The
scenic land of Rakhine (Arakan), situated on the western part of the Union of
Myanmar, is famous for her immense wealth of exquisitely magnificent natural
topography and ancient cultural heritages. However, her beauty is destructed by
some group of people of the border area, who leveled themselves as “refugees”. Those refugees who also named themselves as
“Rohinjas” are illegal migrants who had shifted from the neighboring country during the early period of the British
rule. Some of them settle in those border areas, while others trickled into the
country across the border as seasonal agricultural laborers.
In
general, it can be evaluated that the problems originated from the ill results
of British colonial system, the dirty political game that were played in the
early decades after independence and corruptive performance of officers concerned.
Since many of those are illegal migrants, they fled into the neighboring
country, whenever frequent check up is carried out by Myanmar authorities.
Seizing opportunity upon such affairs, political groups started to conduct the
matter of “refugees”. To get funds, they even tried to elevate their problem up
to the level of “World’s most serious refugee crisis”.
In
doing so, some international organizations, especially the United Nations and
Non-government organizations, have been requested for help. Although we do not
want to emphasize the extend of the aids given to those “refugees”, we regret
some of these international organizations believe in false historical
backgrounds, presented by such political groups. They presented that Arakan was
founded by Arab & Moorish Merchants who spread Islam in the 7th
century A.D., during stops in their trading forays into China. This is merely
one sided presentation, which we can defend against it.
According
to Rakhine history, Dhanyawedi, the first capital of Arakan, which came into
existence many years before the Christian era,was founded by the king called
“Marayu”. He was the son of a prince from Kapilavastu. He married the daughter
of the tribal chief of native race call “Mro”. Marayu extinguished the danger
of the eminences of primitive inhabitants over the area and established the
dynasty. Buddhism flourished in Dhanyawedi. Our chronicles recorded the arrival
of Buddha and five hundred disciples to Dhanyawedi during the reign of King
Canda Suria. To commemorate the Buddha’s sojourn to the country, the famous “
Mahamuni Shrine” (now in Mandalay) was cast.
According
to D.G.E Hall, former professor of history of south-east Asia in the University
of London, the older and purer form of Buddhism was established in Arakan, from
very early days. G.E. Harvey also stated in his book “Outline of Burmese
History” and, “The ease of sea communication makes it possible that Buddhism
reached Arakan earlier than the interior of Bruma”.
Sound
evidences such as the city plan and palace site of Dhanyawedi are still to be
seen situated near Kyauktaw, northern Rakhine. Other inscribed letter of
Dhanyawedi had already been discovered up till now. Dr. Sircar of the Indian
Archeological survey and Dr. Johnston, former professor of oriental studies,
university of Oxford, estimated the date of the earliest kings of Arakan, as
early as the pre- Christian era, after
deciphering the Anandacandra inscription
(
the west face of Shitthoung Pillar.)
The above findings strongly proved that the sentence “Arakan
was founded by Arabs and Moorish merchants who spread Islam in the 7th
century” gives an absolute wrong impression. Now, we shall continue to discuss
what happened in Arakan during the 7th century A.D. For that purpose,
Anandacandra inscription, which serves as regarding firm evidence for the
scholars of the early history of Arakan, as a reference. Anandacandra
inscription enlightened the scholars on the religious and political affairs of
Arakan, starting from pre-Christian era up to the early 8th century
A.D.
In the 7th century, Arakan was ruled by Vesali
Kings of the Third Period that was inscribed in Anandacandra inscription,
starting from Mahavira (600-612 A.D) to Ananda Candra (720 A.D). The letters of
the inscription revealed us that the Vesali Kings were staunch Buddhists.
However, no letters were inscribed in that inscription about the establishment
of the kingdom in Arakan by the Arabs and Moorish traders in 7th
century A.D. Moris Collis stated that the Candra Kings were upholders of
Buddhism. According to Moris Collis, the Muslims had not arrived in Bengal till
1203.A.D.
