History of Manipur
Encyclopedia
The documented history of Manipur ,m.m.m.the reign of King Pakhangba (r. 33–154 AD), who unified the seven clans of Manipur
i society. Introduction of the Vaishnavism
school of Hinduism
brought about significant changes in the history of the state. Manipur's early history is set forth in the Cheitharon Kumbaba, a chronicle of royal events which claims to record events from the founding of the ruling dynasty in 33–AD. Since ancient times, the Meitei people
and Meitei-Pangals (Muslims,not original inhabitants) have lived in the valleys of Manipur alongside the Nagas
and uki people|Kukis](illegal immigrants..refugees from outside manipur..they were assimilated into manipuris due to manipuris' soft hearted and friendly culture)] in the hills.
Manipur became a princely state
under British rule in 1891; the last of the independent states to be incorporated into British India. During the Second World War, Manipur was the scene of many fierce battles between Japanese and Allied forces. The Japanese were beaten back before they could enter Imphal
, which proved to be one of the turning points of the War.
After the war, the Manipur Constitution Act, 1947, established a democratic form of government with the Maharaja
as the Executive Head and an elected legislature. In 1949, King Prabodhchandra was summoned to Shillong
, capital of the Indian province of Meghalaya where after much persuasion(they put a gun on his head;later revealed by the king) he signed a Treaty of Accession merging the kingdom into India. Thereafter the legislative assembly was dissolved and Manipur became part of the Republic of India in October, 1965. It was made a union territory in 1956 and a full-fledged state in 1972.
period it was known as Mayai Koiren poirei namthak saronpung or Tilli Koktong Ahanba, then in the Khunungchak
period as Meera Pongthoklam. Thereafter during the Langbachak
era, it became Tilli Koktong Leikoiren and finally Muwapalli in the Konnachak
epoch.
During the latter part of its history, Manipur and its people were known by different names to their neighbours. The Shans or Pongs called the area Cassay, the Burmese Kathe, and the Assamese
Meklee. In the first treaty between the British East India Company
and Meidingu Chingthangkhomba (Bhagyachandra) signed in 1762, the kingdom was recorded as Meckley. Bhagyachandra and his successors issued coins engraved with the title of Manipureshwar, or lord of Manipur and the name Meckley was discarded. Later on, the Sanskritisation
work, Dharani Samhita (1825–34) popularized the legends of the derivation of Manipur's name.
running south and forms part of the compact physiographic unit following the great divide between the Brahmaputra and Chindwin valleys. North east India holds the key to the understanding the scope, depth, dimension and cultural diffusion between south and southeast Asia which played a crucial role in transforming the northeast Indian ethnographic canvas from prehistoric times onwards. Manipur appears to have absorbed Bronze Age
cultural traits from Thailand and Upper Burma where indigenous early metal age culture developed at a comparatively early date around 4000 BC.
The site is located at 93.32’ longitude and 25.3’ latitude in the midst of the thickly forested Reyangling Hills, about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of Tharon Village. Locally, the caves are known as Kalemki (from Kalem (bat) and Ki (house), literally: The house of the bat). A stream called Kalem-ki-magu runs near the caves, which are composed of Barail series sandstone and were probably formed by rock weathering. Tharon's edge-ground pebble tools are similar to finds from Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines where they were used about 7000–8000 BC. The Tharons have a distinct affinity with the Haobihian culture and before the advent of the present Tibeto-Burman inhabitants of the area, Proto-Australoid
people occupied these caves around 5000–4000 BC.
According to the Thiren Layat, there were nineteen rulers up until the joint reign of Nongdanhan and Taohuireng. The ancient Numit Kappa text compares the two brothers as if they were two suns. The hymn of Numit Kappa used in the rite known as Chupsaba and sometimes sung as a ballad, narrates these events.
, the royal chronicle of Manipur or Kangleipak.
Nongda Lairen Pakhangba was an extraordinarily gifted ruler and the creator of Manipur (or Meeteileipak or Kangleipak). He was the first coroneted historical ruler whose reign began in 33 according to the Cheitharol Kumbaba. Meetei culture took root during the reign of Pakhangba as did sagol kangjei (Polo
), with the first match played between the chiefs of different regions. Polo was played in imitation of a game from the traditional Hayachak era. Laisna took a great role in organizing the game.
Pakhangba was succeeded by his son, Khuiyoi Tompok, in 154 AD. Known as the inventor of the drum (pung), his reign was a peaceful one. Technical innovation in metallurgy was also recorded in the chronicle.
The treatise on the construction of the places of Kangla and Kangla Houba are believed to have been written by Ashangba Laiba.
Muslims first came to Manipur in 615 as preachers led by Sa'ad ibn abi Waqqas. Shaikh Muhammad Sani led a thousand strong army of Pasha troops from Taraf (southern Sylhet) in 1606 AD. They settled in Manipur and took local wives while lands were provided to them under the royal directive of king Khagemba.
Known as the "Great law Giver", his reign was an important period in the history of Kangleibak. Along with the military consolidation of the kingdom, Loiyamba introduced administrative reforms, which provided the backbone of the kingdom's administration for the next seven centuries. He systematized the administrative divisions of the country by creating six lups or divisions as well as introducing the Pana System. Loiyamba Shinyen left a well-organized society and economy in Meeteileipak.
The "Conqueror of Tamu", according to Ningthourol Lambuba he was originally known as Charairongba. One of the most well-known events of Charairongba's reign was a raid by the Tangkhul tribe from Tuisem village while he was absent. His queen Linthoingambi demonstrated courage and skill, hoodwinking the raiding tribesmen into defeat and captivity. The Meitei state was completely established during his reign.
Known as the "Conqueror of Kabaw Valley", he was formerly called Thangwai Ningthouba. Credit for the military and territorial expansion of the kingdom was given to King Ningthou khomba and his son Kiyamba who had an equally colourful mother, Linthoingambi, the warrior queen in Manipur's history. This period sees the emergence of Medingu Senbi Kiyamba, who became king in 1476, at the age of 24. He was a friend of the King of Pong (Shan Kingdom), who presented him with a stone, known as PHEIYA (Almighty). After this, worship of God in the form of a sacred stone began.
The "Conqueror of the Chinese" (khagi: Chinese and Ngamba:conqueror), he consolidated and expanded his father's kingdom of Meitrabak, later successfully defending it from foreign invaders such as the Muslims, the Kachari and the Shans of the Kabaw Valley. Muslim settlement became more prominent after 1606 with the establishment of a Muslim Personal Law Board headed by a Qazi appointed by the king. According to the chronicle, the Meetei king attacked the principal Chinese village (or town) along with the many brave Meetei warrior and defeated their chief Chouopha Hongdei. Khagemba introduced bell metal
currency in the kingdom and a number of coins from his reign have been found. His reign was considered to be the golden age of Manipuri literature. He was a great patron of the traditional Lainingthou Cult. A contemporary text, the Khagemba Langjei, expresses the supremecy of Sanamahi as the Universal God of the Meeteis. Learned scholars who were well-known authorities on religion and theology in attendance at Khagemba's court were Apoimacha, Konok Thengra, Salam Sana, Yumnam Tomba, Khongngakhul Toppa and Langon Lukhoi.
