In 1948, signing of the Burmese Constitution was done. But the ethnic minorities have been denied Constitutional rights and also access to lands that were traditionally operated by their peoples. They also have been denied the participation in the active government.
These minority groups have been constantly exploited by the leading Burman majority. Religion always plays a major role in the ethnic struggles. In Burma all types of religions are present such as Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. Many incidents took place due to these religious differences and all these have affected millions of citizens in Burma.
In 1991, more or less 250,000 Muslim Rohingyas which is an ethnic group from southwestern Burma were enforced from their homes. This was done by cruel Burman forces. All of them crossed the border into Bangladesh. In that country they were given the status of refugee. They were also provided with the aid from the international community.
In Burma the current government is headed by Prime Minister Thein Sein. This government has been accountable for the dislocation of millions of Burmese citizens scattered both inside and outside of Burma. The Karenni, Karen and Mon ethnic groups have been enforced to look for place of safety in neighboring Thailand. But in Thiland also they were abused by an unsympathetic and unfriendly government.
But these groups can be said as more fortunate than the Shan and Wa ethnic groups. Wa and Shan group become Internally Displaced Peoples in their own state. In 2000 the military junta removed them from their lands. Reportedly in Burma there are 600,000 of these Internally Displaced Peoples living here and there.
This action of the military junta led to various human right violations and also exploitation of the innocent minority groups by the leading Burman groups which is really awful.
Political conditions in Burma
In earlier days i.e. earlier to the 19th century Burma was a monarchy. The country was ruled by various dynasties. In the late 19th century, the British colonized Burma. Until 1937, Burma was under the jurisdiction or legal power of the British Raj.
From 1820 to 1948, Burma was ruled as a British colony. At that time the Bamar heartland was directly administered first as a part of India and in later days from the year 1937 as British Burma. Some ethnic regions outside the heartland were granted some standard of self-rule and that too along the lines of the Princely States of India.
This resulted to split commitments among the various ethnic groups to outside powers. Outside powers include either to the Japanese or British. The Bamar is the dominant ethnic group in Burma. They make up more or less 68% of the population.
At the time of World War II, many members of the Bamar ethnic group offered to fight beside the Japanese troops. They did so in hopes of bringing down the occupying British forces. In the mean time some other ethnic groups defended the Allied forces in battling the Burman and the Japanese forces.
As a consequence of this fight or struggle just after the World War II, Burma was allowed to enjoy its independence from Great Britain. The year was 1948.
The British government also gave the new ruler named Aung San after granting independence to Burma. Aung San control over different areas that were not controlled by the Bamar.
This accumulation of formerly British-owned land formed a new state. This was the home to more than 20 distinct minority racial or ethnic groups. The ethnic minorities always suffered many problems in Burma. In the year 1948 signing of Burmese Constitution took place but their condition was not improved.
From 1820 to 1948, Burma was ruled as a British colony. At that time the Bamar heartland was directly administered first as a part of India and in later days from the year 1937 as British Burma. Some ethnic regions outside the heartland were granted some standard of self-rule and that too along the lines of the Princely States of India.
This resulted to split commitments among the various ethnic groups to outside powers. Outside powers include either to the Japanese or British. The Bamar is the dominant ethnic group in Burma. They make up more or less 68% of the population.
At the time of World War II, many members of the Bamar ethnic group offered to fight beside the Japanese troops. They did so in hopes of bringing down the occupying British forces. In the mean time some other ethnic groups defended the Allied forces in battling the Burman and the Japanese forces.
As a consequence of this fight or struggle just after the World War II, Burma was allowed to enjoy its independence from Great Britain. The year was 1948.
The British government also gave the new ruler named Aung San after granting independence to Burma. Aung San control over different areas that were not controlled by the Bamar.
This accumulation of formerly British-owned land formed a new state. This was the home to more than 20 distinct minority racial or ethnic groups. The ethnic minorities always suffered many problems in Burma. In the year 1948 signing of Burmese Constitution took place but their condition was not improved.
Aung San and Struggle for Independence in Burma
In the year 1933 Aung San enrolled Rangoon University. Very soon he became a student leader. He was also elected to the executive committee of the Rangoon University Students’ Union. Rangoon University Students’ Union is popularly known as RUSU. After this he also became editor of their magazine Oway i.e. Peacock’s Call.
