Rebuilding the First Indigenous Arakanese State After 200 Years: A Must-Supported Effort

Opinion

Global Arakan Network | September 9, 2025

Sunrise View in Mrauk-U (photocrd)

The Arakan region embodies a storied legacy as a maritime kingdom that thrived for centuries at the crossroads of South and Southeast Asia. The Arakanese people, through the United League of Arakan (ULA) and its armed wing, the Arakan Army (AA), are reclaiming their historical sovereignty, controlling over 90% of Arakan by mid-2025. After two centuries of subjugation—first under Burmese colonial rule in 1784 followed by the British in 1826 and later under the oppressive Myanmar junta—the Arakanese are poised to rebuild their indigenous state for the first time in 200 years.

The historical legacy of Arakan as a maritime kingdom is a cornerstone of their identity and a guiding light for their modern aspirations. The Kingdom of Mrauk-U (1429–1785) was a vibrant hub of trade, culture, and diplomacy, connecting India, Southeast Asia, and beyond through its strategic position along the Bay of Bengal. Its ports in Mrauk-U facilitated commerce in rice, spices, and textiles, while its navy ensured regional influence. The Arakanese developed a distinct cultural identity, blending indigenous traditions with influences from Indian Buddhist traditions, evident in the iconic Mahamuni Buddha statue and intricate temple architecture.

This historical prominence fuels the Arakanese vision of rebuilding their state. The Mrauk-U era demonstrated Arakan’s ability to thrive as a sovereign entity, managing resources and fostering cultural diversity. The AA’s control over coastal areas, including parts of Sittwe, positions Arakan to revive this maritime legacy, potentially through projects like India’s Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which links Sittwe to global trade networks. The Arakanese see this as an opportunity to restore their role as a regional economic hub, leveraging their strategic location to benefit local communities.

However, the Arakanese perspective is shaped by the memory of lost sovereignty. The Burmese conquest in 1785, followed by British colonization and integration into Myanmar, marginalized the Arakanese, stripping them of cultural, political and economic autonomy. The Myanmar junta’s policies further exacerbated poverty, despite Arakan’s resource wealth in natural gas, agriculture and fisheries. The AA’s “Way of Rakhita” ideology draws inspiration from the Mrauk-U era, aiming to restore self-governance and cultural pride. Rebuilding the Arakanese state is thus a cultural reclamation, reviving the Arakanese language, Buddhist heritage, and maritime traditions.

The international community can support this by recognizing Arakan’s historical heritage in diplomatic fronts. Cultural preservation efforts, such as UNESCO funding to restore Mrauk-U’s archaeological sites—a tentative World Heritage Site—would bolster Arakanese identity. By acknowledging Arakan’s past as a thriving kingdom, the global community can legitimize the Arakanese struggle, ensuring the rebuilt state reclaims its historical role at the intersection of South and Southeast Asia, free from foreign domination.

AA Soldiers on Kissapanadi Bridge in Kyauktaw (photocrd)

Self-Rule Brings Security and Prosperity

The stability, security, and prosperity of the sovereign Mrauk-U kingdom provide a model for the modern Arakanese state. Unlike the chaos under Burmese and junta rule, Mrauk-U maintained stability through self-governance, with local chiefs managing diverse communities, including Arakanese, Bengali Muslims, and ethnic minorities. Security was ensured by a robust navy that protected trade routes, while prosperity stemmed from agriculture, fisheries, and commerce, positioning Arakan as a key player in the Bay of Bengal trade network.

The Arakanese contrast this historical stability with the instability of post-1785 Arakan. Burmese rule suppressed Arakanese culture, and British colonial policies neglected local needs. The Bamar chauvinist junta’s militarized governance mainly started since 1962 deepened poverty and conflict. The AA’s governance in controlled townships, such as Buthidaung and Maungdaw, reflects a return to stable and localized model. For example, the ULA’s efforts to provide education in the Arakanese language, revive local markets and allow freedom of religious worships for Islam, Hinduism and others echo the self-sufficiency of the past and social cohesion, fostering community resilience.

Security is a priority for the Arakanese. The ability to deter the external threats, a role now filled by the AA, which secures borders against junta incursions. Control over strategic areas like Paletwa enhances regional security, particularly for trade routes like the Kaladan project. However, the Arakanese are also hopeful of the external investments, such as China’s Kyaukphyu port to deliver profits for local communities. A rebuilt Arakanese state would prioritize security through self-governance and strong defense.

Prosperity remains a key goal. The Arakanese envision a state where resources—natural gas, fisheries, and tourism—benefit locals, not just foreign corporations or authorities. The ULA’s taxation of local trade to fund community projects mirrors Arakan’s self-reliant economy. International support could accelerate this through technical assistance for sustainable resource management or infrastructure funding, including upgrading Sittwe’s port and other sites. By restoring the stability, security, and prosperity of its sovereign past, the Arakanese aim to create a state that prioritizes its people’s well-being.

A Natural Return

The current resurgence of Arakanese autonomy, driven by the AA’s territorial and administrative gains, marks a historic return to its rightful place as a self-governing entity. Controlling most of Arakan’s 17 townships by 2025, except junta strongholds like Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung, the AA has sparked hope among the region’s approximately 3 million residents, including Arakanese, Bangagya, and other minorities. This optimism is rooted in the ULA/AA’s vision of an “Arakan Nation” that restores cultural pride, economic equity, and political autonomy after two centuries of oppression.

International support is critical for the Arakanese. Economically, Arakan remains impoverished, with poverty rates exceeding 70% in some areas. Global aid could fund infrastructure, such as roads or schools, to support the Arakan’s efforts. Diplomatically, recognizing Arakanese autonomy would counter the junta’s narrative.

Famous Ngapali Beach in Southern Arakan (photocrd)

Geopolitically, Arakan’s strategic importance—via projects like Kaladan and China’s Kyaukphyu port—requires careful navigation. The Arakanese seek international backing to ensure these initiatives serve local needs, not just external interests. Cultural support, such as UNESCO funding for Mrauk-U’s restoration, would preserve Arakanese heritage. The hope of Arakan’s 3 million residents is palpable, but without global support, their efforts risk being undermined by junta’s oppression or external exploitation. Supporting the Arakanese state is a strategic investment in a stable, autonomous region.