The Historical Migration and Challenges of the Rohingya in Burma
Introduction
The Rohingya people are an ethnic minority with a complex history in Myanmar (Burma). Their origins trace back to various migrations from the Bengal region (modern-day Bangladesh and India), with significant influences from Arab, Persian, Mughal, and Bengali traders and settlers. The most significant migration into Burma occurred during British colonial rule. This migration led to ethnic tensions that persist today, with allegations of separatism and links to Islamic movements contributing to the Rohingya’s marginalization and statelessness.
Origins of the Rohingya
The earliest Muslim influence in Arakan can be traced back to Arab traders in the 9th century. By the 15th century, under the Mrauk U Kingdom (1430–1785), the region had strong cultural and economic ties with Bengal. Some Arakanese rulers adopted Persian titles, employed Muslim officials, and facilitated settlements of Muslim communities.
However, the largest influx of Rohingya into Burma occurred under British colonial rule (1824–1948), after Britain annexed Burma following the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826). During this time, the British encouraged migration from Bengal to Burma to support labor-intensive agriculture, particularly rice cultivation in the Arakan region. This policy led to a rapid demographic shift, fueling resentment from the local Buddhist Rakhine population.
Post-Independence Tensions and Statelessness
When Burma gained independence in 1948, the new government viewed many Rohingya as foreign migrants rather than indigenous citizens. Several measures were taken against them, including:
Denial of citizenship: The 1982 Burmese Citizenship Law officially excluded the Rohingya from Myanmar’s recognized ethnic groups.
Movement restrictions: Many Rohingya were denied freedom of movement and faced economic and educational barriers.
Periodic military crackdowns: The Burmese military (Tatmadaw) launched numerous campaigns, most notably in 1978, 1991-1992, and 2017, leading to mass expulsions of Rohingya into Bangladesh.
Allegations of an Islamic Caliphate Movement
Some Burmese nationalists and government officials have accused the Rohingya of attempting to establish an Islamic Caliphate in Rakhine, leading to further persecution. These claims were largely based on:
The historical influx of Bengali-speaking Muslims into Arakan.
Islamic cultural influence in the Rohingya community.
The emergence of Rohingya insurgent groups, such as the Mujahid movement (1940s-1950s), which sought to annex Rakhine to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
Recent insurgencies, particularly the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), which Myanmar's military used as justification for the 2017 ethnic cleansing campaign.
Conclusion
The Rohingya have historical roots in Bangledesh but faced mass migration into Burma during British rule, leading to longstanding tensions with the Buddhist Rakhine population. Post-independence policies systematically stripped them of rights, rendering them stateless. Allegations of an Islamic Caliphate have been used to justify violence and forced expulsions, despite a lack of credible evidence. The Rohingya crisis remains one of the most severe human rights issues in Southeast Asia, requiring international attention and humanitarian solutions.
References
Human Rights Watch. (2017). "An Open Prison Without End: Myanmar’s Mass Detention of Rohingya in Rakhine State". Retrieved from: https://www.hrw.org/report/2017/10/08/open-prison-without-end/myanmars-mass-detention-rohingya-rakhine-state
Amnesty International. (2018). "Myanmar: Crimes Against Humanity Against the Rohingya". Retrieved from: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/06/myanmar-atrocities-crimes-against-humanity-rohingya/
Yegar, M. (2002). "The Muslims of Burma". Research Paper, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Retrieved from: http://www.netipr.org/policy/downloads/20081016-Muslims-Of-Burma-by-Moshe-Yegar.pdf
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (2021). "Rohingya Refugee Crisis Explained". Retrieved from: https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/rohingya-emergency.html
