Shwebo

Shwebo, town, north-central Myanmar (Burma). Shwebo is a rice-collecting centre on the railway about 50 miles (80 km) north-northwest of Mandalay. It was the birthplace of Alaungpaya, founder of the Alaungpaya dynasty (1752–1885), and is the site of his tomb. Originally it was named Moksobomyo (“Town of the Hunter Chief”), but it was given its present name, which means “Town of the Golden Leader,” by Alaungpaya about 1753; it served for a time as his capital.

Shwebo is on the northern margins of the dry zone and stretches west from the Irrawaddy River. Rice is widely cultivated in the irrigated parts of the region, and millet, sesame, peanuts (groundnuts), peas, and cotton are grown in the nonirrigated areas. Pop. (1993 est.) 67,684.