TODAY -

The Manipur Merger Agreement of 21 Sept 1949

Waikhom Damodar Singh *

'INSTRUMENT OF ACCESSION' executed on 11-8-47 between Governor-General of India and His Highness the Maharajah of Manipur
'INSTRUMENT OF ACCESSION' executed on 11-8-47 between Governor-General of India and His Highness the Maharajah of Manipur
Courtesy : RK Jhalajit Singh



Manipur, which existed as a Sovereign kingdom since 33 A.D. had been "forcibly" merged with the Dominion of India as a third class state w.e.f. 15 October 1949 under a Merger Agreement signed between Bodhchandra Singh, Maharaja of Manipur and Shri Vapal Pangunni Menon, Advisor to the Government of India in the Ministry of States at Shillong Government House on 21 September 1949.

The Agreement consists of IX Articles out of which excerpts of Articles related to the present position of Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba are reproduced -

Articles I -
His Highness Maharaja of Manipur cedes to the Dominion Government full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for and in relation to the governance of the State and agree to transfer the "administration of the State" to the Dominion Government on the 15 day of October 1949.

Article II -
His Highness shall continue the same personal rights, privileges, dignities, titles, authority over religious observances, "customs", usages, rites and ceremonies and "institutions" in charge of the same in the State, which he would have enjoyed had the agreement not made.

Article III -......... Article IV -
His Highness Maharaja shall be entitled "full ownership", use and enjoyment of all private properties (as distinct from the State properties) belonging to him on the date of this Agreement.

Article V -
All the Members of His Highness's family shall be entitled to all the personal rights, privileges, dignities and titles enjoyed by them whether or outside the territories of the State immediately before the 15th August 1947.

Articles VI -
The Dominion Government guarantees the "succession", according to law and custom, to the "gaddi of the State" and to His Highness, Maharaja's personal rights, privileges, dignities, titles, "authority over religious observances, customs, usages, rites and ceremonies" and institutions incharge of the same in the State.

Article VII -
No enquiry shall be made by or under the authority of the Government of India, and "no proceedings shall lie in any court in Manipur", against His Highness the Maharaja whether in a personal capacity or otherwise in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him or under his authority during the period of his administration of that State.

Articles VIII (1), (2), (3)...... Article IX..........

It is in the context of the very candid provisions contained in the Merger Agreement as enumerated above that the present 8customary king.. Sanajaoba Leishemba, as a very legitimate successors of Maharaja Okendra Singh (his father) and Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh (his grand father) is fully entitled to have all the authorities of "ownership" of the Palace building and other private belongings of the Palace, rights etc. as have been agreed upon in the Merger Agreement.

Most important point to be noted while analysing the present Monarchical position of Maharaja Leishemba is - he is the "de jure" customary and constitutional king or Monarch of the State who ascended its age-old "deitic throne" established by god-like king, Pakhangba in 33 A.D. (still remaining in-tact) and exercising his "non-alienable and non-abolishable" authorities and powers as a Monarch or Maharaja-in-Council as per the provisions of the Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947 framed and enacted under a Bi-lateral Agreement arrived at in between the Maharaja of Manipur, Bodhchandra Singh and Sir Akbar Hydari, the then Governor of the British Province of Assam (the only Indian who became a Governor during the British rule) on behalf of His Majesty, the king of Great Britain at Shillong on 1st July 1947 i.e. Maharaja Leishemba's kingship is not "merely a nominal one" like that of the titular kings of Puri, Tripura etc., and that he is the "constitutional Head" of the State still functioning as the "supreme Head" in the observances of matters of "customs", "usages", "indigenous religions, cultures, games etc," of the people of Manipur.

In fact, the management of the Govindajee's Temple, located at Sana konung (Palace) compound, Sanamahi Temple located in the premises of the 1st Bn Manipur Rifles, Kalimai Temple, Mahabali Thakur's Temple etc. should be deemed to be still under the exclusive rights of Maharaja Leishemba like he has the same over the mangement of the institutions of all the sylvan deities (360 umang lais) of Manipur as per the provisions contained in Article VI of the Merger Agreement.

Such is the existing "non-alienable and non-touchable" position of Maharaja Leishemba with his sacred institution established at the Present Palace (sana konung) building and in its nearby premises where he had been and is carrying out the daily and annual customary and religious functions and ceremonies of the State and of the people, both of the Chingmis and the Tammis. Actually, the king of Manipur was functioning as the Head of the State on three Legs - (1) one, Political and General Acbinistration (2) two, customary and usages (3) third, Religious.