Khagemba was succeeded by his son Khunjaoba in 1652 who fortified Kangla and excavated a moat in the front of the brick gateway constructed by his father. Paikhomba ascended the throne in 1666 and consolidated his power in the valley. His kingdom extended as far as Samjok to the east and Takhel Tripura
to the west. In 1679 the two Mughal (Chaghtai Turk) princes Shah Shuja and Mirza Baisanghar led a 37 strong Mughal entourage and settled in Manipur by taking local wives.
With the dawn of eighteenth century, Meitrabak achieved the full development of its culture, economy and state system. In this revolutionary period in the evolution of Meitrabak, three kings, father, son, and a great grandson: Charairongba, Pamheiba
and Chingthangkhomba played significant roles. After the death of Paikhomba, his nephew Charairongba, the son of his younger brother Tonsenngamba ascended the throne in 1697. His reign began the transition period from traditional Meetei culture to a Hinduised Meetei Society. There were continual trade contacts and social relationships between Manipur and Burma. In 1702, the Toongoo dynasty of Awa
(Burma) sent emissaries asking for the hand of a Meetei Princess. Charirongba gave his daughter Chakpa Makhao Ngambi in marriage to the Burmese King. He constructed several temples for Meitei deities such as Panthoibi, Sanamahi as well as ones dedicated to Hindu gods. Relations with Burma deteriorated and became stronger with India after the area's conversion to Vaishnavism.
came to Manipur during this period and caused a significant change in the history of Manipur. The Meitei script was replaced with Bengali.
Pamheiba ascended the throne on the 23rd Day of Thawan (August) 1709. His Persian name Garibniwaz, meaning "kind to the poor", was given to him by Muslim immigrants and was adopted to be used in the coinage he issued.
Pamheiba's rise to prominence as a military conqueror can be divided into three phases. The first phase (1710–17) focused on internal consolidation of hill tribes. Phase two (1728–33) involved war against the Burmese kingdom of Ava, and the third and final phase (1745–48) saw a war against Tripura
in the northeast. As a result, Pamheiba extended his kingdom from the Kabow Valley, to the east as far as Nongnang (Cachar) and Takhel (Tripura) in the west.
school of thought.
between 9 and 10 a.m. on the 23rd day of Wakching in 1729.
. The Hinduised word "gotra" was introduced for the Seven Yek/Salais of Meeteis. Between 1717 and 1737, the Sanskrit epic parvas the Mahabharata
and Ramayana
were translated into Meeteilon while many other Sanskrit Parvas were written by Angom Gopi
(1710–1780), the renowned scholar and poet at the court of Pamheiba. The king and all the Meeteis were converted as Kshatriya
by relating to Mahabharata's Manipur.
Pamheiba's forty year reign marked the zenith of Meeteileipak in all aspects – religious reform, military conquest, cultural and literary achievements and sound economics. He issued several coins during his reign engraved with his different names: ‘Manipureswar’, ‘Mekeleswar’, ’Garibaniwaza’.
He abdicated the throne in favour of his son Chit Sai (1748–52) in 1748 and was then driven out to Cachar by his brother Bharat Sai in 1752. Gourashyam (1753–58) ousted Bharat Sai in 1753 and ascended the throne. In 1758, the Burmese king Alaungpaya
invaded Meeteileipak.
In 1759, Gourashyam gave up the throne in favour of his brother Bhagayachandra who restored normalcy in the kingdom and tried to regain the lost glory of Meeteileipak/Kangleipak. In 1764, the new Burmese king Hsinbyushin
invaded Manipur again through the Kabaw Valley. The Meetei force were defeated at Tamu and the king fled to the Ahom kingdom in Assam. He regained the throne of Kangleipak in 1768 with help of Ahom king Rajeshwar and went on to rule for more than 30 years, signing a treaty with East India Company in 1762. His reign was a landmark in the history of Meeteileipak for the propagation of Cheitanya's School of Vaishnavism. Afterwards, Meeteileipak came more under the influence of Bengali language and literature. Bhagayachandra earned the title of "Rajarshi
" as a king who had become a royal sage.
tree. Four images of Krishna
were then carved from jackfruit wood. The ritual installation of Shri Govindajee was performed at the Rashmondal of Langthabal palace in 1780. The Meeteis worshipped God through dance as performed in the Lai Haraoba
(Merry Making of God). As revealed in the dream, and with the help of his daughter Princess Bimbabati known as Shija Laioibi who was symbolically married and dedicated her life to Shri Govindajee, he composed the Rasa lila
. Meidingu Chingthangkhomba dedicated three forms of Rasa lila to Krishna — Kunja Ras, Maha Ras and Basanta Ras.
With the help from the Burmese kingdom of Ava, Marjit invaded Kangleipak in 1813 where he defeated his brother Chaurajit. He then ascended the throne in 1813 and ruled for six years.
, invited Marjit to attend his coronation ceremony and to pay homage to him. Marjit refused to attend the coronation, which offended the Burmese king who then sent a large force under the command of General Maha Bandula to humble Marjit. Marjit was defeated and fled to Cachar. Meitrabak was then brought under the rule of Ava for the seven years between 1819 and 1826, which is known as Chahi Taret Kuntakpa in the history of Meitrabak. The flight of Marjit from Meitrabak and the conquest by Ava in 1819 marks the end of the mediaeval period in the history of Meitrabak.
. The kingdom of Cachar, divided between Govinda Chandra and Chaurajit in 1818, was repartitioned after the flight of Govind Chandra among the three Meitrabak princes. Chaurajit got the eastern portion of Cachar bordering Meitrabak which was ruled from Sonai. Gambhir Singh was given the land west of Tillain hill and his headquarters was at Gumrah, Marjit Singh ruled Hailakandi from Jhapirbond.
With the 500 strong Meetei Levy
and with help from the British East India Company, Gambhir Singh expelled the Burmese of Ava from Meitrabak beyond the Ningthi Turel (Chindwin River
). He ruled the country from Langthabal and died on 9 January 1834 to be succeeded by his infant son Chandrakirti / Ningthem Pishak (1834–1844).
He was the second cousin of Gambhir Singh and the regent. Kumidini, mother of Chandrakirti, was dissatisfied with the arrangement and fled to Cachar with her son. At the wish of the people of Meitrabak he ascended the throne in 1844 at the age of 51. He then shifted the capital from Langthabal to Kangla where he reconstructed the two statues of the Kangla Sha at Uttra made by Meidingngu Chaurajit and that the Burmese had dismantled and destroyed. Meidingngu Nara Singh died on 10 April 1850 and was succeeded by his brother Meidingngu Debendra Singh (1850).
Chandrakirti came from Cachar, defeated Debendra and regained the throne in 1850. During his reign, all the sacred and holy places inside Kangla were developed and maintained. Kangla thus became a well-fortified palace surrounded by five layers of defences, including the inner and outer moats, brick walls, as well as an earthen rampart and citadel surrounding the palace in the centre. He died on Friday 20 May 1886.
