Thus the ancient Manipur actually existed in two forms - the South Manipur and the North Manipur with a large area or territory extended right upto the border of China on the North including the gold mine in Sibsagar valley of Assam, Thibawmei (Kohima of the erstwhile Naga Hills District), Mishmi and Abor hills etc., the river Chindwin (Kyendwin-Ningthi) in the east and south, and in the west upto south Bengal sea including Cachar, Chin hills and other adjoining hills (these facts are recorded in the local books, Bijay Panchali etc and other old puyas of Manipur and are well corroborated in the writings of many European expert writers like Alexander Makenzies etc.

The history of the kingdom of Manipur is said to have actually begun from the time of 3rd century BC when Nonglen, son of Shewang, Emperor of China who invaded the country and established his power with his capital at the present Kangla located at the heart of Imphal city and ruled till he was over-thrown by Kuptreng through the help of Sendreng, the descendents of the solar race, it was Pakhangba (Nongda Lairen - heaven born) and his dynasty who ruled the kingdom continuously in proper chronological order beginning from 33 AD quite independently till the year 1949 when it had been merged with the Indian Union under duress as a mere part “C” State (third grade status).

It was during the reign of Kyamba, a brave son of a brave mother, Lingthoingambi (regarded as the Joan of Arc of Manipur as she led troops on horseback in several war fronts in the absence of the king and brought many spectacular victories) and a noble father, Ningthou Khomba from 1467 to 1508 AD that the territory of Manipur as a whole was properly demarcated in between the Burmese under their king Chaufa (Chao Hpa) Khekhomba and the Manipur king.

According to the demarcation, the eastern limit of the kingdom of Manipur was the whole of Loijeere hills running between the Mu river and the Chindwin (Ningthi) river, to the north the eastward line from Samjouk (Thangdaut or Thangthaut) to the Loijeere hill, to the South to Meeyatong.

The relation between the Burmese under Khekhomba and Kiyamba was very cordial. Kiyamba was also known by the name Thangwai Ning- thouba.

Chaufa Khekhomba once requested the help of Kiyamba in his war against Kiyang-Khambat (Khampat - Kham for gold and pat for land) to which the Manipur king agreed to espouse (support) the cause of the Burmese (Pong) king.

Thus the joint forces of the two kings raided Kiyang-Khambat and subdued the chief named Chao Seng and Kiyamba was offered one princess named Sana Langmeirembi and another girl, daughter of one Haoroksu.

The cause of the joint expedition against the Khambat raja arose from the fact that two princesses of Khekhomba were given in marriage - one to each of the chiefs of Samjouk and of Khambat who were tributary chiefs of Khekhomba.

When the two princesses reached Samjouk, the one who had to proceed upto Khambat, did not like the separation and therefore requested their father to review the negotiation. The king agreed and she was allowed to stay at Samjouk. At this the raja of Khambat felt offended and so he demanded the dowry supposed to have been given to that princess.

Khekhomba conceded the request and instead of the dowry the tribute for three years were remitted. In the meantime, Khekhomba sent his noble named Chao Lang Hie to request Kiyamba for a Manipuri princess. Kiyamba agreed and sent his younger sister since he did not have any daughter princess of marriageable age at that time.

When the party of the Manipuri princess moved to Mogaung they were ambushed by the Khambat Raja and carried away the princess. However the Pong noble who accompanied her escaped and narrated the disaster to Khekhomba. Thus the joint action of the kings of Burma and Manipur was taken to retaliate the gross insult perpetrated against them.

In the assault of the combined forces the Khambat Raja however escaped riding away a spotted elephant but Khambat had since been annexed to the kingdom of Kiyamba.

— to be continued