History of Chakma National Day | Chakma Din

7th January 1418 , Chakma National Day

The 7th January 1418. This day has been celebrated as “Chakma Day” by the Chakma brethren of Myanmar (Burma). It has deep historical significance for the Chakma .

Watch on YouTube 👇

https://youtu.be/C1pn8K_Vtkc

According to Chakma History BIJAK ( Agar Tara ) some centuries ago there reigned at a place called called Champanagar in Bihar a King of Surjya or Sun Race (many elders believed that they're suryawanshi) . He had two sons , Bijoygiri and Samargiri .

Bijoygiri at the head of an Army started to conquer new worlds and crossing the river Meghna, which is described as sea, he marched against Arakanese forces and defeated them. Bijoygiri now prepared to return home but news reached him that his father had died and that his younger brother Samargiri had usurped the throne. In consequence Bijoygiri made terms with Arkanese kings and settled down in the neighborhood of Naaf River to the south of Chittagong District .

The name Chakma derives from Pali word Sakthiman or beholder of power. This name was given to Chakmas by one of the Burmese kings during the Bagan era. Burmese kings hired Chakmas as ministers, advisers and translators of Buddhist Pali texts.

In 1333, It is believed that the Burmese King Minthi (or Mengdi) with the support of the Portuguese defeated the Chakma King Arunjuk .The Chakma King was badly defeated and somehow managed to revive his Kingdom.  Those who migrated to Chittagong Hill Track established independent kingdom in 1358 and
They are known as Annakya Chakmas .

Those who were in Myanmar are called Doingnak chakma ( Daingnet means Shield Warriors ) .  Many of the subjects took shelter in the dense forest of Arakan and many who could not flee were massacred and exploited . However, they discovered one another in few days and finally assembled in one place on 7th January 1418 and declared in unison.

Today Chakmas of Myanmar ,India and Bangladesh etc has been celebrating this day of January 7th as Chakma Day through generation till today as a mark of Chakma Unison and wish that a day will come when all Chakmas in the world will set united.