1
Introduction
I. 2: Introduction to Jummaland
The history of Buddhism and Political Condition in Jummaland is the present my
research work so I am details describes of this thesis as well as possible. This
article I was able to get valuable guidance, constant advice and suggestions from
the various books and Journal paper and booklet. Today the world is torn by greed,
hatred, delusion, hostility and unlimited desire of the men. The humanity is
trampled that the whole making is in fear, suspicion and insecurity. The world, in
one hand on account of poverty and Aids, on there hand, on account of racial
conflict, discord and hostility between the world political leader, terrorism armed-
race, nuclear intimidation and war is in the face of imperiled. Therefore, here aim
is my view fine out the way from the point of the History of Buddhism and
Political View in Jummaland.
The Buddha who was known as Prince of Peace around the world had wondered
from city to city and country to country, one state to another state for peace and
happiness of the all living beings. He has introduced a very practical and
meaningful method to settle human problem as well as to establish real global
peace and happiness around the world.
The Jummaland is located in the Southeast Asia and comprised of 29 hill districts
and there 9 division and more that 110 sub-districts and 1055 Villages and also
there are have three Raja (King). The land lies between 21 degree to 40 degrees
and 23 degree to 47 degrees north latitude and 91 degree to 40 degrees and 92
degree to 42 degrees east longitude. It shares borders with Myanmar on the south
and southeast, India on the north and northeast and Chittagong and Cox’s Bazaar
district of Bangladesh on the west.
Geographical Feature of Jummaland:
The Jummaland, south-eastern part of near Bangladesh comprises a total land area
of 13,278.13 sq. km. Which is about one-tenth of the total land area of the nearest
of Bangladesh. It is a unique territory with Hill Mountains and beautiful landscapes
in stark contrast to the alluvial, monsoon-flooded plains and completely different
in physical features, agricultural practices and soil conditions from the rest of the
2
country and also socio-economically and culturally stretching along the present
day Indo-Burma-Bangladesh border- is slightly smaller that East Timor (5,376 sq.
miles) and bigger than Lebanon (4,036 sq. miles). It roughly runs from North to
South for 300 km. The terrain in the Jummaland is part of the great hill mass – an
offshoot of the Himalayan range- occupying parts of India, Myanmar and
Bangladesh. The hills inside Jummaland rise up to a maximum of 4,000 feet, with
the ranges running generally northwest to southeast and dividing the area into a
number of large valleys. The valleys are covered for the most part with dense
virgin forest, interspersed with small waterways and swamps of all sizes and
description.
The Jummaland comprise seven valleys formed by the Feni, Karnapuli, Chengi,
Mayani, Hajolong, Sangu and Matammuri rivers and their tributaries. The ranges
of hill, plain and mountain area of Jummaland rise steeply thus looking far more
impressive that what their height would imply and extend in long narrow ridges.
There are numerous hills, ravines, mountain and cliffs covered with dense
vegetation. Geographically the Jummaland can be divided into two broad
ecological zones such as hilly valleys and agricultural plains.
The highest packs on the northern side are Thangnang, Langliang and Khantiang
while those on the southern side are Ramu, Taung, Keokradang, Tahjindong,
Mowdok Mual, Rang Tlang and Mowdok Tlang, Tahjindong are is 4632 ft, highest
peak in Jummaland as well as whole south east Asia with Bangladesh.
Jummaland is rich in natural flora (orchids etc) and fauna such as Elephant, Tiger,
Bear, Wild Boar, Various kinds of monkeys, barking deer, wild goat and various
kinds of birds and alpine flora is very common in the country. The highest
mountain in Jummaland is known as “Jamasuk”. The name “Jama” is one of the
renowned and famous native Jummo Chakma indigenous people who live in that
time and meditation practice, mediator of Jummaland. In native Jummo Chakma
language “Suk” mean mountain, for instance the name of the mountain became
famous as “Jamasuk”. It’s also mentioned in the Jummo folklore about him and
mountain. The biggest river in Jummaland is known as “Bargang” which is also
known as “Karnapuli”. The biggest lake is called as “Kaptai Lake”.
