  Recent event of ousting Rohingyas from Rakhine State by the Tatmadaw provoked
worldwide public-and-academic interest in history and social evolution of the
Rohingyas, and this is to what the article is devoted. As the existing
literature presents a debate over Who are the Rohingyas?, and How legitimate is
their claim over Rakhine State?, the paper reinvestigates the issues using a
qualitative research method. Compiling a detailed history, the paper finds that
Rohingya community developed through historically complicated processes marked
by invasions and counter-invasions. The paper argues many people entered Bengal
from Arakan before British brought people into Rakhine state. The Rohingyas
believe Rakhine State is their ancestral homeland and they developed a sense of
Ethnic Nationalism. Their right over Rakhine State is as significant as other
groups. The paper concludes that the UN must pursue solution to the crisis and
the government should accept the Rohingyas as it did the land or territory.
