Maharaja Nara Singh
Encyclopedia
Nara Singh, also known as Chingthanglen Pamheiba and Meetingu Lairen Nonglen Sendreng Manik Khomba, was the most illustrious king of the modern Manipur, who ruled for a short period of six years from 1844 to 1850 . His patriotism, courage, military skill, political wisdom and administration capabilities had made him the national hero of Manipur. His grateful subject called him ‘Eningthou Nungsiba’ or ‘our beloved king.’
, popularly known as Garibniwaz ( r.1709-1748 ). He was born at Sangolbal Maputhou Mantri Leikai, Imphal
, Manipur
. According to the Cheitharol Kumbaba
his father Badra Singh was holding several posts including that of Yaiskul Lakpa (minister) during the reign of Bhagyachandra (r.1763-1799 ). For his involvement in a conspiracy against the king Badra Singh was exiled to Cachar in 1796 .
In 1819, Manipur was occupied by the Burmese forces. During this period all the princes of Manipur took shelter in the kingdom of Cachar. Many princes like Herachandra and Yumjaotaba tried to liberate Manipur; some obliging princes were appointing the king of Manipur under Burmese sovereignty. Badra Singh’s son Jadu Singh (r.1823), Jadu Singh’s son Raghov Singh ( r.1823-24) and Badra Singh himself ( r.1825) were puppet rulers of Burmese occupied Manipur. Though her father, his elder brother and his nephew became puppet rulers, Nara Singh was not involved in the scramble for the throne of Manipur. He was taking shelter in Cachar. And he supported the cause of his second cousin Gambhir Singh in negotiating with the British
for the liberation of Cachar and Manipur.
in December and January 1826. Nara Singh played a vital role in saving the Manipuri race by inflicting a crushing defeat on the Burmese armies and driving them beyond the historic Ningthi river. The article no. 2 of the Treaty of Yandaboo, which concluded the First Anglo-Burmese War, declared Gambhir Singh as the independent ruler of Manipur.
. He conducted around five military expeditions into the hills of Manipur to subjugate the rebellious chieftains. In December 1826, he successfully conducted military expedition against Thonglang Hao; in February 1827, he led an expedition into Khaki Hao; in October 1828, he conducted Kongchai expedition and in April 1831, he again attacked Khaki Hao in which twenty villages were abandoned.
One of the first acts of Nara Singh as the king was to shift the capital from Langthabal to Imphal
.
on April 11, 1850. In Nara Singh’s death Manipur lost a brave soldier, a noble prince, an able statesman, a patron of art and culture and a lover of justice. Every year his death anniversary is observed as National Dedication Celebration Day in Manipur. The Government of Manipur has made the day as restricted holiday in the state since 2001.
Early life
Nara Singh was a son of King Badra Singh ( r.April 1825 –June 1825 ) and Queen Loitongbam Chanu Premlata and the great grandson of Emperor PamheibaPamheiba
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...
, popularly known as Garibniwaz ( r.1709-1748 ). He was born at Sangolbal Maputhou Mantri Leikai, 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....
, 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...
. According to the Cheitharol Kumbaba
Cheitharol 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...
his father Badra Singh was holding several posts including that of Yaiskul Lakpa (minister) during the reign of Bhagyachandra (r.1763-1799 ). For his involvement in a conspiracy against the king Badra Singh was exiled to Cachar in 1796 .
In 1819, Manipur was occupied by the Burmese forces. During this period all the princes of Manipur took shelter in the kingdom of Cachar. Many princes like Herachandra and Yumjaotaba tried to liberate Manipur; some obliging princes were appointing the king of Manipur under Burmese sovereignty. Badra Singh’s son Jadu Singh (r.1823), Jadu Singh’s son Raghov Singh ( r.1823-24) and Badra Singh himself ( r.1825) were puppet rulers of Burmese occupied Manipur. Though her father, his elder brother and his nephew became puppet rulers, Nara Singh was not involved in the scramble for the throne of Manipur. He was taking shelter in Cachar. And he supported the cause of his second cousin Gambhir Singh in negotiating with the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
for the liberation of Cachar and Manipur.
