Arakan Library - The History of Arakan

Arakan: - One Who Preserves and Takes Care of Their Own Nationality.

Publication by Arakan Action Association (AAA.)

Arakan Library was founded by a group of Arakan Action Association (AAA) in exile in Thailand from Burma in 2007 doing to voice for the knowledge, the people democratic and human rights.

Arakan Action Association (AAA)

Chotana Road , Chaing Mai ( 50301 ), Thailand.

Email : arakanactionassociation@walla.com , +66—089-637-4383, +66—053-409-577

research papers on OLD ARBY - U SAN SHWE BU

The History of Arakan

(J.B.R.S. Vol.12, Part 3, 1922)

Dear Sir,

The history of Arakan is a very difficult proposition. After many years of patient research I have come to the conclusion that nothing much can be done regarding our early history until excavations are undertaken at the ancient sites of Dinnyawaddi and Wesali. The native records to mention a good deal of those far off days; but their bare statements can hardly be accepted in the absence of evidence which must be both direct and corroborative. From 1400 A.D. onwards I believe it possible to write a connected and reliable account of the country from the materials that are fairly extensive. In addition to a large collection of historical Mss. we also have a plentiful supply of inscriptions and coins covering almost the whole of the period. The Portuguese came into this country in the 16th century and left behind records which are intimately associated with the social and political history of Arakan. In one of his letters to me the Rev. Father Hosten of the St. Xavier’s college, Calcutta, the learned annotators of Portuguese and Spanish records, states that many volumes might be written on Arakan and Pegu alone…… In the circumstances the most I can do for the Society is to give a bibliography of works which will be of much assistance in the proper study of Arakanese history. The list is attached.

Yours sincerely,

San Shwe Bu