Common future, peaceful co-existence and restoration of pre-merger political status of Manipur
- Part 2 -

Dr Khomdon Lisam *

Mass Rally for the common future of Manipur from THAU Ground to Khuman Lampak on 6 February 2016 :: Pix - Deepak OInam

Boundaries of Manipur

Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland in the north, Mizoram in the south and Assam in the west. it also borders the country of Myanmar to the east. The ancient kingdom of Manipur had a vast expanse of territory with numerous ethnic groups shouldering and sharing the administration of the monarchy. Sometimes it touches the boundaries of Nan-Chao kingdom of Yunan on the east, that of Tibet on the north, Kamarup (Assam) on the west, Arakan/Chin kingdoms of Burma and kingdom of Tripura (Tui-Phra) on the south.

Capt. R.B. Pemberton (1835) remarked that the territories of Manipur "have fluctuated at various times with the fortunes of the princes, frequently extending for three or four days journey east beyond Ningthee or Chindwin river, and west to the plains of Cachar "(Capt. R.B. Pemberton, Eastern Frontier of British India by 1885-pag-20). Sir James Johnstone, the political agent (1877–1886) also gave similar opinion.

In 1885, indeed the forest between Manipur and the Doyeng and Dhunsiri was declared to be the boundary between Manipur and Assam (Alexander Mackenzie, The North East Frontier of Bengal by, 1884 , page-102). According to old chronicles, the boundary of Manipur extended upto Kale in Burma during the time of Ura Konthouba (639 A.D) . During the time of Kyaamba (1467-1508 A.D), the boundary extended upto the whole of the Noajeeree hills running between the Moo and Chindwin (Ningthee) rivers on the east, upto Malugram of Cachar on the west.

Government of India should respect the history of Manipur.

No Indian kingdom or Princely State and no civilization in the world had such a long, unbroken history like Manipur. The Manipur kingdom was recognised by the British, by the Burmese, Assam (Ahoms), Tripura (Takhel). Taangja Leelaa Pakhangba was the first king. There were 16 kings before 33 CE and 74 kings from 33 CE to 1972 CE. Manipur continued to exist as a Princely State under the British crown from 1891 to 14 August, 1947. Roman empire existed for only 503 years, 7 months (27 BCE- 476 CE) Mongol Empire lasted for only 162 years (1206 CE-1368 CE), Mughal empire lasted for only 331 years – (1526CE-1857 CE, Gupta empire lasted for only 180 years (320 CE to 500 CE), Maurya empire lasted 137 years (322CE–185 BCE), Nizam of Hyderabad existed for only 234 years (1713 CE-1947CE) Maratha kingdom lasted for only 144 years (1674 CE to 1818 CE), Mysore kingdom lasted for only 548 years (1399 CE-1947CE), How and why Manipur kingdom lasted for more than 2000 years ? What is the secret ? The secret lies in the love, mutual respect, unity and solidarity of all ethnic groups under the king in Manipur.

Meiteis are the descendants of the surrounding hill tribes, T.C.Hodson (1908) opined in his book "The Meitheis" that "the Munniporees (Manipuris) meaning the Meiteis are the descendants of the surrounding hill tribes".

T.C. Hodson stated "the origin of the Munniporees from the surrounding hill tribes is the proper and only conclusion to be arrived at. I think it probable that when only a small part of the valley skirting the hills was capable of cultivation, the hill men bordering it used to descend and cultivate the little land there then was, returning to their homes in the hills after reaping their harvests: as however land increased, some of them settled permanently in the plain, gradually increasing in numbers. The various tribes thus settling in different parts of the valley would in time come into contact, and after a struggle for supremacy, amalgamate."

Meiteis and the Nagas originated from a common ancestor

There are many legends to suggest that the Meiteis and the Nagas originated from a common ancestor .

Col James Johnston (1877-1886) is quoted, "There can be little doubt that some time or other the Naga tribes to the North made one of their chiefs Raja of Manipur" who even after "adopting the civilization of the country, retain some of their old customs".