In the year 1936, he and one of his friends U Nu was threatened with throwing out from the university. The reason was they refused to disclose the name of the writer of the article Hell Hound At Large. In this article a senior University official was criticized and that was the reason why other officials were offended.
This incident resulted to the strike of Second University Students’. Consequently the university authorities abjured their expulsion orders. Aung San was elected president of both the All-Burma Students Union i.e. ABSU and the RUSU in the year 1938. ABSU was constituted after the strike disseminate to Mandalay. In 1938 only, Aung San was appointed as a student spokesperson on the Rangoon University Act Amendment Committee by the Government.
Aung San was studying law but in October 1938, he left his law classes and entered active national politics. He was known to be as anti-British, and faithfully anti-imperialist. He became a Thakin i.e. master or lord. This was a politically inspired title. At the time he joined the Dobama Asiayone i.e. Our Burma Union, he acted as their general secretary. He maintained the post till te hmonth of August in 1940. In the men time he helped coordinate a series of countrywide strikes. Soon he became popular as Htaung thoun ya byei ayeidawbon.
Bama-htwet-yat Gaing which was another nationalist organization, form with the help of Aung San. He found this organization by forming an alliance between the ABSU, the Dobama, Dr Ba Maw's Sinyètha i.e. Poor Man’s Party and politically active monks. He also became its general secretary.
In the year 1936, he and one of his friends U Nu was threatened with throwing out from the university. The reason was they refused to disclose the name of the writer of the article Hell Hound At Large. In this article a senior University official was criticized and that was the reason why other officials were offended.
This incident resulted to the strike of Second University Students’. Consequently the university authorities abjured their expulsion orders. Aung San was elected president of both the All-Burma Students Union i.e. ABSU and the RUSU in the year 1938. ABSU was constituted after the strike disseminate to Mandalay. In 1938 only, Aung San was appointed as a student spokesperson on the Rangoon University Act Amendment Committee by the Government.
Aung San was studying law but in October 1938, he left his law classes and entered active national politics. He was known to be as anti-British, and faithfully anti-imperialist. He became a Thakin i.e. master or lord. This was a politically inspired title. At the time he joined the Dobama Asiayone i.e. Our Burma Union, he acted as their general secretary. He maintained the post till te hmonth of August in 1940. In the men time he helped coordinate a series of countrywide strikes. Soon he became popular as Htaung thoun ya byei ayeidawbon.
Bama-htwet-yat Gaing which was another nationalist organization, form with the help of Aung San. He found this organization by forming an alliance between the ABSU, the Dobama, Dr Ba Maw's Sinyètha i.e. Poor Man’s Party and politically active monks. He also became its general secretary.
Some more information about the States and Administrative Divisions of Burma
In Burma there were several changes in the administration part. Several name changing and other things were there.
In the year 1948 on 4th January i.e. after independence the Chin Hills area was divided from Arakan Division. This happened to form Chin State i.e. Zogam. Kachin State was also formed by creating the Bhamo and Myitkyina districts of Mandalay Division. Karen State was created from Thaton, Amherst and Toungoo Districts of Tenasserim Division.
Karenni State was known to be separated from the Federated Shan States whereas the Shan State was organized by merging the Wa states and the Federated Shan States.
In the year 1952, Karenni State was decided to rename as Kayah State. In the year 1964, Rangoon Division was separated from Pegu Division. This division’s capital shifted to Pegu. In addition to all these, Karen State was also renamed as Kawthule State.
In the year 1972, the Hmawbi and Hanthawaddy districts were preceded under Rangoon Division’s jurisdiction.
In the year 1974, Ne Win introduced a constitution and after this Chin Division became a state. Its capital moved from Falam to Hakha. Kawthule State’s name was reverted to Karen State. This was also been reported that Mon State was separated from Tenasserim Division. This Mon State’s capital became Moulmein, and Tenasserim Division’s capital became Tavoy.
In addition, Rakhine Division was allowed statehood. In the year 1989, after the takeover by the military junta, different changes were there. At that time in Burma, the names of many divisions were changes in English and this had been one to reflect Burmese pronunciations.
In the year 1948 on 4th January i.e. after independence the Chin Hills area was divided from Arakan Division. This happened to form Chin State i.e. Zogam. Kachin State was also formed by creating the Bhamo and Myitkyina districts of Mandalay Division. Karen State was created from Thaton, Amherst and Toungoo Districts of Tenasserim Division.