Surchandra succeeded his father to the throne in 1886 when there were revolts against him led by Sana Borachaoba and Dinachandra that proved unsuccessful. However, on 21 September 1890, Princes Zila Ngamba and Angousana with the support of Senapati Tikendrajit, revolted against Surchandra who abdicated and left Meitrabak for Brindaban (Vrindavan
). His brother Kulachandra Dhaja ascended the throne in 1890 and Tikendrajit
became the Yuvraj. Surchandra requested the government of India to reinstate him on the throne but the British refused his request and decided to recognize Kulachandra as king of Meitrabak and to arrest Yuvraj Tikendrajit.
Chief Commissioner of Assam, James Wallace Quinton
, came to Manipur to execute the order of the Government of India with a 400 strong escort under the command of Colonel Charles Mac Donald Skene, D.S.O. This event led to the The Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.
On hearing the news, Meidingngu Kulachandra sent Kangabam Chidananda (Thangal General) with seven hundred Meetei sepoy
s to Mao Thana, a Meitrabak outpost on the border of Nagaland, then called the Naga Hills, to received the Chief Commissioner of Assam and to make arrangements for a large escort for the Chief Commissioner.
On 22 March 1891, at about 10 a.m. Quinton arrived at Imphal with his escort. Meidingngu Kulachandra Dhaja and his younger brothers welcomed him at the western Gate of the Kangla Palace. Quinton informed Meidingngu Kulachandra that at noon there would be a Durbar (court) held at the Residency. Thus did Quinton attempt to apprehend Yuvraj Tikendrajit but he was not successful. Quinton then consulted The political agent
Grimwood as well as Colonel Skene and decided to arrest the Yuvraj forcibly.
Grimwood was then speared to death and Quinton, Colonel Skene, Mr. Cossins, Lieutenant Simpson and Bulger were subsequently beheaded by the public executioner in front of the Kangla Sha.
As soon as the news of the failure of the plan to arrest Yuvraj Tikendrajit and the execution of the British officers reached the Government of India, three columns of troops were sent to Meitrabak from Kohima
, Silchar
and Tamu
under the command of Major General Henry Collett
, Col. R.H.F. Rennick and Brigadier General T. Graham respectively.
The column moving in from Tamu faced the strongest resistance from Meitrabak and major hand-to-hand combat took place at Khongjom on 25 April.
Maipak Sana, Wangkheirakpa, Yengkhoiba, Chongtha Miya, Paona Brajabasi, Khumbong Major, Wangkhei Meiraba, Chinglen Sana, Loitongba Jamadar, Keisam Jamadar, Heirang Khonja and a number of brave Meetei soldiers sacrificed their lives on the battlefield in defence of their motherland. Meitrabak lost its independence to the British on 27 April 1891.
The British government selected Meidingngu Churachand, minor son of Chaobiyaima as the king of Meitrabak. A new Kangla Palace was constructed at Wangkhei and Kangla was kept under British occupation. During British colonial rule, Kangla was known as Manipur Fort and a battalion of Assam Rifles
was stationed there. Noted Manipuri writer, M. K. Binodini Devi
(1922–2011) was the youngest daughter of the ruler.
The British left Manipur in 1947 following Indian independence.
In January 1942, he convened the first meeting of the National War Front in the palace and both he and his queen urged the people to support the war effort. In February 1942, Imphal was bombed for the first time. Many people were killed and a large percentage of the population, including most of the administrators and traders, fled from Manipur leaving the Imphal valley temporarily deserted. There was an inevitable escalation in prices, and the destruction of houses and goods. For the first time in the sub-continent, the Indian National flag was raised by Indian National Army
General Malik at Moirang in the southern part of the Manipur Valley on 14 April 1944. The old world of feudalism and Brahmanism was passing while the end of colonial power resulted in democratic change in the princely state of Manipur. In January 1946, the council of princes recommended the establishment of popularly elected governments in Indian states. Within Manipur too, this movement was already under way. Hijam Irabot
returned to Imphal in March 1946 and quickly reestablished contact with his former political colleagues from the Hindu nationalist Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha
, which would be the future political party in Manipur. On 12 December 1946, Meidingu Bodhchandra announced the formation of a committee that would draft the constitution for responsible government in Manipur. After a great deal of effort, the work of the constitution committee was completed by July 1947. On the eve of Indian independence, Bodhchandra issued the order promulgating the interim Manipur State Council. The brother of the Maharajah, M.K. Priyobarta was appointed as the first Chief Minister of Manipur. Thus Bodchandra declared that Manipur was now a sovereign state, linked to India only by the Act of Accession. Eventually, the Pakhangba flag was raised, first in Kangla and subsequently in the palace compound. The first election in Manipur was held in June 1948 with the participation of the Congress Party
, Praja Shanti, Krishak Sabha and other alliances. The Praja Shanti were invited to form the government in coalition with Krishak Sabha. The post of Chief Minister was offered to Priyobarta who was the Chief Minister of the outgoing interim government. The democratically elected state government of Manipur was destined to endure for less than a year. On 15 October 1949, the Manipur State Assembly and council were dissolved with the handover ceremony taking place on the polo ground of Manipur. On the same day, Rawal Amar Singh became the first Indian Chief Commissioner of Manipur.
Manipur
Manipur is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west; it also borders Burma to the east. It covers an area of...
i society. Introduction of the Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
school of Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
brought about significant changes in the history of the state. Manipur's early history is set forth in the Cheitharon Kumbaba, a chronicle of royal events which claims to record events from the founding of the ruling dynasty in 33–AD. Since ancient times, the Meitei people
Meitei people
The Meeteis or Meiteis are the majority ethnic group of Manipur, India, and because of this are sometimes referred to as Manipuris. Generally speaking, Meitei is an endonym and Manipuri is an exonym...
and Meitei-Pangals (Muslims,not original inhabitants) have lived in the valleys of Manipur alongside the Nagas
Naga people
The term Naga people refers to a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland...
and uki people|Kukis](illegal immigrants..refugees from outside manipur..they were assimilated into manipuris due to manipuris' soft hearted and friendly culture)] in the hills.
Manipur became a princely state
Princely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
under British rule in 1891; the last of the independent states to be incorporated into British India. During the Second World War, Manipur was the scene of many fierce battles between Japanese and Allied forces. The Japanese were beaten back before they could enter Imphal
Imphal
Imphal is the capital of the Indian state of Manipur.In the heart of the town and surrounded by a moat, are ruins of the old Palace of Kangla. Kangla Fort used to be the home of the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force and on November 2004 it was handed over to state of Manipur by Prime minister Dr....
, which proved to be one of the turning points of the War.
After the war, the Manipur Constitution Act, 1947, established a democratic form of government with the Maharaja
Maharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
as the Executive Head and an elected legislature. In 1949, King Prabodhchandra was summoned to Shillong
Shillong
-Connectivity:Although well connected by road, Shillong has no rail connection and a proper air connection. Umroi Airport exists but has only limited flights.-Roadways:Shillong is well connected by roads with all major north eastern states...