3
Jummaland has a mild hot wet climate. April to May are the hottest months of the
year where average temperatures of the months range from 50 degree F to 80
degree F. Average temperature in the cold seasons is below 25 degree F. In the
cold seasons, temperatures fall as low as freezing point of water in the higher parts
mountains. Average annual rainfall is 70 degree to 110 inches. The southern part of
Jummaland gets more due to the storms come from Bay of Bengal with Indian
Ocean.
Rangamati: Rangamati is the capital city of Jummaland and most favorite tourist
place. It is about 220 Km from capital city Dhaka of Bangladesh and 77 Km away
from Chittagong city, which is second biggest city in Bangladesh. It is also called
“Lake City” as it is situated at beside of Kaptai Lake. It is well connected by road
communication system with Chittagong city, others Jummaland city name such as
Khagrachari, Bandarban, Naniarchar, Kaptai, Khaukhali, Ramghar, Dighinala, Pan
chari, Jurachari, Barkall, Ruma, Tanchi and etc.also well connected water-systems
of transportation with a dozen of towns and sub-town and hundrend of Jummo
villages. On the east of Rangamati connected water-way with international border
of Mizoram state of India.
Population of Jummaland:
In a population census of 1872 to until 1952, the Jummo population was found that
98% and only 2% of population were non-Jummas of Jummland. But due to
demographic engineering by the Moguls, British, Pakistani and Bangladeshi
government, this overwhelming majority declined majority declined drastically and
that reduced to 51.4% of Jummas population in 1991. The total population was
9,74,445 in 1991 census. The populations of Jummas 501,144 and non-Jummas
473,301in1991. The population of the present Jummaland is circa approximately
2011 about 2.5 million and 3.5 million in 2015. The Jummas peoples are follower
Theravada Buddhism in Jummaland.
II. Methodology and History Literature Survey
This research combines a history textual and field study. For the history textual
study, the various historical books and various kind of journals and reports is a
main primary source and field study survey of field.
4
The Jummas are real pure Buddhists, As well as known as Sakya clean.
Unfortunately, Bengali Muslims illegally resettle by Government of Bangladesh in
the Jummas use cultivation land near villages and proper areas in the Jummaland.
The following census is the evidence of illegally resettle by Bengali Muslims in the
Jummaland.
Year Native indigenous Jummas, Non-Jummas (illegal Muslims Settlers)
1941 98.5% 1.5%
1951 91% 9%
1961 88% 12%
1974 77% 33%
1981 58.6% 41.4%
1991 60.32% 39.68%
2000 51.4% 49%
2011 52.5% 50%
2015 52.7% 51%
Jumma Peoples:
The Jummas Peoples are of Sino-Tibetan descent belonging to the Mongoloid
Race. They are Follower of Theravada Buddhism from an ancient time. From the
time immemorial the Jummaland have been the home of thirteen indigenous
Jummas ethnic groups.
They are collectively identified themselves as the Jumma Peoples or Jumma
nation. They are thirteen native Jumma national groups such as Chakma, Marma,
Tanchangya, Chak, Tripura, Murung, Boam, Khumi, Mro, Lushai, Khyang, Bawm,
and Pankho.
Jumma Identity Crisis:
It is easy to say identify a Jumma National in the streets of Dhaka, Saver,
Chittagong and Cox’s Bazaar or elsewhere, because the Jummas peoples are
distinct and different from the Bengali Muslims population of Bangladesh in
respect of race, languages, culture, religion, ethnicity, complexion, body structure
and colour of skin. There are diversities amongst the ethnic Jumma groups
themselves too, which have their own distinct languages, customs, cultural
heritage, religious beliefs and systems of social organization. But national ideology
5
is common as Jumma nations and Free Jummaland. The Jumma peoples are the
main responsible to “Free Jummaland, from the Islamic and terrorist government
in Bangladesh since last six decades. The Jumma nations are the right persons to
put the Jummaland issue on the table of the United Nations, by the above distinct,
therefore easily recognizable. But there are many other ways in which the Jumma
people could be identified. For example, the method to find out the identify of a
Jumma is by hearing someone speak Bengali or English with a Jumma accent.
