TODAY -

A case of Manipur raiding Burma and its retaliation (1600 - 1850)

Oinam Premchand Singh *

Attack on Kaunghmudaw Pagoda (Burma) 1738
Attack on Kaunghmudaw Pagoda (Burma) 1738.
Warning: These images CANNOT be reproduced in any form or size without written permission from the RKCS Gallery



GE Harvey wrote: "The Manipuris were occasionally troubled by Burmese levies, but usually did as they liked. Living in an obscure valley, knowing nothing of the outer world, they thought themselves heroes, able to take their pleasure of Burma when they willed. They did not realize that Burma was several times the size of their country, that they were laying up for themselves a frightful vengeance [seven-year devastation] , and the only reason vengeance seemed never to come was that Burma happened to be under an incapable king. The Manipuris say he was remarkably cruel; but he was only doing unto them as they had done unto his people"

Manipur (Kangleipak), a tiny state of India was once an independent kingdom that had constantly challenged the supremacy of the Burmese Empire (Myanmar), several times bigger than the size of the former. The Manipuris (Kangleicha) raided upper Burma repeatedly and Burmeseas well responded equally resulted into devastationsof both.

The Manipuri raids and the subsequent Burmese retaliation marked an important watershed in the history of both the realms. From the middle of the 17th century, Manipur was ruled by King Khunjaoba (1652-1666) who for the first time ransacked the border areas of upper Burma that was under the dominance of Toungoo dynasty (1510–1752).

Subsequently, Manipuri cavalry troops led by the respective kings continued to carry out raiding activities into upper Chindwin and Upper Burma during the power period of Konbaung Dynasty (1752–1885) in Burma. They carried off cattle, loot and deported thousands of people, and killed anyone who oppose them. The raids that had begun from the middle of seventeenth century continued, but the frequency and destructiveness of it increased only in the18th century.

It was during the reign of King Garib Niwaz (1720 -1751) in Manipur that the raiding expedition went deeper and deeper into the heartland of Burma. He burnt every houses and monasteries that he could find in his way into upper Burma and slaughtered the people who opposed him. He even reached up to Ava in 1749, which was the ancient capital of the Ava kingdom that had ruled Burma from 1364-1557.

The Burmese Empire became powerless against the rising Manipuri raids, and its frailty lost its support at home and even from the nominal allegiance of its eastern tribute paying areas. As a response, Burmese emperor, Alaungpaya retaliated and ransacked Manipur in 1755 and 1758 which the people of Manipur call it as "First Devastation". These brutal invasions were followed up by another in 1764.

Thousands of people were deported, and the valley was left nearly empty for years. Many of the war captives were elite cavalry corps (Cassay horseman in Burmese language), smiths, craftsmen, weavers, etc of all sorts. They were gradually assimilated into the Burmese society and made to owean allegiance to the Burmese crown, and for generations some of them serve as servants as well as agricultural laborers for the Burmese nobility.

However, in 1782 Manipur became an independent kingdom free from the dominance of the Burmese emperor. In the early decades of 18th century, a civil war broke out amongst the Manipuri prince for usurp age of the throne. Taking this opportunity, in 1819 Manipur was again invaded and ruled by the Burmese king Bagidow from 1819-1826. This is known as "CHAHI TARET KHUNTAKPA" (Seven years of Devastation) in the history of Manipur. The entire valley of the Manipur during this period was deserted on account of the fear of the Burmese slaughtering of the masses.

Subsequently, a large scale exodus happened in Manipur to Assam, Tripura and its neighboring areas. After Manipur, Burmese also conquered Assam in 1822 which directly brought to a confrontation with the British and led to the outbreak of the Anglo-Burmese War in 1824-1826. The Anglo-Burmese war finally brought an end to the "Chahi Taret Khuntakpa".

I contend that the real motives behind the raiding expedition launched by the Manipuris into upper Burma requires a very deep study, rather than perceiving simply from a single historical narrative to explain the underlying dynamic of historical process. Historical researches in North-Eastern region of India are always neglected, may be, due to the lack of the historical interest of the people or their financial instability.

But, I must say that the history of this region is equally dynamic as in other parts of the world. The Manipuri raid into Upper Burma and the subsequent retaliation by the latter in 17th and 18th century marked a watershed period in the history of both the realms. I propose that a number of external and internal challenges that come at par in Manipur in the early 17th and 18th century might have triggered the Manipuri's to conduct the raids into Upper Burma.

Why I 'am projecting this hypothesis is just because of the contradictory historical narratives of the current scholars who fail satisfactorily to explain why the Manipuris a former tribute payer, had ransacked theUpper Burma? Was it for the thirst of blood by the "tribal Manipuri's"?

A real question could be why did not the Manipuri'sundertake similar ventures of raiding expeditions into Assam, Tripura and neighboring hilly regions? Also, there is a substantial lack of arguments of why Manipuri's raidedand ransackedthe Upper Chindwin and Upper Burma again and again? Was it simply to gain a military control over Kabow Valley? Was it primarily for war booty and resources?

Was it an attempt to spread Vaishnavism into Burma? Manipur though tributary to Burma under Bayinnaung 1551-81 had gone her way since his time. In 1647 and 1692 the raja (Manipur) had raided. Thaungdut on the Chindwin River, but these were only ordinary forays. But under Gharib Newaz 1714-54 Manipur became a thorn in the side of Upper Burma (Harvey, 1967).