, capital of the Indian province of Meghalaya where after much persuasion(they put a gun on his head;later revealed by the king) he signed a Treaty of Accession merging the kingdom into India. Thereafter the legislative assembly was dissolved and Manipur became part of the Republic of India in October, 1965. It was made a union territory in 1956 and a full-fledged state in 1972.
Nomenclature
Manipur had been known throughout the ages as Meitrabak, Kangleipak or Meiteileipak as well as by more than twenty other names. Sanamahi Laikan wrote that Manipur's new nomenclature was adopted in the eighteenth century during the reign of Meidingu Pamheiba. According to Sakok Lamlen, the area had different names according to the era. During the HayachakSatya Yuga
The Satya Yuga , also called Sat Yuga, Krta Yuga and Krita Yuga in Hinduism, is the "Yuga of Truth", when mankind is governed by gods, and every manifestation or work is close to the purest ideal and mankind will allow intrinsic goodness to rule supreme...
period it was known as Mayai Koiren poirei namthak saronpung or Tilli Koktong Ahanba, then in the Khunungchak
Treta Yuga
Treta Yuga is the second out of four yugas, or ages of mankind, in the religion of Hinduism, and follows the Satya Yuga of perfect morality and precedes the Dvapara Yuga. The most famous events in this yuga were Lord Vishnu's fifth, sixth and seventh incarnations as Vamana, Parashurama and...
period as Meera Pongthoklam. Thereafter during the Langbachak
Dvapara Yuga
Dvapara Yuga or Dwapara Yuga is the third out of four yugas, or ages, described in the scriptures of Hinduism. This yuga comes after Treta Yuga and is followed by Kali Yuga...
era, it became Tilli Koktong Leikoiren and finally Muwapalli in the Konnachak
Kali Yuga
Kali Yuga is the last of the four stages that the world goes through as part of the cycle of yugas described in the Indian scriptures. The other ages are Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga and Dvapara Yuga...
epoch.
During the latter part of its history, Manipur and its people were known by different names to their neighbours. The Shans or Pongs called the area Cassay, the Burmese Kathe, and the Assamese
Assamese people
The Assamese people are a well-defined subgroup of People of Assam. Though sometimes they are defined as the Assamese-speaking Indo-Aryans of the Brahmaputra valley,, this definition is not legally binding...
Meklee. In the first treaty between the British East India Company
East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
and Meidingu Chingthangkhomba (Bhagyachandra) signed in 1762, the kingdom was recorded as Meckley. Bhagyachandra and his successors issued coins engraved with the title of Manipureshwar, or lord of Manipur and the name Meckley was discarded. Later on, the Sanskritisation
Sanskritisation
Sanskritization or Sanskritisation is a particular form of social change found in India and Nepal. It denotes the process by which castes placed lower in the caste hierarchy seek upward mobility by emulating the rituals and practices of the upper or dominant castes. It is a process similar to...
work, Dharani Samhita (1825–34) popularized the legends of the derivation of Manipur's name.
Prehistory of Kangleipak or Manipur
Manipur is situated on the tertiary ranges of a branch of the eastern HimalayasHimalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
running south and forms part of the compact physiographic unit following the great divide between the Brahmaputra and Chindwin valleys. North east India holds the key to the understanding the scope, depth, dimension and cultural diffusion between south and southeast Asia which played a crucial role in transforming the northeast Indian ethnographic canvas from prehistoric times onwards. Manipur appears to have absorbed Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
cultural traits from Thailand and Upper Burma where indigenous early metal age culture developed at a comparatively early date around 4000 BC.
Old Stone Age
- Khangkhui Caves – These four caves are located near KhangkhuiKhangkhuiKhangkhui is a Tangkhul Naga village in the south-eastern part of Ukhrul district of Manipur, India. It is well-known for its ancient Khangkhui Cave. The excavation carried out by Shri O. Kumar Singh at the Khangkhui Cave yielded evidence of habitation of Stone Age communities...
some 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) south east of Urkhul on the border with Upper Burma. Archaeological excavations have found stone and bone tools as well as animal remains as evidence of Stone AgeStone AgeThe Stone Age is a broad prehistoric period, lasting about 2.5 million years , during which humans and their predecessor species in the genus Homo, as well as the earlier partly contemporary genera Australopithecus and Paranthropus, widely used exclusively stone as their hard material in the...
habitation of these caves. The first evidence of PleistocenePleistoceneThe Pleistocene is the epoch from 2,588,000 to 11,700 years BP that spans the world's recent period of repeated glaciations. The name pleistocene is derived from the Greek and ....
man in Manipur dates back to about 30,000 BC. Other notable caves nearby include Hunding Caves, 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) south of Urkhul, Purul Cave in Purul and the Song Ring rock shelter at Beyang village in TengnoupalTengnoupal-Location:National Highway 39 passes through Tengnoupal. It is 69 km from Imphal. Nearest airport is Imphal Airport. It is the highest point above sea-level on the Imphal-Moreh Highway.People: It is a Kuki village inhabited mainly by the Mate clan...
.
- Machi – One of archaeologist O.K. Singh's most valuable finds is a pebble chopping tool discovered in Maring Naga Village, Machi in the Chandel district. The MaringsMaring (tribe)The Maring are one of the small tribal groups of Manipur State in North East India. Their name is derived from mei meaning fire and ring meaning to start or produce...
are the one the oldest tribes of Manipur and this find is considered a landmark in the Paleolithic archaeology of Manipur as it confirms that the area was inhabited by neolithic people from the early Stone Age or lower Paleolithic period.
New Stone Age
- Hoabinhian Culture – A large number of Neolithic celtsCelt (tool)Celt is an archaeological term used to describe long thin prehistoric stone or bronze adzes, other axe-like tools, and hoes.-Etymology:The term "celt" came about from what was very probably a copyist's error in many medieval manuscript copies of Job 19:24 in the Latin Vulgate Bible, which became...
have been discovered throughout Manipur and are now preserved in the State College Museum Archaeology Department. These celts are mostly edge-ground pebble and flake tools and show the presence of Neolithic culture in Manipur.
- Tharon Caves – Finds in these caves in the TamenglongTamenglongTamenglong is the district headquarters of Tamenglong district in the state of Manipur in India.-References:...
district provide the first concrete evidence of HoabinhianHoabinhianThe term Hoabinhian was first used by French archaeologists working in Northern Vietnam to describe Holocene period archaeological assemblages excavated from rock shelters. It has become a common term in the English based literature to describe stone artifact assemblages in Southeast Asia that...
culture in India, a MesolithicMesolithicThe Mesolithic is an archaeological concept used to refer to certain groups of archaeological cultures defined as falling between the Paleolithic and the Neolithic....
southeast Asian cultural pattern based on historic finds from the village of Haobihian in North Vietnam. Similar relics have been found in Thailand at the Spirit Caves as well as in Burma and other places in Southeast Asia. Tharon is a Liangmei Naga village where the five caves and rock shelters were first explored in December 1979 by the State Archaeology Department.