But one has to be familiar with the accent first. One sure way to know a Jumma is
to understand that he has a Jumma name since no other racial group will adopt one.
But one has to be familiar with Jumma names first. Globalization makes the
countries of the world more and more like each other in every respect. Lager
economics and more advanced civilizations are encroaching upon other smaller
economics and less developed civilizations. States and cultures are unable or
unwilling to stem the tide. Some languages like English and French, especially
English, have mostly replaced native tongues of a large number of nations around
the world. It has become the lingua franca of many countries and the second
language of many more others. It has become the language of diplomacy,
commerce and science. English has become the international language of choice.
This is a phenomenon in which intertionalization threatens other cultures and
identities.
Some facts in the Jummaland:
A. Islamisation Policy through Transmigration of Bengali Muslims Settlers:
history shows that the Jummaland policies of the government of Bangladesh.
The influx of outsider Bengali Muslims settlers into the Jummaland had been
started since creation of Pakistan in 1947. Later on East Pakistan bloody war
was creation of Bangladesh in 1971, vigorous Islamisation policies had made
the situation worse that ever before. State-sponsored migration of Bengali
Muslims settlers into the Jummaland, providing land, for making homes and
others various kinds of land grant, cash and rations. Since 1979, the government
of Bangladesh officially started to settle Bengali Muslims settlers from the
Bangladesh others part of districts in the Jummaland to outnumbering the
Jumma peoples and for using the settlers as human shield. This program was
continued in secret, the international communities were not aware of this
6
program till mid 1980s. More than 400,000 Bengali Muslims settlers were
transferred into Jummaland (1979-1989), today’s continued settles by Bengali
Muslims families from others undeveloped districts places in Bangladesh.
Example, Noakhali, Borishal, Commilla, Seylet, Foridpur etc. the Bangladesh
government declared that each Bengali Muslims settlers family would be given
7.5 acres of lands and ration for unlimited period. Indeed, no cultivable land
was vacant for settlement so the Bengali Muslims settlers started to forcibly
occupy the land of native Jumma indigenous peoples. The above mentioned
statistics proves the real facts in Jummaland. The illegal Bengali Muslims
Settlers holds 13th genocide in Jummaland collaboration Bangladesh Army,
about 250,000 innocent indigenous Jumma native Peoples died illegally.
Historical Background of Jummaland:
The “Bijok” is the history in Jumma Chakma language. So, the “Jumma Chakma
Bijok” is the chronological history of the Jumma nations. About hundred of Jumma
Chakma history books written by different authors and in different languages and
in different periods.
But very few writers we can found amongst the Jumma Chakma, that is lack of
education and historical experiences.
Some of the authors wrote that he/she belong from Jumma national Chakma nation
or Shakya, but some evidence knew about the religious historical background of
the Jumma Chakma national or Shakyas national.
Some of the authors Muslims wrote about their origin that he/she knew nothing
about Jumma Chakma national or Shakya national historical background as well as
religious historical background of them that just to be very create a problem for
political and religious interest for his/her own nation or party or religion or
country. Some of the authors wrote that just collected some reports, recorded by
the own government. Some authors wrote an article about their origin that just he
visited few Jumma Chakma national villages. Here, you will get wide ranges of
resources about their origin, both from religious as well as Jumma national
historical background about the Shakyas or Chakma Jummas.
7
According to the Jumma Chakma historian, the ruler of the Royal Chakma
Jummaland Kingdom was most powerful ever than others Raja (king) in this
region in the 6th century. As per as Jumma Chakma historian as well as early
Buddhist historical evident that the Jumma Chakma national Raja Bijoygiri, belong
from Champa or Champaknagar (now Bhagalpur in west Bengal, India) in the
Kingdom of Anga which was Bengal (now west Bengal and Bihar); came and
settled down in the present Jummaland, along with his Jumma Royal family and
large military troops. His father, Raja Samargiri, who was belong from Shakya
clean and was most powerful ruler of Kingdom of Anga in the early 6th century
BC. He had two sons, named was Prince Bijoygiri and Prince Udaigiri. That times
there is no any human inhabitant in the presently Jummaland.
