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{{Short description|State of Myanmar}}
]
{{For multi|the historical region|Arakan|the administrative division of the British Empire|Arakan Division}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{POV|date=May 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2011}}
}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Rakhine State
| native_name = ရခိုင်ပြည်နယ်
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Arakan State
| settlement_type = ]
| translit_lang1 = ]
| translit_lang1_type1 = ]
| translit_lang1_info1 = {{lang|rki-Latn|Rakhai Pray Nay}}
| translit_lang1_type2 = ]
| translit_lang1_info2 = {{lang|my-Latn|ra.hkuing: prany nai}}
| image_flag = Flag of Rakhine.svg
| image_seal =
| image_map = Rakhine State in Myanmar.svg
| mapsize = 200px
| map_caption = Location of Rakhine State in Myanmar (Burma)
| pushpin_map = <!-- Myanmar -->
| coordinates = {{coord|19|30|N|94|0|E|region:MM-16_type:adm1st|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Myanmar}}
| subdivision_type1 = Region
| subdivision_name1 = Lower
| established_title = Before becoming State
| established_date = ]
| established_title1 = renamed as Arakan State
| established_date1 = 3 January 1974
| established_title2 = renamed as Rakhine State
| established_date2 = 18 June 1989
| seat_type = Capital
| seat = ]
| leader_party =
| leader_title = ]
| leader_name = U ]
| leader_title1 = Cabinet
| leader_name1 = ]
| leader_title3 = Judiciary
| leader_name3 = Rakhine State High Court
| unit_pref = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_total_km2 = 36778.0
| area_rank = 8th
| elevation_max_m = 1851
| elevation_max_point = ]
| population_total = 3,188,807<ref name="census-2014">{{cite book|title=Census Report|publisher=Ministry of Immigration and Population|location=Naypyitaw|date=May 2015|series=The 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census|volume=2|page=17|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B067GBtstE5TeUlIVjRjSjVzWlk/view|access-date=11 July 2015|archive-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507224807/https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B067GBtstE5TeUlIVjRjSjVzWlk/view|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_as_of = ]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank = 8th
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Demographics
| demographics1_title1 = Ethnicities
| timezone1 = ]
| utc_offset1 = +06:30
| iso_code = MM-16
| unemployment_rate =
| leader_title2 = Legislature
| leader_name2 = ]
| demographics1_info1 = ] (Rakhine), ] (Burmese), ], ], ], ], Khami, That, ], ] (Chakmas), ] and ]
| demographics1_title2 = Religions <br/>
(2024 estimate)
| demographics1_info2 = {{plainlist|
* 76.7% ]
* 21.1% ]
* 1.6% ]
* 0.4% ]
* 0.1% ]
}}
| blank_name_sec2 = ] (2017)
| blank_info_sec2 = 0.520<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=13 September 2018|archive-date=23 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923120638/https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>{{color|#900|low}} · ]
| website = {{url|rakhinestate.gov.mm}}
}}
{{Contains special characters|Burmese}}


'''Rakhine State''', formerly ], is a ] of ]. Situated the western coast, it is bordered by ] in the north, ] Division, ] Division and ] Division in the east, and the ] to the west. It is located approximately between latitudes 17°30' north and 21°30' north and east longitudes 92°10' east and 94°50' east. The ] mountain range, which rises to 3,063 m at Victoria Peak, separates Rakhine State from Myanmar proper. Its area is 36,762 sq km. and its capital is ], formerly known as ]. The estimated population in 1985 was 2,698,000 and it is inhabited primary by two groups of people the ] ethnic group and ] ethnic group. The remaining ethnic groups are Mro, Khami/Khumi, Kaman Muslim, Dienet, Marmagri and a few others. The majority of people are ], and second being the ]. '''Rakhine State''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Rakhine pronunciation.mp3|r|ə|ˈ|k|aɪ|n}}; ] and {{MYname|MY=ရခိုင်ပြည်နယ်|MLCTS=ra.hkuing pranynai}}, {{small|Rakhine pronunciation}} {{IPA-my|ɹəkʰàiɰ̃ pɹènè|}}, {{IPA-my|jəkʰàiɰ̃ pjìnɛ̀}}), formerly known as '''Arakan State''', is a ] in ] (Burma). Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by ] to the north, ], ] and ] to the east, the ] to the west and the ] of ] to the northwest. It is located approximately between latitudes 17°30' north and 21°30' north and longitudes 92°10' east and 94°50' east. The ] or ] separated Rakhine State from central Burma from North to South. Off the coast of Rakhine State there are some fairly large islands such as ], ] and ]. Rakhine State has an area of {{Convert|36762|km2}} and its capital is ] (formerly known as Akyab).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themimu.info/docs/MIMU696v01_110707_Planning%20Map%20for%20Rakhine%20State_Eng.pdf |title=Rakhine State Map|publisher=Themimu.info|access-date=31 July 2015}}{{dead link|date=April 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>


==Names==
The term Rakhine derives from the ] word ''Rakkhapura'' (] ''Raksapura''), meaning “Land of Ogres”, possibly a pejorative referring to the original ] inhabitants, or to the reputation of the land as a haven for pirates and slave traders. "Arakan", commonly used in British colonial times,is a ]/]/] corruption of the word Rakhine and still popular as a gesture of political opposition to the current Myanmar government.
{{Main|Rakhine people#Ethnonyms}}
The state was historically known as '''Arakan''' in English until the Burmese government adopted the English name '''Rakhine''' in 1990.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Day |first1=Katie |url= |title=The Routledge Handbook of Religion and Cities |last2=Edwards |first2=Elise M. |date=2020-12-31 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-28926-8 |language=en}}</ref>
==History==
{{Main|Arakan|Arakan Division|History of Rakhine}}


], Arakan. ] legend "NITI" in front, ] symbol on the reverse. 8th century CE.]]
Arakan was vaguely known to the ] as Argyre (], ]) or Khruse (]), which they only knew was somewhere near ].


The history of the region of ] (now renamed Rakhine) State can be roughly divided into seven parts. The first four divisions and the periods are based on the location of the centre of power of the main polities in the northern Rakhine region, especially along the Kaladan River. Thus, the history is divided into the ], ], ] and ]. Mrauk U was conquered by the ] of Burma in 1784–85, after which Rakhine became part of the Konbaung kingdom of Burma. In 1824, the first Anglo-Burmese war erupted and in 1826, Rakhine (alongside ]) was ceded to the ] as ] by the Burmese. Rakhine thus became part of the province of Burma in ]. In 1948, Burma was given independence and Rakhine became part of the newly independent state.
== Demographics ==


===Independent kingdom===
] classify up to 11 ] (not including ethnic sub-groups) as “native” to Rakhine State. ] and ] live in valleys and on Yambye and Manaung islands. ] inhabit the mountain regions of the north. ], ], ], ], ], Khumi, and Kaman live on mountain ranges in the west and north. Each group is also known by more than one name, and data on the smaller ethnic groups is lacking. Ethnicity in Rahkine State is a complex issue, made more complex by the current political situation.
Beginning in the 900s, the ] began migrating westward, crossing the ] and settling in what is now Rakhine State.<ref>{{Citation |last=Charney |first=Michael W. |title=Religion and Migration in Rakhine |date=2021-08-31 |url=https://oxfordre.com/asianhistory/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277727.001.0001/acrefore-9780190277727-e-414 |encyclopedia=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Asian History |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780190277727.013.414 |isbn=978-0-19-027772-7 |access-date=2022-09-11 |archive-date=11 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911080446/https://oxfordre.com/asianhistory/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277727.001.0001/acrefore-9780190277727-e-414 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite journal |last1=Ware |first1=Anthony |last2=Laoutides |first2=Costas |date=2018-10-01 |title=Rakhine–Burman Narratives: 'Independence', 'Unity', 'Infiltration' |url=https://academic.oup.com/book/32301/chapter/268523789 |language=en |doi=10.1093/oso/9780190928865.003.0004 |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922052645/https://academic.oup.com/book/32301/chapter/268523789 |url-status=live }}</ref> By the 1100s, they had consolidated control of the region, becoming a tributary state of the ] until the 13th century.<ref name=":21">{{Citation |last=Druce |first=Stephen C. |title=Myanmar's Unwanted Ethnic Minority: A History and Analysis of the Rohingya Crisis |date=2020 |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-981-32-9570-4_2 |work=Managing Conflicts in a Globalizing ASEAN |pages=17–46 |editor-last=Oishi |editor-first=Mikio |place=Singapore |publisher=Springer Singapore |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-981-32-9570-4_2 |isbn=978-981-329-569-8 |s2cid=211420005 |access-date=2022-09-13}}</ref><ref name=":20" /> Over time, these Bamar migrants formed a distinct cultural identity, eventually becoming the ] (also known as the Arakanese).<ref name=":20" /><ref name=":21" />


