History of Manipur

Iputhou Pakhangba Laishang, an ancient temple dedicated to Pakhangba, a primordial deity of traditional ancient Meitei religion, located in Kangla.

The history of Manipur (Kangleipak in ancient times) is reflected by archaeological research and recorded history. With the flourishing of an antique civilization, the Kangla served as the foremost capital city of Ancient Manipur, Medieval Manipur and Modern Manipur till the late 19th century AD. The realm has its earliest recorded evidence of the existence of monarchy rule right from the reign of Emperor Tangja Leela Pakhangba (1445 BC-1405 BC).

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 battles between Japanese and Allied forces. After the war, Maharaja Bodhachandra signed a Treaty of Accession merging the kingdom into India. It was made a union territory in 1956 and a full-fledged state in 1972.

Prehistoric Manipur

Further information: Prehistory of Manipur

Many evidences of prehistory or pre literary history of the mankind have been found in Manipur. And many are still yet not discovered.

Ancient period

Further information: Ancient Manipur and Rulers of Ancient Manipur before Nongta Lailen Pakhangpa

Historical documentations exists in the form of written records about Manipuri history in these spans — the geopolitical history of the region along with the ethno-linguistic background of the inhabitants are largely recorded. The earliest recorded evidence of the existence of monarchy right from the reign of Emperor Tangja Leela Pakhangba (1445 BC-1405 BC). The game of polo (as Sagol Kangjei) was invented by King Ningthou Kangba (1405 BC- 1359 BC). This remarkable achievement was recorded in the Kangbalon and the Kangjeirol, two of the old manuscripts of Ancient Meitei language. During the reign of Maliyapham Palcha (aka. Mariyafambalcha) (1359 BC- 1329 BC), the present day Meitei calendar was invented and developed in a systematic way for public usage.

Kangla, the foremost capital city of Ancient Manipur (Antique Kangleipak).

The majority of the sources are found in the Cheitharol Kumbaba (henceforth, Ch.K.) — the court history of the Kings of Manipur — which dates the first king to 33 C.E. Ch.K. is a Meitei chronicle — recording mostly of the Ningthouja dynasty.

The initiation date of 33 CE was arrived upon by the scribes via astrological calculations.

Many authors have used Puyas, archaic Manipuri manuscripts in their reconstruction of Manipuri History.

The continued existence of clan identities and leadership is one reason for the bewilderingly diverse historical traditions of Manipur. Each clan wrote its own creation myths, religious histories, clan genealogies, and dynastic accounts of noble houses. Nongta Lailen Pakhangpa established the Meitei rule by subjugating Poireiton. The first seven kings mentioned over Ch.K. — Pakhangpa, Tompok, Taothingmang, Khui Ningngongpa, Pengsipa, Kaokhongpa & Naokhampa — ruled till 411 C.E.

Naokhamba was succeeded by Naophangba, and was succeeded by his son Sameirang, who fought a successful battle over the Angoms, a fellow clan. The next ruler was Ura Konthouba and his reign saw some warfare with "Selloi Langmai". After his reign, Naothingkhong became the next king.

Khongtekcha was the next king; a successful battle over the Moirang clan is noted, and he ruled for ten years. After a gap of eleven years, the next king was Keirencha, who ruled for fifteen years. He was succeeded by Yarepa, who reigned for twenty two years. Nothing else is noted about these two kings. The next four kings were Aayangpa, Ningthoucheng, Chenglei Yipan Lanthapa and Yirengpa, who ruled for a combined total of 253 years. All of them are noted to have emerged victorious in varied kinds of warfare over fellow clans — Aayangpa subdued the Nongyai Khumans, Ningthoucheng raided Houkei, Lanthapa captured a group of Luwangs, and Yirengpa defeated the Moirangs as well as Khumans.

Medieval period

Further information: Medieval Manipur

Loiyumpa was the next king, and Ch.K. records his reign in considerable detail. He is credited with the initiation of the first 'constitution'.