The list of the capital
of Arakan and the founder are as follow;
Name of Capital Founder
1. Dhanyawedi Marayu
(?-370
A.D)
2. Vesali Doen Candra
(370-994
A.D)
3. Sambawak
or Pyinsa Khitathin
(1018-1118
A.D)
4. Parain
and Khrait Letyarminan
(1118-1124
A.D)
5. Launggret
Alawmarpru
(1250-1404
A.D)
6. Mrauk
Oo Min Saw
Mwan
(
1430-1784 A.D)
All of these Kings were Buddhists and the native of Rakhine
(Arakanese). They ruled Arakan from pre-Christian era to late18th century with
no foreign intervention.
The other factors the political groups
misuse are the King’s titles. Some Mrauk Oo Kings struck their titles on the
coins in both Arakan & Muslim characters. However, we can explain that
factor with true historic backgrounds. According to Rakhine chronicles, Bengal
was started to be occupied by King Naranu, the successor of Mrauk Oo founder King
Min Saw Mwan. M.S Collis stated that East Bengal was under the Rakhine rule
till 1666 A.D. He also mentioned that its administration was left in the hands
of 12 local leaders who paid an annual tribute to the Arakanese King’s viceroy
at Chittagong.
As a matter of fact, it can be
concluded that the Muslim titles were given by those local leaders to the
respective kings. The reason of the Persian and Nagari characters on the
obverse side of coins is nothing but for trade purposes. Also in Veseli, the
king’s name ended with the title “Candra”. In those early periods, Indian
culture spread towards South East Asia. Hence, the title of the Kings and
states of that region such as Pyu, Thaialnd, Cambodia, etc, were in Indian
characters. However, some names with local ancient Arakanese characters can be
seen in the letter of the copper plate land grant, bronze bell, and some
inscribed slabs. Many Buddhist temples and famous pagodas built by those
various Rakhine kings can still be found throughout the Rakhine land, especially
in Marauk Oo, the last capital of Rakhine kingdom. The obvious structures among
these are Shitthaung, Dukhan Thein, Andaw Thein and other Pagodas with various
architectural styles. Mahamuni shrine, now in Mandalay, is the significant
symbol of the Arakanese.
Nevertheless the Rakhine kings were
tolerable in religious affairs. That concept had existed since Vesali period,
the following letter can be found.
“Let
not the perfection of bounty toward creatures fail me”.
That
novel desire of the emperor Ananda Candra also represents the other Rakhine
kings. In Verse 55 + 56, Ananda Candra inscribed his permission to give some
facilities for Brahmans.
During Friar Sebastian Manriquis
mission, in the 17th century, he was successful in building a
catholic church in the suburb of Daingri-pet for the use of Portuguese Mercenaries
serving in the Royal Guard.
D.G.E Hall also stated that “Mohammendarism
spread to Arakan, but failed to make much impression upon its Buddism”. He also
mentioned that “though Arakan’s Kings assumed Mohamenden names simultaneously
with Rakhine title, the predominance of Buddsim was never shaken”.
The political groups also used wrong
figures, about the population in Arakan. They mentioned that the Muslims are
the majority in Arakan. But reverse situation can be discovered after studying
the official reports issued by the immigration department. Why do those
political groups from the other side desiring to deceive by incorrect
information extensively? The answer is clear.They are desiring to swallow up
Arakan, the land blessed with precious natural resources. However, the only
thing the Arakanese people really want is the truth and nothing but the truth.
To fulfill the real desire of the
Arakanese people, the responsible persons from the organization concerned such
as UNHCR should visit the interior part of Arakan, rather than the border area
only. They should observe the place where ancient antiques are still in
existence as well as by interviewing with the local people from various parts of
Arakan to inquire into the matter and get their real ponion about the
“refugees”. This is the only way for the respectable international organization
to be convinced of the actual situation in order to determine the justification
of the truth.
Dr. Saw Tun Aung
(This article is
written in refutation of the “Bangladesh
in the eye of a storm” by Fernando Del’Mundo, presented in U.N.H.C.R
report)
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