Minbya

Minbya
မင်းပြား
Town
Minbya
Minbya Kyein Taung Pagoda
Minbya Kyein Taung Pagoda
Minbya is located in Myanmar
Minbya
Minbya
Location in Myanmar (Burma)
Coordinates: 20°21′44″N 93°16′24″E / 20.36222°N 93.27333°E / 20.36222; 93.27333
Country Myanmar
Division Rakhine State
DistrictMrauk-U District
TownshipMinbya Township
Founded1867
Population
 (2014 Census)
 • Total
22,944
 • Ethnicities
Rakhine
 • Religions
Buddhism
Time zoneUTC+6.30 (MMT)
Area codes42, 43

Minbya (Burmese: မင်းပြားမြို့, pronounced [mɪ́ɰ̃bjá mjo̰], also spelled Mongbra after the Arakanese pronunciation) is a town in Rakhine State, in the westernmost part of Myanmar (Burma). It is located along the Lemro River and foothill of Kyein Range.

On 28 July 2026, the United League of Arakan renamed the town to Anjanapura (Rakhine: အဉ္ဇနပူရ), meaning "city of Añjanā" in Pali.

History

Minbya was established by the British in 1867 on the western bank of Lemro River. It sits below Kyein Hill, on which stands Kyein Stupa, built during ancient times.[citation needed]

The Sittwe-Yangon highway passes near Minbya.

During the civil war in Myanmar, Minbya was a center of heavy fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army. The entirety of Minbya township was captured by the AA on 6 February 2024.

Education

There are three high schools in Minbya: BEHS 1,2,3 which are the main academic bodies of town. Many primary and middle schools persist. Before 2014, there were no courses for English Language study and computer training. In 2014, Buddhist monks who were also scholars at various universities of India opened a center for young students called The Light Of Mizzima. The center offers computer and English courses for one year and provides scholarships for outstanding students.

Natural disasters

On 15 June 2010, strong rains destroyed more than 25 buildings, including houses, school buildings, and a mosque. Close to 200 people were housed in mosques of several nearby villages.

On 12 November 2011, all 567 permanent shops of the Minbya central market were destroyed in a fire accident.

During the last weekend of July 2015, there was a heavy rain and cause the flooding and then this situation was worse as Cyclone Komen hit the Arakan Coastal on 30 July. It caused great damages in urban and rural area. Many farms were destroyed. After flooding, many civil charity group were came to aid the rural residents. This flooding was also taking place in Mrauk-Oo, Kyauk Taw townships.[citation needed]

References

  1. ↑ "Myanmar: Regions, States, Major Cities & Towns - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  2. ↑ "Arakan Army renames Minbya and Pauktaw towns with historical names". Mizzima. 29 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "ULA/AA Renames Minbya and Pauktaw Townships with Historical Names". www.narinjara.com. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
  4. ↑ "Myanmar's Military Driven Out of Township in Northern Rakhine, Reports Say". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  5. ↑ Myanmar: Downpours, strong winds cause death, injury, damage to houses, roads, railroad sections, floods, landslides State, departments, Tatmadawmen, NGOs and wellwishers render assistance for relief and rehabilitation
  6. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2013-11-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Page 6 Col 1