The successive Burmese military governments feared that the mausolea might become a meeting place for democracy activists and they fell into a state of neglect.

The former military regime omitted them from the Yangon City Heritage List because they are symbols of national liberty and considered a threat to its status and power.

Her funeral was held with pomp and ceremony as befitted a Burmese queen, shielded under eight white royal umbrellas, attended by 90 Buddhist monks and the British Governor Sir Harcourt Butler with a guard of honour of the Mounted Police complete with a 30 gun salute.

[2][3] The mausoleum was built in memory of Thakin Kodaw Hmaing, one of the greatest Burmese poets, writers and political leaders.

U Thant died of lung cancer on 25 November 1974 and his body was brought home from New York City to Rangoon on 1 December 1974.