According to Rakhine legend, the first recorded kingdom, centred around the northern town of ], arose in the 34th century BCE and lasted until 327 CE. Rakhine documents and inscriptions state that the famed ] was cast in Dhanyawady in around 554 BCE when the Buddha visited the kingdom. After the fall of Dhanyawadi in the 4th century CE, the centre of power shifted to a new dynasty based in the town of Waithali. The Waithali kingdom ruled the regions of Rakhine from the middle of the 4th century to 818 CE. The period is seen as the classical period of Rakhine culture, architecture and Buddhism, as the Waithali period left behind more archaeological remains than its predecessor. A new dynasty emerged in four towns along the ] as Waithali waned in influence, and ushered in the Lemro period, where four principal towns served as successive capitals.{{Citation needed|date=June 2015}}
One such complication to the Rahkine ethnic issue is that of the ], whom the Myanmar government refers to as “Bengali Muslims” refusing to recognize as a legitimate native ethnic group, but who currently form perhaps 25% of the Rahkine population.


After its partial dominance by the Islamic ] and ], the final ] was founded in 1429 by ]. It is seen by the Rakhine people as the golden age of their history, as Mrauk U served as a commercially important port and base of power in the Bay of Bengal region and involved in extensive maritime trade with Arabia and Europe.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}Part of it, along ]'s ], was later conquered by the Mughal Emperor ].
== Organization ==
The country steadily declined from the 18th century onwards after its loss to the ]. Internal instability, rebellion and dethroning of kings were very common. The Portuguese, during the era of their greatness in Asia, gained a temporary establishment in Arakan.<ref name="EB1911">{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Arakan|volume=2|page=315}}</ref><ref name="Phayre1841">{{cite book|author=Arthur P. Phayre|title=Account of Arakan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TPBeAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA688|year=1841|page=688}}</ref><ref name="Subrahmanyam2012">{{cite book|author=Sanjay Subrahmanyam|title=The Portuguese Empire in Asia, 1500-1700: A Political and Economic History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-DZciX6WxgUC&pg=PT179|date=30 April 2012|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-470-67291-4|page=179}}</ref><ref name="LachKley1993">{{cite book|author1=Donald F. Lach|author2=Edwin J. Van Kley|title=Asia in the Making of Europe: A Century of Advance : Book 1 : Trade, Missions, Literature|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vk04ZSIZDAEC&pg=PA143|date=15 June 1993|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-46753-5|page=143}}</ref>


===Burmese rule===
Rakhine State consists of five districts&#65306; Sittway, Maungtaw, Buthidaung, Kyaukpyu and Thandwe. These districts have 17 townships and 1,164 village-tracts.
On 2 January 1785, the internally divided kingdom fell to invading forces of the Konbaung dynasty. The Mahamuni Image was taken away by the Burmese Forces as war loot. Thus, an expansionist Burma came into direct territorial contact with territories of the British East India Company, which set the stage for future flaring of hostility. Various geopolitical issues gave rise to the ] (1824–26). As the image of Mahamuni had been taken as war loot by the Burmese, this time the huge bell of the temple was taken by the ] and awarded to an Indian soldier, Bhim Singh, a Risaldar in the 2nd Battalion of the ], for his bravery. This inscribed huge bell is still installed in a temple at village Nadrai near ] town in present-day Kanshiram Nagar District of ] India. In the ] (1826), which ended hostilities, Burma ceded Arakan alongside ] (Tenasserim) to British India. The British made Akyab (now Sittwe) the capital of Arakan. Later, Arakan became part of the province of Burma of the ], and then part of ] when Burma was made into a separate ]. Arakan was administratively divided into three districts along traditional divisions during the Mrauk U period.


== Economy == === British rule ===
Rakhine was the centre of multiple insurgencies which fought against British rule, notably led by the monks ] and ]. During the Second World War, Rakhine was given autonomy under the ] and was even granted its own army known as the Arakan Defense Force. The Arakan Defense Force went over to the allies and turned against the Japanese in early 1945. Rakhine (Arakan) was the site of many battles during the Second World War, most notably the ] and the ].
]


===Burmese independence===
Rakhine State receives much rain, so ] is the main crop, occupying around 85% of the total agricultural acreage. ] and ] plantations are also important. ] is a major industry, with most of the catch transported to ], but some is also exported. Wood products such as timber, ] and fuel wood are extracted from the mountains. Small amounts of inferior-grade ] are produced from primitive, shallow, hand-dug wells, but there is yet unexplored potential for ] and ] production.


In 1948, Rakhine became a division within the Union of Burma, and the three districts became Arakan Division. From the 1950s, there was a growing movement for ] and restoration of Arakan independence. In part to appease this sentiment, in 1974, the socialist government under General ] constituted "Rakhine State" from Arakan Division giving at least nominal acknowledgment of the regional majority of the ].
] is slowly being developed. The ruins of the ancient royal town ] and the beach resorts of ] are the major attractions for foreign visitors, but facilities are still primitive, and transportation infrastructure is still rudimentary.


===2010 onwards (after 2008 constitution)===
== History ==
Since 2010, Rakhine state has had two chief ministers: Hla Maung Tin and Major General Maung Maung Ohn.
Hla Maung Tin ( January 2011 – 20 June 2014) was an elected Rakhine ] member representing USDP from ] in 2010 general election. He resigned from the post after recurrent intense inter-communal conflicts between Muslims and Rakhine ethnic groups in 2012–14.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621065601/http://www.mizzima.com/mizzima-news/myanmar/item/11519-rakhine-state-chief-minister-resigns/11519-rakhine-state-chief-minister-resigns |date=21 June 2014 }}</ref> In 2014, he was replaced by Major General Maung Maung Ohn (30 June 2014 – present). Ohn was Deputy Minister for Border Affairs and head of the Rakhine State's Emergency Coordination Center before he was named to become a military-appointed Rakhine State Hluttaw member by Election Commission on 21 June 2014. His appointment as Chief Minister was formalised on 30 June 2014 although Arakan National Party opposed it.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626101651/http://www.mizzima.com/mizzima-news/myanmar/item/11567-rakhine-state-receives-new-chief-minister/11567-rakhine-state-receives-new-chief-minister |date=26 June 2014 }}</ref>
A kingdom called ] arose in the Rakhine region in the 1st century AD, possibly much earlier. The famous ] (located in ]) was cast in Dhanyawady in around 150 AD.


