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Arakan State facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Flag of Rakhine
Flag of Arakan state

Arakan is a Burmese state on the western coast of Myanmar. It is next to Bangladesh.

Etymology

Burma Rakhine locator map
Map of Arakan state

The term Rakhine may have come from the Pali word "Rakkhapura" from "Rakkhita" meaning the land of the people of Rakhasa (Rakhasa > Rakkha > Rakkhaing > Rakhaing) who were given this name in honor of their preservation of their national heritage and ethics or morality. The word Rakhine means, "one who maintains his own race." In the Rakhine language, the land is called Rakhinepray, the ethnic Rakhine are called Rakhinetha.

Arakan, used in British colonial times, is believed to be a Portuguese corruption of the word Rakhine that is still popularly used in English. Many English language users no not use the name changes made by the military government.

Images for kids

  • Silver coin of king Nitichandra Arakan Brahmi legend NITI in front Shrivatasa symbol reverse 8th century CE

    Silver coin of king Nitichandra, Arakan. Brahmi legend "NITI" in front, Shrivatasa symbol on the reverse. 8th century CE.

  • Map of Rakhine (Arakan) State in Myanmar

    Map of the Rakhine State

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Estado Rakáin para niños

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Arakan State Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.