# Chakma Kingdom

The Chakma Kingdom, was a semi-autonomous polity that ruled in the present-day Chittagong Hill Tracts. The polity was variously called as a chiefdom, kingdom or simply by the ruler as the Chakma Raja. The Chakma rulers, known as Chakma Rajas or Deb Rajas paid tribute to these powers in exchange for retaining control over internal governance. The Chakma rajas exercised authority strategically over the significant region, maintaining diplomatic ties with neighboring states while resisting external conquests. Historical records indicate that the Chakmas paid tributes to the Mughal Empire but remained largely autonomous.

## Origin & Early History

The Chakma people trace their origins to the Arakanese Kingdom, with historical records suggesting that they migrated to the Chittagong Hill Tracts in the late medieval period. According to Chakma historians in the chronicle Bijok, the Chakma Kingdom traces to Sambuddha, a 6th century ruler of Anga in modern-day Bihar and West Bengal. After Sambuddha's younger son usurped the throne of Anga, the older son Bijoy Giri (also known as Vijaygiri) conquered parts much of what is now Northeast India, including the Twipra Kingdom. In 645, he would establish the Chakma Kingdom but the rulers of Chakma were based outside of the area. It took until 1118 for Raja Kamal Chega to reunite the Chakma Kingdom and establish it permanently as a polity separate from Tripura and Arakan.
The earliest outside mention of Chakma settlements in Bengal appears in Portuguese and Mughal records from the 16th century, describing them as ‘Joom cultivators’ (shifting agriculturalists) inhabiting the forested highlands between Bengal and Burma. British colonial accounts also indicate that the Chakmas established a structured monarchy by the early 1600s.

## Timeline (c. 1500–1947)

The Kingdom flourished as a powerful highland polity in the 16th and 17th centuries, maintaining autonomy while engaging in diplomatic relations with neighboring empires. By the mid-1600s, the Chakma Raja Shukdev Roy entered into a formal arrangement with the Mughal Empire, agreeing to pay an annual cotton tribute in exchange for protection and self-rule. During the British expansion in Bengal, the Chakma Raja signed the 1787 Anglo-Chakma Treaty, solidifying Chakma autonomy under British India.

### Mughal Incursions

Before the arrival of the British, the Chakma Kingdom faced continuous invasions from the Mughal Empire during the 17th century. The Mughals, after consolidating their power in Bengal, sought to extend their control into the Chittagong Hill Tracts. In 1666, Mughal Governor Shaista Khan defeated the Arakanese by conquering Chittagong, and renamed it Islamabad. However, Mughal rule was initially limited to the plains, leaving the Chakmas in the hills largely unaffected. A trade dispute later led the Mughals to demand tribute from the Chakmas.
The Chakma kings adopted a dual strategy of military resistance and diplomacy. While some regions saw intense battles, Chakma rulers also engaged in negotiations to ensure their continued autonomy. Eventually, a treaty was reached where the Chakmas agreed to provide gifts and tributes in exchange for being left undisturbed by Mughal forces.

### Anglo-Chakma Conflict (1777–1787)

British administration in the Chittagong District acknowledged the Chakma Raja as an autonomous ruler, historically distinct from Mughal administrations while engaging in tributary relations with the Mughals.
In 1777, the British East India Company, having gained control of Bengal, demanded annual revenue payments from the Chakma Kingdom. However, the Chakma Raja, Jan Baksh Khan, refused to comply, considering it an infringement on their sovereignty. This led to a series of conflicts between the Chakmas and British forces, where the Chakmas, despite being outnumbered, used guerrilla warfare tactics and the dense forests of the Chittagong Hill Tracts to their advantage.
After a decade of resistance, the British realized that completely subjugating the Chakmas was neither cost-effective nor feasible. In 1787, a peace settlement was negotiated, wherein the Chakma Raja agreed to pay a nominal tribute while maintaining de facto autonomy. This agreement allowed the Chakmas to continue governing themselves with minimal interference from the British administration.

## Annexation and Decline (1947–1964)

Following Partition in 1947, the Chakma Kingdom was incorporated into East Pakistan, despite efforts by its rulers to align with India. In 1964, the Pakistan government formally abolished the Chakma monarchy, ending centuries of traditional rule.

## Governance and Society

The Chakma Kingdom operated under a hereditary monarchy, where the Raja governed with the assistance of village chiefs. The economy was based on wet rice cultivation, forest trade, and cotton production, which was a key export commodity during Mughal and British rule. The kingdom was predominantly Buddhist, with cultural influences from Bengal, Northeast India and Burma.

