The Chakmas (Chakma or ), also known as the Changhma (𑄌𑄋𑄴𑄟), are a community that inhabits the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, the North-East India and Rakhine state of Myanmar. The Chakmas are the largest ethnic group in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, making up more than half the tribal population. In Myanmar the Chakmas are known as Daingnet people. Chakmas are divided into 46 clans or Gozas. Chakmas have their own language, customs and culture, and profess religion, Theravada Buddhism.
Chakmas are Tibeto-Burman, and are thus closely related to tribes in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Chakmas are believed to be originally from Arakan who later on moved to Bangladesh, settling in the Cox's Bazar District, the Korpos Mohol area, and in the Indian states of Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura.
The Arakanese referred to the Chakmas as Saks or Theks. In 1546, when the king of Arakan, Meng Beng, was engaged in a battle with the Burmese, the Sak king appeared from the north and attacked Arakan, and occupied the Ramu of Cox's Bazar, the then territory of the kingdom of Arakan.
Rakhine State (Burmese: ရခိုင်ပြည်နယ်; MLCTS: rahkuing pranynai, Rakhine pronunciation [ɹəkʰàiɴ pɹènè]; Burmese pronunciation: [jəkʰàiɴ pjìnɛ̀]; formerly Arakan) is a state in Burma. Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State in the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region in the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located approximately between latitudes 17°30' north and 21°30' north and east longitudes 92°10' east and 94°50' east. The Arakan Mountains, which rise to 3,063 metres (10,049 ft) at Victoria Peak, separate Rakhine State from central Burma. Off the coast of Rakhine State there are some fairly large islands such as Cheduba and Myingun Island. Rakhine State has an area of 36,762 square kilometres (14,194 sq mi) and its capital is Sittwe.