The site is located at 93.32’ longitude and 25.3’ latitude in the midst of the thickly forested Reyangling Hills, about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of Tharon Village. Locally, the caves are known as Kalemki (from Kalem (bat) and Ki (house), literally: The house of the bat). A stream called Kalem-ki-magu runs near the caves, which are composed of Barail series sandstone and were probably formed by rock weathering. Tharon's edge-ground pebble tools are similar to finds from Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines where they were used about 7000–8000 BC. The Tharons have a distinct affinity with the Haobihian culture and before the advent of the present Tibeto-Burman inhabitants of the area, Proto-Australoid
Proto-Australoid
The Proto-Australoids are a hypothesized group of ancient hunter-gather people descended from the first major wave of modern humans to leave sub-Saharan Africa ~100,000 years ago...
people occupied these caves around 5000–4000 BC.
- Napachik – A Stone Age site dating to the second millennium BC, Napachik is a small hillock near Meetei Village, Wangu in the southern part of the Imphal Valley, on the right bank of the Manipur River which flows into the Chindwin River in Burma. The edge-ground tools and corded wares of Napachik are similar to those found in the Spirit Cave in Thailand, the Padubtin Cave in Burma along with Haobihian sites in Vietnam although tripod wares were also found at one the Haobihian sites. Possible dates for the Neolithic age in north east India are between 500 BC 2000 BC. It is probable that while Napachik culture has an affinity with that of Haobihian while handmade corded tripod wares from Chinese Neolithic culture arrived in the area around the second millennium BC showing that the Manipur valley was already inhabited by Neolithic men in or around 2000 BC.
Early rulers
- Kangba, the First King – He was the first king about whom the chronicles provide details. Born in the Koubru hills of the northwest Manipur Valley, Kangba was the son of Tangja Lila Pakhangba. Meeteileipak (Manipur) was known as Tilli Koktong Leikoiren during the Kangba Period.
- Moriya or Maliya Phambalcha – The next confirmed king was Maliya (or Mariya) Phambalcha. According to the Kangbalon, Koikoi, the first son of Kangba, ascended the throne and assumed the regnal title of Mariya Phambalcha. Many scholars fix Maliya Phambalcha's era to 1379 BC and the time he established the Meetei Calendar.
According to the Thiren Layat, there were nineteen rulers up until the joint reign of Nongdanhan and Taohuireng. The ancient Numit Kappa text compares the two brothers as if they were two suns. The hymn of Numit Kappa used in the rite known as Chupsaba and sometimes sung as a ballad, narrates these events.
Ancient Manipur
The source for this era is the Cheitharol KumbabaCheitharol Kumbaba
Cheitharol Kumbaba, also spelled as Cheitharon Kumpapa, is the official royal chronicle of the kings of Manipur.It claims to trace the history of the meetei kingdom back to 33 CE, and it ends with the last king, Bodhchandra, in 1955...
, the royal chronicle of Manipur or Kangleipak.
- Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (33–154 AD)
Nongda Lairen Pakhangba was an extraordinarily gifted ruler and the creator of Manipur (or Meeteileipak or Kangleipak). He was the first coroneted historical ruler whose reign began in 33 according to the Cheitharol Kumbaba. Meetei culture took root during the reign of Pakhangba as did sagol kangjei (Polo
Polo
Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
), with the first match played between the chiefs of different regions. Polo was played in imitation of a game from the traditional Hayachak era. Laisna took a great role in organizing the game.
- Khuiyoi Tompok
Pakhangba was succeeded by his son, Khuiyoi Tompok, in 154 AD. Known as the inventor of the drum (pung), his reign was a peaceful one. Technical innovation in metallurgy was also recorded in the chronicle.
- Naophangba (428–518 AD)
The treatise on the construction of the places of Kangla and Kangla Houba are believed to have been written by Ashangba Laiba.
Muslims first came to Manipur in 615 as preachers led by Sa'ad ibn abi Waqqas. Shaikh Muhammad Sani led a thousand strong army of Pasha troops from Taraf (southern Sylhet) in 1606 AD. They settled in Manipur and took local wives while lands were provided to them under the royal directive of king Khagemba.
- Loiyamba (1074–1122 AD)
Known as the "Great law Giver", his reign was an important period in the history of Kangleibak. Along with the military consolidation of the kingdom, Loiyamba introduced administrative reforms, which provided the backbone of the kingdom's administration for the next seven centuries. He systematized the administrative divisions of the country by creating six lups or divisions as well as introducing the Pana System. Loiyamba Shinyen left a well-organized society and economy in Meeteileipak.
Medieval Manipur
- Meidingu Ningthou Khomba (1432–1467)
The "Conqueror of Tamu", according to Ningthourol Lambuba he was originally known as Charairongba. One of the most well-known events of Charairongba's reign was a raid by the Tangkhul tribe from Tuisem village while he was absent. His queen Linthoingambi demonstrated courage and skill, hoodwinking the raiding tribesmen into defeat and captivity. The Meitei state was completely established during his reign.
- Meidingu Kiyamba (1467–1508)
Known as the "Conqueror of Kabaw Valley", he was formerly called Thangwai Ningthouba. Credit for the military and territorial expansion of the kingdom was given to King Ningthou khomba and his son Kiyamba who had an equally colourful mother, Linthoingambi, the warrior queen in Manipur's history. This period sees the emergence of Medingu Senbi Kiyamba, who became king in 1476, at the age of 24. He was a friend of the King of Pong (Shan Kingdom), who presented him with a stone, known as PHEIYA (Almighty). After this, worship of God in the form of a sacred stone began.
- Meidingu Khagemba (1597&ndash1652)
The "Conqueror of the Chinese" (khagi: Chinese and Ngamba:conqueror), he consolidated and expanded his father's kingdom of Meitrabak, later successfully defending it from foreign invaders such as the Muslims, the Kachari and the Shans of the Kabaw Valley. Muslim settlement became more prominent after 1606 with the establishment of a Muslim Personal Law Board headed by a Qazi appointed by the king. According to the chronicle, the Meetei king attacked the principal Chinese village (or town) along with the many brave Meetei warrior and defeated their chief Chouopha Hongdei. Khagemba introduced bell metal
Bell metal
Bell metal is a hard alloy used for making bells. It is a form of bronze, usually approximately 4:1 ratio of copper to tin...
currency in the kingdom and a number of coins from his reign have been found. His reign was considered to be the golden age of Manipuri literature. He was a great patron of the traditional Lainingthou Cult. A contemporary text, the Khagemba Langjei, expresses the supremecy of Sanamahi as the Universal God of the Meeteis. Learned scholars who were well-known authorities on religion and theology in attendance at Khagemba's court were Apoimacha, Konok Thengra, Salam Sana, Yumnam Tomba, Khongngakhul Toppa and Langon Lukhoi.
Khagemba was succeeded by his son Khunjaoba in 1652 who fortified Kangla and excavated a moat in the front of the brick gateway constructed by his father. Paikhomba ascended the throne in 1666 and consolidated his power in the valley. His kingdom extended as far as Samjok to the east and Takhel Tripura
Tripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
to the west. In 1679 the two Mughal (Chaghtai Turk) princes Shah Shuja and Mirza Baisanghar led a 37 strong Mughal entourage and settled in Manipur by taking local wives.