Nara Singh in the First Anglo-Burmese War
Nara Singh appeared in the History of Manipur as the commanding Officer of the Gambhir Singh levy, popularly known as Manipur Levy, which was the most effective force to defeat the Burmese in Cachar and Manipur.Nara Singh got an allowance of Rs. 100 per month from the Government of British India during the First Anglo-Burmese War ( 1824–1826). He showed his military skill and courage in the war of liberation. The Manipur Levy liberated Manipur in June 1825. The last battle of the war of independence was fought at TamuTamu
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...
in December and January 1826. Nara Singh played a vital role in saving the Manipuri race by inflicting a crushing defeat on the Burmese armies and driving them beyond the historic Ningthi river. The article no. 2 of the Treaty of Yandaboo, which concluded the First Anglo-Burmese War, declared Gambhir Singh as the independent ruler of Manipur.
As the General of Manipur
During the reign of his second cousin Gambhir Singh ( r.1826-1834 CE) Nara Singh served as the Senapati ( General) of ManipurManipur
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...
. He conducted around five military expeditions into the hills of Manipur to subjugate the rebellious chieftains. In December 1826, he successfully conducted military expedition against Thonglang Hao; in February 1827, he led an expedition into Khaki Hao; in October 1828, he conducted Kongchai expedition and in April 1831, he again attacked Khaki Hao in which twenty villages were abandoned.
As the Regent of Manipur
Gambhir Singh having sat on the throne for about eight years made up his mind to make a pilgrimage to Brindavana after entrusting the state and his little son, Chadra Kirti, to Nara Singh. When all preparations were over, the king’s ailing health suddenly took a turn for the worse and soon he passed away on January 9, 1834. Turning down the offer of the throne to him by the people, Nara Singh made Chandra Kirti, the young prince, only four years old then, king with himself as regent. The whole reign of the minor king Chandra Kirti, also known as Ningthem Pisak, witnessed a large number of rebellions. He successfully quelled the palace revolts of Prince Tarang Khomba ( May 1836), Prince Jogendrajit Singh (June 1835), Prince Tribubanjit Singh ( April–May 1841), Prince Karaba ( May 1841), Prince Chiba ( May 1841), Prince Parbitan Singh, Prince Norendrajit Singh and Prince Nilambar Singh ( September 1841). During the reign of the boy king Chandra Kirti, Nara Singh conducted military expeditions against Phumnung Hao ( September 1835), Awang Hao (February 1836), Khaki Hao ( April 1836), Koirek ( December 1838), Awang Hao (September 1839), Nungbi and Nunghar ( October 1839), Khongchai ( October 1840), Khaki Hao and Kolek Hao ( February- march 1842), Ngamei (January–February 1843) and Khaki Hao ( April 1843).Queen-Mother Maisnam Kumudini’s Conspiracy
Nara Singh looked after the administration of Manipur as the Regent with efficiency and care for the welfare of the people. He was popular during the life time of Gambhir Singh. And during his 10 year regency, he got the appreciation of his subjects. He became more popular. Popularity of Nara Singh created a fear and jealousy in the mind of Dowager queen, Maharani Kumudini, the mother of the boy king Chandra Kirti. This ultimately led to the plot for the assassination of the Regent. Queen Kumudini sent Prince Nabin to assassinate him. The plot failed. In consequence of the failure of her plot, Kumudini and her son Chandra Kirti fled to Cachar.As the King of Manipur
On the abdication of Chandra Kirti in 1844 Nara Singh ascended the throne on the request of his subjects to save the kingdom from chaos and anarchy. According to the Cheitharol Kumbaba Nara Singh ascended the throne on February 8, 1844 at the age of fifty-two. His installation ceremony was performed on November 22, 1844.One of the first acts of Nara Singh as the king was to shift the capital from Langthabal to 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....
.
Death
After a short but glorious reign of six years Maharaja Nara Singh breathed his last at the Kangla PalaceKangla 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...
on April 11, 1850. In Nara Singh’s death Manipur lost a brave soldier, a noble prince, an able statesman, a patron of art and culture and a lover of justice. Every year his death anniversary is observed as National Dedication Celebration Day in Manipur. The Government of Manipur has made the day as restricted holiday in the state since 2001.