Yakhine history conference in Mahidol univesity, Bangkok. |
The seminar was held with three objectives to introduction of
Rakhine history to the international community; to dismiss the name Rohingya
used by international media and to complete reliable references of Rakhine
history briefed by international historians, chairman Kyaw Thaung of the
organizing committee said.
Dr Jacques P Leider,
research scholar and historian of EFEO (French Institute of Asian Studies),
Professor Stephen van Galen of Leiden University and History Professor Aye Chan
of Kanda University of International Studies gave explanation on Arakan
history.
Dr Jacques P Leider explained about the existence of Arakan
kingdom, Bodaw Phaya’s occupation to Arakan and political, religious and
economic situations.
Dr. Jacques Leider giving presentation on Rakhine history. |
Myanmar settled in Rakhine. Rakhine were in rebellion against
the rule of Myanmar’s king from 1787 to 1815 and Rakhine people headed to the
south part of Bengala for settlement. Rakhine people's economic situation
started to change from 1815 to 1825. Myanmar’s king did not face any threat
during that period.
Similarly Professor Stephen van Galen briefed on relations
between Rakhine region and Bengala from 15th century to 18th century.
Dr Stephen van Galen briefed on the apex of the Rakhine
kingdom in 1635, the increasing role of trade revenues when the Rakhine kings
were powerful and Dutch's trade activities in Rakhine and Bengal.
Dr. Stephen van Galen from the Leiden University. |
In his talks about 'From
Rakhine cross-border settlement to ethnic violence', Dr Aye Chan explained
the increased cross-border settlement from 1826 to 1975, more movements of
Chittagong people, who become the majority in Maungdaw and Buthedaung
townships.
He said Bengali Muslim population increased from 58,255 in
1871 to 178,647 in 1911. The Bengalis had become the great majority groups in
Maungdaw and Buthedaung townships representing 94% and 84% respectively of the
total populations there.
He also explained mujahidin rebels' destruction of Rakhine
villages and the mujahidin party's demands.
"What I can say
exactly is that those who call themselves Rohingyas are really Bengalis. This
can be seen in the records of the colonial era. Rakhine State has no
Rohingyas," the history professor said.
He then replied to the questions about the Rakhine history
raised by those present.
Dr. Jacques P. Leider from EFEO. |
"I never come
across the term "Rohingya". But Muslims settlers arrived in Mrauk-U
around 17th century. They did not name themselves as Rohingyas then. Other
cultures also reached Mrauk-U in the century. The first Dutchman arrived in
Mrauk-U in 1608. There were many Dutch offspring with Arakan mothers in 1640.
Mrauk-U can be said as a colorful town,"
Professor Dr Stephen van Galen from Leiden University responded to a question
about the term.
"There was never
a Muslim king reigned in Rakhine State according to my study paper about the
17th Century," he also answered a question.
"I also talked
about it before. A man named Mr. Abdul Gaffa from Buthedaung, Rakhine State
created it in 1951. Actually he made it up from the name "Roshang" or
"Rohan". It's a Bengali word meaning Rakhine people," Professor Dr. Aye Chan of Japan's Kanda University of
International Studies responds to a question about when and how the term became
in use.
When a Bengali activist Htay Lwin Oo asked about Rohingya and
the Rakhine State, Dr. Aye Chan said the term "Rohan" does not mean
illegal immigrants.
RNDP Chairman Dr. Aye Maung. |
History professors, diplomats, reporters and invitees from
news agencies attended the seminar which also attracted more than 150 Rakhine
Buddhist monks and students studying in Thailand.
Besides, Aye Tha Aung and Dr. Aye Maung, chairmen from Arakan League for Democracy and Rakhine Nationalities Development Party also were present at the seminar.