The Idea of Manipur

M Asnikumar Singh *

In the prevailing situation, Manipur and its humble people (who have always represented the best of Indian values) find themselves at a crossroad. At such a critical juncture, the "idea of Manipur" ought to be solidly reaffirmed for the generations to come.

'Manipur' as a title (nomenclature) has been referred to our land, since the time of Pamheiba or Garibaniwaz (King) in the beginning of the 18th century. Before that the land had been indigenously known by a plethora of local names. However the Burmese remember us as Kathe; the Chinese and Shans call us Kase; Ahoms identify us as Makeli or Moglai.

State formation and Kingship started in the beginning of the first century AD. We have a recorded history since Circa 33 AD. In the same year the coronation of the first king Pakhangba took place at Kangla and the ceremony was attended by almost all the clan/tribe chiefs of both hills and valley. They together witnessed the game of Sagol Kangjei (polo) just after the coronation ceremony ('Cheitharol Kumbaba' and 'Manipur Past & Present' Vol -1).

Although one is not very sure about the dates of the pre-historic period of Manipur; historians opine that our civilization is about 3000 years old in the hills and approx. 2500 years old in the valley. Makhel a primordial place at Mao is now recognised as the legendary place of common origin of oldest ethnic families of the land.

Today Manipur is the home of 37 ethnic groups. Manipuri language is the lingua-franca (communication language) of the people of Manipur. There are more than 35 living dialects in the State. Each ethnic group is proud of its dialect. Authorities have great difficulty to accommodate the dialects as medium of education, broadcasting, publication etc.

Racially we are predominantly Mongoloids. Our present population is about 3.2 million. The theory of Indo-Aryan or Tibeto-Burman origin still remains a polemic issue among scholars and historians. To me Manipur is a melting pot of many ethnic groups. Historical reasons like migration, amalgamation and settlement greatly influenced the people in terms of their cultural and material advancement.

At present the geographical area of Manipur is about 22,327 sq. km. It is a hilly region with a plateau having an altitude of about 2500 ft above the sea level. Manipur is surrounded by Nagaland in the north, Myanmar in the east, Mizoram in the south, and Assam in the west.

In the past, the geographical area of Manipur fluctuated from time to time depending on the military might and capability of our erstwhile rulers. The Kingdom of Manipur had the largest geographical extent during Garibniwaz Maharaj whose area of influence and control extended beyond Chindwin river (Ningthi) in the east and beyond Brahmaputra in the south-west.

In modern period the present political boundary of Manipur was more or less recognized as early as 1826 (Treaty of Yandabo) and then in 1891 (Anglo- Manipuri war); by 1947 (Independence Act) and 1949 (Merger with India) Manipur as a geo-political entity was well established.

Manipur got political emancipation from British Raj in August 1947. With the enactment of the Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947 by the then King, Maharaj Bodh Chandra , the election of the Manipur Assembly (Parliament) was held in July 1948 on the basis of adult franchise, the first of its kind in entire sub-continent.

In all 52 Members were elected for a period of three years. It was a unicameral legislature. The law making and policy framing authority of the legislature was subject to the assent of the Maharaj. That was a kind of Constitutional Monarchy.

However Manipur got merged with the Dominion of India on 15 Oct 1949. With the application of the Constitution of India on 26 Jan, 1950 Manipur became a 'Part C' State of India. The Union Territories (laws) Act 1950 came into force in April and Chief Commissioner became the Adminis- trator of Manipur.

A council of advisors with five members, three from the valley and 2 from the hills was constituted to assist the Administrator and this arrangement continued till the election of the Territorial Council in 1957. The same year, under the Union Territories Act 1956, election of 30 members of the Territorial Council was held.

Manipur had a Legislative Assembly consisting of 30 elected members under the Union Territories Act 1963. There was a Council of Ministers to aid and advise the Administrator. The Assembly had the power to make laws with respect to all subjects enumerated in the State list and Concurrent list in the 7th Schedule of the Constitution in so far as any such matters are applicable in relation to the Union Territories.

Immediately after the declaration of Statehood in January 1972, election of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Manipur was held in February. Today we have 60 Assembly Constituencies.

The "idea of Manipur" survives as long as the hill and valley stand united and people living together; no power on earth can dismantle us as we stand as one people (37 ethnic groups). Valley hegemony is a thing of the past.

Deep down any individual of a sound mind realises that there is no point whatsoever in getting swindled by communal tensions, which has destroyed many great societies in the past. The ongoing unprecedented clashes in Manipur showcases the State at its lowest point.

The only road ahead is both sides taking a step back, reflecting on the perils of letting hatred and vengeance drive one’s actions and realising that the sacrifices made to achieve peace are far greater than anything. We also have to remember that God sees everything and those responsible for perpetrating violence and hatred between the communities will meet their fate sooner or later.

A coming together; intellectually and physically of all communities to create a vibrant Manipur which will set the precedent for collective growth and progress in the region is something which each and every citizen of the State should strive for.

The true essence of the Manipuri identity; an identity of mutual respect, harmony and positivity is something which will always stand the test of time.

For the sake of our children, let us endure with the idea of Manipur.