Many Nagas sacrificed their lives for protecting the sovereignty of Manipur during the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.

The people of Manipur should not forget Chowkami Naga of Mayangkhang , Gowho Naga of Mayangkhang, Chirai Naga alias Chirai Thangal and many others. Chowkami Naga was present during the attack on Mayangkhang Bunglow when the Sinaller O'Brien was killed. He was also with Chirai Naga when the latter killed Mr. Melville, the Superintendent of the Telegraph Department. He was tried and sentenced to transportation for life on 7th March, 1892 on the charge of (1) murder of Signaller O'Brien and (2) abetment of murder of Mr. Melville.

He was deported to Andamans and Nicobar Islands (Kala Pani) in 1891. He was released from the Andamans and was permitted to live in the state in 1901-1902 ( vide Administration Report of the Political Agency, Manipur for 1906-1907) (Vide Secretary to the Chief Commissioner's No. 1822 dated 23rd April, 1892). Gowho Naga was present during the attack on Mayangkhang Bunglow when the Signaller O'Brien was killed. He was also with Chirai Naga when latter killed Mr. Melville, the Superintendent of the Telegraph Department. He was tried and sentenced to transportation for life on 7th March, 1892 on the charge of (1) murder of Signaller O'Brien and (2) abetment of Murder of Mr. Melville.

He was deported to Andamans and Nicobar Islands (Kala Pani) in 1891.He was released from the Andamans and was permitted to live in the state in 1901-1902 (vide Administration Report of the Political Agency , Manipur for 1906-1907). Chirai Naga/Chirai Thangal son of Chunba Naga of Mayangkhang aged 30 years was put to trial by the Chief Political Officers, Manipur Field force for the attack and murder of the Telegraph officers at Mayangkhang viz W.B Melville and O'Brien.

Origin of the word " Tangkhul "

On 25th April 1891 after the execution of the five Britisher at Kangla a column of Manipuri troops under the leadership of – Ashangba Khut, Poila came to Mayangkhang. When the Manipuri troops reached Mayangkhang, the villagers told that two British Officers of the Telegraph Deptt. were staying in the Mayangkhang Dak Bunglow. When the Manipuris fired volleys of shots, Mr.O'Brien was instantly killed but W.B.Melville escaped with his rifle under cover of darkness. A big search was mounted in the nearby jungle. Chirai Naga found W.B. Melville near a stream wounded. He was killed and his head cut off by Chirai Naga and brought to the village as a Trophy. Chirai Naga was arrested and tried by the Political Officer of the Manipur field Force from 3rd August , 1891 to 6th September, 1891 and hanged on 13th Oct. 1891, inside the jail.

The name Tangkhul was given to them by the Meiteis. There are many legends regarding the origin of the word Tangkhul .

The word Tangkhul is believed to have emerged from the name of a person named " Tangkhu" who was well expert in war dance, had excellent skills in war tactics including use of swords, spears etc. According to legend, "Thang " ( swords ) and " Ta" ( Spear ) are inseparable items of Tangkhul life. Hence Tangkhul means "village of the people of "Thang –ta " (sword and spear ).

Tangkhuls are very generous and full of hospitality who provided food and drinks to their guests . Therefore, the Meiteis called them " Atangba Khul " –Antangba means precious of very high value , khul means village . In other words, there is no village as hospitable , liberal and generous as the Tangkhuls .

According to another legend, Iron is everything for Tangkhul life . In Burmese language, "Than" means iron . The Tangkhuls used iron (than) for making swords, spears, agricultural implements and even for paying bride price or purchasing land. The Avas made the iron available to the Tangkhuls according to their needs. At one time, there is increasing demand of iron from the Tangkhul community so much so that the Avas or Burmese called them " Thanpi, which means " Iron people ".

