Manipur and her trysts with destinies

Dr Nelson Vashum *

Historic arrival of Reverend William Pettigrew, 1st Christian missionary to set foot in Tangkhul territory :: Pix - TSE

For Centuries the valley of Manipur was the habitation of Moirang, Luwang, Khuman and Meithei. The Hills were occupied by the Haumees or the Nagas. The North East by the Tangkhul/Luhoopa, and Kharam -the north by Mao, Paomei, Maram, Thangal and Tangkhul. In the Northwest were the settlements of Liangmei, Zemei, Puimei and Rongmei. The Southern areas occupied by Anal, Maring, Moyon, Monsang, Chothe, Lamkang, Chiru etc.

In the early first century 1730-40 AD Kuki-Zo migrated from Chittagong Tracts and displaced many in the south and southwest. They came with muskets which were not known to the Nagas except to those in the service of the Maharaja of Manipur. Maraudings and displacements would have been far worse if the British empire had not made its presence in Manipur and Assam.

The valley dwellers – Moirang, Khuman, Luwang and Meithei were in constant conflict for supremacy. However, according to Edward Albert Gait, Governor of Assam, in “the history of Assam” chapter 14 one Meidingu Pamheiba (A descent of the Tangkhul according to the legend of Tenimyas–Mao, Chakesang and Angami and Tangkhul as well) over-powered the Moirang, Khuman and Luwang and set up a kingdom called Kangleipak in 1714.

King Pamheiba was very able and made his kingdom peaceful and prosperous. He made all the subjects in his kingdom to accept the name Meithei. He ruled with a generous heart and soon he won the name-'Gharib Niwas'-probably given by people who migrated to the valleys from the Mughal empire. At the height of his glory the kingdom of Kangleipak was Sanskritised and named Manipur in 1724.

The religion of Hinduism simultaneously was introduced by one Shanti Das Gosai/Shanti Das Goswami. The people and the Raja Pamheiba were mesmerized to believe that they are descendants of Arjun and they were of high caste.

Overnight naming with title of Singh and Devi was taken with much fanfare. Manipur and Manipuri (valley dwellers-Meithei) took the destiny of becoming a people class apart from others especially the people from the hills. Social and cultural similarities which bound the people shattered.

Tammi (Meitheis/valley dwellers) became 'ashengba'/clean and Chingmi (Nagas/haumees) 'amangba'/unclean. No more 'yumchangnaba'. The most important and human acts of physical and emotional proximities.

Haumees at the most, were entertained at shanggoigishang/Shumang (Out house). Only a few vestigial customs were retained. Leirum/Ruirum shawl of Tangkhul elders- village chief and pipas (elders) continued to be worn by Meithei elders but with less fervour.

The palace was called Shimjao. On coronation day the Raja and Rani were adorned like the haumees and the Raja was guarded by three warriors dressed like haumees warriors. Lai-harouba was never celebrated without oksha/pork. With all these however, there was no sense of emotional bonding. Shanti Das thus shattered the social fabric of a–“would have been a peaceful, harmonious abode of peace”.

The past- as it may-God offered another tryst of destiny–in the person of William Pettigrew to make Manipur a kingdom of peace, harmony, and prosperity- through the teachings of Jesus Christ. Mr William Pettigrew set up a humble school at Moirangkhom in 1894. He selected 48 teenage boys and opened his school for primary education on 7th May 1894.

The lively young boys took to heart the teachings of Jesus Christ and learned to sing his praises with enthusiasm. Well wooded locality of Moirangkhom reverberated with the loud singing of the boys. However, the ears of Raja Churachand Singh and his officials could not take it. The school came to a premature closure. The saying “to every Nation and race a time is always offered to know the true God and His way of love, peace and holiness”- proved wrong.

The Raja of Manipur ordered the missionary to go to the hills. Mr William Pettigrew mourned with Jesus (Luke 13:34) “oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem (Imphal) you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings but you were not willing”.

With heavy heart William Pettigrew went northeast of Manipur and much to his joy when he reached Ukhrul he met Mr Raihao, headmen of Hunphun village whose great great grandfather Mr Rashing was told in a dream/vision that one day in the future a white man would bring the light of God and show the way of life to his village and the whole Tangkhul. That was how the Meithei missed the tryst with Jesus Christ in 1894.

If only Raja Churachand Singh had allowed William Pettigrew to continue his work at Moirangkhom, Manipur of today would have been altogether different. The transformation that can change a man because of faith in Jesus Christ is wonderful.

Down the history of Christian countries testimonies aplenty of people transformed by faith in Jesus and lived to do good works. That's how Christian countries are more developed, civilized and much more livable. St Paul is a good example.

He was a persecutor of Christians in the beginning of his career. But when Jesus Christ revealed himself to Paul of Tarsus, he confessed “all my achievements and all the things that charm me most- I considered all as rubbish for knowing the all-excelling Jesus Christ and His love.” Philippians 3:8.

In the same tone the great poet Issac Watt wrote – “were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small, love so amazing and so divine demands my soul, my life, my all.

If the divine destiny offered to the majority community with Maharaja Churachand Singh in 1894 were accepted, today the present generation would be living in a very different environment and situation. The first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru at one point of time called Manipur,'Switzerland of the East'.

In all probability the comment would have been aroused by the serene and pristine beauty of the land and not at all for the human environment of development, peace and justice.

Today Manipur is going through a very dramatic/drastic tryst with destiny again. Ethnic conflicts and in the age of enlightenment-the happenings are befitting only of hell on earth.

Might is right- all out for a kill ! Is there a solution ? Is a change of leadership the solution ? A change of governing party a solution ? All for sure a hog-wash !

Even the devil may have a tough time to settle the issues facing Manipur. Shall we try Sharia governance- Ali Khameni of Iran to come and advise ? Taliban of Afghanistan for help ? Why the million plus Gods and Goddesses of India cannot work ? What on earth ?

Will it be worth to try Jesus Christ ?