Chieftainship among Meiteis Mizos 8

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Chieftainship among the Meiteis & Mizos
- Part 8 -

By: Dr. (Mrs.) Priyadarshni M Gangte *

Services of Pana : There were eight Panas under Meidingu Loyumba (Cheitharol Kumbaba : p.8).

They were –

Khongchalup,
Nongmaillup,
Angoubalup,
Leichol-Lakpa,
Tolongkhombalup,
Khurailup,
Lipphambalup and
Khangjenglup.

These Panas assist the King in his administration of the State. The King also distributes different works for performance amongst the sageis and the yumnaks covering all activities relating to social, economic, culture, religion, etc. etc.

These structural patterns manifest existence of one’s own constitution in embodiment of Customs and Customary Laws which are well codified in the form of ‘Loyumba Shinyen’ (M. Ibohal, M.J.S.: op. cit, p.295).

Radical changes in customary Law:

Anglo-Manipuri relation that started in the 1770s with the negotiation entered into with Varlest followed by the First Burmese War of 1824-26 gave birth to far-reaching consequences on the sovereign status of Manipur due mainly to the weakness of Manipur State.

Conclusion of the Treaty of Manipur, 1833, with the British Government resulted to cede Cachar to the latter, and so was the lost of Kabaw-Valley in 1834 to Burma (then called Ava).

This ultimately opened the way to the establishment of British Political Agency in Manipur which became the ear, the eye and the mouth of the British Government since 1836, and subsequently when Assam was placed under the Chief Commissioner in 1874, the Political Agent and all Officers in Manipur were under the control of the Chief Commissioner (M. Ibohal, M.J.S.: op. cit, p.296 [as contributed in MANIPUR : published by Naorem Sanajaoba : Mittal Publications, B-2/10/Lawrence Road, Delhi – 110035.]).

Thereafter, Manipur gradually saw its entry into the hands of British who had become an interloper in the internal affairs of Manipur that resulted in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 which indeed curbed the authority and independence of Manipur.

Along with it the customary laws were also afforded. On attainment of majority when Chura-chand assumed charge of Administration (Ibid.) on 3rd Kalen (April-May), 1907, Manipur was already a vassal State under the British supremacy.

For purpose of accession to the throne of Manipur, the British Government issued a SANAD to Churachand Singh, appointing him as the Raja of Manipur, tried and sentenced Tikendrajit, Thangal and others to death on the gallow (Ibid.).

The Political Agent of Manipur, who was the de-facto ruler, administered the State with the help of a Darbar headed by an Officer, designated as the President of Manipur State Darbar, appointed by the Government of Assam.

But no Darbar resolution was valid without the assent of the Maharajah. However, regarding administration of justice, reference had to be made by the Political Agent of Manipur to the Government of Assam for necessary orders in cases when justice was believed to have not been done by the Darbar with prior consultation with the Maharajah. (Ibid).

Even so, at the threshold of Indian Independence, before Manipur was integrated with the Indian Dominion, two Constitutional Acts, such as, the Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947, comprising of 58 Sections that laid down powers and functions of Legislature, Exe-cutive and Judicature as also the Fundamental Rights and Duties of the Citizens, and that of the Manipur State Hill People’s (Administration) Regulation Act, 1947 for establishment of a responsible Government in the State were enacted (Ibid.)

In this regard it has to be understood that despite merger as per agreement signed for the purpose in Shillong on the 15th October, 1949, the Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947 was not repealed which is, therefore, supposed to remain in force (See Ram Manohar Lohia Vs. S. Sundram(S) AIR 1955. Manipur 41; also Heisnam Baruniton Singh Vs. Thokchom Ningol Heisnam Ongbi BHANI DEVI and others. AIR 1959, Manipur 20 (V.46.11).

But contrary to this, the Manipur Hill People’s (Administration) Regulation Act, 1947 was not so (The Manipur Hill People’s (Administration) Redulation Act, 1947.).

The Regulation, in so far as it was related to the constitution and functions of Village Authorities and the administration of justice – both civil and criminal by court of Village Authorities – was repealed by the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956 (The Manipur (Village Authorities) Hill Areas Act, 1956).

The new Act brought in elements of democratic principles in the constitution of the Village Authorities which envisaged that Authorities of Villages which members were earlier nominated were now to be elected. A drastic change had taken place in the role of customary laws applicable in the society especially with reference to the coronation of the kings in Manipur. The theatrical aspects had taken a back seat.

Related Articles:

Historical and cultural background of the Mizos :: Priyadarshni M Gangte
Structure of Chin-Kuki-Mizo's social institutions :: Sominthang Doungel
A case study of the CHIKIMS :: Priyadarshni Gangte
Gangtes : Into the modern mist of no return :: Paulathuom Gangte
Paite women in the changing power structure :: Dr Rita Mairembam

to be continued ..

* Dr. (Mrs.) Priyadarshni M Gangte wrote this article for The Sangai Express . This article was webcasted on March 03rd , 2008 .

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