History of ManipurKingdom of Manipur Part of History of Manipur Kings of Manipur Pamheiba Gaurisiam Chitsai Ching-Thang Khomba Rohinchandra Maduchandra Singh Chourjit Singh Marjit Singh Gambhir Singh Raja Nara Singh Debindro Singh Chandrakirti Singh Raja Surchandra Kulachandra Singh Churachandra Singh Bodhchandra Singh Manipur monarchy data Ningthouja dynasty (Royal family) Pakhangba (Symbol of the kingdom) Cheitharol Kumbaba (Royal chronicle) Imphal (Capital of the kingdom) Kangla Palace (Royal residence) v t e 1720-1751 1752-1763 1754-1756 1769-1798 1798-1801 1801-1806 1806-1812 1812-1819 1825-1834 1844-1850 1850 1850-1886 1886-1890 1890-1891 1891-1941 1941-1949 The history of Manipur (Kangleipak in ancient times) is reflected by archaeological research, mythology and written history. Since ancient times, the Meetei people have lived in the valleys of Manipur alongside the Nagas, and Kukis in the hills and valley in peace. Meetei Pangal (Muslim) people settled in the valleys during the reign of Meidingu Khagemba in the year 1606. Since then, they also lived along with the Meetei People. 1 and 7. 1. The religion of the land was purely "Sanamahism". In 1949. According to Sakok Lamlen. Moilang.[8] 2 . Angom.[4] Mythological origins This has been dated from the 9th century BCE to about 400 BCE. Luwang.Mythological origins begins with the reign of the "Konchin Tukthapa Ipu Athoupa Pakhangpa" (Pakhangpa was the name given to him meaning "The one who knows his father"). capital of the Indian province of Meghalaya where he signed a Treaty of Accession merging the kingdom into India. Kangleipak or Meeteileipak [6] as well as by more than twenty other names. This proved to be one of the turning points of the War. Maharaja Budhachandra was summoned to Shillong. it became Tilli Koktong Leikoiren and finally Muwapalli in the Konnachak epoch. 1947. Manipur was the scene of battles between Japanese and Allied forces. During the Hayachak period it was known as Mayai Koiren poirei namthak saronpung or Tilli Koktong Ahanba. Introduction of the Vaishnavism school of Hinduism brought about changes in the history of the state. 1949. a chronicle of royal events which is believed to record events from the foundation of the ruling dynasty.[citation needed] After the war. He gave birth the seven clans of Meetei society. the Manipur Constitution Act. Mangang. Khapa-Nganpa. Thereafter the legislative assembly was dissolved and Manipur became part of the Republic of India in October. then in the Khunungchak period as Meera Pongthoklam. 6. During the Second World War. 2. 3. the last of the independent states to be incorporated into British India. the then residents of the now called Manipur.[3] Mohammed Alimuddin became the first Chief Minister in 1972 of the State of Manipur. Salai-leisangthem. The Japanese were beaten back before the Allies could enter Imphal. "Lainingthou Sanamahi" is the creator of all according to "Kangleichas". Khuman. Manipur's early history is set forth in the Cheitharon Kumbaba.[5] Mythological origins begins with the reign of the "Konchin Tukthapa Ipu Athoupa Pakhangpa" (Pakhangpa was the name given to him meaning "The one who knows his father").[citation needed] Nomenclature Manipur had been known throughout the ages as Meitrabak. The pre-Hindu era is set forth in the sacred writing puya "Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Amailon Pukok". established a democratic form of government with the Maharaja as the Executive Head and an elected legislature. the area had different names according to the era. 5.[7] Sanamahi Laikan wrote that Manipur's new nomenclature was adopted in the eighteenth century during the reign of Meidingu Pamheiba. who gave birth the seven clans of Meetei society.[1] It was made a union territory in 1956 [2] and a full-fledged state in 1972. 4.[citation needed] Manipur became a princely state under British rule in 1891. Thereafter during the Langbachak era. one of the oldest religion of the world. Kanglei which is now called "Kangla" was the first capital of the kingdom called "Kangleipak". [10] The first evidence of Pleistocene man in Manipur dates back to about 30. in the Chandel district. depth. These celts are mostly edge-ground pebble and flake tools and show the presence of Neolithic culture in Manipur. Other notable caves nearby include Hunding Caves. North east India holds the key to the understanding the scope. 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. 11 kilometres (6.000 BC. or lord of Manipur and the name Meckley was discarded.[citation needed] Findings in the Tharon Caves in the Tamenglong district provide the first concrete evidence of Hoabinhian culture in India.[citation needed] Old Stone Age The four Khangkhui Caves are located near Khangkhui some 11 kilometres (6. 