He was succeeded by Loitongpa, who emerged successful in some non-described battles on eastern fronts, probably waged over autochthonous ethnic groups. After a rule of twenty eight years, he was succeeded by Aatom Yoirenpa, who ruled for thirteen years. Yoirenpa was chased out by his brother and had to take refuge with the Khumans. Under Yiwanthapa, who reigned for thirty two years, a successful war was waged on the Khumans and their chief queen was murdered. The next ruler was Thawanthapa. In a thirty six year long rule, he subdued multiple internal and external threats. Whilst allying with the Khumans once, in a raid against the villagers of Hairem, he went on to defeat the Khumans later.

The next king was Chingthang Lanthapa, who defeated the Khumans as well as Kamus, in his eleven year long rule. Thingpai Senhongpa succeeded him; nothing significant is noted except that he ruled for 5 years. Puranthapa, the next king, re-defeated the Khumans at Pairou, consolidated the territories of Koupa Koutai, and conquered the Chakpas. Khumompa became the king in 1263 CE and went on to ally with the Khumans to successfully ward off an invasion by the rulers of Kabaw Valley. A battle over the mountain-folks of Hao was also waged and their king Maimumpa was captured. Moirampa succeeded him, and again defeated the Khumans as well as Moirangs. Other battles against the Kekes and people of Makihao are noted; Korirong was captured.

Thangpi Lanthapa ruled for twenty two years and trounced the Moirangs as well as the Loipi Haos; Tengkongbi and Marem Namngapa were captured. Kongyapa ascended in 1324 went on to succeed him.He was succeeded by Tenheipa, who reigned for twenty years and engaged in a multitude of warfare. Nothing is mentioned about the next ruler Tonapa, except that he reigned for five years. Then, Tapungpa ascended to the throne. His regime saw successful warfare against the Loipi Marems, before he was assassinated by Khamlangpa, the king of Chingsong, after thirty five years of rule. Again, there is a scarcity of information about the next king Lairenpa; he reigned for five years and there were no king for five, after. Punshipa's reign went till 1432, and was witness to numerous clashes including one with Moirangs. Ningthoukhompa ruled from 1432 to 1467. He routed out the Moirangs, and repulsed a rebellion by the Tangkhuls of the mountains.

Modern period

Further information: History of modern Manipur

The Temple of Shri Govindaji in Imphal, is the center of Meitei Vaishnavism of the Meitei Hindus in Meitei world.

Manipur, in modern times, face many events, including the Seven Years Devastation, the exploitations of the Manipuri Levy, the Anglo-Manipuri War and then Japanese bombing at Imphal during the World War II.

See also

• Manipur (princely state)
• Human rights abuses in Manipur

Bibliography

• Beemer, Bryce (2013). The creole city in mainland Southeast Asia: Slave gathering warfare and cultural exchange in Burma, Thailand and Manipur, 18th - 19th c. (Thesis). University of Hawai'i at Manoa. ProQuest 1513230576.
• Harvey, G. E. (1925). History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824. London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd – via archive.org.
• Hazarika, Manjil (2017). Prehistory and Archaeology of Northeast India: Multidisciplinary Investigation in an Archaeological Terra Incognita. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-947466-0.
• Brandt, Carmen (2017-12-05). "Writing off domination: the Chakma and Meitei script movements". South Asian History and Culture. doi:10.1080/19472498.2017.1411050. ISSN 1947-2498.
• Naorem, Naorem Malemsanba (2015). "Centrality of body politics in Thokachanba's script and cultural revivalism in Manipur". Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur. London: Routledge. ISBN 9781315638317.
• Parratt, Saroj Nalini Arambam (2005). The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: The Cheitharon Kumpapa : Original Text, Translation, and Notes. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-34430-1.
• Post, Mark W.; Burling, Robbins (2017). "The Tibeto-Burman Languages of Northeast India". In LaPolla, Randy J.; Thurgood, Graham (eds.). The Sino-Tibetan Languages (2 ed.). Routledge. pp. 213–242. ISBN 978-1-138-78332-4.
• Sebastian, Rodney (2019). Cultural Fusion in a Religious Dance Drama: Building the Sacred Body in the Manipuri Rāslīlās (Thesis). University of Florida. ProQuest 2464172212.

External links

• Manipur princely state, History and genealogy

• Manipur State Archives