According to another legend , there was a time when the Samjok king was so weak that the Meitei king attacked Samjok and subdued it . The Burmese called the Nagas "Thanpi ". The Meitei called the village " Than-khul " meaning "Than –village " or Thankhul .

Tangkhul and Meitei Ties :

The relationship between the Tangkhuls and the Meiteis during the mediaeval period was very much on trade, commerce and social contact. The Tangkhul supplied cotton to the valley. They also came and did business in the Sanakeithel which was the principal market in Imphal. The Tangkhuls used Manipuri coin of bell-metal locally called 'sel' as a medium of exchange which was introduced during the reign of Khagemba (1597-1652).

The boundary of Manipur and Burma (Myanmar) was laid down by an agreement signed between the British authorities (East India Company) and Burma on 9th January, 1834 on the river bank of Nighthee (Chindwin).

The transfers of Kabow Valley in 1834 and the 12 Somra villages in 1880 to Burma were glaring instances of gross injustice knowingly committed by the British against Manipur . As a result of this boundary demarcation ,many Tangkhul village situated in Somrah hills were included under Burma.

The oral history of the Tangkhuls say that the Meiteis and Tangkhuls were brothers being descendants of the same ancestors in the distant past. The theory that Tangkhuls and Meitei emerged from the same ancestor is found in the Sana Puya , the royal chronicles of the Meitei Raja. Tangkhul was the elder brother and the Meitei the younger brother. The younger brother used to send his due share of tribute (Loipot ) to his elder brother, the chief of Hundung village, Hundung Awunga .

Maharaj Churachand, King of Manipur re-established the relationship between Meitei and Hundung Awunga. In honour of this historic event, he erected a memorial stone in front of the house of Hundung Awunga on which his footprints were engraved. Maharaja Bodhchandra, son of Maharaja Churachand also visited and erected a memorial stone on 11th November, 1945 by the side of the first one. His successor, Maharaja Okendrajit or Pareihanba meaning "revival-revival" celebrated Mera Hou Chongba at Imphal in 1992.

Maharaja Okendrajit (or Pareihanba) with a dance troupe of 300 strong and a number of people proceeded to Hundung Thawaijao village where A.S. Wungnaoyo Zimik, Awunga of Hundung village offered a warm welcome. The same Pareihanba celebration was performed with erection of a memorial stone of the Meitei Tangkhul oneness. Maharaja Okendrajit Singh presented a female buffalo to Hundung Awungwa and there was exchange of gifts between the two brothers. Thousands of people joined the celebration.

During the protracted war between Burma and Manipur, many Meitei families fled to Ukhrul Hills and took shelter in Tangkhul villages to escape from the oppressions and atrocities in the hands of Burmese soldiers. Some families returned to the valley while many others got themselves absorbed in Tangkhul society. Some valley people, driven out from the Valley by the Ningthoujas, fled to the Tangkhul Hills merged among the Kabuis and the Tangkhuls carrying with their original Salais of Meiteis. This happened may times starting from the first century CE.

The Burmese tried to subdue the Tangkhul and a force of 700 Burmese soldiers were entirely annihilated by the Tangkhuls. 1891Census has identified at least 9 Headmen of Tangkhul Villages of Ukhrul District, bearing Meitei names such as Thawaijao, Sajaoba, etc.

During the reign of Bhagyachandra (1759-1762 and 1763-1798), many Tankhuls came to help the king the establishment of the capital at Langthaban about seven kilometres south east of Imphal. Many Tangkhul Khullakpas, Khullakpa of Hundung and Ukhrul made friendship with the king. The Tangkhul Khullakpas of Ukhrul, Hundung and Huining came to pay respect to the king. King Bhagyachandra allocated land to the Tangkhuls for settlement of a Tangkhul village in the valley at a place called Puru pat. (Ramnganing Muivah I.A.S. An Introduction to Ukhrul in "Tangkhul Baptist Long (TBL) Centenary-96 " page 16-18, 1996).

To be continued...