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. Similar relics have been found in Thailand at the Spirit Caves as well as in Burma and other places in Southeast Asia. the kingdom was recorded as Meckley. The Shans or Pongs called the area Cassay.[9] Prehistoric Manipur Prehistory of Kangleipak or Manipur Manipur is situated on the tertiary ranges of a branch of the eastern Himalayas running south and forms part of the compact physiographic unit following the great divide between the Brahmaputra and Chindwin valleys. the Burmese Kathe. the Sanskritisation work.[citation needed] 3 . and the Assamese Meklee. One of archaeologist O. Purul Cave in Purul and the Song Ring rock shelter at Beyang village in Tengnoupal.8 mi) south of Ukhrul. a Mesolithic southeast Asian cultural pattern based on historic finds from the village of Haobihian in North Vietnam. Machi. Dharani Samhita (1825–34) popularized the legends of the derivation of Manipur's name.[11] The Marings are one of 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. Later on.8 mi) south east of Ukhrul on the border with Upper Burma. In the first treaty between the British East India Company and Meidingu Chingthangkhomba (Bhagyachandra) signed in 1762. Singh's most valuable finds is a pebble chopping tool discovered in Maring Naga Village.During the latter part of its history. Tharon is a Liangmei Naga village where the five caves and rock shelters were first explored in December 1979 by the State Archaeology Department. Archaeological excavations have found stone and bone tools as well as animal remains as evidence of Stone Age habitation of these caves. New Stone Age Hoabinhian Culture – A large number of Neolithic celts have been discovered throughout Manipur and are now preserved in the State College Museum Archaeology Department. Manipur and its people were known by different names to their neighbours. Bhagyachandra and his successors issued coins engraved with the title of Manipureshwar.K. He systematized the administrative divisions of the country by creating six lups or divisions as well as introducing the Pana System.[citation needed] Pakhangba was succeeded by his son. Loiyamba introduced administrative reforms. The Tharons have a distinct affinity with the Haobihian culture and before the advent of the present Tibeto-Burman inhabitants of the area. the royal chronicle of Manipur or Kangleipak. Wangu.[citation needed] 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. Thailand. Khuiyoi Tompok. Locally. the Padubtin Cave in Burma along with Haobihian sites in Vietnam although tripod wares were also found at one the Haobihian sites.[citation needed] Napachik is A Stone Age site dating to the second millennium BC.[citation needed] Ancient Manipur The source for this era is the Cheitharol Kumbaba. It is on a small hillock near Meetei Village. Tharon's edge-ground pebble tools are similar to finds from Burma. which are composed of Barail series sandstone and were probably formed by rock weathering. with the first match played between the chiefs of different regions. in the southern part of the Imphal Valley. about 4 kilometres (2. A stream called Kalem-ki-magu runs near the caves. on the right bank of the Manipur River which flows into the Chindwin River in Burma.[citation needed] Loiyamba (1074–1122 AD) was known as the "Great law Giver". The edge-ground tools and corded wares of Napachik are similar to those found in the Spirit Cave in Thailand. ProtoAustraloid people occupied these caves around 5000–4000 BC.5 mi) north of Tharon Village. the caves are known as Kalemki (from Kalem (bat) and Ki (house).3’ latitude in the midst of the thickly forested Reyangling Hills. Along with the military consolidation of the kingdom. Laisna took a great role in organizing the game.[citation needed] Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (33–154 AD) was ruler and the creator of Manipur (or Meeteileipak or Kangleipak). Technical innovation in metallurgy was also recorded in the chronicle.The site is located at 93. Known as the inventor of the drum (pung). He was the first coroneted historical ruler whose reign began in 33 according to the Cheitharol Kumbaba. Vietnam. his reign was an important period in the history of Kangleibak. Possible dates for the Neolithic age in north east India are between 500 BC 2000 BC. Polo was played in imitation of a game from the traditional Hayachak era. 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. Loiyamba Shinyen left a wellorganized society and economy in Meeteileipak. Meetei culture took root during the reign of Pakhangba as did sagol kangjei (Polo). literally: The house of the bat). in 154 AD. Malaysia and the Philippines where they were used about 7000–8000 BC.