'Nongsamei Puya'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 23 2014:
'Nongsamei Puya' (Pangal Khunthoklon), which mentions about the advent of Muslim settlement in Manipur and their contribution to Manipuri society, was released in a function held at Manipur Press Club today.
The book was jointly rewritten in modern Manipuri by Oinam Bhogeshwar Sharma and MA Janab Khan Ifam.
Manipur State Minorities Commission Chairman A Helim Chaudhury and retired IAS officer AR Khan graced the function as chief guest and president respectively.
All Manipur Muslims (Meitei Pangal) Welfare Association Vice-President Akhtar Hussain, former Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr Maniruddin Sheikh and research scholar B Kulachandra also attended the function as guests of honour.
MA Janab Khan Ifam said that the book not only mentions about the history of Manipuri kings, who ruled between 1606 and 1763 but also about Muslim entry to Manipur and contribution of Muslim people to Manipuri society.
"Nongsamei Puya' was originally written by one Lairikyengbam Dhananjoy.
According to this book, Dhananjoy saved King Khagemba from the clutches of Muslim conquerors in 1606, Janab Khan said and added that the title of 'Nongsamei' was given to Dhananjoy for his bravery by the king.
After the first edition of the book was published in 1973, the second has been brought out with 25 new articles on Meitei Pangals.
B Khelchandra Sharma while speaking at the occasion said that around 1000 armed Muslim soldiers tried to overthrow King Khagemba in 1606 .
However, Meitei people wittingly captured many Muslim soldiers after overpowering them and made arrangement for their settlement in Manipur, he said and added that Meitei Pangals are the descendants Muslim men and Meitei women.