===2012 Rakhine State riots===
The kingdom of ] (Rakhine: Waithali) was the successor to Dhanyawady from the 3rd century AD. It was weakened by ] attacks in 957 and fell to the Burmans from ] in the late 11th century.
{{Main|2012 Rakhine State riots}}
The 2012 Rakhine State riots were a series of conflicts between ] Muslims and ] Buddhists who are majority in the Rakhine State. Before the riots, there were widespread and strongly held fears circulating among Buddhist Rakhines (who were a large majority) that they would soon become a minority in their ancestral state.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://icg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/myanmar-the-politics-of-rakhine-state.pdf |title=Myanmar: The Politics of Rakhine State |date=22 October 2014 |website=International Crisis Group |page=14}}</ref> The riots finally came after weeks of sectarian disputes including the death of ten Burmese Muslims by Rakhines and murder of a Rakhine by Rohingyas.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-violence-idUSBRE85714E20120608 | title=Four killed as Rohingya Muslims riot in Myanmar: government | work=Reuters | date=8 June 2012 | access-date=9 June 2012 | archive-date=19 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019125758/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/08/us-myanmar-violence-idUSBRE85714E20120608 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PhilInquirer">{{cite news|last=Lauras|first=Didier|title=Myanmar stung by global censure over unrest|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/271174/myanmar-stung-by-global-censure-over-unrest|access-date=15 September 2012|newspaper=Agence France-Presse in the Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=15 September 2012|archive-date=16 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916154752/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/271174/myanmar-stung-by-global-censure-over-unrest|url-status=live}}</ref>
From both sides, whole villages were "decimated".<ref name="PhilInquirer" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.unhcr.org/51b1af0b6.html |title=One year on: Displacement in Rakhine state, Myanmar |newspaper=UNHCR |date=7 June 2013 |access-date=31 July 2015 |archive-date=13 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713220144/http://www.unhcr.org/51b1af0b6.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the Burmese authorities, the violence, between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, left 78 people dead, 87 injured, and up to 140,000 people have been displaced.<ref name="dvb_hindstorm" /><ref name="UN News">{{cite news|title=UN refugee agency redeploys staff to address humanitarian needs in Myanmar|work=UN News|date=29 June 2012|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42356|access-date=29 June 2012|archive-date=17 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617053620/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42356|url-status=live}}</ref> The government has responded by imposing curfews and by deploying troops in the region. On 10 June 2012, a ] was declared in Rakhine, allowing the military to participate in the administration of the region.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://burma.irrawaddy.org/archives/11901 | title=အေရးေပၚအေျခအေန ေၾကညာခ်က္ ႏုိင္ငံေရးသမားမ်ား ေထာက္ခံ | publisher=The Irrawaddy | date=11 June 2012 | access-date=11 June 2012 | author=Linn Htet | archive-date=13 June 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613191556/http://burma.irrawaddy.org/archives/11901 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first = Fergal | last = Keane | author-link = Fergal Keane | date = 11 June 2012 | title = Old tensions bubble in Burma | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18402678 | work = BBC News | access-date = 11 June 2012 | archive-date = 31 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181031230707/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18402678 | url-status = live }}</ref> Rohingya NGOs overseas have accused the Burmese army and police of targeting Rohingya Muslims through arrests and participating in violence.<ref name="dvb_hindstorm">{{cite news|last=Hindstorm|first=Hanna|title=Burmese authorities targeting Rohingyas, UK parliament told|url=http://www.dvb.no/news/burmese-authorities-targeting-rohingyas-uk-parliament-told/22676|access-date=9 July 2012|date=28 June 2012|agency=]|archive-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925033559/http://www.dvb.no/news/burmese-authorities-targeting-rohingyas-uk-parliament-told/22676|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, an in-depth research conducted by the International Crisis Group shows that both communities are grateful for the protection provided by the military.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/south-east-asia/burma-myanmar/b143-myanmar-s-military-back-to-the-barracks.pdf |title=Myanmar's Military: Back to the Barracks? |date=22 April 2014 |access-date=17 February 2015 |publisher=The International Crisis Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217063304/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/south-east-asia/burma-myanmar/b143-myanmar-s-military-back-to-the-barracks.pdf |archive-date=17 February 2015 }}</ref> A number of monks' organisations have taken measures to block aid from NGOs that help Rohingyas.<ref name="ti_hindstorm">{{cite news |last=Hindstorm |first=Hanna |date=25 July 2012 |title=Burma's monks call for Muslim community to be shunned |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/burmas-monks-call-for-muslim-community-to-be-shunned-7973317.html |work=] |location=London |access-date=25 July 2012 |archive-date=27 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627021851/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/burmas-monks-call-for-muslim-community-to-be-shunned-7973317.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2012, the Burmese Government did not include the Rohingya minority group in the census—classified as
] ] from Bangladesh since 1982.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rohingyas are not citizens: Myanmar minister |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article3703383.ece |location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |date=1 August 2012 |access-date=8 May 2015 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107231250/http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article3703383.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> About 140,000 Rohingya in Burma remain confined in IDP camps.<ref name="AP Rohingya">{{cite news|title=US Holocaust Museum highlights plight of Myanmar's downtrodden Rohingya Muslims|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-holocaust-museum-highlights-plight-of-myanmars-downtrodden-rohingya-muslims|agency=Associated Press|access-date=8 May 2015|date=6 November 2013|archive-date=19 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019125757/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/06/us-holocaust-museum-highlights-plight-myanmar-downtrodden-rohingya-muslims/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The official of the ] and ] have described the persecution of the Rohingya as ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38091816|title=Myanmar wants ethnic cleansing of Rohingya – UN official|date=24 November 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420072701/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38091816|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="HRW2">{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/node/114882 |title=Crimes Against Humanity and Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Burma's Arakan State |publisher=] |date=22 April 2013 |access-date=25 May 2019 |archive-date=27 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627152258/http://www.hrw.org/node/114882 |url-status=live }}</ref> The UN human rights envoy to Myanmar reported "the long history of discrimination and persecution against the Rohingya community... could amount to ]",<ref name="un_expert_alarmed_2017_04_07_un"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918223041/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47517#.Wb-Z8pUo5kA |date=18 September 2017 }}, 7 April 2014, ] News Centre, retrieved 18 September 2017</ref> and there have been warnings of an unfolding ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/azeem-ibrahim/the-rohingya-are-at-the-b_b_12445526.html |title=The Rohingya Are At The Brink Of Mass Genocide |first=Azeem|last=Ibrahim |date=11 October 2016|website=The Huffington Post}}</ref> ], the UN special investigator on Myanmar, believes the country wants to expel its entire Rohingya population.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/burma-rohingya-muslims-government-trying-to-expel-un-warning-a7629716.html |title=Burmese government accused of trying to 'expel' all Rohingya Muslims |date=14 March 2017 |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=25 May 2019 |archive-date=13 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913075000/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/burma-rohingya-muslims-government-trying-to-expel-un-warning-a7629716.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Resurgence of armed conflict (2016–present)===
From the 15th century, the rise of the powerful ] kingdom of ] in ] exerted a strong influence over the area. From the 16th and 17th centuries, growing international trade by the ]s, ], ], and others enabled the trade center of Mruak U to break free of Burman rule in 1433. Mruak U built an empire that eventually stretched from ] to Yangon, and even ] (which fell to the Rakhine in 1684). A Dutchman who visited Mrauk U in the 16th century compared it favorably to world capitals such as ] or ], and called it one of the richest cities in Asia. The Mruak U practiced a syncretic blend of ], ], and ] beliefs.
{{Main|Conflict in Rakhine State (2016–present)}}
{{expand section|date=December 2024}}
As of December 2024, the ] junta stably possesses only ], ], and ]. The rest of Rakhine State is either controlled by the ], or heavily contested.<ref> ]. December 11, 2024.</ref>


===Political repression by the Myanmar government===
Mruak U was conquered by the Burmans under King Bodawpaya in 1784, who took the famous Mahamuni Buddha image as a war trophy to his capital of Mandalay (where it is still located). Burmese attacks on Rakine refugees in neighboring ] Bengal was one of the instigating causes of the ] (1824-26). Under the Treaty of Yandabo (1826), Burma ceded Arakan and ] to ]. Arakan was thus the first Burmese territory ceded to the British. The British made Akyab capital of new province, and retained the traditional divisions of the country into the districts of Akyab, Kyaukpyu and Sandoway (Ramree) with a district officer in charge of each. Akyab district originally included the Arakan Hill Tracts, which were detached 1865 and made into a separate district (and which is now ]).
]
The NLD government refused to share executive power at state level after the Arakan National Party won a majority of votes in Rakhine State in the 2015 election. The Arakanese repeatedly complained that their proposals in parliament are frequently rejected or not addressed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/guest-column/arakan-army-bring-rakhine-state.html|title=Opinion &#124; What Does the Arakan Army Bring to Rakhine State?|date=11 January 2019|website=The Irrawaddy|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-date=28 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128235850/https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/guest-column/arakan-army-bring-rakhine-state.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/hluttaw-struggles-to-find-voice-on-rakhine/|title=Hluttaw struggles to find voice on Rakhine|date=15 March 2018|access-date=28 August 2020|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921034037/https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/hluttaw-struggles-to-find-voice-on-rakhine/|url-status=live}}</ref>


