been expended on its improvement. Capital roads and streets now intersect every part of the town. The native town is of a very mean appearance; but many sub stantial buildings of brick or stone have been erected by the European inhabitants. Rangoon possesses a government naval yard, and a patent slip for repairing ships.
Rangoon is a stronghold of Buddhism, and on every side are seen gigantic moan meats that from age to age have been erected by the followers of Gau•ta-ma; pagodas, temples, images, wonderful in their vastness and grotesque splendor. Of these, the most notable is the famous &way Dugan, or golden dagon dagoba, or shrine, the foun dation of which is said to have been laid 2,300 years ago. It lies about 2. m. n. of the town, on elevated ground, and the area on which it stands is 800 ft. square. The
dagoba itself is a stupendous mass of solid masonry, tapering gradually from an octa gc nal base of 1355 ft. to a spire of small circumference, which is surmounted by the sacred tee, or umbrella of open iron-work. The whole building is one dazzling blaze of gold, and altogether forms a most magnificent object, its magnitude and massiveness being very remarkable. This celebrated monument derives its peculiar sanctity from being the depository, according to Burman tradition, of relics of the last four Buddhas— viz., the staff of Kan-tha-than, the water-dipper of Gau-na-gon, a garment of Ka-tha-pa, and eight hairs from the head of Can-ta-ma. The shrine is surrounded by numerous temples, containing colossal images of Gau-ta-ma, richly gilt, and sitting in solemn con clave, cross-legged, like so many tailors at a Quaker's meeting.
Rangoon, possessing a continuous water-communication with the upper provinces and the Burman kingdom, is very favorably situated for internal as well as for foreign commerce. There are 5 light-houses on the Burmese coast to guide vessels to the port. Teak-timber and rice are the principal exports by sea, but they also include cotton, catch, hides, ivory, jade, kerosene, petroleum, precious stones, shellac, and tobacco. The imports by sea consist of betel-nut, cotton twist, cotton piece goods, crockery, cut lery, hardware, silk and woolen piece goods, raw silk, spirituous liquors, and wines. The annual value of exports from Rangoon amounts to above £2,500,000, and this sum is exceeded by the value of the imports. The town is :ortified and garrisoned. An English newspaper is published here.