[citation needed] 4 .32’ longitude and 25. his reign was a peaceful one. which provided the backbone of the kingdom's administration for the next seven centuries. an idol of Lord Vishnu was given by the Pong king to King Kyamba. the king of Pong. 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. the Khagemba Langjei.[citation needed] Meidingu Kiyamba (1467–1508) was known as the "Conqueror of Kabaw Valley". The Meitei state was completely established during his reign. at the age of 24. Yumnam Tomba. 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. King Kyamba of Manipur along with Chaopha Khe Khomba. According to Ningthourol Lambuba he was originally known as Charairongba. Jubilant at the victory. Government of India.Medieval Manipur Meidingu Ningthou Khomba (1432–1467) was the "Conqueror of Tamu". hoodwinking the raiding tribesmen into defeat and captivity. a Shan kingdom in the Kabow Valley of present Myanmar. He was a great patron of the traditional Lainingthou Cult. He was formerly called Thangwai Ningthouba. King Kyamba started worshipping the idol at Lumlangdong which then came to be known as Bishnupur i. Learned scholars who were well-known authorities on religion and theology in attendance at Khagemba's court were Apoimacha. the warrior queen in Manipur's history. It is now standing as a symbol of the remains of ancient times. Meidingu Khagemba (1597–1652) was known as the "Conqueror of the Chinese" (khagi: Chinese and Ngamba: conqueror). abode of Vishnu.e. This period sees the emergence of Medingu Senbi Kiyamba. the Kachari and the Shans of the Kabaw Valley. His kingdom extended as far as Samjok to the east and Takhel Tripura to the west.[citation needed] 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. According to the chronicle. 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. A contemporary text. Khongngakhul Toppa and Langon Lukhoi. who became king in 1476. His reign was considered to be the golden age of Manipuri literature. expresses the supremecy of Sanamahi as the Universal God of the Meeteis. He was a friend of the King of Pong (Shan Kingdom). Linthoingambi. Subsequently. And the statue got by Kyamba from the Pong king is very important since it gives us the idea of the religious beliefs of those days and the very name that it had given. His queen Linthoingambi demonstrated courage and skill. conquered Kyang. Paikhomba ascended the throne in 1666 and consolidated his power in the valley. Khagemba introduced bell metal currency in the kingdom and a number of coins from his reign have been found. Konok Thengra.[citation needed] 5 .D (Archeology). the Meetei king attacked the principal Chinese village (or town) along with the many brave Meetei warrior and defeated their chief Chouopha Hongdei. later successfully defending it from foreign invaders such as the Muslims. He consolidated and expanded his father's kingdom of Meitrabak. Salam Sana.R. he built a Vishnu Temple of brick at Bishnupur which has now become a protected historical monument under the Ministry of H. Muslim settlement became more prominent after 1606 with the establishment of a Muslim Personal Law Board headed by a Qazi appointed by the king. [citation needed] Sanskritisation Sanamahi Laikan recorded the events surrounding Sanskritisation which paved the way for "Meeteileipak" or "Kangleibak" to become "Manipur".[citation needed] Meidingu Pamheiba (Garibnawaz) (1709–1748): Pamheiba ascended the throne on the 23rd Day of Thawan (August) 1709. three kings. Phase two (1728–33) involved war against the Burmese kingdom of Awa. Graibnawaz was initiated into Vaishnavism by Guru Gopal Das. The king and all the Meeteis were converted as Kshatriya by relating to Mahabharata's Manipur. the renowned scholar and poet at the court of Pamheiba. Sanamahi as well as ones dedicated to Hindu gods. was given to him by Muslim immigrants and was adopted to be used in the coinage he issued. economy and state system. his nephew Charairongba. Between 1717 and 1737. He constructed several temples for Meitei deities such as Panthoibi. As a result. After the death of Paikhomba. Charirongba gave his daughter Chakpa Makhao Ngambi in marriage to the Burmese King. Many other Meeteileipak place names in the Manipuri language (Meeteilon) were also changed to Sanskrit. the Sanskrit epic parvas the Mahabharata and Ramayana were translated into Meeteilon while many other Sanskrit Parvas were written by Angom Gopi (1710–1780). Later in life he also took instruction from the Ramanandi Sampradaya school of thought. There were continual trade contacts and social relationships between Manipur and Burma. and the third and final phase (1745–48) saw a war against Tripura in the northeast. The Hinduised word "gotra" was introduced for the Seven Yek/Salais of Meeteis. Vaishnavism Era Vaishnavism came to Manipur during this period and caused a significant change in the history of Manipur.