A Short History of Jummaland:
Portuguese (350-550 A.D)
Gupta period (550-651 A.D)
Sena period (651-850 A.D)
Pala period (850-1150 AD), The golden era of Buddhism.
Moguls’ period (1151-1351 A.D)
Duct period (1351-1560 A.D)
Nabab period (1560-1750 A.D)
British period (1750-1860 A.D)
The Creation of Jummaland 1860 by the raid of frontier native Jumma indigenous
tribes act, 1860.
Previous Jummaland names were Karpas Mahal (Karpas mean Cotton that times
many product of cotton) in 1715-1860 A.D.
First superintendent of this land (Karpas Mahal) Jummaland, Captain Mr.
Macgrath (1860-1867A.D).
8
First deputy commissioner of this Jummaland, Mr. T.H.Lewin (The designation
superintendent changed into deputy commissioner in 1867)
Special administrative system called Jummaland regulation: 1900 (1 of 1900A.D)
Jummaland declared excluded area in 1920 A.D.
Mong circle created in 1782, run by Mong Raja (King) communities of Marmas in
Northern part of Jummaland.
Excluded Jummoland area turned into Jumma native indigenous tribes land in 1962
in Pakistan period.
Those who were appointed as administrator in Jummaland from the British period
to till now are as following.
British Period:
S.L.No. Name of Person Period of Time
01. Capt. Magrath 1860-1863 A.D.
02. G.C.Cilby 1864-1865 A.D.
03. Capt. T.H.Lewin 1866-1869 A.D.
04. Mr. E.Raity 1869-1870 A.D.
05. Capt. T.H.Lewin (11) 1870-1874 A.D.
06. Mr. A.W.Power 1875-1876 A.D.
07. Mr. Z.Anderson 1876-1877 A.D.
08. Capt. A.E.Gorson 1877-1881 A.D.
09. Mr. L.R.Forbes 1881-1884 A.D.
10. Mr. C.A.S.Redford 1884-1886 A.D.
11. Mr. C.Owen 1886-1887 A.D.
12. Mr. L.R.Forbes (11) 1887-1891 A.D
9
13. Mr. C.S.Murray 1891-1893 A.D.
14. Mr. R.H.S.Hutchinson 1893-1894 A.D.
15. Mr. C.S.Murry (11) 1894-1996 A.D.
16. Mr. R.H.S.Hutchinson (11) 1996-1900 A.D.
17. R.A.S. Stephenson 1900-1902 A.D.
18. Mr. R.H.S.Hutchinson (111) 1902-1904 A.D.
19. Mr. R.A.S.Stephenson, C.B.I.C.I.E, 1904-1906 A.D.
20. Mr. R.H.S.Hutchinson (IV) 1906-1910 A.D.
21. Mr. O.Manson 1911- 1918 A.D.
22. Mr. A.S.W.Haris 1918-1920 A.D.
23. Mr. C.G.B.Steven 1920-1927 A.D.
24. Mr. Rai Bahadur S.C.Basu 1927-1929 A.D.
25. Mr. A.S.Hands I.C.S. 1929-1931 A.D.
26. Mr. S.K.Ghesh I.S.C. 1931-1934 A.D.
27. Mr. Subimal Dutta I.S.C. 1934-1937 A.D.
28. Mr. W.H.J. Christi I.S.C. 1937-1947 A.D.
Pakistan Period:
