Lecture on Archaeology and History of Manipur: A Report
- Department of History, D.M. College of Arts : 27th February 2025 -

Dr. Syed Ahmed *

Golden mask recovered from Lamboiching
Photo Courtesy: O. Kumar Singh

The History Club of the Department of History, D.M. College of Arts, Imphal, organised a Lecture Programme at the college on 27th February 2025. The function was graced by the Principal of the college Dr. S. Lanchenba Meetei, Head of History Department Samuel Duidang, Eminent Archaeologist Okram Kumar Singh and Historian Wangam Somorjit, as dias members.

Speaking at the gathering, Dr. Lanchenba expressed gratefulness to the academicians for accepting the invitation for the lecture programme. He emphasised the need for promotion of regular academic engagements in the college campuse, and the importance of making the students aware of the rich history and culture of Manipur.

Recalling the glorious history of D.M. College and its contribution to the State, he said that the colleges have over the decades produced eminent personalities in various fields, including Chief Ministers, film-makers, artists, players, academicians, etc. however, since the last few years, due to Covid and the present crisis in the State, the academic atmosphere in the campus of the Dhanamanjuri University has been disrupted. Hope that such lecture programmes could bring back the lost academic ambience, he added.

The main highlight of the programme was the lecture delivered by two eminent academicians – Okram Kumar Singh and Wangam Somorjit.

O. Kumar delivered a lecture on the topic, My reminiscences as an Archaeologist. In his speech, he recalled his journey as an archaeologist and the contributions he made in re-constructing the history of pre-history in Manipur. He explained the objective, nature, scope and approaches of the discipline.

He said, “Archaeology is a discipline for the recovery of both the observable and unobservable human behaviour patterns from the traces left behind, that have buried in the soil or stand over ground. The purpose of archaeology is to understand how human in the past interacted with the environment, and to preserve this history for the present and future learning. The past period can be divided as Prehistory (preliterate), Proto-history (oral literature) and History (literature). Archaeological study materials are generally grouped as artifact and ecofact.”

Kumar described some of the major excavations that he took up in some of the prominent pre-historic sites in Manipur, particularly in Kangkhui Cave in Ukhrul District, Songbu Cave in Chandel District, Tharon Cave in Tamenglong District, Sekta in Imphal East District, etc. and the findings.

Explaining the pre-historic phase of Manipur using power-point presentation (with relevant photographs), Kumar said, “The pre-historic period can be delineated into three phases – Palaeolithic, Hoabinhian and Neolithic.

The popular cave sites, Songbu and Kangkhui caves, and the open air sites at Singtom, Machi and Nongpok Keithelmanbi (Locality 1) are associated with Palaeolithic culture. This culture is characterised by the stone tools made by flaking. Nongpok Keithelmanbi and Tharon Cave are associated with Hoabinhian culture. Flaking and edge grinding were the stone tool making techniques during the phase.

The people of this period used small pebble tools called microliths. In Nongpok Keithelmanbi, Napachik, Laimanai and Phunan sites Neolithic artifacts have been found. The people of this period practised grinding and polishing, pecking and sawing methods of tool manufacture. They used corded pottery wares.”

Golden mask recovered from Chingmeirong
Photo Courtesy: O. Kumar Singh

Kumar further explained and demonstrate the various findings from the State that are associated with Buddhist traditions and culture, which include Buddhist statues of bronze, wood and white marble, gold masked skull, bird-shaped spouted golden vase and various silver objects, including a casket, a tripod bowl of silver recovered from Chingmeirong, a golden masked skull from Lamboiching, etc. He also illustrated the Buddhist architectural designs seen in some of the prominent public structures, such as Hiyanthang Lairembi Temple, Kangla Gate, G.M. Hall, Manipur University Gate, etc.

Kumar reiterated the urgency of protecting some of the important historical and archaeological sites in the State. He mentioned about the Tamuching in Kakching which is an important archaeological site where iron ore is found. But over the decades, a major portion of the hillock has been damaged and encroached, he added.

Kumar is the most reputed Archaeologist of Manipur. He started his teaching career at the Department of Anthropology at D.M. College. He later served as Principal of D.M. College of Commerce and Superintendent of Archaeology. As an Archaeologist, Kumar had participated in the archaeological exploration in Garo Hills of Meghalaya in 1966, and the excavation of Bhimbetka prehistoric cave in Madhya Pradesh in 1975.