On 16 January 2018, thousands of Mrauk U residents ] after officials banned a memorial event to mark the 233rd anniversary of the end of the Mrauk U kingdom. Local police opened fire on the crowd, killing seven and wounding 12. Two speakers of the event-Aye Maung, a prominent Rakhine politician, was charged under section 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act and Sections 121 and 505 of the Penal Code, which relate to high treason and incitement and Wai Hun Aung, a Sittwe-based activist, was filed with public mischief charges under the Penal Code. Eight rakhine youths who were wounded in the protest were detained and charged under Article 6 (1) for allegedly destroying government property and public asset.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/court-hear-arguments-sides-trial-8-injured-arakanese-protesters-aug-13.html|title=Court to Hear Arguments from Both Sides in Trial of 8 Injured Arakanese Protesters on Aug. 13|date=2 August 2018|website=The Irrawaddy|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-date=25 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125011445/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/court-hear-arguments-sides-trial-8-injured-arakanese-protesters-aug-13.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmars-rakhine-state-to-form-inquiry-panel-on-mrauk-u-crackdown-01262018162306.html|title=Myanmar's Rakhine State to Form Inquiry Panel on Mrauk U Crackdown|website=Radio Free Asia|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130110709/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmars-rakhine-state-to-form-inquiry-panel-on-mrauk-u-crackdown-01262018162306.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
With independence and the formation of the Union of ] in 1948, the three Arakan districts became Arakan Division, on equal footing with the majority Burmese administrative divisions.


In 2017, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and the ] rejected national-level political dialogue, which was a mandatory step of the ] (NCA), where regional stakeholders discuss suggestions at large-scale public consultations, the results of which are shared by representatives at the Union Peace Conference or 21st Century Panglong, to be held in Rakhine State. In February 2017, the ]—which is one of eight NCA signatories—proposed holding ethnic-based national-level political dialogue in Rakhine State, but Aung San Suu Kyi turned down the request, saying the ALP was not yet ready. The ALP made necessary preparations and submitted letters three times to request approval to hold the dialogue, but the government did not reply, and at the Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting (JICM) ] again declined the request, citing sensitive issues involving the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/daw-aung-san-suu-kyi-rejects-national-level-political-dialogue-arakan-state.html|title=Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Rejects National-level Political Dialogue in Rakhine State|date=27 April 2017|website=The Irrawaddy|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130110533/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/daw-aung-san-suu-kyi-rejects-national-level-political-dialogue-arakan-state.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/rakhine-leaders-abolish-political-dialogue-panel-citing-govt-interference.html|title=Rakhine Leaders Abolish Political Dialogue Panel, Citing Govt Interference|date=21 March 2018|website=The Irrawaddy|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130082928/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/rakhine-leaders-abolish-political-dialogue-panel-citing-govt-interference.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
From the 1950s, there was a growing movement for ] and restoration of Rakhine independence. In part to appease this sentiment, in 1974, the Burmese government of ] constituted Rakhine State from Arakan Division giving at least nominal acknowledgement of the majority ] ethnic group. Pro-independence movements have been highly fragmented, and the Burmese military has capitalized on the existing tension between the majority Buddhists and minority Muslims (]). As with other areas of Myanmar, massive ] by the Myanmar military have been reported. It has been alleged that villagers live under the constant threat of rape, beatings, arbitary arrest or execution, conscription as ] for the Myanmar army, and having their food and possessions taken without compensation. The Rohinga have been especially targeted with harsh discriminatory policies, causing hundreds of thousands of ] to flee to neighboring ] in the 1990s, sparking a major international refugee crisis. Tens of thousands of Rohinga remain as refugees to this day.


]
== External Links ==
The ] (UEC) announced on 16 October 2020 that the ] would not be held in the townships of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]; two quarters and 52 village tracts within ], three quarters and 29 village tracts within ], four quarters within ], and ten quarters and 52 village tracts within ]. The UEC argued that holding a free and fair election would not be possible in the townships due to ongoing violence.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018074421/https://www.uec.gov.mm/news_preview_detail.php?action=news_detail&news_id=FJZvznbDhnx8T8tipKlleX%2Bk4gmYGf9miNufoYTq3Co%3D |date=18 October 2020 }} 16 October 2020 ''www.uec.gov.mm'', accessed 23 March 2021</ref> With the exception of ], Rakhine ethnic parties are overwhelmingly dominant in these townships. The ] (RNDP) and ] (ANP)<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018053236/https://www.mmtimes.com/national-news/yangon/26955-wracked-by-conflicts-arakan-national-party-splits-again.html |date=18 October 2020 }} ''www.mmtimes.com'', accessed 23 March 2021</ref> won a majority of the seats in these townships the in 2010 and 2015 general elections.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018141812/http://www.themimu.info/sites/themimu.info/files/documents/50-Sector_Map_Gov_IFES_St-Rg_Constituency_Bd_Parties_in_Rakhine-State_MIMU1327v04_3Dec15_A3_0.pdf |date=18 October 2020 }} ''www.themimu.info'', accessed 23 March 2021</ref> An estimated 1.2 million people in Rakhine State subsequently lost their voting rights.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}


===2019 internet shutdown===
The government of Myanmar authorised the shutdown of internet services in nine townships on 21 June 2019, including Ponnangyun, Kyauktaw, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Mrauk U, Minbya, and Myebon in Rakhine State, as well as Paletwa in ].<ref>{{cite web |title=NGO claims internet shutdown in Rakhine 'risks lives' |url=http://mizzima.com/article/ngo-claims-internet-shutdown-rakhine-risks-lives |website=Mizzima Myanmar News and Insight |access-date=4 August 2019 |language=en |date=29 June 2019 |archive-date=4 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804031701/http://mizzima.com/article/ngo-claims-internet-shutdown-rakhine-risks-lives |url-status=live }}</ref>
]


The restriction was lifted in five of nine townships in September 2019: four in Rakhine State – Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung and Myebon – and one township in Chin State, Paletwa. However, the restriction was re-imposed in those five townships in February 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-rakhine-idUSKBN1ZZ0LC|title=Myanmar reimposes internet shutdown in conflict-torn Rakhine, Chin states: telco operator|newspaper=Reuters|date=5 February 2020|via=www.reuters.com|access-date=28 August 2020|archive-date=6 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706224724/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-rakhine-idUSKBN1ZZ0LC|url-status=live}}</ref>
]

]
Around 100 students gathered in Yangon on 22 February 2020 and demanded an end to the internet cut-off in Rakhine and Chin states, where civilian casualties are mounting as government troops battle ethnic rebels, the ]. A case has been filed, on nine students who organised the protest, under section 19 of the Peaceful Assembly Law, which outlaws unauthorised assemblies and carries a maximum six-month prison sentence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1864709/myanmar-students-face-charges-over-internet-shutdown-protest|title=Myanmar students face charges over internet shutdown protest |newspaper=Bangkok Post|date=24 February 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mizzima.com/article/authorities-arrest-students-over-rakhine-internet-shutdown-protest|title=Authorities arrest students over Rakhine internet shutdown protest|website=Mizzima Myanmar News and Insight|access-date=2 April 2020|archive-date=2 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402024457/http://mizzima.com/article/authorities-arrest-students-over-rakhine-internet-shutdown-protest|url-status=live}}</ref>

Internet services were restored in Maungdaw Township on 1 May 2020.

