The Burmese Empire ceded Arakan to the British East India Company in the 1826 Treaty of Yandabo . Arakan became one of the divisions of British India . Initially governed as part of the Bengal Presidency , it received many settlers from neighboring Chittagong Division . The settlers became influential in commerce , agriculture and shipping . In 1937 , Arakan became part of Burma Province , which was separated from India into a distinct crown colony . During World War II , Arakan endured the Japanese occupation of Burma . The Burma National Army and the pro-British V Force were active in the region . Sectarian tensions flared during the Arakan massacres in 1942 . Japanese rule ended with the successful Burma Campaign by Allied forces
Arakan massacres in 1942
Arakan massacres in 1942
Arakan