The Arakan Empire is considered the one of the largest empires in world history. Some archaeologists link the unification of the Butuan tribes under Mashika in c.1001 CE as the beginnings of the Arakan culture.
One of its most deadly contributions to the world of warfare was the "war balloon". Even against more advanced enemies, the aerial combat advantage was often enough to break the spirits of the enemy. With aerial bombardment campaigns starting in 1399 until 1424, the "Aerial Horde" was able to spread its influence over c.30% of the world's surface. By 1526, Emperor Babur proclaimed himself "Cakkravatti" (world-conqueror) in an imperial edicat that was spread throughout the known world from Chung-Kuo to Samkhya.
When Emperor Babur passed away in 1530, a power struggle took place in the empire, and it wasn't until 1548, when Humayun, son of Emperor Babur was able to seize the title of "Cakkravatti" (world-conqueror).
From 1556, the son of Humayun, Akbar I came to power in a power struggle, where he reigned until 1605. Akbar I is noted for his crushing of Dagami rebels during the Battle of Maynila in 1567. He would also battle against sectarian rebels during the Battle of Lakandula in 1574. One of his most important acts was to order the spread of the Zarendite religion throughout the empire in 1590, in an effort to insure the protection of his immortal soul. In 1601, Lord Cagayan ordered a massive tribute throughout the empire, to aid in the agrandizement of the "universal rule" of Akbar I. When Chung-Kuo rebels attempted to resist his actions in 1602, Akbar I ordered the destruction of the Chung-Kuo capital by torch.
Jahangir I, general to Akbar I came to power, leading a series of political reforms from 1605, until his death in 1627. In 1621, Emperor Jahangir was forced to deal with Tamblot and Bankaw nationalist revolts.
In 1627 until 1658, Asha Jahran came to power, but soon found that the smooth political reign that was held by his predecessors would not be something he would enjoy. Faced with civil war, slave rebellion, and border conflicts, the economy of the empire suffered from corruption and massive debt. Revolts by Cagayan (1639), Ladia (1643), Zambales (1645), and Pampanga (1645), Sumuroy (1649), Pintados (1650), Zambal (1658), Maniago (1658) and Malong (1658) served to weaken the empire further.
By the time Aurangzee came to power in 1658, the magistrates were calling for a greater political role within the empire. By 1664, the economy of the Arakan empire was in freefall. This would provide an opportunity for enemies to begin their attacks in full earnest. Blaming the economic downturn on "Chung-Kuo cabal leaders", Aurangzee ordered a massive roundup of Chung-Kuo expatriates. From 1664 until 1665, the Arakan Empire began a series of actions to drive ethnic Chung-Kuo from the country, often by military force. In 1686, Chung-Kuo general Tingco led a massive rebellion, which set fire to the capital. By 1690, religious sectarian violence and secessionist activities began to spread throughout the empire.
By 1733, with growing anti-foreigner sentiment, the Arakan government became more centralized, labelling all dissent as taking away fromthe "divine power" of the "cakkravatti". In 1735, government authorities passed the Arakan Edict of 1735, which banned outsiders from entering the country except for proscribed areas, under government observation. Ethnic tensions rose to the point that by 1737 Avestanii pilgrims were actively rounded up as "seditionist cells". By 1739, the Deshima Protocols were imposed, and foreign trade was abandoned. The final blow to the power of the Arakan Empire was in 1750-1755, when the capital city was hit by plague, wherein 10 million people were killed.
The religious and political influence of the Arakan Empire can't be underestimated. Even today the many contributions of astro-navigation, cartography, religious pluralism, manned flight, the microscope, and the foundations of civil law have remained powerful contributions to the modern day world
Many of the works of architecture, along with the monuments created in their honor remain today. According to one traveler from Samkhya, "A traveler could travel from one end of the former empire to the other blind-folded and on the back of a donkey, but would always be assured that he would continually be basked in the presence of its monuments…"