On 1 August 2020, 2G internet services were permitted in the remaining seven townships – Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk U,
Myebon, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung Townships in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township in Chin State. However, 3G and 4G services remained restricted.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219035804/https://www.mmtimes.com/news/telenor-says-internet-restrictions-continues-rakhine-chin.html |date=19 February 2021 }} ''www.mmtimes.com'', accessed 23 March 2021</ref>

On 2 February 2021, a day after the Tatmadaw seized power in a ], mobile internet services were restored in those eight townships in Rakhine State and Chin State.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314150542/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/mobile-internet-connectivity-restored-western-myanmar.html |date=14 March 2021 }} ''www.irrawaddy.com'', accessed 23 March 2021</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|footnote =
|source = 2014 Myanmar Census<ref name="census-2014"/>
|1973 |1,712,838
|1983 |2,045,559
|2014 |3,188,807
}}
Rakhine State (formerly known as Arakan Province), like many parts of Burma, has a diverse ethnic population. Official Burmese figures state Arakan State's population as 3,118,963.<ref name="popres">{{cite book | url=http://countryoffice.unfpa.org/myanmar/drive/SummmaryoftheProvisionalResults.pdf | title=Summary of the Provisional Results | publisher=Ministry of Immigration and Population | date=August 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903142929/http://countryoffice.unfpa.org/myanmar/drive/SummmaryoftheProvisionalResults.pdf | archive-date=3 September 2014 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
]
The ethnic ] make up the majority, followed by a considerable population of ] Muslims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joshuaproject.net/peoples.php?peo3=13207|title=Rakhine people who speak Sittwe Dialect|access-date=22 July 2010|archive-date=19 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019150410/http://www.joshuaproject.net/peoples.php?peo3=13207|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joshuaproject.net/languages.php?rol3=ybd |title=Rakhine people who speak Rang-bre Dialect |access-date=22 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427132630/https://www.joshuaproject.net/languages.php?rol3=ybd |archive-date=27 April 2011}}{{failed verification|date=August 2016}}</ref> The Rakhine reside mainly in the lowland valleys as well as ] and ] (Cheduba) islands. A number of other ethnic minorities like the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] inhabit mainly in the hill regions of the state.

According to the ]'s 2016 statistics, 12,943 Buddhist monks were registered in Rakhine State, comprising 2.4% of Myanmar's total ] membership, which includes both novice ] and fully-ordained bhikkhu.<ref name="mahana">{{Cite web|date=2016|title=The Account of Wazo Monks and Nuns in 1377 (2016 year)|url=http://www.mahana.org.mm/en/religious-affairs/the-account-of-wazo-monks-and-nuns-in-1377-2016-year/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=]|language=en-US|archive-date=27 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127201644/http://www.mahana.org.mm/en/religious-affairs/the-account-of-wazo-monks-and-nuns-in-1377-2016-year/|url-status=live}}</ref> The majority of monks belong to the ] (88.9%), followed by ] (3.9%), with the remainder of monks belonging to other small ].<ref name="mahana" /> 534 ] were registered in Rakhine State, comprising 0.9% of Myanmar's total thilashin community.<ref name="mahana" />

The Rakhine are traditionally ]. As per the 1983 Census, 98.63% of the Rakhine in Rakhine State were Buddhist and another 1.19% were Muslim. The Chin were the 3rd largest ethnic group, contributing 4% of the population in the 1983 Census. At that time, out of the 64,404 Chin in Rakhine, 55.76% were Buddhist and 33.79% were Animist.<ref name="dop.gov.mm"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202203545/https://www.dop.gov.mm/sites/dop.gov.mm/files/publication_docs/1983_rakhine_census_report_.pdf |date=2 February 2021 }} ''www.dop.gov.mm''</ref> Muslims constituted more than 80–96% of the population near the border with ] and the coastal areas. As per the 1983 Census, 99.82% of the Rohingya, 99.24% of the "Other foreigners", 89.20% of the "Mixed races", 85.50% of the Indians and 67.51% of the "Pakistanis" in Rakhine state were Muslims.<ref name="dop.gov.mm"/>

==Administrative divisions==
]
Rakhine State consists of five districts, as below, showing areas and officially estimated populations in 2002:
* ] (12,504&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>; 1,099,568 people)
* ] (recently created out of Sittwe District)
* ] (3,538&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>; 763,844 people)
* ] (9,984&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>; 458,244 people)
* ] (10,753&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>; 296,736 people)
* Total Rakhine State: 36,778&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>; 2,915,000 people

Combined, these districts have a total of 17 townships<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203160828/http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs6/MIMU001_A3_SD%20%26%20Township%20Overview.pdf |date=3 December 2010 }} Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU)</ref> and 1,164 village-tracts. ] is the capital of the state.

==Transport==
Few roads cross the ] from central Burma to Rakhine State. The three highways that do are the ] to ] (] in Burmese pronunciation) road in central Rakhine,<ref name="RS-Map"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427123007/http://www.myanmars.net/myanmar-map/rakhine-map.htm |date=27 April 2011 }} Myanmar's Net</ref> the ] to ] road in south central Rakhine,<ref name="RS-Map" /> and the ] to ] road in far southern Rakhine.<ref name="RS-Map" /><ref>Köllner, Helmut and Bruns, Axel (1998) ''Myanmar (Burma): an up-to-date travel guide'' Nelles Verlag, Munich, Germany, p. 224, {{ISBN|3-88618-415-3}}</ref><ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051107004328/http://www.myanmar.gov.mm/NLM-2001/enlm/June12.htm#(5) |date=7 November 2005 }} ''The New Light of Myanmar'' 12 June 2001. Retrieved 1 November 2010</ref> Air travel still is the usual mode of travel from ] and ] to Sittwe and ], the popular beach resort. Only in 1996 was a highway from Sittwe to the mainland constructed. The state still does not have a rail line (although ] has announced a 480-km rail extension to Sittwe from Pathein via Ponnagyun-Kyauttaw-Mrauk U-Minbya-Ann).<ref name=rail>{{cite news | title=Myanmar to construct first railroad to link western state | url=http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2009/02/19/3998164.htm | date=19 February 2009 | publisher=Xinhua News | access-date=28 February 2009 | archive-date=29 April 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429082809/http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2009/02/19/3998164.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>
]
The airports in Rakhine State are
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]

With Chinese investment, a deep sea port has been constructed in Kyaukphyu to facilitate the transport of natural gas and ] from the Indian Ocean to China without passing through ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://burmacentredelhi.org/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314124729/http://burmacentredelhi.org/news/17-china-burma/351-kyaukphyu-deep-sea-port-project-and-highways-to-be-built-in-burma-by-china.html|url-status= dead|title=Account Suspended|archive-date=14 March 2012|website=burmacentredelhi.org}}</ref>

Rivers useful for transportation in Rakhine are
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
]

==Economy==
Rakhine is one of the poorest states in Myanmar.<ref name="veconomist" >{{cite news|title=The flow of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh shows no sign of abating|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2017/10/daily-chart-13|newspaper=]|date=19 October 2017|access-date=24 October 2017|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024041543/https://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2017/10/daily-chart-13|url-status=live}}</ref> Over 69% of the population live in poverty.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aung San Suu Kyi's ideas about curbing attacks on Rohingyas won't work|url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21729015-development-cannot-occur-without-end-violence-not-other-way-round-aung-san-suu-kyis|access-date=16 September 2017|newspaper=]|date=14 September 2017|archive-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915234206/https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21729015-development-cannot-occur-without-end-violence-not-other-way-round-aung-san-suu-kyis|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rice is the main crop in the region, occupying around 85% of the total agricultural land. ] and ] plantations are also important. Fishing is a major industry, with most of the catch transported to ], but some is also exported. Wood products such as timber, ] and fuel wood are extracted from the mountains. Small amounts of inferior-grade ] are produced from primitive, shallow, hand-dug wells, but there is yet unexplored potential for petroleum and natural gas production.

