Manipur - History
Manipur has always been a part of India. It is the eastern frontier of India. Culturally, from about 300 B.C. upto the present time it has been in close contact with the rest of the country, although in the 12th, 13th and the 14th centuries, the cultural link between Manipur and the rest of the country somewhat slackened. From the 15th century onwards, the close cultural ties with the rest of the country were resumed.
Before the 20th Century, most scholars thought that the history of Manipur prior to the 18th century could not be traced. It was a hackneyed saying at that time that the history of Manipur before the 18th century was lost in antiquity. The picture of pre-18th century Manipur projected m those days was a picture of a mountainous place hermetically sealed off from the rest of India. It was believed at that time that no invasion, no influence on religion, language, literature or other forms of culture came from the rest of India prior to the 18th century.
It is true that no empire in India other than the British Empire could cover Manipur. This was mainly on account of its distance and the hills which the Manipuns utilised for defence. This circumstance had its effect on the history. But the effect is not as great as it was pictured to be. The history of Manipur is a piece in the mosaic of Indian history and must be viewed against the background of Indian history.
The Kingdom of Manipur or Kangleipak Kingdom was known by different names to different peoples. A few of them includes —‘Poirei Meitei Leipak’ or ‘Kangleipak’ to the indigenous people of Manipur more particularly Meiteis; ‘Kathe’ or ‘Ponnas’ to the Burmese; ‘ Hsiao-Po-lo-mein’ to the Chinese; ‘Cassay’ to the Shans; ‘ Moglai’ to the Cacharis and Bengalis and ‘Mekle’ to the Assamese (as well as to the British in the 18th Century) in the pre-Christian period. The Manipuris themselves knew the State by as many as 22 names in different ages and at different times. The name Manipur was first officially introduced in the early eighteencentury during the reign of King Pamheiba, also known as Garnibniwaz (1709–1748 A.D). “Mekhala” was another name of the kingdom.
Manipur has come under the influences of cultures of many different ethnic groups whocame at various times and contributed to the growth of civilization. The Tibeto-Burman or Sino-Tibetan speaking Meiteis, Naga and Kuki-Chins of Manipur, which is a continuation of an early nation-state in South East Asia, represent a unique South East Asia personality through the ages since the Paleolithic period till contemporary epoch. Manipur has always attracted historians, traders, invaders and preachers of all hues is indeed significant; it was perhaps due to Manipur's suitable climate, fertility of soil and superiority of culture.
A concrete civilization appears to have evolved in Manipur long before the historic period. The Kings of early Manipur had matrimonial relations with Royal family of Assam, Tripura and neighbouring Shan lands. Manipur had trade relations with the countries like Burma, China, British India, Arab and Greek world. Indian trade route to China and South East Asia also lay through Manipur.
Manipur, has been known to Indian tradition for a long time. The Mahabharata relates that the hero Arjuna married princes Chitrangada of Manipur and their son Babrubahana fought bravely in the famous Kurukshetra battle. Some Manipuri scholars tried to relate Manipur with Mahabharata but it was rejected by scholars from Manipur and outside. Bhattacharya observes that the Manipur mentioned in the Mahabharata was situated near Kalinga and its identification with modern Manipur is not justifiable.
As per the Manipur State Archives, Manipur was ruled by 76 kings since 33 AD. According to historians, Pakhangba established his kingdom in 33 AD and his followers ruled this state upto 1891. A dynasty ruling a place for almost 2,000 years is something unique in the history of India. The location of Manipur and its physical features helped much in making it possible. On the other hand, the location made the people of Manipur live in close contact with the peoples of Burma.
The development of the political power of the Meiteis was related to the control and organization of resources around the central loci of Imphal, and the entire valley and hills. The Kingdom was later governed based on the written constitution “Loyumba Shinyen”. This decree was issued by King Loiyumba in 1110 AD and was based on the earlier codes and conventions. The Loyumba Shinyen was further expanded by the later kings like Kiyamba (1467-1508), Khagemba (1597-1652), Garibniwaj (1709-1748), Bhagyachandra (1763-1798) and Chourjit (1803-1813).
The British who were expanding their rule in all directions reached Manipur in 1891. The Azad Hind Fauz, of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered India through this state, but ultimately they were defeated by the British forces. The annexation of Manipur in 1891 by the British became a debate at the British Parliament and Manipur was not annexed to her territory and allowed as an international Protectorate.
The war of 1891 saw the brave people of Manipur resisting the colonial powers in a manner that has few parallels. The martyrs of 1891 are heroes who will always be remembered for their contribution to the cause of our freedom and human liberty. For every Indian the great Bir Tikendrajit and his comrades are cherished icons. Manipur became the last nation in the Indian Sub-continent to come under the British Empire after the battle. The British annexation of princely states that began with the battle of Plassey in 1757 ended with the battle of Khongjom.
About half a century later, Manipur was the unfortunate location of some of the most bitter fighting in World War II. Today, the War Memorial in Imphal and the War Cemetery serve as reminders of those times. And of the tests and trials that the people of this state have gone through. Ironically, those war relics today have international tourism potential and attract visitors from the West and from Japan. But in the 1940s, by taking the brunt of the war on its soil, Manipur in a sense protected the rest of India.
Imphal, the state capital has acquired a special place in the short period but glorious history of the men in uniform under Netaji's inspiring leadership. Independence of Manipur in 1947 and passing of the Manipur Constitution Act 1947 before the contentious merger with India was an important landmark in the history of Manipur. In September 1949, the Maharaja of Manipur signed an agreement for the merger of the state with the Indian Union. In 1950-51, an advisory form of government was introduced. Later in 1963, a Legislative Assembly of 30 elected members and three nominated was established under the Union Territories Act. The status of the Administrator was raised from Chief Commissioner to the status of Lt. Governor w.e.f. 19 December 1969.Manipur attained full-fledged statehood on 21 January 1972.
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