UMMERAPOORA, or AMARAPURA, "the city of the immortals," a town of the Burman Empire, near the left bank of the Irrawaddy, 6 miles N.E. of Ava. It was founded in 1783, and made the capital of the empire; and it increased so rapidly in size and population, that in 1810 it was estimated to contain 170,000 inhabitants. But in that year the whole of the houses were destroyed by a fire, and this disaster, together with the removal of the court to Ava in 1819, caused a great decline of the place; and in 1827 its population was estimated at only 30,000. Since then it has suffered another severe calamity from an earthquake, which in 1839 destroyed the greater part of the town. It is regularly laid out, but, with the exception of some temples, is built only of bamboos; although some of the buildings, being richly gilt, have a showy appearance. The most remarkable building is a celebrated temple, adorned with 250 lofty pillars of gilt wood, and containing a colossal bronze statue of Buddha. The remains of the ancient palace are also to be seen in the centre of the town. During the time of its prosperity, Ummerapoor was defended by a rampart and a large square citadel, with a broad moat, walls 7000 feet long and 20 feet high, and a bastion at each corner.