Karenni State was known to be separated from the Federated Shan States whereas the Shan State was organized by merging the Wa states and the Federated Shan States.
In the year 1952, Karenni State was decided to rename as Kayah State. In the year 1964, Rangoon Division was separated from Pegu Division. This division’s capital shifted to Pegu. In addition to all these, Karen State was also renamed as Kawthule State.
In the year 1972, the Hmawbi and Hanthawaddy districts were preceded under Rangoon Division’s jurisdiction.
In the year 1974, Ne Win introduced a constitution and after this Chin Division became a state. Its capital moved from Falam to Hakha. Kawthule State’s name was reverted to Karen State. This was also been reported that Mon State was separated from Tenasserim Division. This Mon State’s capital became Moulmein, and Tenasserim Division’s capital became Tavoy.
In addition, Rakhine Division was allowed statehood. In the year 1989, after the takeover by the military junta, different changes were there. At that time in Burma, the names of many divisions were changes in English and this had been one to reflect Burmese pronunciations.
States and Administrative Divisions of Burma
Burma which is also known as Myanmar is known to be divided into fourteen administrative subdivisions. Out of this fourteen administrative subdivisions there are seven states i.e. pyi-ne and seven divisions i.e. tyne. The names of these divisions are also the names of the capital cities. But there are only two exceptions. One is Ayeyarwady Division and the other one is Tanintharyi Division. In addition to all these data, the states and divisions can be depicted as ethnically-divided. The states are ethnic minority-dominant while the divisions are Bamar-dominant.
The largest population can be seen in Ayeywarwady Division while the most densely populated division can be known as Yangon Division. The Kayah State has the smallest population. If you want to decide in accordance with the land area, Yangon Division is the smallest whereas the Shan State is the largest in Burma.
The divisions and states are divided into districts i.e. kayaing. Again this in turn is divided into townships. A township is consists of wards, towns and villages.
Burma was a province of British India in the year 1900. The country was separated into two subdivisions. The names can be mentioned as Upper Burma and Lower Burma. Lower Burma is the place whose capital was Rangoon while Upper Burma is the place whose capital was Mandalay.
In Lower Burma there were four divisions. The names were Irrawaddy, Arakan, Tenasserim and Pegu. Upper Burma had six divisions whose names can be mentioned as Minbu, Meiktila, N. Federated Shan States, Sagaing, and S. Federated Shan States.
In 1922 on 10th October, the Karenni States of Kantarawaddy, Bawlake and Kyebogyi became a part of the Federated Shan States. In the year 1940, Minbu division’s name was changed. It was then become popular as Magwe. There were some more changes such as Meiktila Divisions became part of Mandalay District.
The largest population can be seen in Ayeywarwady Division while the most densely populated division can be known as Yangon Division. The Kayah State has the smallest population. If you want to decide in accordance with the land area, Yangon Division is the smallest whereas the Shan State is the largest in Burma.
The divisions and states are divided into districts i.e. kayaing. Again this in turn is divided into townships. A township is consists of wards, towns and villages.
Burma was a province of British India in the year 1900. The country was separated into two subdivisions. The names can be mentioned as Upper Burma and Lower Burma. Lower Burma is the place whose capital was Rangoon while Upper Burma is the place whose capital was Mandalay.
In Lower Burma there were four divisions. The names were Irrawaddy, Arakan, Tenasserim and Pegu. Upper Burma had six divisions whose names can be mentioned as Minbu, Meiktila, N. Federated Shan States, Sagaing, and S. Federated Shan States.
In 1922 on 10th October, the Karenni States of Kantarawaddy, Bawlake and Kyebogyi became a part of the Federated Shan States. In the year 1940, Minbu division’s name was changed. It was then become popular as Magwe. There were some more changes such as Meiktila Divisions became part of Mandalay District.
Burmese connection of India and China
After 1986, china changed the style of its relation with Burma. It stated to supply military junta and in exchange of this it got the easy reach to the Burmese market. On Coco Island in the Andaman Sea there was a navy base.
China is imagined to have an intelligence assembling station on the Great Coco Island. This was there to supervise Indian naval activity. The DRDO and ISRO missile and space launch activities can also be monitored from that place.
The inflow of Chinese arms turned the tables in Burma and it was against the ethnic insurgencies. Many of these had trusted indirectly on Chinese guilt. As an outcome the military junta of Burma is highly dependent on the Chinese. The Chinese was the high level of power at that time.