S.L. No. Name of Person Period of Time
01. Major L.H.Niblett 1947-1950 A.D.
02. Lt. Col. J.H.Hune 1950-1953 A.D.
03. Mr. M.H. Shah 1953-1954 A.D.
10
04. Major L.H.Niblett (II) 1954-1956 A.D.
05. Mr. S.A.Agha C.S.P. 1956-1958 A.D.
06. Mr. M.A.Kareem Iqbal C.S.P. 1958-1960 A.D.
07. Mr. H.D.Chowdhury C.S.P. 1960-1963 A.D.
08. Mr. S.Z.Khan C.S.P. 1963-1964 A.D.
09. Mr. M.S.Rahaman C.S.P. 1964-1966 A.D.
10. Mr. L.R.Khan C.S.P. 1966-1969 A.D.
11. Mr. H.T.Imam C.S.P. 1969-1970 A.D.
Bangladesh Period:
S.L. No. Name of Person Period of Time
01. Janab Aminul Islam 1971-1971
02. Janab M.E.Sharif 1971-1972
03. Janab Jinnat Ali 1972-1973
04. Janab Sharafat Ullaha 1973-1974
05. Janab A.M.A. Kadir 1974-1976
06. Janab Ali Haider Khan 1976-1983
07. Janab A. Malek 1983-1985
08. Janab Mohammad Saphikul Islam 1985-1990
09. Janab Mohammad Aftab Uddin Khan 1990-1992
10. Janab Mohammad Hasam 1992-1996
It is worth mentioning here that designation of the rulers was changed in different
periods to Superintendent and Deputy Commissioner also Assistant Commissioner
Etc. The period of time in which the designations changed is given following.
11
Designation Period of Time
1. Superintendent 1860-1866 A.D.
2. Deputy Commissioner 1866-1891 A.D.
3. Assistant Commissioner 1891-1900 A.D.
4. Superintendent 1900-1920 A.D.
5. Deputy Commissioner 1920- 1947 A.D.
6. Deputy Commissioner 1947-till now.
Repeat of Jummaland Jumma Indigenous native area in 1964 in Pakistan period.
First two Jumma indigenous native members were elected of democratic system in
East Pakistan legislative assembly in 1954. They are Mr. Kamini Mohan Dewan
and Mr. Birendra Kishore Roaza. They are Buddhist.
Creation of Kaptai Lake in 1960 by government of Pakistan. Area of about 356
sq.miles (Dist. Gazt.) and dam has been created at Kaptai sub-district (Upazila).
Jummaland previous name was the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT)
Bandarban District created in 1981.
Rangamati District created in 1983 and
Khagrachari District created in 1983.
Creation of Jummaland Development Board in 1976 with views to ensure the
development activities in the Jummaland areas.
Creation of Bandarban Local Government Council on 6th March 1989 (later
renamed as Bandarban Hill District Council).
Historical peace accord signed between government of Bangladesh and Parbatya
Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (United People’s Party of the Chittagong Hill
Tracts (UNPCHT or Jummaland United National People’s Party) on 2nd December
1997.
Creation of Jummaland Regional Council or CHT Regional Council on 24th May
1998.
12
Creation of Ministry of Jummaland Affairs or Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts
Affairs on 15th July 1998.
The first District Headquarters of Jummaland was Chandraghona. Presently capital
city of Rangamati in Jummaland.
In 1881 A.D, the British Indian Government had divided the Jummaland into three
circles (Division) according to the jurisdiction of the Rajas, there are three Rajas
(Kings) in Jummaland named such as (01).The Jumma Chakma Raja in Rangamati
(Jumma Chakma Administration division) run by Jumma Chakma Raja in middle
part of Jummaland. Also known as capital city of Rangamati in Jummaland.
(02). The Jumma Bohmang Raja in Bandarban Jumma Administration division.
Run by Jumma Bohmang Raja, Marma, Tanchagya, Chak and Rakhain others
communities in southern part of Jummaland. And
(03). The Mong Raja in Khagrachari Jumma Administration division. Run by
Mong Raja, Marma, Tripura and others communities in northern part of
Jummaland. The Jummaland Kings (Rajas) all were are Buddhists. They are built
many Buddhist monasteries in Jummaland.
(01). The Jumma Chakma Raja:
About there are Jumma Chakma Raja past over 50th Jumma Chakma Raja. Present
ruler of Raja Devasish Roy 51th and presently Jumma Chakma Raja since 1971.
Born 1959, he was installed as Jumma Chakma Raja, after his father opted to
remain in Pakistan in 1971, with his uncle as regent till 1977, he is a lawyer by
profession and has served as a special Assistant to the Chief Advisor of
Bangladesh government with the rank and status of a State Minister during the
2006-2008 Bangladesh political crisis, he was in charge of the Ministry of
Jummaland or Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and the Ministry of Forest and
Environment, he served in the interim caretaker government in 2008.