It was only the Political and Admiinsitrative Leg that had been forcibly "amputated" by the interim Dominion Goverrment of India and he had been continuing discharging his sacred duties of the State and the people on the two .non-removable Legs, (2) and (3)- being remaining still very much in-tact. Therefore, the -rights and authorities of Maharaja Leiahemba as the Maharaja-in-Council" with his Councillors appointed by him for the governance of customary etc. matters so inherited and being exclusively exercised presently by h1m as the very legitimate successor of 69 descendent kings of Pakhangba's dynasty are "non-alienable and non-abolishable" at all as the same are fully protected by the existing International Law in that regard.

Actually, taking over of the Sana Konung building and its adjoining private lands by the State Goverrment by the process of "acquisition" under duress for the purpose of making it a Historical Monument will certainly be an act tantamounting to taking the "ownership" of the private lands and properties from the hands and possession of the Maharaja as it will seriously violate the Apeement contained in Article IV, and hence the "issue" will become legally more serious and complicated, though it is quite a fact that the present very awkward "slum like sight" of the area of the Sana konung with very haphazard and thickly conjested private constructions came up here and there does not at all give an admirable picture and sight "worth calling" it was once a magnificent Palace, very meticulously and magnificently built by the British where Maharajas, Sir Churachand Singh, Bodhchandra Singh lived from 1908 to 1955 in a most majestic way, highly attracted to and admired by all, particularly by the Viceroy of the British India, Lord Irwin, lady Irwin and their high British officials who visited the State in the year 1931, and later on by the British and other officers and men of the Allied forces under Lt.General, Sir William Bill Slim who were at Imphal during the second world war from 1942 to 1945 and frequently joined the Maharaja's coronation ceremonies and other functions held in the grand Palace compound and area in grand indigenous manners with displays of unique indigenous games etc.

It is therefore greatly needed to do something to "restore" the most extraoridinarily admirable sight of the grand Imphal Palace of Manipur, the hoary hilly-land existed for thousands of years as an indomitable kingdom which "shone" like a little but very bright star on the Political Horizon of the south-east Asia, at the earliest possible in the best public interest, particularly for the people of the next generations to come.

Before the "issue" turns to a situation of "a spark neglected burns the House" the State Governnent may reconsider their decision of taking over the Sana konung building and its lands, and instead take the steps of repairing the present Palace building which is in a dangerously dilapidated condition and, in which Maharaja Leishemba and his family members to continue to live as the "customary Head" of the State and the people without disturbing the place which is serving not as a "mere residence of a king and his family" but quite a "sancro-sanct Temple (institution) of the people" for observing their customary, usages and religious matters.

Taking steps for making the Palace area to look cleaner and mare admirable is quite welcome by all but not the idea of transforming its building into a "historical Museum of Manipur" as the same had already been established in a befitting manner inside Kangla with exhibition of 8ancient relics" connected to its age-old sovereignty.


* Waikhom Damodar Singh wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was posted on August 22, 2013



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • From Earth Day to World Environment Day
  • COVID-19: Update 13 June 2025 : Manipur
  • JJM brings clean drinking water to CCpur
  • M.Tech CSE Admission at Assam University
  • Save your nails from damage this summer
  • No takers for Moreh cops' distress call
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Implement Hill Areas (Chief Rights) Act 1967
  • Manipur fields shape India sport future
  • How to Speak Soft and Still Win
  • Thokchom Khoiba : mosquito killer machine
  • Looking for wealthy groom, question you too
  • When is the net ban going to be lifted
  • Stir speculations nix school reopening plan
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Fire safety: preventive measures
  • Peculiar plants & incidents unique to Manipur
  • Artificial Intelligence & environment
  • Cutting off the nose to spite the face
  • Relief for daily wagers as shutdown called off
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • The question of territorial integrity of Manipur
  • Animal Farm's allegory in dynamics of Manipur
  • Their hands deserve books, not burdens
  • JNV empowers Tamenglong students
  • We can do better- people with HIV live healthy
  • Bandh: The Cry Beneath the Silence :: Poem
  • Cutting short 240 hours general strike
  • Shutdown lifted, curfew eased, mobile ban
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Review of 'Rain Stopping in Manipur'
  • Highway blockades trigger soaring prices
  • Voice of the Masses :: Poem
  • Congress may claim if none
  • Learning new skills related to AI
  • Delhi, Raj Bhavan: Losing the plot ?
  • CBI arrest after Governor clemency assurance
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • Appeals Home Minister not to renew SoO
  • Self-defence :: Poem
  • When will humans learn nature's lessons ?
  • Forgotten voices of drug users in Manipur
  • High-yielding RC Manichakhao-1
  • PC Editorial Blank Space : June 09 2025
  • TSE Editorial Blank Space : June 09 2025
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Micromanager vs Leader
  • Valedictory Function of NE NSS Festival
  • WED at various campuses in Manipur
  • World Environment Day 2025
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • Sarangthem Nirupama at Miss Universe India
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025