- Meidingu Charairongba (1697–1709)
With the dawn of eighteenth century, Meitrabak achieved the full development of its culture, economy and state system. In this revolutionary period in the evolution of Meitrabak, three kings, father, son, and a great grandson: Charairongba, Pamheiba
Pamheiba
Meidingu Pamheiba was an emperor in Manipur in the early 18th century. After conversion to Hinduism, he made it the official religion of Manipur in 1717...
and Chingthangkhomba played significant roles. After the death of Paikhomba, his nephew Charairongba, the son of his younger brother Tonsenngamba ascended the throne in 1697. His reign began the transition period from traditional Meetei culture to a Hinduised Meetei Society. There were continual trade contacts and social relationships between Manipur and Burma. In 1702, the Toongoo dynasty of Awa
Awá
The Awá or Guajá are an endangered indigenous group of people living in the eastern Amazon forests of Brazil. Their language is in the Tupi–Guarani family. Originally living in settlements, they adopted a nomadic lifestyle about 1800 to escape incursions by Europeans...
(Burma) sent emissaries asking for the hand of a Meetei Princess. Charirongba gave his daughter Chakpa Makhao Ngambi in marriage to the Burmese King. He constructed several temples for Meitei deities such as Panthoibi, Sanamahi as well as ones dedicated to Hindu gods. Relations with Burma deteriorated and became stronger with India after the area's conversion to Vaishnavism.
Vaishnavism Era
VaishnavismVaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
came to Manipur during this period and caused a significant change in the history of Manipur. The Meitei script was replaced with Bengali.
- Meidingu Pamheiba (Garibnawaz) (1709–1748):
Pamheiba ascended the throne on the 23rd Day of Thawan (August) 1709. His Persian name Garibniwaz, meaning "kind to the poor", was given to him by Muslim immigrants and was adopted to be used in the coinage he issued.
Pamheiba's rise to prominence as a military conqueror can be divided into three phases. The first phase (1710–17) focused on internal consolidation of hill tribes. Phase two (1728–33) involved war against the Burmese kingdom of Ava, and the third and final phase (1745–48) saw a war against Tripura
Tripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
in the northeast. As a result, Pamheiba extended his kingdom from the Kabow Valley, to the east as far as Nongnang (Cachar) and Takhel (Tripura) in the west.
Conversion to Vaishnavism
Pamheiba was also a major religious reformer and under his royal patronage Shri Chaitanya's school of Gaudiya Vaishnavism gradually spread across Meitrabak. The Cheitharol Kumbaba records that in October 1717, Graibnawaz was initiated into Vaishnavism by Guru Gopal Das. Later in life he also took instruction from the Ramanandi SampradayaRamanandi
Ramanandi are the followers of saint Ramananda. Ramanandi are spread across India, mainly in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Agravat, Nimavat, Kubavat, Tilavat, Devmurari, Ramavat, Nenuji, Sukhanandi and Yoganandi are the most prominent last names in Ramanandi cast. Ramanandi worship Shri Ram...
school of thought.
Meetei Puya Meithaba (Burning of the Meetei Puyas)
At the instigation of Santidas Gosain(he literally destroyed a civilization the consequences of which is evident today,he dessimated manipur just because of his greed and unsatiable appetite of women and power,the seeds of his lust and debauchary is still dividing and abusing this once glorious and harmonious kingdom,his disgusting descendants still advocates his legacy,he can be compared only with an animal biting the hand that fed and tended him) , Meetei Puya (holy books) were consigned to the flames at Kangla UttraKangla Palace
The Palace of Bangla is an old palace at Kangla in the Manipur state of India. It was situated on both sides of the bank of the Imphal River. But now it remains only on the western side of the bank. Only the ruins remain now. Kangla means "dry land" in old Meitei. It was the traditional seat of...
between 9 and 10 a.m. on the 23rd day of Wakching in 1729.
Sanskritisation
Sanamahi Laikan recorded the events surrounding Sanskritisation which paved the way for "Meeteileipak" or "Kangleibak" to become "Manipur". Many other Meeteileipak place names in the Manipuri language (Meeteilon) were also changed to SanskritSanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
. The Hinduised word "gotra" was introduced for the Seven Yek/Salais of Meeteis. Between 1717 and 1737, the Sanskrit epic parvas the Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
and Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
were translated into Meeteilon while many other Sanskrit Parvas were written by Angom Gopi
Angom Gopi
Angom Gopi was a Meitei litterateur. He was responsible for translating many works of Bengali and Sanskrit literature into the Manipuri Meitei language . He also wrote Manipuri poetry.-References:...
(1710–1780), the renowned scholar and poet at the court of Pamheiba. The king and all the Meeteis were converted as Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
by relating to Mahabharata's Manipur.
Pamheiba's forty year reign marked the zenith of Meeteileipak in all aspects – religious reform, military conquest, cultural and literary achievements and sound economics. He issued several coins during his reign engraved with his different names: ‘Manipureswar’, ‘Mekeleswar’, ’Garibaniwaza’.
He abdicated the throne in favour of his son Chit Sai (1748–52) in 1748 and was then driven out to Cachar by his brother Bharat Sai in 1752. Gourashyam (1753–58) ousted Bharat Sai in 1753 and ascended the throne. In 1758, the Burmese king Alaungpaya
Alaungpaya
Alaungpaya was king of Burma from 1752 to 1760, and the founder of the Konbaung Dynasty. By his death in 1760, the former chief of a small village in Upper Burma had reunified all of Burma, subdued Manipur, recovered Lan Na, and driven out the French and the English who had given help to the...
invaded Meeteileipak.
- Meidingu Chingthangkhomba or Bhagyachandra (1749–1798)
In 1759, Gourashyam gave up the throne in favour of his brother Bhagayachandra who restored normalcy in the kingdom and tried to regain the lost glory of Meeteileipak/Kangleipak. In 1764, the new Burmese king Hsinbyushin
Hsinbyushin
Hsinbyushin was king of the Konbaung dynasty of Burma from 1763 to 1776. The second son of the dynasty founder Alaungpaya is best known for his wars with China and Siam, and is considered the most militaristic king of the dynasty. His successful defense against four Chinese invasions preserved...
invaded Manipur again through the Kabaw Valley. The Meetei force were defeated at Tamu and the king fled to the Ahom kingdom in Assam. He regained the throne of Kangleipak in 1768 with help of Ahom king Rajeshwar and went on to rule for more than 30 years, signing a treaty with East India Company in 1762. His reign was a landmark in the history of Meeteileipak for the propagation of Cheitanya's School of Vaishnavism. Afterwards, Meeteileipak came more under the influence of Bengali language and literature. Bhagayachandra earned the title of "Rajarshi
Rajarshi
Rajarshi or Rajarishi is, in Hinduism and Hindu mythology, a royal saint and rishi.-Order:A Rajarshi is a king who turned into a royal sage, or Rajarshi...
" as a king who had become a royal sage.
