Manipur's prowess and fame in days of yore
- Part 2 -

Dr Ibocha Soibam *

A review of the Book: 'Emergence of Manipur as a Nation State' by Prof. N. Joykumar Singh,
published by Akansha Publishing House, New Delhi.
Price: Rs. 900.
No of page - 282 .
Year of Publication: 2015

[An eminent historian of Manipur, Prof. N. Joykumar Singh had earlier published five books related with Manipur, such as Social Movements in Manipur, Colonialism to Democracy, History of Manipur from 1819 to1972, Religious Revitalisation Movements in Manipur and Revolutionary Movements in Manipur. The present book, Emergence of Manipur as a Nation State is the sixth book on his credit].

VI) In Establishment of Ningthouja Dynasty which forms Chapter 5 of the book, the author narrates the presents of nine clans in the state before the coming of Pakhangba as king, and the emergence of Poireiton. The emergence of these two personalities i.e.Pakhangba and Poireiton strengthened the then ongoing process towards the establishment of a stable social and political environment in this country.

The activitiesof Poireiton was treated as a great process of colonisation. It has been mentioned that there were conflicts going on among the then existed ethnic groups. These conflicts were for the establishment of political superiority of their own by subjugating other group. The emergence of Poireiton and Pakhangba was the outcome of the two ethnic groups of Nganba and Angom for the throne of Kangla.

Nongda Lairen Pakhangba ascended the throne with the allegiance of Angom, Kha -Nganba, Luwang and Ningthouja.Chapter 5 ends with the narration of how NongdaLairenPakhangba ascended the throne. It "...marked a positive beginning for the growth of a new political, social and cultural outlook within the framework of an administrative system of a single colour social identity." (page 139).

The author has based his narration on the available books concerning Pakhangba's becoming king, such as Poireiton Khunthok, Khagemba Yangbi, Ningthourol Lambuba, Ningthourol Sheireng, History of Manipur (W. Ibohal Singh).

VII) The 6th chapter starts with the evolution of state and 6 types of state and the emergence of Ningthouja dynasty with Nongda Lairen Pakhangba as the founder of the dynasty. In the way of establishing a consolidated and efficient administrative system the king had established, 5 departments known as Mayum Taruk.

These were
1. Laipham Sanglen
2. Kuchu Sanglen
3. Khabam Sanglen
4. Naharup Sanglen and
5. Ahallup Sanglen.

Importance was given to women by establishing a separate administrative department for womenfolk.

Next step taken up by him was the settlement of people coming from different places and establishment of separate department for them.This was followed by the formation of clan and the yek. Thus, the Meitei confederacy was formed. The expansion of territory of Ningthoja kingdom was started by his son Khuyai Tompok with the marriage of a girl of Sellilangmei and making her his queen.

He invented drum and used it for purposes of wartime, dance, music and other cultural activities.He introduced theart of use of iron, bronze and diamonds. Senbung was introduced. Use of silk started.

Introduction of irrigation system also started. An intial Lallup system with people's participation was introduced.Taothingmang expanded the territory tosouthern side. King Ningomba introduced the concept of worship of Goddess of War (Lal Leima).

The process of aggrandisement continued till the reign of King Ningthoukhomba (AD 1432-1467)."....based on all these available historical evidencesit may be said that Ningthoukhomba laid a basic foundation for bringing a complete shape in the process ofthe evolution of the state of Manipur." (page 205).

viii) The makeup of the whole purpose of the foregoing chapters is to reach the point put bythe writer in Chapter 7 of the book. Further territorial expansions were also made during the reign of the subsequent kings from 1467 onwards. Thus the idea of a nation has been formed with the component of a common language and unified culture.

During the reign of the 13 kings from Kyamba (1467-1523) to King Garibaniwas (1709-1748), only 4 kings took the key role in the nation building. They are king Kyamba, king Mungyamba, king Khagemba and king Garibniwas.

"During their reigning periods, the country had got a major experience of positivechanges in every aspects of her political and social life. Ultimately their contribution laid a firm foundation towards the emergence of a distinctive political identity of this country." (page 218)

During the reign of these kings the process of expansion continues but with a different knot. With a consolidated and well flourished state at home, they looked beyond their country for aggrandisement and annexed Kabaw valley, of the SVIIIhan state. This was followed by the defeat of the army of Tripura, annexation of hill areas along the Ijei-Irang and Barak rivers.

The administration which hitherto was confined to valley areas only reached the hill and throughout the length and breadth of the state with the introduction a new village administration thereby dividing the villages into four panas of Kwai, Yaiskul, Wangkhei and Khurai, and Khullakpa and Luplakpa.

"Therefore the introduction of close relationship with the king ultimately brought forth a sense of belongingness to the people of far off places. Thus the liberal administrative policy andintroduction of some kind of decentralised character of administration in the hill and village areas has produced a remarkable contribution in the establishment of Manipur as a nation -state" (page248).

2. Conclusion:

The book gives an account on the creation of this state which was an independent kingdom right from the reign of its first historical king Pakangba on the throne of Kangla in 33 AD to the emergence of the country as a nation which was achieved by the time king Garibaniwas ruled the country (AD 1709-1748).

Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, the first recorded king of the country initiated the task of formation of a kingdom after his coronation by defeating Poireiton in the hand to hand fight. This was followed by the successful efforts made by the subsequent kings who consolidated the country and culminated as a powerful sovereign country.

During the reign of seven kings, starting from King Kiyamba (AD1467-1523) to king Garibniwas (AD1709 -1748), by enhancing further expansion and aggrandisement, the establishment of Manipur as a nation was achieved. This graphic development is well depicted in the book. The facts and incidences and historical materials contained in thebook are based on the available written records of eminent historians such as J.Roy, Prof. Gangumei Kamei, W. Ibohal Singh, and very many puyas relevant to the subject.

The idea developed by the author from the historical perspective - that of confederation of state to the culmination of the ideaof a nation in the context of Manipur-though not an enigmatic proposition, is but a new exposure propounded by the author.

A minute reading of this book will surely give dividend to the reader a feeling of pride of the state, in which he is living, of its prowess and fame in days of yore.

Concluded..