As per constitutional norms and practices of the country, at the end of each term,
an interim neutral caretaker government takes over to oversee free and fair election
to hand over power to the next elected politicians, married Rani Tatu Roy, born
1963, died in 1998, and has issue.
13
Rajkumar Tribhuvan Aryadev Roy, born in1990, declared Crown Prince in 2003.
Rajkumari Ayetri Aradhana Roy, born in 1994
(02). The Jumma Bohmang Raja:
In 1599 AD, The Maharaja Maung Rajagree, the King of Arakan led to the
capitulation of “Hainthawadee” or Kigdom of Pegu.
The “Nainda Bayin’ The king of Pegu was defeated and perished in the war. The
beautiful young doughter of Nainda Bayin, Thien Daw Hnang and minor Prince
Maung Saw Prue were taken to “Mrawk U” , The capital of Arakan, as captive
along with other booties. Some 3000 families from Pegu followed the scion of
their ruler and settled in Arakan.
Later, the successor of Maung Rajagree and then Arakanese King Mong Khyai
Maung married the princes and appointed his brother-in-law “Maung Saw Pru” as
the governor of annexed Chittagong in 1614. The 3000 families that accompanied
the captive prince were allowed to settle in the region around Chittagong. The
present Marma communities are the descendents of these groups. They are living
all parts of Jummaland.
The “Bohmong” Title:
In 1620 A.D, for resisting the Portuguese invasion with extreme course and valor,
the Arakanese King Mong Kha Mauang conferred the title of “Bohmong” to
Maung Saw Pru, which means the Great General. After the death of Bohmong
Maung Saw Pru, two successors retained the Bohmong title.
During the time of “Bohmong Hari Ngyo” for his extreme bravery to recapture the
Chittagong from Moguls in 1720, the Arakanese King Chainda Wizia conferred on
him the grand title of “Bohmong Gree” meaning “The great Commander-in-
Chief”.
In the face of growing Moguls presence and weakened of Arakanese dominance,
the Bohmong yielded to the demand of Moguls as payment of yearly tributes as he
felt insecure on the heel of Arakanese pull out.
14
Then the Bohmong continued to enjoy their political supremacy through the
Moguls to the British colonial reign till 1860 A.D, when the Jummaland was
formally annexed to the British Indian Empire and declared into a full-fledged
division district.
On the 15th Bohmong circle Chief Raja Aung Shwe Prue Chodhury in Bandarban
southern part of Jummaland. 16th Bohmong Raja K.S.Pru Chodhury. Presently 17th
Bohmong Raja Bohmangree U Shaw Prue is the king of the Bohmong Jumma
circle who is more than 69 years old.
(03). The Jumma Mong Raja in Khagrachari:
History:
The War and Settlement: The Marma communities, led by the Mong Raja Chief
were originally Burmese who lived in 16th century. After they are travel who fled
to escape unrest in the 16th century came in Jummaland. Northern parts of
Jummaland. The Mong Raja was then one of many Jummas indigenous Chiefs who
ruled the separate and distinctive cleans of the Jummoland. Which were
known as northern parts of Jummaland. Also they are living all parts of
Jummaland.
Ruled by native Jumma indigenous Chief (Raja or king) predates the British
incursion into India, but the administrative role of the modern Raja was formalized
under colonial rule. The British faced strong and effective military opposition to
their invasion of the Jummaland, sustaining heavy losses due to the difficulty of
the Jummaland terrain and the relative power of the Jumma Chakma military.
Following their victory in 1882, the British neutered this opposition by sub-
dividing the Jummaland region into three separate divisions (circles) such as
mentioned above matter.
Today, Khagrachari Jumma Mong Raja region is a diverse and multi cultural
area, and the Jumma Mong Raja (King) native indigenous Chief provides the
services of traditional government to communities of Jumma native indigenous
Chakma, Marma, Tripura and non-Jummas illegal Bengali Muslims settlers in
northern part of Jummaland. Presently Jumma Mong Raja Saching Prue Chodhury
was confirmed as 8th Mong king (Raja) and continued his rule today. The young
15
Raja aims to create a modern Jumma Mong Circle administration division that
serves and represents all residents of the name of place Khagrachari, the northern
part of Jummaland.