Origin of the Meetei or Manipuri Classical Dance, Rasa lila
According to Cheitharol Kumpaba, in February 1776, the king went to Kaina Hill in search of the jackfruitJackfruit
The jackfruit is a species of tree in the Artocarpus genus of the mulberry family . It is native to parts of Southern and Southeast Asia. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh, . The jackfruit tree is believed to be indigenous to the southwestern rain forests of India...
tree. Four images of Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
were then carved from jackfruit wood. The ritual installation of Shri Govindajee was performed at the Rashmondal of Langthabal palace in 1780. The Meeteis worshipped God through dance as performed in the Lai Haraoba
Lai Haraoba
Lai Haraoba is a Manipuri festival, and is associated with Meiteis, celebrated to please traditional deities. The festival is in part a recollection of the creation stories played the deities with the first origin of this universe and evolution of the plants and animals through the will of Atiya...
(Merry Making of God). As revealed in the dream, and with the help of his daughter Princess Bimbabati known as Shija Laioibi who was symbolically married and dedicated her life to Shri Govindajee, he composed the Rasa lila
Rasa lila
The Rasa lila or Rasa dance is part of the traditional story of Krishna described in Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavata Purana and literature such as the Gita Govinda, where he dances with Radha and her sakhis...
. Meidingu Chingthangkhomba dedicated three forms of Rasa lila to Krishna — Kunja Ras, Maha Ras and Basanta Ras.
Anglo-Burmese Events
There were a number of significant wars during this era between the Manipuris, the Burmese and the British.- Meidingu Marjit (1813–1819)
With the help from the Burmese kingdom of Ava, Marjit invaded Kangleipak in 1813 where he defeated his brother Chaurajit. He then ascended the throne in 1813 and ruled for six years.
Chahi Taret Khuntakpa, the Seven Years Devastation (1819–26)
Meitrabak had never before faced such a national catastrophe as that brought about by the Burmese conquest. The new king of Ava, BagyidawBagyidaw
Bagyidaw Bagyidaw's reign saw the First Anglo-Burmese War , which marked the beginning of the end of the highly militaristic Konbaung dynasty. Bagyidaw inherited the largest Burmese empire, second only to King Bayinnaung's, but also one that shared a long ill-defined borders with British India...
, invited Marjit to attend his coronation ceremony and to pay homage to him. Marjit refused to attend the coronation, which offended the Burmese king who then sent a large force under the command of General Maha Bandula to humble Marjit. Marjit was defeated and fled to Cachar. Meitrabak was then brought under the rule of Ava for the seven years between 1819 and 1826, which is known as Chahi Taret Kuntakpa in the history of Meitrabak. The flight of Marjit from Meitrabak and the conquest by Ava in 1819 marks the end of the mediaeval period in the history of Meitrabak.
Meitrabak Princes in Cachar
In the early nineteenth century, after being dislodged from Meitrabak, its princes made Cachar a springboard for the reconquest of the territory. In 1819, three brothers occupied Cachar and drove Govinda Chandra out to SylhetSylhet
Sylhet , is a major city in north-eastern Bangladesh. It is the main city of Sylhet Division and Sylhet District, and was granted metropolitan city status in March 2009. Sylhet is located on the banks of the Surma Valley and is surrounded by the Jaintia, Khasi and Tripura hills...
. The kingdom of Cachar, divided between Govinda Chandra and Chaurajit in 1818, was repartitioned after the flight of Govind Chandra among the three Meitrabak princes. Chaurajit got the eastern portion of Cachar bordering Meitrabak which was ruled from Sonai. Gambhir Singh was given the land west of Tillain hill and his headquarters was at Gumrah, Marjit Singh ruled Hailakandi from Jhapirbond.
- Meidingngu Gambhir Singh (1826–1834)
With the 500 strong Meetei Levy
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
and with help from the British East India Company, Gambhir Singh expelled the Burmese of Ava from Meitrabak beyond the Ningthi Turel (Chindwin River
Chindwin River
The Chindwin River is a river in Burma , and the largest tributary of the country's chief river the Ayeyarwady . It flows entirely within Burma and is known as Ning-thi to the Manipuris.-Source:...
). He ruled the country from Langthabal and died on 9 January 1834 to be succeeded by his infant son Chandrakirti / Ningthem Pishak (1834–1844).
- Meidingngu Nara Singh (1844–1850)
He was the second cousin of Gambhir Singh and the regent. Kumidini, mother of Chandrakirti, was dissatisfied with the arrangement and fled to Cachar with her son. At the wish of the people of Meitrabak he ascended the throne in 1844 at the age of 51. He then shifted the capital from Langthabal to Kangla where he reconstructed the two statues of the Kangla Sha at Uttra made by Meidingngu Chaurajit and that the Burmese had dismantled and destroyed. Meidingngu Nara Singh died on 10 April 1850 and was succeeded by his brother Meidingngu Debendra Singh (1850).
- Meidingngu Chandrakirti (1850–86)
Chandrakirti came from Cachar, defeated Debendra and regained the throne in 1850. During his reign, all the sacred and holy places inside Kangla were developed and maintained. Kangla thus became a well-fortified palace surrounded by five layers of defences, including the inner and outer moats, brick walls, as well as an earthen rampart and citadel surrounding the palace in the centre. He died on Friday 20 May 1886.
British Rule
- Meidingngu Surchandra (1886–90)
Surchandra succeeded his father to the throne in 1886 when there were revolts against him led by Sana Borachaoba and Dinachandra that proved unsuccessful. However, on 21 September 1890, Princes Zila Ngamba and Angousana with the support of Senapati Tikendrajit, revolted against Surchandra who abdicated and left Meitrabak for Brindaban (Vrindavan
Vrindavan
Vrindavan also known as Vraj is a town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India...
). His brother Kulachandra Dhaja ascended the throne in 1890 and Tikendrajit
Tikendrajit
Tikendrajit Singh also known as Bir Tikendrajit and Koireng was a prince of independent Kingdom of Manipur , who led the Manipuri army against the British army in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.-The palace revolt:Tikendrajit was the fourth son of Maharaja Chandrakriti Singh...
became the Yuvraj. Surchandra requested the government of India to reinstate him on the throne but the British refused his request and decided to recognize Kulachandra as king of Meitrabak and to arrest Yuvraj Tikendrajit.
Chief Commissioner of Assam, James Wallace Quinton
James Wallace Quinton
James Wallace Quinton was the chief commissioner of Assam from 1889 until his death.He was born the son of a wine merchant in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland, and was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and graduated BA in 1853....
, came to Manipur to execute the order of the Government of India with a 400 strong escort under the command of Colonel Charles Mac Donald Skene, D.S.O. This event led to the The Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.
On hearing the news, Meidingngu Kulachandra sent Kangabam Chidananda (Thangal General) with seven hundred Meetei sepoy
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
s to Mao Thana, a Meitrabak outpost on the border of Nagaland, then called the Naga Hills, to received the Chief Commissioner of Assam and to make arrangements for a large escort for the Chief Commissioner.