Tourism is slowly being developed. The ruins of the ancient royal town ] and the beach resorts of ] are the major attractions for foreign visitors, but facilities are still primitive, and the transportation infrastructure is still rudimentary.
] ]]
While most places in Myanmar have chronic power shortages, in rural states like Rakhine the problem is greater. In 2009, the electricity consumption of a state of 3 million people was 30 ], or 1.8% of the country's total generation capacity.<ref name=xn>{{cite news | title=Myanmar Adds More Hydropower Plants in Western State | date=7 December 2009 | url=http://en.chinagate.cn/features/new_energy/2009-12/07/content_19020928.htm | publisher=Xinhua News | access-date=8 December 2009 | archive-date=27 April 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427133219/http://en.chinagate.cn/features/new_energy/2009-12/07/content_19020928.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2009, the military government added three more hydropower plants, Saidin, Thahtay Chaung and ]myit, at a cost of over US$800&nbsp;million. The three plants together can produce 687 megawatts, with surplus electricity distributed to other states and divisions.<ref name=xn/>

Additionally, as of November 2024, reports indicate that over 2 million people in Rakhine State are at risk of famine due to reduced food production and ongoing conflicts. Without urgent action, it is predicted that 95% of the population will regress into survival mode.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Myanmar's war-torn Rakhine faces famine with 2 million people at risk, UN says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmars-war-torn-rakhine-faces-famine-with-2-million-people-risk-un-says-2024-11-08/}}</ref>

==Education==
{{See also|List of universities in Rakhine State}}

Educational opportunities in Myanmar are extremely limited outside the main cities of ] and ]. The following is a summary of the public school system in the state in academic year 2013–2014.<ref name=cso-edu>{{cite web | url=http://devinfo.org/myanmar/libraries/aspx/Home.aspx | title=United Nations Statistic Department for data for Myanmar | access-date=15 January 2015 | publisher=Education Statistical Year Book, 2013_2014 | archive-date=5 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205092120/http://devinfo.org/myanmar/libraries/aspx/Home.aspx | url-status=dead }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:100px;"|AY 2013–2014
! style="width:100px;"|Primary
! style="width:100px;"|Middle
! style="width:100px;"|High
|-
| Schools
| 2,515
| 137
| 69
|-
| Teachers
| 11,045
| 2,909
| 1,337
|-
| Students
| 370,431
| 100,566
| 26,671
|}

] is the main university in the state.

==Health care==
The general state of ] is poor. The military government spends anywhere from 0.5% to 3% of the country's GDP on health care, consistently ranking among the lowest in the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ci.cfm?knlgAreaID=108&subsecID=900003&contentID=254167 |title=PPI: Almost Half of All World Health Spending is in the United States |date=17 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205231908/http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ci.cfm?knlgAreaID=108&subsecID=900003&contentID=254167 |archive-date=5 February 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2007/06/28_Burma.shtml |title=Burma junta faulted for rampant diseases |date=28 June 2007 |author=Yasmin Anwar |publisher=UC Berkeley News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702123259/http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2007/06/28_Burma.shtml |archive-date=2 July 2012}}</ref> Although health care is nominally free, in reality, patients have to pay for medicine and treatment, even in public clinics and hospitals. Public hospitals lack many of the basic facilities and equipment. In general, the health care infrastructure outside of ] and ] is extremely poor but is worse in remote areas like Rakhine State. The entire Rakhine State has fewer hospital beds than the ]. The following is a summary of the public health care system in the state.<ref name=cso-hosp>{{cite web|url=http://www.etrademyanmar.com/STATS/s0413.htm |title=Hospitals and Dispensaries by State and Division |access-date=19 April 2009 |publisher=Myanmar Central Statistical Organization |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430032618/http://www.etrademyanmar.com/STATS/s0413.htm |archive-date=30 April 2011}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="width:300px;"|2002–2003
! style="width:100px;"|# Hospitals
! style="width:100px;"|# Beds
|-
| Specialist hospitals
| 0
| 0
|-
| General hospitals with specialist services
| 1
| 200
|-
| General hospitals
| 16
| 553
|-
| Health clinics
| 24
| 384
|- class="sortbottom"
| '''Total'''
| '''41'''
| '''1,137'''
|}

==See also==
* ]
* ] (for the World War II campaign)
* ]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* ] (1943), ''The Land of the Great Image: Being Experiences of Friar Manrique in Arakan'' (US publication 1958, ]).

{{Commons category}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre = {{flag|Rakhine State}}
|North = {{flag|Chin State}}
|Northeast =
|East = {{flag|Magway Region}}<br>{{flag|Bago Region}}
|Southeast = {{flag|Ayeyarwady Region}}
|South =
|Southwest = '']''
|West =
|Northwest = ], {{flag|Bangladesh}}
}}

{{Rakhine State}}
{{Administrative divisions of Burma (Myanmar)}}
{{Authority control}}

]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 15:09, 28 December 2024

State of Myanmar For the historical region, see Arakan. For the administrative division of the British Empire, see Arakan Division.

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State in Lower, Myanmar
Rakhine State ရခိုင်ပြည်နယ်Arakan State
State
Myanma transcription(s)
 • RakhineRakhai Pray Nay
 • Burmesera.hkuing: prany nai
Flag of Rakhine StateFlag
Location of Rakhine State in Myanmar (Burma)Location of Rakhine State in Myanmar (Burma)
Coordinates: 19°30′N 94°0′E / 19.500°N 94.000°E / 19.500; 94.000
Country Myanmar
RegionLower
Before becoming StateArakan Division
renamed as Arakan State3 January 1974
renamed as Rakhine State18 June 1989
CapitalSittwe
Government
 • Chief MinisterU Htein Lin
 • CabinetRakhine State Government
 • LegislatureRakhine State Hluttaw
 • JudiciaryRakhine State High Court
Area
 • Total36,778.0 km (14,200.1 sq mi)
 • Rank8th
Highest elevation1,851 m (6,073 ft)
Population
 • Total3,188,807
 • Rank8th
Demographics
 • EthnicitiesArakanese (Rakhine), Bamars (Burmese), Rohingya, Kaman, Chin, Mro, Khami, That, Marmas, Daingnet (Chakmas), Maramagyi and others
 • Religions
(2024 estimate)
Time zoneUTC+06:30 (MMT)
ISO 3166 codeMM-16
HDI (2017)0.520
low · 13th
Websiterakhinestate.gov.mm
This article contains Burmese script. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Burmese script.

Rakhine State (/rəˈkaɪn/ ; Rakhine and Burmese: ရခိုင်ပြည်နယ်; MLCTS: ra.hkuing pranynai, Rakhine pronunciation [ɹəkʰàiɰ̃ pɹènè], Burmese pronunciation: [jəkʰàiɰ̃ pjìnɛ̀]), formerly known as Arakan State, is a state in Myanmar (Burma). Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State to the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region to the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located approximately between latitudes 17°30' north and 21°30' north and longitudes 92°10' east and 94°50' east. The Arakan Mountains or Rakhine Yoma separated Rakhine State from central Burma from North to South. Off the coast of Rakhine State there are some fairly large islands such as Ramree, Cheduba and Myingun. Rakhine State has an area of 36,762 square kilometres (14,194 sq mi) and its capital is Sittwe (formerly known as Akyab).

Names

Main article: Rakhine people § Ethnonyms

The state was historically known as Arakan in English until the Burmese government adopted the English name Rakhine in 1990.

History

Main articles: Arakan, Arakan Division, and History of Rakhine
Silver coin of king Nitichandra, Arakan. Brahmi legend "NITI" in front, Shrivatasa symbol on the reverse. 8th century CE.

The history of the region of Arakan (now renamed Rakhine) State can be roughly divided into seven parts. The first four divisions and the periods are based on the location of the centre of power of the main polities in the northern Rakhine region, especially along the Kaladan River. Thus, the history is divided into the Dhanyawadi, Waithali, Laymro and Mrauk U. Mrauk U was conquered by the Konbaung dynasty of Burma in 1784–85, after which Rakhine became part of the Konbaung kingdom of Burma. In 1824, the first Anglo-Burmese war erupted and in 1826, Rakhine (alongside Tanintharyi) was ceded to the British East India Company as war reparations by the Burmese. Rakhine thus became part of the province of Burma in British India. In 1948, Burma was given independence and Rakhine became part of the newly independent state.