[citation needed] 6 . to the east as far as Nongnang (Cachar) and Takhel (Tripura) in the west. the Toongoo dynasty of Awa (Burma) sent emissaries asking for the hand of a Meetei Princess. In this revolutionary period in the evolution of Meitrabak. The first phase (1710–17) focused on internal consolidation of hill tribes. father.[citation needed] Pamheiba's rise to prominence as a military conqueror can be divided into three phases.With the dawn of the eighteenth century. the son of his younger brother Tonsenngamba ascended the throne in 1697. Pamheiba and Chingthang Khomba played significant roles. The Cheitharol Kumbaba records that in October 1717. Pamheiba extended his kingdom from the Kabow Valley. His Persian name Garibniwaz. and a great grandson: Charairongba. *Meidingu Charairongba (1697–1709) achieved the full development of its culture. meaning "kind to the poor". His reign began the transition period from traditional Meetei culture to a Hinduised Meetei Society. In 1702. The Meitei script was replaced with Bengali. son. 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. he composed the Rasa lila. the Burmese king Alaungpaya invaded Meeteileipak. Gourashyam (1753–58) ousted Bharat Sai in 1753 and ascended the throne. As revealed in the dream. the new Burmese king Hsinbyushin invaded Manipur again through the Kabaw Valley. military conquest. ’Garibaniwaza’. Bhagayachandra earned the title of "Rajarshi" as a king who had become a royal sage. 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. Maha Ras and Basanta Ras. [citation needed] Meidingu Chingthang Khomba or Maharaja Bhagyachandra (1749–1798) In 1759. Meidingu Chingthangkhomba dedicated three forms of Rasa lila to Krishna — Kunja Ras. Rasa lila Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style. The Meeteis worshipped God through dance as performed in the Lai Haraoba (Merry Making of God).[citation needed] 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. He issued several coins during his reign engraved with his different names: ‘Manipureswar’. According to Cheitharol Kumpaba. Afterwards. in February 1776. In 1764.Pamheiba's forty-year reign marked the zenith of Meeteileipak in all aspects – religious reform.[citation needed] Anglo-Burmese Events 7 . signing a treaty with East India Company in 1762. In 1758. and with the help of his daughter Princess Bimbabati known as Shija Laioibi who was symbolically married and dedicated her life to Shri Govindajee. the king went to Kaina Hill in search of the jackfruit 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. His reign was a landmark in the history of Meeteileipak for the propagation of Cheitanya's School of Vaishnavism. ‘Mekeleswar’. He regained the throne of Kangleipak in 1768 with help of Ahom king Rajeshwar and went on to rule for more than 30 years. The Meetei force were defeated at Tamu and the king fled to the Ahom kingdom in Assam. Meeteileipak came more under the influence of Bengali language and literature.[citation needed] Origin of Manipuri Classical Dance. cultural and literary achievements and sound economics. [citation needed] Chahi Taret Khuntakpa. its princes made Cachar a springboard for the reconquest of the territory. Chaurajit got the eastern portion of Cachar bordering Meitrabak which was ruled from Sonai. which offended the Burmese king who then sent a large force under the command of General Maha Bandula to humble Marjit. The new king of Awa.[citation needed] Meitrabak Princes in Cachar In the early nineteenth century. after being dislodged from Meitrabak. was dissatisfied with the arrangement and fled to Cachar with her son.There were a number of wars during this era between the Manipuris. three brothers occupied Cachar and drove Govinda Chandra out to Sylhet. [citation needed] Meidingngu Gambhir Singh (1826–1834) With the 500 strong Meetei Levy and with help from the British East India Company. the Seven Years Devastation (1819–26) Meitrabak had never faced such catastrophe as that brought about by the Burmese conquest. Marjit Singh ruled Hailakandi from Jhapirbond. mother of Chandrakirti. Meitrabak was then brought under the rule of Awa for the seven years between 1819 and 1826. Gambhir Singh was given the land west of Tillain hill and his headquarters was at Gumrah. In 1819. The kingdom of Cachar. Bagyidaw. 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. divided between Govinda Chandra and Chaurajit in 1818. Meidingu Marjit (1813–1819) With the help from the Burmese kingdom of Awa. invited Marjit to attend his coronation ceremony and to pay homage to him. Marjit was defeated and fled to Cachar. Kumidini. Meidingngu Nara Singh died on 10 April 1850 and was succeeded by his brother Meidingngu Debendra Singh (1850). the Burmese and the British. Marjit refused to attend the coronation. He ruled the country from Langthabal and died on 9 January 1834 to be succeeded by his infant son Chandrakirti / Ningthem Pishak (1834–1844).