In Manipur, he explored and excavated Kangkhui Cave, Songbu Cave, Tharon Cave, Napachik in Bishnupur District, Sekta, etc. Most of his findings have been reported in the journals and books. In recognition of his work, Kumar was felicitated by the Manipur Association for the Promotion of Science as ‘Veteran Scientists of Manipur, 2002.’

He is still engaging in academic research. He regularly reads papers in seminars and conferences, writes in newspapers, and contributes book-chapters. He has authored several books, including Archaeological Researches in Manipur, Archaeology in Manipur, Neolithic Stone Tools in Manipur, Stone Age Archaeology in Manipur, Pottery through the Ages, etc.

The second lecture was delivered by R.K. Somorjit on the topic, Framing Ancient History of Manipur. He commenced his lecture by stating that Manipur has often been mis-interpreted geographically by labelling as a state in the north-eastern corner of India, or a landlocked state.

He expressed, “Manipur has often been referred to as a corner and landlocked state. That is what we have been taught and have believed for the past 76 years. It has limited the way we perceive Manipur’s history. It has normalised the notion that Manipur occupy an insignificant position in both Asian and global history.” We need to resist this notion and re-shape our narrative, he added.

Bird-shaped spouted gold vassel recovered from Chingmeirong
Photo Courtesy: O. Kumar Singh

Somorjit said that Manipur lies at a strategic location and the region is a geo-political epicentre and played a crucial role in human history. He stated, “Manipur lies at the confluence of three major Asian regions – South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia. Strategically positioned between mainland India, Bangladesh, Myanmar (erstwhile Burma) and China, Manipur is a melting pot of cultures, geopolitics and a vital link between these regions. Manipur was one of the main theatres of the Second World War. The Battles of Imphal and Kohima, fought from 8th March and 18th July 1944, were the most crucial and challenging battles in the history of the world war which led to the defeat of Japanese by Britain...”

Exploring the history of Silk Route, Somorjit said that the Southern Silk Route passed through Manipur. He explained, “The Silk Routes are often pictured as land routes connecting Northern China, Central Asia, India, the Iranian Plateau, Southern Russia and Near East. The extent of these interactions is shown by artifacts such as Roman coins in South India, Greek amphorae along its coasts, and Indian ivory figurines in Pompeii. Another important route linked to these networks was the Southern Silk Route, which connected Yunnan in China to India through Manipur and Myanmar. In other Southeast Asia region, it linked China’s Yunnan region to Vietnam, Thailand and Laos, while maritime routes connected Southern China to the Gulf of Thailand, the Strait of Malaccan, and India.”

Lecture on Archaeology and History of Manipur at Department of History, D.M. College of Arts on 27 Feb 2025

Somorjit also explained and illustrated the findings from the excavation of secondary burial sites at Sekta, which include golden masks, copper masked skulls, red, black and grey pottery wares, beads, bronze rings, human skulls, Chinese porcelain bowl, and Buddhist artefacts.

He also listed and elucidated the 11 mandala-shaped mud ramparts discovered over the years, which include
a star-shaped rampart at Maklang discovered in 2013 (now protected by the State Government),
another star-shaped rampart on the banks of Sekmai River, first reported by Rajeshwor Yumnam in 2013,
three square-shaped rampart at Sekmai, first reported by Rajeshwor Yumnam in 2021,
two square-shaped ramparts at Phurju, reported by Wangam Somorjit in 2018,
two square-shaped ramparts at Heikak Mapal and Sagomang, first reported by Wangam Somorjit in 2018,
another star-shaped rampart at Keinou, first reported by Wangam Somorjit in 2019,
and two square-shaped ramparts at Nongren and Nongpok Keithelmanbi, first reported by Wangam Somorjit in 2019.

Somorjit is at present the Director of Advanced Research Consortium Library & Archives. He has authored two books – Manipur: The Forgotten Nation of Southeast Asia and The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs (1666 CE to 1850 CE).

The lecture was followed by question-answer session. The lecture was attended by faculty members of the college, research scholars, PG and UG students.

Lecture on Archaeology and History of Manipur at Department of History, D.M. College of Arts on 27 Feb 2025