The Magh

The Magh

The Magh peoples live in the area of Chittatgong of Bangladesh, Tripura state of India and Arakan state of Myanmar. Magh is mostly referred to Arakanese peoples including its later decedents; Marma and Magh of Arakanese. The nickname Magh is given to Arakanese by Bengalis to indicate pirates of Arakanese.The existence of Magh might be probably in 14-15^th century. The Maghs of Bangladesh perceived the term Magh as rather offensive and insulting name. So they changed and adopted new name Marma which denotes Marma were inhabitants of Myanmar. But the Magh of Tripura state, India remained as Magh as before until now. Therefore, Magh and Marma are just two different names denoting the same type of people.  However i will demonstrate some different opinions and assumptions on the term Magh in below paragraphs.

Figure 1: Magh from India in colorful perdormance

1.      According to Arakanese chronicle, it seems that Arakanese are originally from Magadha kingdom of India. The kings of Arakanese kings are decedents of Magadhi origin. So the term Magh is derived from Magadha.

2.      Another assumption is not Arakanese or Marma explanation, it is rather alien explanation; Bengali. The Arakanese people before known as Marma, they were called Magh for their notorious activities of capturing Bengalis and sold in slave market; East India Company.

3.      According to Francis Bunchana observation, the term Mog/Magh is called to all tribes and nations who are non-Hindu and non-Muslim including Bengali Barua by Bengalis Muslim.