Independent kingdom

Beginning in the 900s, the Bamar began migrating westward, crossing the Arakan Mountains and settling in what is now Rakhine State. By the 1100s, they had consolidated control of the region, becoming a tributary state of the Pagan Empire until the 13th century. Over time, these Bamar migrants formed a distinct cultural identity, eventually becoming the Rakhine people (also known as the Arakanese).

According to Rakhine legend, the first recorded kingdom, centred around the northern town of Dhanyawadi, arose in the 34th century BCE and lasted until 327 CE. Rakhine documents and inscriptions state that the famed Mahamuni Buddha image was cast in Dhanyawady in around 554 BCE when the Buddha visited the kingdom. After the fall of Dhanyawadi in the 4th century CE, the centre of power shifted to a new dynasty based in the town of Waithali. The Waithali kingdom ruled the regions of Rakhine from the middle of the 4th century to 818 CE. The period is seen as the classical period of Rakhine culture, architecture and Buddhism, as the Waithali period left behind more archaeological remains than its predecessor. A new dynasty emerged in four towns along the Lemyo River as Waithali waned in influence, and ushered in the Lemro period, where four principal towns served as successive capitals.

After its partial dominance by the Islamic Delhi Sultanate and Bengal Sultanate, the final Kingdom of Mrauk U was founded in 1429 by Min Saw Mon. It is seen by the Rakhine people as the golden age of their history, as Mrauk U served as a commercially important port and base of power in the Bay of Bengal region and involved in extensive maritime trade with Arabia and Europe.Part of it, along Bengal Subah's Chittagong, was later conquered by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The country steadily declined from the 18th century onwards after its loss to the Mughal Empire. Internal instability, rebellion and dethroning of kings were very common. The Portuguese, during the era of their greatness in Asia, gained a temporary establishment in Arakan.

Burmese rule

On 2 January 1785, the internally divided kingdom fell to invading forces of the Konbaung dynasty. The Mahamuni Image was taken away by the Burmese Forces as war loot. Thus, an expansionist Burma came into direct territorial contact with territories of the British East India Company, which set the stage for future flaring of hostility. Various geopolitical issues gave rise to the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–26). As the image of Mahamuni had been taken as war loot by the Burmese, this time the huge bell of the temple was taken by the Presidency armies and awarded to an Indian soldier, Bhim Singh, a Risaldar in the 2nd Battalion of the Bengal Army, for his bravery. This inscribed huge bell is still installed in a temple at village Nadrai near Kasganj town in present-day Kanshiram Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh India. In the Treaty of Yandabo (1826), which ended hostilities, Burma ceded Arakan alongside Tanintharyi (Tenasserim) to British India. The British made Akyab (now Sittwe) the capital of Arakan. Later, Arakan became part of the province of Burma of the British Indian Empire, and then part of British Burma when Burma was made into a separate crown colony. Arakan was administratively divided into three districts along traditional divisions during the Mrauk U period.

British rule

Rakhine was the centre of multiple insurgencies which fought against British rule, notably led by the monks U Ottama and U Seinda. During the Second World War, Rakhine was given autonomy under the Japanese occupation of Burma and was even granted its own army known as the Arakan Defense Force. The Arakan Defense Force went over to the allies and turned against the Japanese in early 1945. Rakhine (Arakan) was the site of many battles during the Second World War, most notably the Arakan Campaign 1942–43 and the Battle of Ramree Island.

Laung Bwann Brauk Pagoda

Burmese independence

In 1948, Rakhine became a division within the Union of Burma, and the three districts became Arakan Division. From the 1950s, there was a growing movement for secession and restoration of Arakan independence. In part to appease this sentiment, in 1974, the socialist government under General Ne Win constituted "Rakhine State" from Arakan Division giving at least nominal acknowledgment of the regional majority of the Rakhine people.

2010 onwards (after 2008 constitution)

Since 2010, Rakhine state has had two chief ministers: Hla Maung Tin and Major General Maung Maung Ohn. Hla Maung Tin ( January 2011 – 20 June 2014) was an elected Rakhine State Hluttaw member representing USDP from Ann Township in 2010 general election. He resigned from the post after recurrent intense inter-communal conflicts between Muslims and Rakhine ethnic groups in 2012–14. In 2014, he was replaced by Major General Maung Maung Ohn (30 June 2014 – present). Ohn was Deputy Minister for Border Affairs and head of the Rakhine State's Emergency Coordination Center before he was named to become a military-appointed Rakhine State Hluttaw member by Election Commission on 21 June 2014. His appointment as Chief Minister was formalised on 30 June 2014 although Arakan National Party opposed it.

2012 Rakhine State riots

Main article: 2012 Rakhine State riots

The 2012 Rakhine State riots were a series of conflicts between Rohingya Muslims and Rakhine Buddhists who are majority in the Rakhine State. Before the riots, there were widespread and strongly held fears circulating among Buddhist Rakhines (who were a large majority) that they would soon become a minority in their ancestral state. The riots finally came after weeks of sectarian disputes including the death of ten Burmese Muslims by Rakhines and murder of a Rakhine by Rohingyas. From both sides, whole villages were "decimated". According to the Burmese authorities, the violence, between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims, left 78 people dead, 87 injured, and up to 140,000 people have been displaced. The government has responded by imposing curfews and by deploying troops in the region. On 10 June 2012, a state of emergency was declared in Rakhine, allowing the military to participate in the administration of the region. Rohingya NGOs overseas have accused the Burmese army and police of targeting Rohingya Muslims through arrests and participating in violence. However, an in-depth research conducted by the International Crisis Group shows that both communities are grateful for the protection provided by the military. A number of monks' organisations have taken measures to block aid from NGOs that help Rohingyas. In July 2012, the Burmese Government did not include the Rohingya minority group in the census—classified as stateless Bengali Muslims from Bangladesh since 1982. About 140,000 Rohingya in Burma remain confined in IDP camps. The official of the United Nations and Human Rights Watch have described the persecution of the Rohingya as ethnic cleansing. The UN human rights envoy to Myanmar reported "the long history of discrimination and persecution against the Rohingya community... could amount to crimes against humanity", and there have been warnings of an unfolding genocide. Yanghee Lee, the UN special investigator on Myanmar, believes the country wants to expel its entire Rohingya population.

Resurgence of armed conflict (2016–present)

Main article: Conflict in Rakhine State (2016–present)
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2024)

As of December 2024, the State Administration Council junta stably possesses only Sittwe Township, Kyaukpyu Township, and Munaung Township. The rest of Rakhine State is either controlled by the Arakan Army, or heavily contested.

Political repression by the Myanmar government

Rohingya refugees entering Bangladesh after being driven out of Rakhine State, 2017

The NLD government refused to share executive power at state level after the Arakan National Party won a majority of votes in Rakhine State in the 2015 election. The Arakanese repeatedly complained that their proposals in parliament are frequently rejected or not addressed.

On 16 January 2018, thousands of Mrauk U residents staged a protest after officials banned a memorial event to mark the 233rd anniversary of the end of the Mrauk U kingdom. Local police opened fire on the crowd, killing seven and wounding 12. Two speakers of the event-Aye Maung, a prominent Rakhine politician, was charged under section 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act and Sections 121 and 505 of the Penal Code, which relate to high treason and incitement and Wai Hun Aung, a Sittwe-based activist, was filed with public mischief charges under the Penal Code. Eight rakhine youths who were wounded in the protest were detained and charged under Article 6 (1) for allegedly destroying government property and public asset.

In 2017, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and the Tatmadaw rejected national-level political dialogue, which was a mandatory step of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), where regional stakeholders discuss suggestions at large-scale public consultations, the results of which are shared by representatives at the Union Peace Conference or 21st Century Panglong, to be held in Rakhine State. In February 2017, the Arakan Liberation Party—which is one of eight NCA signatories—proposed holding ethnic-based national-level political dialogue in Rakhine State, but Aung San Suu Kyi turned down the request, saying the ALP was not yet ready. The ALP made necessary preparations and submitted letters three times to request approval to hold the dialogue, but the government did not reply, and at the Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting (JICM) Aung San Suu Kyi again declined the request, citing sensitive issues involving the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State.

