A very interesting clue on the etymological term Chakma. Whether how true it is or not, is not the main question of ending up into a conclusion. The important clue is about the historical fact why (?) the Chakmas were named as Shaktiman by a Burmese King, and how the name Chakma drives out. It has said, The name Chakma derives from Sanskrit word Sakthiman or beholder of power.[1] This name was given to Chakmas by one of the Burmese kings during the Bagan era. Burmese kings hired Chakmas as ministers, advisers and translators of Buddhist Pali texts. As employees of the king, the Chakmas wielded power in Burmese court disproportionate to their number. The Burmese people still refer Chakmas as Sak or Thit which are shortened and corrupted forms of Sakthiman. At one stage, the accepted name of the tribe was Sakma. Later it was further corrupted to Chakma.[2] If the Chakmas were hired by the king as ministers, advisers and translators of Buddhist Pali texts, then they may not came out from Champa (of modern Vietnam) and Champaburi (of Thailand). As far we know that the people from India continent were experts in Pali and Sanskrit languages than people from Vietnam and Thailand. Some historians suggest that the ancient Sakya people are the ancestors of Chakmas who historically yet to prove.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:16:38 +0000
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