"For decades, fierce Manipuri horsemen had been raiding up and down the valley of the nearby Mu River, torching villages all around, ransacking pagodas, and stealing away captives. Led by their rajas Jai Singh and Gharib Newaz and riding the stylish little ponies for which they would later be renowned, the Manipuris defeated again and again the soldiers dispatched to stop them." (Thant Myint-U, 2009).

The Manipuris raided upper Chindwin and Upper Burma twelve times from 1647 to 1749, the Burmese in return retaliated and ransacked Manipur for five times including the most fearsome "CHAHI TARET KHUNTAKPA" (7 years of devastation, 1819-1825) in the history of Manipur (Harvey, 1967).

The current Manipuri and Burmese literature shows that there are two main reasons for conducting Manipuri raids in Upper Burma.

1) Firstly, religious point of view. One reason why the Manipuris raided Burma was that they had just been converted to Hinduism by preachers who said that if they bathed in the Irrawaddy River at Sagaing, all blessedness would attend them. Their chief Brahman insisted on coming to Ava himself in 1744 in order to convert the Golden Palace, but he fell ill and died after staying a month, and his suite of lesser Brahmins then returned home.

On the other hand, religion is supposed to bring peace and harmony to the people as no religion promotes violence and war, but history proves otherwise and the history of Manipur is no exception. Jyotirmoy Roy claims the advent of Vaishnavism during the reign of Garibniwaz as a positive sign and says: The beginning of the 18th Century saw the dawn of a new era in the history of Manipur… Though India has nothing to be proud of the new century, it has at least added a bright chapter of the history of Manipur to the history of India. (Roy, 1999)

On the contrary, there are claims that Hinduism has brought caste system and division of the people in the casteless society of Manipur. There was no notion of caste in pre-Hindu Manipur (Singh, 1978) and it all changed with the coming of Hinduism. The king and all the Meiteis (Majority ethnic group of people in Manipur) were declared as Kshetriyas. The Meitei became a single caste society.

2) Secondly, from a geographical standpoint, Kabaw Valley was the Flash Point of Hatred and Anger between the Manipuri People and the Myanmarese people from the written evidences of history of the Hindu period in Manipur. According to "Meitei Ningthourol (Manuscript)", a Yanache (treaty) was signed between the Manipuri prince Marjit and the King of Ava.

This 'yana-che' Treaty has been signed after many years of spending time by prince Marjit of Manipur in Burma and his request tothe Burmese king to install him in place of Chourjit in Manipur as King. As a part of the treaty Marjit has to give Kabow valley to Burma.


* Oinam Premchand Singh wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer is a student of MPhil, Jawaharlal Nehru University
This article was posted on April 02, 2017.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Manipur Medal Tally : 38th National Games
  • Navigating Weird Realities of Corporate World
  • The Power of Poppy - 69 :: Poem
  • Expected floods of beggars to arrive
  • Rh Incompatibility during pregnancy
  • Cherrapunji Craft Gin Raises 1.2 Million
  • Explaining 11th President's Rule in Manipur
  • Lui-Ngai-Ni - Naga Seed Sowing Fest : Book
  • 'Ensure Tamei board exams centre operates'
  • Manipur & her trysts with destinies
  • Kitovi-led NNPGs question Rajya Sabha MP
  • One should always speak of life, not marks
  • Farce of a reason for PR
  • After PR all eyes on ending conflict
  • Draft plan for employment generation #1
  • Loingambi, Mingyashin, Chingri : eMing
  • World Radio Day at Rongdai
  • Focus on present challenges for bright future
  • Ed Sheeran brings India Tour to Shillong
  • Beauty tips for Valentine's Day
  • President's Rule has come !
  • No takers for the hot seat!
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • 50 years of Pebet @MCA #1 : Gallery
  • Kwatha Pham Kaaba :: Movie Review
  • Calls for Resignation of Amit Shah
  • Meitei eschatological belief & ethnic struggle
  • Stop border fencing & restore FMR
  • Failing in a competitive exam is not the end
  • Patra, Bhalla : Men of the moment
  • Warning to social media users amid unrest
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #2 : Gallery
  • Imagi Sorat :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Daily Habits & Mindsets of High Achievers
  • Coerced legislators' resignations
  • Right wing policies threaten gender equality
  • The fall of the AAP
  • Moving fast but to which direction
  • Onus on centre to restore order in state
  • 5 flowering plants newly recorded
  • Kangleipak's Unwavering Soul :: Poem
  • Make books & newspapers your companions
  • Pulses for a diverse agriculture
  • Exam warriors redefined
  • Sheeba Chaddha at Guwahati Asian Film Fest
  • Resignation of CM sinking in
  • Resignation unlikely to help restore normalcy
  • Manipur Statehood Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Mahakumbh : Not just a religious gathering
  • Nepal with largest pictorial health warnings
  • Is war profitable market for arms manufacturer
  • Our CM & party resurrected BJP in Delhi
  • Assamese Play 'Comfort Women'
  • Reading into the resignation reality
  • No stormy session for now
  • Tarao Harvesting Fest @Chandel #6 : Gallery
  • 'Vande Bharat' Dream
  • NSS Orientation Programme at MU
  • The influence of the Golden Triangle
  • The Power of Poppy - 68 :: Poem
  • Prasanna Vithanage at Guwahati Film Fest
  • Md Alimuddin, celebrated Sagol Kangjei player
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Webinar: KM3NeT Mediterranean experiment
  • Redefining Cancer care: People-centered
  • How thought leadership can propel your career
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #3
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • Armed men playing football, taunting Govt
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet