DOCSLIB.ORG

Plight of Muslims in Burma

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Plight of Muslims in Burma Plight of Muslims in Burma in the 21st Century: An Initiative for Solution & way forward Human Tragedy in Burma: An Emergence for Solution By Mohammad Sadek Program Coordinator Rohingya Arakanese Refugee Committee (RARC), Malaysia E-mail: [email protected] www.arakanobserver.com Blog: www.arrcinfo.blogspot.com At the very beginning, I would like to provide a brief introduction on Burma. Burma is a country which is situated in South East Asia. Its new name is Myanmar, with 261,218 square miles of its area Burma is consisting of 7 states and 7 divisions which is covered by 55 million people (55,167,330 by July 2012). Out of 144 ethnic races, 135 races are only recognized by the ruling and military backed Government of Burma Of them, entire 7 divisions are fixed for one race know as “Bamar or Burman”. The rest of 7 states are distributed for the ethic minority races in which no any particular regions was specified for indigenous Muslims of Burma at all. Official Statistics of Ethnic Groups: Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% Official Statistics of Religions Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2% Muslims Groups in Burma • Rohingya (Arakanese) • Surti • Kaman • Patan • Pathy • Gourkha • Panti • Hindustani • Shan • Malay (Poshu) • Karen • Bengali • Cholia Rohingyas are the major Muslim ethnic and indigenous race in Burma’s Arakan State • Rohingyas ancestry to Arakan in BC 3000 years ago • Advent of Islam in Arakan in 788 (7th Century) • Muslims rules in Arakan from AD (1430 to 1638) Names of Muslims Kings in Arakan 1. Sultan Sulaiman Shah (Narameikla) 1430- 1434 2. Sultan Ali Khan (Meng Khari) 1434-1459 3. Sultan Kalima Shah (Ba Saw Pyu) 1459-1482 4. Sultan Makbul Shah (Doulya) 1482-1492) 5. Sultan Mohammed Shah (Ba Saw Nyo) 1492- 1493) 6. Sultan Nori Shah (Min Ran Aung) 1493-1494) 7. Sultan Sheikh Abdullah Shah (Salingathu) 1494- 1501 8. Sultan Ili Shah (Meng Raza) 1501-1523 9. Sultan Ilias Shah (Kasabadi) 1523-1525 10. Sultan Jalal Shah (Meng Saw Oo) 1525-1525 11. Sultan Ali Shah (Thatasa) 1525-1531 12. Sultan Zabuk Shah (Min Bin) 1531-1553 13. Sultan Bahadur Shah 1554-1555 14. Sultan Sikandar Shah (Min Phalaung) 1571-1593 15. Sultan Salim Shah (Min Raza Gyi) 1593-1612 16. Sultan Hussein Shah (Min Khamaung) 1612-1622 17. Sultan Salim Shah-II (Thiri Thudama) 1622-1638 Genocidal actions against Muslims in Burma • 01. Military Operation (5th Burma Regiment) - November 1948 • 02. Burma Territorial Force (BTF) - Operation 1949-50 • 03. Military Operation (2nd Emergency Chin regiment) - March 1951-52 • 04. Mayu Operation - October 1952-53 • 05. Mone-thone Operation - October 1954 • 06. Combined Immigration and Army Operation - January 1955 • 07. Union Military Police (UMP) Operation - 1955-58 • 08. Captain Htin Kyaw Operation - 1959 • 09. Shwe Kyi Operation - October 1966 • 10. Kyi Gan Operation - October-December 1966 • 11. Ngazinka Operation - 1967-69 • 12. Myat Mon Operation - February 1969-71 • 13. Major Aung Than Operation - 1973 • 14. Sabe Operation February - 1974-78 • 15. Naga-Min (King Dragon) Operation - February 1978-79 (resulting in exodus of some 300,000 Rohingyas to Bangladesh; 40,000 died) 16. Shwe Hintha Operation - August 1978-80 17. Galone Operation - 1979 18. 1984 Pogrom in Taunggok 19. Anti-Muslim riots - Taunggyi (western Burma), Pyay and many other parts of Burma including Rangoon - 1987-88 20. Pyi Thaya Operation – July 1991-92 (resulting in exodus of some 268,000 Rohingyas to Bangladesh) 21. Na-Sa-Ka Operation – since 1992 22. Race riot against Muslims – March 1997 (Mandalay) 23. Anti-Muslim riot in Sittwe – February 2001 24. Anti-Muslim full-scale riot in Central Burma – May 2001 25. Anti-Muslim violence throughout central Burma (especially in the cities of Pyay/Prome, Bago/Pegu) after 9/11 – October 2001 26. Joint extermination campaign – June 3, 2012 – to date. 27. Joint Genocidal actions and ethnic cleansing pogrom-June 3, 2012 – to date. 28. Muslim Vanishing action in Meiktila in March 2013 29. Muslims cleansing pogrom in Botataun March 2013 30. Joint extermination of Muslims from central Burma of Aukkan April 2013 31. Two child-limit policy against Rohingya April 2013 32. Succession of “969” slogan to make Muslim free zone in Lashoi of Shan State May 2013. 33. Buddhist clergies combing operation in Mosques in every corner of Muslim worshiping places in Burma. Every attempt has been made by the Government of Burma since the days of General Ne Win to ethnically cleanse the Rohingya people and deny their human rights. They were declared stateless, thus licensing every crime directed against them; not a single Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was honored. Here below is a shortlist of such crimes against the Rohingya people: • Denial of Citizenship • Restriction of Movement or Travel • Restriction on Education • Restriction on Ability to work • Forced Labor • Land Confiscation • Forced Eviction • Destruction of homes, offices, schools, mosques, etc. • Religious persecution • Ethnic discrimination • Restrictions on Marriage of Rohingyas • Prevention of reproduction and forced abortion • Arbitrary Taxation and Extortion • Registration of births and deaths in families and even of cattle, and the associated extortion • Arbitrary arrest, torture and extra-judicial killing • Abuse of Rohingya Women and Elders • Rape as a weapon of war • Depopulation of Rohingya community • Confiscation of residency/citizenship cards • Internally displaced persons or undocumented refugees and statelessness • Destruction or alteration of historical Muslim sites and shrines to erase its symbolism or Islamic identity • The practices of military backed or reformist Government of Burma are well documented to the International Community. Rather taking remedy against criminals, many quarters are trying to give award to the Burmese Government in consideration with “Democratization Process—achievement onward”. • On the other hands, many prominent international human rights organizations, observers and human rights champions are condemning and criticizing the Government. The Burmese authorities are completely ignoring the calls and stepping towards continuous violence under the name of Buddhism. • In such circumstances, we must find out a clear way in solving the plights of Muslims in Burma. With a view to achieving the goals of this International forum, entire civil societies, regional and international community would take following measures as urgent as possible: Current Situation in Arakan • Unknown numbers of extremists Buddhist are increasing in Northern Arakan who are openly moving with swords, knives and various kinds of weapons. • Muslim Rohingyas and Kaman are forced to stay at home, while putting severe restriction on them. • Average death rates is calculated 3 in every hour in IDP/refugee camps in Arakan for the matter of malnutrition and severe hygienic problems • Forcible expulsion from the ancestral homeland of Rohingyas and Kaman are very high who often lost their lives in perilous plight. • Entire worshiping places (Masques) and religious education centers are forcibly shutdown under state emergency act. The 969 Movement • The 969 Movement under Wirathu is effecting the whole Southeast Asian region. • Activities of 969 movement have left several dead in Malaysia in the recent weeks, while the rest of vulnerable refugees are unable to move freely, even could not go for works. • There is no security of lives in Malaysia for Muslim refugees and asylum seekers as the numbers of 969 follower groups is higher than 350,000, while the member of Muslims victims are around 50,000. • Unidentified numbers of the 969 followers are holding UNHCR document who are often take option in targeting Muslim activists and social workers. • Registration of Muslim asylum seekers at the UNHCR is very slow who do not have any alternative way for their protection upon their escape from sectarian violence and genocidal actions. • Resettlement quota for the genuine victims of persecution still remain very low and thus Muslim refugees from Burma could not properly. • Opportunist groups of smugglers and NGO members are taking advantages under the banner of humanitarian aids and safer lives. • Muslim victims who are being detained in various parts of Malaysia are starving and suffering from severe diseases for the matter of slow determination process. From this international forum, I would like to request the partners as participants to take following initiatives: 1. Quick registration of the Muslim refugees of Burma in order to ensure international protection under the United Nations Mandates. 2. Must ensure the safe guarding of Muslim refugee activists and social workers under respective mechanism and mandates 3. Establishment of strong networking of both civil society groups and diplomatic affairs for effective advocacy, diplomacy and humanitarian assistances to the vulnerable Muslims in Burma 4. Enhance strong solidarity to save the vulnerable lives of Muslims in Burma 5. Introduce strong foundation towards an alternative mechanism to stop crimes against humanity and to ensure human rights, human security and dignity. This is very much important time to find urgent and immediate solution through out the following points: 1. To initiate tripartite Dialogue among Government authorities of Burma-Muslim Victims and the Regional/International Community 2. To establish alternative ASEAN Task Forces for Burma 3. To adopt public campaign 4. To submit petition to both regional and world leaders for the protection and safety of Muslims in Burma 5. To organize more and more forums, seminars and exhibitions on the plight of Muslims in Burma The Key Goals of this International Forum: • To focus sectarian violence, segregation, displacement, forcible expulsion and intolerance against Muslims minorities in Burma; • To create better atmosphere in exile with a view to develop sympathetic treatment on the victim of genocide and humiliations; • To exert effective pressure on Burmese authorities to stop maltreatment and violence against the Muslims of Burma and to ensure their respective rights of citizenship and human dignity.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Thai-Burmese Warfare During the Sixteenth Century and the Growth of the First Toungoo Empire1
    Thai-Burmese warfare during the sixteenth century 69 THAI-BURMESE WARFARE DURING THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY AND THE GROWTH OF THE FIRST TOUNGOO EMPIRE1 Pamaree Surakiat Abstract A new historical interpretation of the pre-modern relations between Thailand and Burma is proposed here by analyzing these relations within the wider historical context of the formation of mainland Southeast Asian states. The focus is on how Thai- Burmese warfare during the sixteenth century was connected to the growth and development of the first Toungoo empire. An attempt is made to answer the questions: how and why sixteenth century Thai-Burmese warfare is distinguished from previous warfare, and which fundamental factors and conditions made possible the invasion of Ayutthaya by the first Toungoo empire. Introduction As neighbouring countries, Thailand and Burma not only share a long border but also have a profoundly interrelated history. During the first Toungoo empire in the mid-sixteenth century and during the early Konbaung empire from the mid-eighteenth to early nineteenth centuries, the two major kingdoms of mainland Southeast Asia waged wars against each other numerous times. This warfare was very important to the growth and development of both kingdoms and to other mainland Southeast Asian polities as well. 1 This article is a revision of the presentations in the 18th IAHA Conference, Academia Sinica (December 2004, Taipei) and The Golden Jubilee International Conference (January 2005, Yangon). A great debt of gratitude is owed to Dr. Sunait Chutintaranond, Professor John Okell, Sarah Rooney, Dr. Michael W. Charney, Saya U Myint Thein, Dr. Dhiravat na Pombejra and Professor Michael Smithies.
    [Show full text]
  • Burma's Lost Kingdoms: Splendours of Arakan by Pamela Gutman
    Burma's Lost Kingdoms - AMELA GUTMAN otography by Zaw Mix yu This thorough introduction to the history, art, architecture and culture of Arakan, an ancient state located along Burma' s northwest coast, explains and illustrates how Southeast Asia from the beginning of the first millennium AD absorbed and reinterpreted the influences of many cultures. It was written by a noted scholar who has conducted research in the area for over twentv years. 1 ALONG THE BAY OF BENh PAMELA GUTMAN was first sent to in the northwest corner of Burma 1 Arakan in 1972 hv G.H. Luce, the noted spendid capital c ities of ancient Ara historian of Burma, to decipher its Dhanvawadi, Vcsali, the cities of the ancient Sanskrit inscriptions. She took Lemro valley and Mrauk-U (Myoha her Ph.D. from the Australian National Mentioned in Ptolemy's Geography University for her thesis on the cultural the 2nd century AD. Arakan was frc history of Arakan before the 1 1th J earliest times a cosmopolitan state a century, and her love Of Burma's art and vigorous and complex culture. Indi; history have drawn her back to that Brahmins conducted the roval country numerous times. Both Asia s past ceremonial, Buddhist monks spread and present have claimed her interest: she teaching, traders came by land and s has been involved in formulating and artists and architects used India: Australian policy on Asia and was Adviser Southeast Asian models for inspirati on Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister. Through Buddhism, Arakan came in She has published widely on aspects of contact with other remote countries Southeast Asian history and culture, and including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tibet an today is a Member of the Refugee Re\ lew China.
    [Show full text]
  • 10. the Muslims of Burma by Moshe Yegar
    I ■เพ■■เ s CHR] F TEN RE f H E DES 'SODASXEN-INSTI ■ DER. 0NIVER^lSA<r HEIDELBERG f'iv' . I . ! • ’-■ ■ IIII HI ■ - 1 i M d S b l'E YEGAR If i A Study of a Minority Grouo SCHRIFTENREIHE DES St)DASIEN-INSTITUTS DER UNIVERSITAT HEIDELBERG Herausgegeben vom Siidasien-Institut der บทiversitat Heidelberg MOSHE YEGAR The Muslims of Burma A Study of a Minority Group 1972 OTTO HARRASSOWITZ - WIESBADEN THE MUSLIMS OF BURMA A Study of a Minority Group by MOSHE YEGAR 1972 OTTO HARR AS SO WITZ - WIESBADEN © Otto Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 1972 Alle Rechte vorbehalten Photographische und photomechanische Wiedergaben nur mit ausdriicklicher Genehmigung des Verlages Gesamtherstellung: Hessische Druckerei GmbH, Darmstadt Printed in Germany ISB N 3 447 01357 5 To Edna CONTENTS A bbreviations......................................................................................................................VIII In tro d u c tio n ...................................................................................................................... Acknowledgm ents............................................................................................................. ^ I. Muslims in Burma in the Days of the Kings The Beginnings of Muslim Settlement in the Irrawaddy V a lle y .......................1 Muslim Settlement in A r a k a n ..................................................................................... Why Burma Did Not Become Muslim ................................................................... II. Muslims in Burma During British Rule
    [Show full text]
  • An Outline of the Arakanese Rule in Southeast Bengal During 16Th and 17Th Century AD
    An Outline of the Arakanese Rule in Southeast Bengal During 16th and 17th Century AD * U Bodhinyana Arakan had been an independent kingdom for over four millennium and its relations with Bengal was very intimate, specially Chittagong, the southeastern part of Bangladesh, which derived its name in consequence of the victory over local chieftain by King Chula Taing Chandra of Arakan in 953 AD1. The subordination of Chittagong to Arakan is corresponded to the absence of supremacy of other royal claimants over the region. The statement of the Arakanese chroniclers may, however, be taken as a proof of the Arakanese lordship over southeast Bengal. Arakan, “in fact, a continuation of the Chittagong plain,”2 was neither purely a Burmese (Myanmar) nor an Indian territory till the 18th century AD the land that has been called Arakan by the foreigners is known to its own people Rakhaing-pray and call themselves Rakhaing-tha. The word rakkha means guardian, pray means land and tha meaning son. Hence, Rakhaing-pray and Rakhaing-tha means ‘land of the guardian’ and ‘son of the guardian’. The Bengali on the other hand refer them as Magh, the word adopted in the 17th century, to mean it with degrading appellation. Neither the Arakanese nor any other Mongoloid brethren ever speak or write of themselves as “Magh” as it has been alien to them. The European travelers and chroniclers refer them as ‘Recon, Rakan, Arracan, Aracao, Orrakan, Arrakan, Arakan’. In colloquial Chittagong dialect, the country is called ‘Rohang and Roshang’. All these various forms are closely related to the original one ‘Rakhaing’ (or Rakhine)3.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix Appendix
    APPENDIX APPENDIX DYNASTIC LISTS, WITH GOVERNORS AND GOVERNORS-GENERAL Burma and Arakan: A. Rulers of Pagan before 1044 B. The Pagan dynasty, 1044-1287 C. Myinsaing and Pinya, 1298-1364 D. Sagaing, 1315-64 E. Ava, 1364-1555 F. The Toungoo dynasty, 1486-1752 G. The Alaungpaya or Konbaung dynasty, 1752- 1885 H. Mon rulers of Hanthawaddy (Pegu) I. Arakan Cambodia: A. Funan B. Chenla C. The Angkor monarchy D. The post-Angkor period Champa: A. Linyi B. Champa Indonesia and Malaya: A. Java, Pre-Muslim period B. Java, Muslim period C. Malacca D. Acheh (Achin) E. Governors-General of the Netherlands East Indies Tai Dynasties: A. Sukhot'ai B. Ayut'ia C. Bangkok D. Muong Swa E. Lang Chang F. Vien Chang (Vientiane) G. Luang Prabang 954 APPENDIX 955 Vietnam: A. The Hong-Bang, 2879-258 B.c. B. The Thuc, 257-208 B.C. C. The Trieu, 207-I I I B.C. D. The Earlier Li, A.D. 544-602 E. The Ngo, 939-54 F. The Dinh, 968-79 G. The Earlier Le, 980-I009 H. The Later Li, I009-I225 I. The Tran, 1225-I400 J. The Ho, I400-I407 K. The restored Tran, I407-I8 L. The Later Le, I4I8-I8o4 M. The Mac, I527-I677 N. The Trinh, I539-I787 0. The Tay-Son, I778-I8o2 P. The Nguyen Q. Governors and governors-general of French Indo­ China APPENDIX DYNASTIC LISTS BURMA AND ARAKAN A. RULERS OF PAGAN BEFORE IOH (According to the Burmese chronicles) dat~ of accusion 1. Pyusawti 167 2. Timinyi, son of I 242 3· Yimminpaik, son of 2 299 4· Paikthili, son of 3 .
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of the History and Cult of the Buddhist Earth Deity in Mainland Southeast Asia
    A Study of the History and Cult of the Buddhist Earth Deity in Mainland Southeast Asia A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of PhD in Religious Studies at the University of Canterbury by Elizabeth Guthrie University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand 2004 A Study of the History and Cult of the Buddhist Earth Deity in Mainland Southeast Asia Volume 1 Text Acknowledgements Far-ranging research projects like this inevitably depend on the generosity and assistance of many people. Among those who helped me find the earth deity in image and texts, or helped with translations, were: Ang Choulean, K. Aphaivong. Bandol Samnang, Olivier de Bernon, Didier Bertrand, Fran(,{ois Bizot, Robert L. Brown, Kaye Carter, Chuch Phoeun, Shayne Clarke, John Crocker, Denison University Art Gallery, Robert Didham, Wichai Eungpinichpong, Wilai Eungpinichpong, John Marston, Long Tbol, Des Sothy, Anthony Diller, Jacqueline Filliozat, Rolf Giebel, Hang Chan Sophea, Louis Gabaude, Pam Gutman, Anne Hansen, Huberta Hellendoorn, Hor Lath, Khy Sophal, Khyaw Tha Nyunt, Kuy Lath, Fran(,{ois Lagirarde, Lan Sunnary, Leng Kok An, Lim Yii Hang, Long Tbol, Meng Prang, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Mey Poeun, Museum flir Indische Kunst, Neou Chamrong, Norton Simon Museum, Ouk Ry, Anatole Peltier, Phaitun Dokbukaeo, Phon Sin, Phoung Soueng, Sommai Premchit, Thonevath Pou, Saveros Pou, Craig Reynolds, Waldemar Sailer, Sao Hso Hom, Peter Skilling, Frank Smith, Ven. Suthep Surapong, Donald Swearer, Thein Tun U, Serge Thion, Ashley Thompson, Vijinthanasarn Panya, U Aung Kyaing, U Myint Aung, RE. Vann Molyvann, John Weeks, Hiram W.Woodward, Jr. I received funding from the NZFUW, NZASIA and the University of Canterbury.
    [Show full text]
  • May Yu- Myo Aung
    $1`- ()[ - `#`-&,!,% &-$ ",&!_- FREELANCE JOURNALIST 1-() 58- %[$ - -0- 0b"( - -[$ -$"_- c#= May Yu- Myo Aung FREELANCE JOURNALIST No(25), 136 Street, Tarmwe, Yangon. Ph: 09- 431 89687 ` - !"[! `!.[-1! NO. CONTENT PAGE = -[$ -&2,_-[C$"- 1`-_-$" -,-/ -,`!$ - 1. YANGON UNIVERSITY OF DISTANCE EDUCATION, FIRST YEAR TEXT BOOK 1 = $ -/$"_ - 1 6 2. MAY YU FRONTIER AREA 1 to 4 5= $"- -&!_-a -," -0 - 6 3. BOGYOKE AUNG SAN's SPEECH (BLANK CHEQUE) 4 = a #!\ * 4. PHA-SA-PA-LA CONGRESS 5 = -a -,[-# - 5. AUNG SAN ATTLEE TREATY 5 8= -$*% - 1 8 6. THE PANGLONG AGREEMENT 5 to 6 9= $"_-_*&! - -c# -#,$ $"2 -c# -1_-+0-&, -c#,#a0" -0 - 8 7. THE SPEECHES OF PRIME MINISTER U NU, AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER 6 AND DEFENCE MINISTER U BA SWE := / -!+0-`$*[.-, 8 1 9 8. MYANMAR ENCYCLOPEDIA 6 to 7 ;= $&1& -/ - 9 9. STATEMENT FOR MAY YU's FUTURE 7 = $ -/$"_ - 9 Page 1 ` - !"[! `!.[-1! NO. CONTENT PAGE 10. MAY YU FRONTIER AREA 7 = / --`$.(" #$"[&`# # (UNDP) _-, : 11. THE UNION NATIONAL DEMOCRACY PARTY (UNDP)'S NEWS BULLETIN 8 = ;9 \$ 1` - 0'-,$ - - $* /* :-; 12. THE CONSTITUTION OF 1947 8-9 5= ;: \$1` - / --` $ / -!$"_-_*/ - - ;- 13. THE UNION CITIZENSHIP ACT OF 1948 10 = ;; \$1`-< / --`$/ -!$"_-_*0_-, $"_-%.!, 1- $*_-&,[- 14. THE REGISTRATION OF PRESIDENTS IN THE UNION OF Burma ACT1949 10 = ;5 \$1`-< b # / -!+_- 1`-`-]G!_-,`! 15. THE MYANMA AHLIN NEW YEAR NEWSPAPER,APRIL,1935 11 8= ;9 \$1` - 0'- $*/* 16. THE CONSTITUTION OF 1974 11 9= : \$1` - 0'- $*/* - 17. THE CONSTITUTION OF 2008 12 := 0-\* # -1_ -+ -&!-[$"-`!,1-.!, -5 18. THE ELECTED PARLIAMENT MEMBERS AND HLUTTAW PEPRESENTATIVES 13 ;= a - 5- 19.
    [Show full text]
  • Pagan: the Origins of Modern Burma
    Pagan Ananda Temple, Pagan ii Pagan THE ORIGINS OF MODERN BURMA Michael Aung-Thwin Open Access edition funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities / Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Humanities Open Book Program. Licensed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 In- ternational (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits readers to freely download and share the work in print or electronic format for non-commercial purposes, so long as credit is given to the author. Derivative works and commercial uses require per- mission from the publisher. For details, see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/. The Cre- ative Commons license described above does not apply to any material that is separately copyrighted. Open Access ISBNs: 9780824880088 (PDF) 9780824880095 (EPUB) This version created: 17 May, 2019 Please visit www.hawaiiopen.org for more Open Access works from University of Hawai‘i Press. © 1985 University of Hawaii Press All Rights Reserved To Maria, Maitrii, and Amita Contents Maps ix Figures ix Tables ix A Note on Romanization x Acknowledgments xi INTRODUCTION Pagan’s Place in Burmese and Southeast Asian Studies 1 PART I Components of the Indigenous Conceptual System 13 1 The Historical Framework 15 2 Beliefs About Man and His World 30 3 Political Ideology: Conceptions of Kingship 47 PART II The Institutional Context: Organization of Human and Material Resources 69 4 The Division of Socioeconomic Groups 71 5 The Administration of Material Resources 97 6 The Articulation of Social Behavior:
    [Show full text]
  • Min-Gyi-Nyo, the Shan Invasions of Ava (1524-27), and the Beginnings of Expansionary Warfare in Toungoo Burma: 1486-1539
    SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research, Vol. 3, No. 2, Autumn 2005, ISSN 1479-8484 Min-gyi-nyo, the Shan Invasions of Ava (1524-27), and the Beginnings of Expansionary Warfare in Toungoo Burma: 1486-1539 Jon Fernquist1 Min-gyi-nyo (r.1486-1531) occupies an important place in Burmese history as the first king of the First Toungoo dynasty of Burma (1486-1599). After Min-gyi-nyo’s death in 1531 mainland Southeast Asia rapidly became the stage for large-scale expansionary warfare. This warfare unified what for hundreds of years had been separate isolated zones of Burmese and Tai political control. The Toungoo Dynasty rapidly established control for a short time over such far-flung states as Ayutthya, Lan Chang (Laos), and the Chinese Shan states. As a result of these wars the Burmese state expanded to a size that it has never matched again. Min-gyi-nyo has long been neglected by historians of Burma. The last scholarly journal article on his reign was published in 1912 (Shwe Zan Aung, May Oung, and M.K., 1912). Lieberman (2003, 142-4, 150-1) and Surakiat (2005) have recently reasserted Min-gyi-nyo’s importance for the study of state expansion and the early modern Southeast Asian polity. Despite this new-found importance, there is still no adequate narrative history of 1 I would like to thank the anonymous referees for their extensive and helpful critiques as well as Mike Charney, U Saw Tun, Bruce Reynolds, and Michael Aung-Thwin for their help and encouragement. ©2005 JON FERNQUIST SOAS BULLETIN OF BURMA RESEARCH 285 Min-gyi-nyo’s reign available in English.
    [Show full text]
  • A History of Arakan (Past & Present)
    A History of Arakan (Past & Present) by Dr. Mohammed Yunus First Edition Published in 1994 A History of Arakan: Past and Present, by Dr. Mohammad Yunus, President of the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), Arakan, is a a welcome addition to the present stock of our knowledge about the history of Arakan and her interrelation with neighbouring lands of Burma and Bengal. It deals mainly with the advent of Islam in Arakan about 800 C.E. and the eventual growth of Muslim community through thick and thin into a major Rohingya community of the country. One can say unhasitatingly that for the first time Dr. Yunus has been able to offer, even if in a skeleton form, a connected and continuous history of the Rohingya community of Arakan from the earliest down to the present time. He has explored an enormously wide field in digging up a great variety of new materials drawn from an impressive number of references. Specially commendable in this work is the forging of all the material under his command towards a new direction of studying the history of the Rohingya Muslim community in the perspective of the impact of Islamic civilization on Southeast Asia, not merely considering it as a part of the national or political history of Burma or Myanmar. Indeed, when we turn our gaze to the whole situation of Southeast Asia and find, to our amazement, the statistic of the Muslims exceeding 50% (fifty percent) of the total population of the region, we can easily realize the importance of the community history of the Muslims of different areas of the region.
    [Show full text]
  • Military Leadership in Burma
    O F B U R M A R E S E A R C H RAJADHIRAT’S MASK OF COMMAND: MILITARY or defected to the other side and worked to fragment LEADERSHIP IN BURMA (C. 1348-1421) Rajadhirat’s power in Lower Burma. Strategy was important in this quickly changing envi- Jon Fernquest ronment. Rajadhirat’s history is a part of the ayeidawbon Bangkok Post kyan genre of Burmese historical literature, which stresses the strategy and heroic role of king as military 1. Introduction commander: The reign of the Mon king Rajadhirat (r. 1383-1421) was “(1) How individuals of prowess consolidated their an exceptional period in Burma’s history. Rarely has one power and fought to obtain the throne. (2) How these person exerted so much influence over the events of an kings retained their power by military means and era. Lower and Upper Burma were locked in endemic other endeavours like diplomacy, alliances and warfare for almost forty years during his reign. Unlike stratagem, (3) How rebellions were crushed, (4) How his father and predecessor, Rajadhirat was forced to wars were waged for the expansion of their territory, wage war to obtain power. Once in power, he had to (5) Important achievements of a particular king like continue fighting to maintain power. During the critical building new towns and cities, pagodas and palaces, first seven years of his rule, Rajadhirat consolidated etc” (Thaw Kaung, 2004b). power in a series of conflicts with other members of the ruling elite. The war that Rajadhirat waged had its ori- Goldsworthy’s (2000) description of the premodern war- gins in a succession crisis, a common problem plaguing fare of Punic Spain applies equally well to the Rajadhirat the transition from one political regime to another in era.
    [Show full text]
  • Burma (Myanmar)
    report Burma (Myanmar): The Time for Change By Martin Smith Acknowledgements Minority Rights Group International Minority Rights Group International (MRG) gratefully acknowl- Minority Rights Group International (MRG) is a non-govern- edges the support of all organizations and individuals who mental organization (NGO) working to secure the rights of gave financial and other assistance for this report ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peo- ples worldwide, and to promote cooperation and The Author understanding between communities. Our activities are Martin Smith is a writer and journalist specializing in Burmese focused on international advocacy, training, publishing and and ethnic minority affairs. He is author of Burma: Insurgency outreach. We are guided by the needs expressed by our and the Politics of Ethnicity, and he has reported for a variety worldwide partner network of organizations which represent of media, including the Guardian and the BBC. His television minority and indigenous peoples. work includes the documentaries, Dying for Democracy (UK Channel Four) and Forty Million Hostages (BBC). He has also MRG works with over 130 organizations in nearly 60 coun- written papers and reports for a number of academic institu- tries. Our governing Council, which meets twice a year, has tions and non-governmental organizations, including Article members from 10 different countries. MRG has consultative 19, World University Service, Tokyo University of Foreign Stud- status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council ies and Anti-Slavery International. Other publications include (ECOSOC), and is registered as a charity and a company Ethnic Groups in Burma: Development, Democracy and limited by guarantee under English law.
    [Show full text]