Spatial Illustration of Disenfranchisement of 2020 General Election in Arakan (Rakhine State)

The Union Election Committee (UEC) announced on 16 October 2020 that the 2020 Myanmar general election would not be held in the townships of Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maung Daw, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Myebon, Mrauk U; two quarters and 52 village tracts within Kyaukphyu Township, three quarters and 29 village tracts within Ann Township, four quarters within Sittwe Township, and ten quarters and 52 village tracts within Toungup Township. The UEC argued that holding a free and fair election would not be possible in the townships due to ongoing violence. With the exception of Toungup Township, Rakhine ethnic parties are overwhelmingly dominant in these townships. The Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) and Arakan National Party (ANP) won a majority of the seats in these townships the in 2010 and 2015 general elections. An estimated 1.2 million people in Rakhine State subsequently lost their voting rights.

2019 internet shutdown

The government of Myanmar authorised the shutdown of internet services in nine townships on 21 June 2019, including Ponnangyun, Kyauktaw, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Mrauk U, Minbya, and Myebon in Rakhine State, as well as Paletwa in Chin State.

The restriction was lifted in five of nine townships in September 2019: four in Rakhine State – Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung and Myebon – and one township in Chin State, Paletwa. However, the restriction was re-imposed in those five townships in February 2020.

Around 100 students gathered in Yangon on 22 February 2020 and demanded an end to the internet cut-off in Rakhine and Chin states, where civilian casualties are mounting as government troops battle ethnic rebels, the Arakan Army. A case has been filed, on nine students who organised the protest, under section 19 of the Peaceful Assembly Law, which outlaws unauthorised assemblies and carries a maximum six-month prison sentence.

Internet services were restored in Maungdaw Township on 1 May 2020.

On 1 August 2020, 2G internet services were permitted in the remaining seven townships – Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk U, Myebon, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung Townships in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township in Chin State. However, 3G and 4G services remained restricted.

On 2 February 2021, a day after the Tatmadaw seized power in a coup d'état, mobile internet services were restored in those eight townships in Rakhine State and Chin State.

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1973 1,712,838—    
1983 2,045,559+19.4%
2014 3,188,807+55.9%
Source: 2014 Myanmar Census

Rakhine State (formerly known as Arakan Province), like many parts of Burma, has a diverse ethnic population. Official Burmese figures state Arakan State's population as 3,118,963.

Thandwe, Rakhine State

The ethnic Rakhine make up the majority, followed by a considerable population of Rohingya Muslims. The Rakhine reside mainly in the lowland valleys as well as Ramree and Manaung (Cheduba) islands. A number of other ethnic minorities like the Thet, Kamein, Chin, Mro, Chakma, Khami, Daingnet, Bengali Hindu and Maramagri inhabit mainly in the hill regions of the state.

According to the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee's 2016 statistics, 12,943 Buddhist monks were registered in Rakhine State, comprising 2.4% of Myanmar's total Sangha membership, which includes both novice samanera and fully-ordained bhikkhu. The majority of monks belong to the Thudhamma Nikaya (88.9%), followed by Shwegyin Nikaya (3.9%), with the remainder of monks belonging to other small monastic orders. 534 thilashin were registered in Rakhine State, comprising 0.9% of Myanmar's total thilashin community.

The Rakhine are traditionally Theravada Buddhists. As per the 1983 Census, 98.63% of the Rakhine in Rakhine State were Buddhist and another 1.19% were Muslim. The Chin were the 3rd largest ethnic group, contributing 4% of the population in the 1983 Census. At that time, out of the 64,404 Chin in Rakhine, 55.76% were Buddhist and 33.79% were Animist. Muslims constituted more than 80–96% of the population near the border with Bangladesh and the coastal areas. As per the 1983 Census, 99.82% of the Rohingya, 99.24% of the "Other foreigners", 89.20% of the "Mixed races", 85.50% of the Indians and 67.51% of the "Pakistanis" in Rakhine state were Muslims.

Administrative divisions

Map of the Rakhine State

Rakhine State consists of five districts, as below, showing areas and officially estimated populations in 2002:

  • Sittwe (12,504 km; 1,099,568 people)
  • Mrauk-U (recently created out of Sittwe District)
  • Maungdaw (3,538 km; 763,844 people)
  • Kyaukpyu (9,984 km; 458,244 people)
  • Thandwe (10,753 km; 296,736 people)
  • Total Rakhine State: 36,778 km; 2,915,000 people

Combined, these districts have a total of 17 townships and 1,164 village-tracts. Sittwe is the capital of the state.

Transport

Few roads cross the Arakan Mountains from central Burma to Rakhine State. The three highways that do are the Ann to Munbra (Minbya in Burmese pronunciation) road in central Rakhine, the Toungup to Pamtaung road in south central Rakhine, and the Gwa to Ngathaingchaung road in far southern Rakhine. Air travel still is the usual mode of travel from Yangon and Mandalay to Sittwe and Ngapali, the popular beach resort. Only in 1996 was a highway from Sittwe to the mainland constructed. The state still does not have a rail line (although Myanmar Railways has announced a 480-km rail extension to Sittwe from Pathein via Ponnagyun-Kyauttaw-Mrauk U-Minbya-Ann).

Sittwe Airport

The airports in Rakhine State are

With Chinese investment, a deep sea port has been constructed in Kyaukphyu to facilitate the transport of natural gas and crude oil from the Indian Ocean to China without passing through Strait of Malacca.

Rivers useful for transportation in Rakhine are

Ngapali Beach, Rakhine state

Economy

Rakhine is one of the poorest states in Myanmar. Over 69% of the population live in poverty.

Rice is the main crop in the region, occupying around 85% of the total agricultural land. Coconut and nipa palm plantations are also important. Fishing is a major industry, with most of the catch transported to Yangon, but some is also exported. Wood products such as timber, bamboo and fuel wood are extracted from the mountains. Small amounts of inferior-grade crude oil are produced from primitive, shallow, hand-dug wells, but there is yet unexplored potential for petroleum and natural gas production.

Tourism is slowly being developed. The ruins of the ancient royal town Mrauk U and the beach resorts of Ngapali are the major attractions for foreign visitors, but facilities are still primitive, and the transportation infrastructure is still rudimentary.

Mrauk U

While most places in Myanmar have chronic power shortages, in rural states like Rakhine the problem is greater. In 2009, the electricity consumption of a state of 3 million people was 30 MW, or 1.8% of the country's total generation capacity. In December 2009, the military government added three more hydropower plants, Saidin, Thahtay Chaung and Laymromyit, at a cost of over US$800 million. The three plants together can produce 687 megawatts, with surplus electricity distributed to other states and divisions.

Additionally, as of November 2024, reports indicate that over 2 million people in Rakhine State are at risk of famine due to reduced food production and ongoing conflicts. Without urgent action, it is predicted that 95% of the population will regress into survival mode.

Education

See also: List of universities in Rakhine State

Educational opportunities in Myanmar are extremely limited outside the main cities of Yangon and Mandalay. The following is a summary of the public school system in the state in academic year 2013–2014.

AY 2013–2014 Primary Middle High
Schools 2,515 137 69
Teachers 11,045 2,909 1,337
Students 370,431 100,566 26,671

Sittwe University is the main university in the state.

Health care

The general state of health care in Myanmar is poor. The military government spends anywhere from 0.5% to 3% of the country's GDP on health care, consistently ranking among the lowest in the world. Although health care is nominally free, in reality, patients have to pay for medicine and treatment, even in public clinics and hospitals. Public hospitals lack many of the basic facilities and equipment. In general, the health care infrastructure outside of Yangon and Mandalay is extremely poor but is worse in remote areas like Rakhine State. The entire Rakhine State has fewer hospital beds than the Yangon General Hospital. The following is a summary of the public health care system in the state.

2002–2003 # Hospitals # Beds
Specialist hospitals 0 0
General hospitals with specialist services 1 200
General hospitals 16 553
Health clinics 24 384
Total 41 1,137

See also

Notes

References

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