## List of Rulers

Below is the list of rulers of the Chakma Kingdom from its early formation to the present titular heads.
| No | Name | Reign & Period | Life details |
| | Shakya | | |
| 1 | Sudhanya | | ? He was the descendent of Abhiratha, a descendent of Purnajeet, the founder of Shakya kingdom. He ruled the kingdom called Sudhammavati , whose capital was called Kolapnagar. |
| 2 | Moru Dev | | ? He was the son of Sudhanya. He ruled peacefully. |
| 3 | Champa Kali | | ? He was the son of Moru Dev. He conquered new land. He had two wives & three sons. From his first wife, he had one son called Gunodhan who became a sage at his youth. From his second wife he had two sons, Ananda Mohan & Langal Dhan. The elder Ananda Mohan became monk. |
| 4 | Langal Dhan | | ? He had two sons, Kshudrajeet & Samudrajeet. |
| 5 | Kshudrajeet | | ? He took over the kingship from his father. He died young due to mental shock on the sudden death of his son. |
| 6 | Samudrajeet | | ? He was handed kingship by his elder brother. He married a tribal queen, Kalpavati from Himalayas. He was heirless. |
| 7 | Shyamal | | ? He was the son of Subal, the minister of King Kshudrajit. |
| 8 | Chakmpak Kali | | ? He was the son of Chakmpak Kali |
| 9 | Sandhyasur | | ? He succeded his father. He became monk after handing over the kingship to his younger brother Chandrasukh. After becoming a monk, he was disappeared meditating infront of a Buddha idol. From then on the name Sandhyamuni, another name of Buddha came to know to the Chakmas. |
| 10 | Chandrasukh | | ? After getting the charge of Champa kingdom, he ruled peacefully. |
| 11 | Sadhenggiri | | He is revered for his deep knowledge in Brahma Yoga. An Agar Tara called Sadhenggiri Tara is said to be based on him and was recited in death rites. |
| 12 | Dharmasukh | | ? No significant event was recored. |
| 13 | Sudhanya-II | | ? No significant event was recored. |
| 14 | Champasur | | ? No significant event was recored. |
| 15 | Bimbasur-I | | He died young living the kingdom to his nephew. |
| 16 | Bimbasur-II | | 5th century He had a powerful physique. In his later life he becomes a monk. |
| 17 | Sangbuddha | | 6th century aja Sambuddha ruled Anga in the 6th century (now Bihar & West Bengal). Capital: Champa (Champaknagar), now Bhagalpur. Sons: Prince Bijoygiri & Prince Udaygiri. Udaygiri usurped the throne while Bijoygiri was on an expedition. Other cities: Bhaddiya, Assapura, Kacangala, Girivraja. |
| 18 | Udaygiri | | 6th century He had two sons, Vijaygiri & Samargiri. |
| 19 | Vijaygiri 𑄤𑄨𑄎𑄠𑄴𑄉𑄨𑄢𑄨 | 645-698 AD | 605-698 AD 645 AD – Established Chakma Kingdom in Tripura. 666 AD – Moved capital to Rangamati Hill Tracts. 674 AD – Conquered Kuki Kingdom, lost Prince Devagiri.Known as Sirittoma Chak Raja, rode Manidhar. |
| 21 | Srittoma Sak | | |
| 22 | Sarannama | | |
| 23 | Ulattnama | | |
| 24 | Jamu (Janu-I) | | |
| 25 | Kamaljanu | | |
| 26 | Ucchagiri | | |
| 27 | Moichsyagiri (Manikgiri-I) | | |
| 28 | Kamalajug | | |
| 29 | Madanjug | | |
| 30 | Jeevanjug | | |
| 31 | Ratnagiri-I | | |
| 32 | Dhanagiri | | |
| 33 | Svarnagiri | | |
| 34 | Buddhanggiri | | |
| 35 | Dharmagiri | | |
| 36 | Manorath | | |
| 37 | Arijit | | |
| 38 | Moimangsha | | |
| 39 | Kevala | | |
| 40 | Boirindam | | |
| 41 | Gyananu | | |
| 42 | Swetabrataor Chotungsa | | |
| 43 | Shakalia | | |
| 44 | Bangalisardar | | |
| 45 | Manikgiri-II | | |
| 46 | Madalia | | |
| 47 | Ramtongzha-I | | |
| 48 | Kamalchege | | 1095-1179 |
| 49 | Ratangiri-II | | |
| 50 | Kalatongzha | | |
| 51 | Chakradhan | | |
| 52 | Pheladhavaeng | | |
| 53 | Sermattya | | |
| 54 | Arunjug | | |
| 55 | Surjyojit | | |
| 56 | Satrujit | | |
| 57 | Ramtongzha-II | | |
| 58 | Manikgiri-III | | 14th century |
| 59 | Toin Suresvari | | |
| 60 | Janu-II | | |
| 61 | Sattva | | |
| 62 | Kattva Rani | | |
| 63 | Dhavana | | |
| 64 | Dharammya | | |
| 65 | Mogollya | | |
| 66 | Subhal Khan Jubal Khan | | 1639-1681 |
| 67 | Jallal Khan | | d. 1715 |
| 68 | Fateh Khan | | 1671-1725 |
| 69 | Serjjan Khan | | |
| 70 | Shermust Khan | | 1737-1773 |
| 71 | Sukhdev Roy | | 1731-1831 |
| 72 | Sher Daulat Khan | | 1773-1782 |
| 73 | Jannbux Khann | | 1782-1899 |
| 74 | Tabbar Khan | | |
| 75 | Jabbar Khan | | |
| 76 | Dharam Bux Khan | | |
| 77 | Rani Kalindi | | |
| 78 | | | |
| 79 | Bhuvan Mohan Roy | | |
| 80 | Nalinakshya Roy | | |
| 81 | Raja Tridev Roy | | |
| 82 | Raja Devashis Roy | | |

## Legacy and Modern Status

Although the Chakma Kingdom ceased to exist in 1964, the Chakma people continue to preserve their distinct cultural identity, with the former royal family playing a symbolic role in their community affairs.

## See Also

* Chakma people
* Chittagong Hill Tracts
* Chakma District