The Buddhism influenced in Jummaland:
The historically and traditionally Jummaland is a land of religious harmony and
co-existance. But there are have some ancient record and evidence that Lord
Buddha came to Vanga (old name Pundrabardhan and samathot) and has two
disciple of Lord Buddha’s Vangissar and Rakkhita who native birth place in
samathot near Jummaland.
During Buddha’s life time and also during the time of emperor Ashoka. After the
great demise of Lord Buddha, the first Buddhist Council was held in Rajagaha
under the patronage of king Ajatasatru to preserve the teachings of Lord Buddha
for the years to come. The second Buddhist Council was held at Vaisali during
theReign of king Kalasoka one hundred years after the Parinibbana of the Lord
Buddha. The 3rd Buddhist Council was held in Pataliputra during the king Ashoka
(218-260) during this period, the people practice their own way.
The flourishing of Buddhism in Jummaland started from Gupta period and early
centuries of the Christian era. It has been clear that the Buddhism was the flow of
Mahayana principles, Fa-hein mentioned in his itinerary (399-414 AD) about the
Kingdom of Champa on the Southern bank of the Ganga when he came across
much evidence of living Buddhism which was mostly Mahayana. In the 7th century
Hiuen-Tsang, the famous Chinese pilgrim in visited India, recorded various
accounts of the persecution of Buddhism by Sasankha, the king of Gouda (north
western part of Bengal near Jummaland). He recorded Mahayana Buddhism in
various parts of Jummaland with some Stobira schools. From the 7th to 12th
centuries the Mahayana school found a golden era in Vanga with Jummaland.
Great Buddhist monasteries in Paharpur, Somapura, Jagaddal, Vikramapur,
Moinamoti and Salban were established the reign Vanga and Jummaland. Famous
scholars like that Sri Atisha Dipankar, Shilabadra, Shantiraksit appeared in
Jummaland and their scholastic works were towards the Mahayana school, which
ultimately absorbed Tantrism. The Buddhist lost the basic principles of Buddhism
in Jummaland. But some have basic Buddhist teaching in Jummaland.
16
During the 15th century (according to Dr. Heinz Bechert) one member of the Royal
family named “Keyakcu” of Cakaria near Jummaland went to Moulmein or Arakan
in Burma and was ordained there under the tutelage of Ven. Seyado Sharbu
Mahanayaka Thero. His named was Ven. Chandrajyoti Bhikkhu and stayed for 20
years in Burma to study the scriptures. He is after came to Chittagong near
Jummaland and established temple in Sitakunda hill and Haidgaon. But but he
failed to organize Buddhist Sangha in Jummaland. The people of Jummaland
remained darkness about Theravada Buddhism. In the 19th century Dr. B.M. Barua
writes that Mahayana Buddhism which was prevailing in eastern India comprising
Chittagong and Jummaland also Tripura. But mixture of Tantric faith, Hinduism
and Animism religious cults. As a result monks did not observe Vinaya rules and
laities too lost their real Buddhists ideals. They used to observe many rites and
rituals which have no connection with a Buddhist tradition.
Historical Moment Buddhism in Jummaland:
The historical critical moment in Jummaland, most Ven. Saramittra Nayaka Thero
of Arakan came to visit India on a pilgrimage. He was well-versed in Arakanese,
Sanskrit and Pali. In the meantime the Jumma Chakma Kingdom was a feudal
State under the British government and its ruler was Queen Kalindi Rani (1830-
1873 A.D). She invited Most Ven. Saramittra to the royal palace in Rajanagar that
time capital city of Jummaland. Presently, Rangunia sub-district of Chittagong,
there has South East Asian oldest Buddhist monastery name was Sakyamuni Raj
Vihara built by Jumma Chakma royal patron. 15TH A.D, Also has been Raja
Bhuvan Mohan High School in Rajanagar.
In 1864 A.D Ven. Saramittra again came to Jummaland with his disciple Sangha
in order to give full ordination to who are like to ordain as Bhikkhu in the
Jummaland. He established Theravada school Buddhism in Jummaland.
17