[citation needed] 8 . was repartitioned after the flight of Govind Chandra among the three Meitrabak princes. The flight of Marjit from Meitrabak and the conquest by Awa in 1819 marks the end of the mediaeval period in the history of Meitrabak. He then ascended the throne in 1813 and ruled for six years. which is known as Chahi Taret Kuntakpa in the history of Meitrabak. Marjit invaded Kangleipak in 1813 where he defeated his brother Chaurajit. Gambhir Singh expelled the Burmese of Awa from Meitrabak beyond the Ningthi Turel (Chindwin River).[citation needed] Meidingngu Nara Singh (1844–1850) He was the second cousin of Gambhir Singh and the regent. Meidingngu Kulachandra sent Kangabam Chidananda (Thangal General) with seven hundred Meetei sepoys to Mao Thana. Princes Zila Ngamba and Angousana with the support of Senapati Tikendrajit. Surchandra requested the government of India to reinstate him on the throne but the British decided to recognize Kulachandra as king of Meitrabak and to arrest Yuvraj Tikendrajit for having caused the palace revolution. During his reign.[citation needed] On 22 March 1891. then called the Naga Hills. James Wallace Quinton. became the ruler behind the scenes. Quinton then consulted the political agent Grimwood 9 . However.m. at about 10 a. the Senapati or supreme military commander of the armed forces of Manipur. a Meitrabak outpost on the border of Nagaland. 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. brick walls. including the inner and outer moats. revolted against Surchandra who abdicated and left Meitrabak for Brindaban (Vrindavan). to receive the Chief Commissioner of Assam and to make arrangements for a large escort for the Chief Commissioner.[citation needed] The Manipur Expedition Main article: Anglo-Manipur War The main entrance of the Kangla Fort in Imphal. Thus did Quinton attempt to apprehend Yuvraj Tikendrajit but he was not successful.[12] Chief Commissioner of Assam. 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. He died on Friday 20 May 1886.O. on 21 September 1890. Meidingngu Kulachandra Dhaja and his younger brothers welcomed him at the western Gate of the Kangla Palace. Quinton arrived at Imphal with his escort. Quinton informed Meidingngu Kulachandra that at noon there would be a Durbar (court) held at the Residency. Meidingngu Chandrakirti (1850–86) came from Cachar. D. [citation needed] On hearing the news. His brother Kulachandra Singh ascended the throne in 1890 and Tikendrajit. as well as an earthen rampart and citadel surrounding the palace in the centre. defeated Debendra and regained the throne in 1850.S. This event led to the The Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. Meidingngu Surchandra (1886–90) succeeded his father to the throne in 1886 when there were revolts against him led by Sana Borachaoba and Dinachandra that proved unsuccessful. Cossins.[citation needed] The British government selected Meidingngu Churachand Singh (1891–1941). three columns of troops. K. This marked the furthest westward expansion of the Empire. Khumbong Major. Yengkhoiba. 10 . Binodini Devi (1922–2011) was the youngest daughter of the ruler. were sent to Meitrabak from Kohima. known as the Manipur Expedition. minor son of Chaobiyaima as the king of Meitrabak. The British left Manipur in 1947 following Indian independence. Rennick and Brigadier General T. 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. Paona Brajabasi. Another air raid occurred on 16th may . Noted Manipuri writer. Colonel Skene. Grimwood was then speared to death and Quinton. Heirang Khonja and a number of Meetei soldiers died on the battlefield. Wangkhei Meiraba.[13] World War II Main article: Battle of Imphal The war came to Manipur with the bombing of Imphal. 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. Lieutenant Simpson and Bulger were subsequently beheaded by the public executioner in front of the Kangla Sha. the capital of Manipur by the Japanese air force planes. The first boming was on 10th May 1942 which caused a lot of civilian casulity. Chongtha Miya. A major thrust by the Empire of Japan in 1944. Keisam Jamadar. Loitongba Jamadar. Meitrabak lost its independence to the British on 27 April 1891. Kangla was known as Manipur Fort and a battalion of Assam Rifles was stationed there.[citation needed] Maipak Sana. was stopped at Imphal by British and Indian forces. A new Kangla Palace was constructed at Wangkhei and Kangla was kept under British occupation.H. R. Col. Graham respectively.as well as Colonel Skene and decided to arrest Yuvraj forcibly. Silchar and Tamu under the command of Major General Henry Collett.F. Mr. Chinglen Sana. Wangkheirakpa. During British colonial rule. M.