a town and seaport of Arracan, in the East Indies, situate on the eastern side of the island of the same name, and at the mouth of the river Kuladyne. Previous to its occupation by the British, in 1826, Akyab was a petty village, consisting of a few fishermen's huts; but since that period it has gradually increased in importance, and has now become the most flourishing place of the province. The town is regularly built, with broad streets running at right angles to each other; the houses are spacious and substantial, and the shops are said to be well supplied with native goods and British manufactures. Rice is the principal article of export; and so abundant is the supply, that Aktyab is called the granary of Arracan. The harbour, though inferior to that of Khiyauk Phyoo, has the advantage of being surrounded by a fertile tract of vast extent, and of communicating with the rivers which form the outlets for the export of the surplus produce of the province. The soil of the island is of a sandy description, which soon becomes dry after rain, and the atmosphere is consequently devoid of that humidity to which the interior of the province is subject; and the heat which there is found so oppressive is here tempered by refreshing sea-breezes. The population of the town in 1841 amounted to 5000. Aktyab was ceded to the British by the Burmese, under the provisions of the treaty concluded at Yandaboo on the 24th February 1825. Lat. 20° 9', Long. 92° 56'.