Reportedly it can be seen that Burma has an embassy in Beijing. The country also has the consulate-generals in Hong Kong and Kunming.
Consequently because of the increased Chinese influence in Burma besides the safe haven and arms trafficking going on along the Indo-Burmese border. In recent years India has attempted to support ties with the military junta. Several economic planning have been set up and these include a roadway connecting the Mandalay with the isolated provinces of Northeastern India. Mandalay opens up to do business with Burma, China and also access to the Burmese ports.
George Fernandes who was early Indian Defence Minister and also a prominent Burma critic said in an interview on the BBC that Coco Island was a part of India. But Jawaharlal Nehru gifted this to Burma. This Coco Island is situated at the distance of eighteen kilometers from Nicobar Islands.
The country named Burma also has an embassy in New Delhi in India
China is imagined to have an intelligence assembling station on the Great Coco Island. This was there to supervise Indian naval activity. The DRDO and ISRO missile and space launch activities can also be monitored from that place.
The inflow of Chinese arms turned the tables in Burma and it was against the ethnic insurgencies. Many of these had trusted indirectly on Chinese guilt. As an outcome the military junta of Burma is highly dependent on the Chinese. The Chinese was the high level of power at that time.
Reportedly it can be seen that Burma has an embassy in Beijing. The country also has the consulate-generals in Hong Kong and Kunming.
Consequently because of the increased Chinese influence in Burma besides the safe haven and arms trafficking going on along the Indo-Burmese border. In recent years India has attempted to support ties with the military junta. Several economic planning have been set up and these include a roadway connecting the Mandalay with the isolated provinces of Northeastern India. Mandalay opens up to do business with Burma, China and also access to the Burmese ports.
George Fernandes who was early Indian Defence Minister and also a prominent Burma critic said in an interview on the BBC that Coco Island was a part of India. But Jawaharlal Nehru gifted this to Burma. This Coco Island is situated at the distance of eighteen kilometers from Nicobar Islands.
The country named Burma also has an embassy in New Delhi in India
Burma's bilateral relations with China & India
Till the late 1980s the People’s Republic of China never had good relations with Burma. By the year 1967 to 1970, Burma terminated relations with Beijing. The reason was the latters support for the Burmese Communist Party. In the year 1978 Deng Xiaoping visited Yangon. At that time he withdrew support for the communist party’s long running insurgency in Burma.
On the other hand, in early 1950s Burma enjoyed a sweet and sour relationship with China. Burma’s U Nu and U Thant lobbied for China’s entry into the Security Council as a permanent member. The intrusion of Tibet denounced it.
Many border quarrels were there between Burma and China. It happened long time before British annexation of Burma. In the year 1956, the last border dispute culminated. It happened when the People’s Liberation Army intruded on northern Burma. But they were repelled. Ultimately in the year 1960, a border agreement was reached.
In the last part of 1960s anti Chinese riot erupted. One of the main reasons can be identified as Ne Win informed all people that the Chinese were accountable for crop failures. The other reason was the increasing number of ethnic Chinese students endorsing Mao Zedong. They were carrying the Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong books. China berated the Burmese government to a great extent and started a war. But in spite of this no other actions were taken. Till the early part of 1970, the anti Chinese riots continued.
But, after the year 1986, China changed side and started supplying the majority of its arms to the military junta. The country did this in exchange for improved admittance to Burmese markets.
On the other hand, in early 1950s Burma enjoyed a sweet and sour relationship with China. Burma’s U Nu and U Thant lobbied for China’s entry into the Security Council as a permanent member. The intrusion of Tibet denounced it.
Many border quarrels were there between Burma and China. It happened long time before British annexation of Burma. In the year 1956, the last border dispute culminated. It happened when the People’s Liberation Army intruded on northern Burma. But they were repelled. Ultimately in the year 1960, a border agreement was reached.
In the last part of 1960s anti Chinese riot erupted. One of the main reasons can be identified as Ne Win informed all people that the Chinese were accountable for crop failures. The other reason was the increasing number of ethnic Chinese students endorsing Mao Zedong. They were carrying the Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong books. China berated the Burmese government to a great extent and started a war. But in spite of this no other actions were taken. Till the early part of 1970, the anti Chinese riots continued.
But, after the year 1986, China changed side and started supplying the majority of its arms to the military junta. The country did this in exchange for improved admittance to Burmese markets.
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