On 22 March 1891, at about 10 a.m. Quinton arrived at Imphal with his escort. Meidingngu Kulachandra Dhaja and his younger brothers welcomed him at the western Gate of the Kangla Palace. Quinton informed Meidingngu Kulachandra that at noon there would be a Durbar (court) held at the Residency. Thus did Quinton attempt to apprehend Yuvraj Tikendrajit but he was not successful. Quinton then consulted The political agent
Political officer (British Empire)
In the British Empire, a Political officer or Political Agent was an officer of the imperial Civil Administration , as opposed to the Military administration , usually operating outside imperial territory from a base outside or inside imperial territory...
Grimwood as well as Colonel Skene and decided to arrest the Yuvraj forcibly.
Grimwood was then speared to death and Quinton, Colonel Skene, Mr. Cossins, Lieutenant Simpson and Bulger were subsequently beheaded by the public executioner in front of the Kangla Sha.
As soon as the news of the failure of the plan to arrest Yuvraj Tikendrajit and the execution of the British officers reached the Government of India, three columns of troops were sent to Meitrabak from Kohima
Kohima
Kohima is the hilly capital of India's north eastern border state of Nagaland which shares its borders with Burma. It lies in Kohima District and is also one of the three Nagaland towns with Municipal council status along with Dimapur and Mokokchung....
, Silchar
Silchar
Silchar is the headquarters of Cachar district in the state of Assam in India. It is the economic gateway to the state of Mizoram and part of Manipur. It is south east of Guwahati. The city of Silchar has tremendous commercial importance and is the second largest city in the state of Assam...
and Tamu
Tamu
Tamu may refer to:* Texas A&M University* Tamu, Burma* Tampere United, Finnish football club* Tamu , A West African given name, meaning one who loves* Bwana Tamu, Kenyan sultan* Ta'mu, a type of dumpling made in Southeast Asia...
under the command of Major General Henry Collett
Henry Collett
Sir Henry Collett was an English soldier and botanist. He served as an army officer in the East India Company....
, Col. R.H.F. Rennick and Brigadier General T. Graham respectively.
The column moving in from Tamu faced the strongest resistance from Meitrabak and major hand-to-hand combat took place at Khongjom on 25 April.
Maipak Sana, Wangkheirakpa, Yengkhoiba, Chongtha Miya, Paona Brajabasi, Khumbong Major, Wangkhei Meiraba, Chinglen Sana, Loitongba Jamadar, Keisam Jamadar, Heirang Khonja and a number of brave Meetei soldiers sacrificed their lives on the battlefield in defence of their motherland. Meitrabak lost its independence to the British on 27 April 1891.
- Meidingngu Churachand Singh (1891–1941)
The British government selected Meidingngu Churachand, minor son of Chaobiyaima as the king of Meitrabak. A new Kangla Palace was constructed at Wangkhei and Kangla was kept under British occupation. During British colonial rule, Kangla was known as Manipur Fort and a battalion of Assam Rifles
Assam Rifles
The Assam Rifles are one of the Paramilitary forces of India. The unit can trace its lineage back to a paramilitary police force that was formed under the British in 1835 called Cachar Levy. Since then the Assam Rifles have undergone a number of name changes before the name Assam Rifles was finally...
was stationed there. Noted Manipuri writer, M. K. Binodini Devi
M. K. Binodini Devi
Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi was a Indian writer from Manipur, a Southeast Himalayan state in North-east India and a member of the erstwhile royal family of Manipur. She was notable for bridging the two worlds of ancient royalty and modern art...
(1922–2011) was the youngest daughter of the ruler.
The British left Manipur in 1947 following Indian independence.
Merger with India
Meidingu Bodhchandra ascended the throne in 1941, after his father, Churachand, died at Nabadwip in November the same year. Bodhchandra's accession was to mark a new and traumatic period in the history of Manipur. Since the world political scenario had changed, it impacted directly on his administration of the country.In January 1942, he convened the first meeting of the National War Front in the palace and both he and his queen urged the people to support the war effort. In February 1942, Imphal was bombed for the first time. Many people were killed and a large percentage of the population, including most of the administrators and traders, fled from Manipur leaving the Imphal valley temporarily deserted. There was an inevitable escalation in prices, and the destruction of houses and goods. For the first time in the sub-continent, the Indian National flag was raised by Indian National Army
Indian National Army
The Indian National Army or Azad Hind Fauj was an armed force formed by Indian nationalists in 1942 in Southeast Asia during World War II. The aim of the army was to overthrow the British Raj in colonial India, with Japanese assistance...
General Malik at Moirang in the southern part of the Manipur Valley on 14 April 1944. The old world of feudalism and Brahmanism was passing while the end of colonial power resulted in democratic change in the princely state of Manipur. In January 1946, the council of princes recommended the establishment of popularly elected governments in Indian states. Within Manipur too, this movement was already under way. Hijam Irabot
Hijam Irabot
Hijam Irabot Singh , also known as Jana Neta Hijam Irabot, was a freedom fighter, politician and social activist from Manipur. He was one of the founder leaders of Communist Party of India in Manipur. During his eventful life, he has written journals and composed poems, wrote plays and played in...
returned to Imphal in March 1946 and quickly reestablished contact with his former political colleagues from the Hindu nationalist Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha
Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha
Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha, initially a Hindu nationalist organization founded in Manipur in 1934. NMHM was opposed to the increasing Manipuri nationalism, and sought to protect the interests of Hindus in the state...
, which would be the future political party in Manipur. On 12 December 1946, Meidingu Bodhchandra announced the formation of a committee that would draft the constitution for responsible government in Manipur. After a great deal of effort, the work of the constitution committee was completed by July 1947. On the eve of Indian independence, Bodhchandra issued the order promulgating the interim Manipur State Council. The brother of the Maharajah, M.K. Priyobarta was appointed as the first Chief Minister of Manipur. Thus Bodchandra declared that Manipur was now a sovereign state, linked to India only by the Act of Accession. Eventually, the Pakhangba flag was raised, first in Kangla and subsequently in the palace compound. The first election in Manipur was held in June 1948 with the participation of the Congress Party
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
, Praja Shanti, Krishak Sabha and other alliances. The Praja Shanti were invited to form the government in coalition with Krishak Sabha. The post of Chief Minister was offered to Priyobarta who was the Chief Minister of the outgoing interim government. The democratically elected state government of Manipur was destined to endure for less than a year. On 15 October 1949, the Manipur State Assembly and council were dissolved with the handover ceremony taking place on the polo ground of Manipur. On the same day, Rawal Amar Singh became the first Indian Chief Commissioner of Manipur.
Sources
- Cheitharol KumbabaCheitharol KumbabaCheitharol Kumbaba, also spelled as Cheitharon Kumpapa, is the official royal chronicle of the kings of Manipur.It claims to trace the history of the meetei kingdom back to 33 CE, and it ends with the last king, Bodhchandra, in 1955...
, Ed - Lairenmayum Ebungohal and Nithoukhongjam Khelchandra, Pub- Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal, 1967. - The Royal Chronicle of Manipur, the Cheitharol Kumbaba Ed. and Trans.- Saroj Nalini Arambam Parratt (London: Routledge, 2005).