Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra :: Part 1
Author: Moirangthem Tomcha Singh

James Oinam *

Cover Illustration of 'Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra'

Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra: Part 1
[The Nature of King Dumbra’s Life]
By Moirangthem Tomcha Singh

Translator’s Note: Mispronunciation and/spelling errors in names are likely due to various reasons, including my inability to read compound Bengali letters, typographical errors in the book copy used for translation, and probable development of the manuscript from oral narratives by the author (e.g., Cossins referred to as Qasim?).

Rinda Library and Preservation Foundation, Manipur
First Published: September 30, 2008
Publisher: Rajen Khumukcham
No. of Copies: 501
Price: Rs 30
Printer: B.S. Printing Press, Sagolband Road, Nipa Keithel, Near Arian Theatre, Imphal

Publisher’s Note

Shri Moirangthem Tomcha is the father of a dear friend during my youth. Whenever I used to go to their house, I would find his father studying various dictionaries on a table and chair. At that time, I did not give much thought about what he was writing.

After a long time I went to my friend’s house and had conversation with his father. On that day also he was writing something. His father said, “It’s been a long time you haven’t come to us.” During this talk I came to realize that his father was writing a book. He showed me his works.

If published in book form it would have around 600 pages, more than a 1000 perhaps. The writings were kept nicely packed. When questioned, he replied that he had enquired with many printers/publishers, and they said it will cost around Rs 1 lakh to publish. That is why he was unable to publish it.

He also showed some works published by the government. Since I could not afford that much money, I requested him to allow me to publish the smallest manuscript he had. Thus, I got this work for publication. Presenting this book for the public to read.

Rajen Khumukcham
Managing Director
Rinda Library and Preservation Foundation
Manipur

Foreword

Manipur Public School was renamed as Raja Dumdra Singh High School. On the day, the statue of Raja Dumdra Singh, Senapati, was being unveiled, I took part to write down a brief character of his life. These descriptions have been collected from various intellectuals—mainly Maharaj Churachand Singh’s Ramandi Guru Shri Chumbashi Sharma’s sons and grandsons.

On 15/7/1970 the headmaster of the school asked me to write it down and forward it. This is a copy of that write-up.

If anyone can provide the correct and complete record of the same, it will be greatly appreciated.

M. Tomcha Singh

Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra

Raja Dumbra was born on March 7, 1871 (28 day of Pheiren 1792 by Manipuri calendar). Shri Rajkumar Chaobiyaima (popularly known as “Maikhumbi” [covering of face]—shy/diffident?) was the father; mother was Shija. His wife was called Lalita Manjuri, earlier called Numit Leima. Dumbra Singh was official/formal name, and his birth name was Sanajaoba.

Chaobiyaima a.k.a. Yumbra Singh was son of Bhubansana Yubaraj who was Meidingu Narsingh’s son. The time of birth of Raja Dumbra Singh was the time of reign of Meidingu Chandrakirti, KCSI (Knight Commander of Star of India).

That year Sukte Haoban was performed. When the conflict reached Mombi Hiroi, Meidingu Chandrakirti taking Meitei warriors defeated Sukte. Gokhothang and 1000 Sukte warriors were captured. Gokhothang was handed to jail. During that period unmanageable North Lushai also rebelled. Political Agent Mister Quinn defeated Lushai revolutionaries with British and Meitei troops, and expelled them beyond the borders of Manipur.

Raja Dumdra Singh a.k.a. Sanajaoba, Dinbhu Singh a.k.a. Sanayaima a.k.a. Deb Singh, Chandrahas, Digendra Singh (born by Thangjabi Chiyabati), Churachand a.k.a. Amusana were all sons of Chaobiyaima. Muktasana and Takonsana (who died as teenage child) were daughters born between the boys.

In May 1886, Meidingu Chandrakirti died. Son Surchandra became king of Meitei land. Meidingu Naba Tangkhomba’s (Narsingh) elder son Bongajaoba Yaiskul Lakpa rebelled against Surchandra. This was generally known as war of Yaiskul Lakpa. Raja Dumdra Singh’s father followed the steps of Yaiskul Lakpa. On the request of Meidingu Surchandra, the British government sent Cachar frontier battalion.

Due to unpreparedness Yaiskul Lakpa was defeated. Raja Dumdra’s father lived in Cachar due to inability to return to Manipur. One son and two brothers of Yaiskul Lakpa died in the battle. Yaiskul Lapka was exiled to Hazaribagh (Bihar?) for life.

Father Chaobiyaima, who loved the younger son Amusana, took care of him for 1 year till Sir Churachand Singh Maharaj KCSI CBE came of age and without even meeting sons and wives at the time of departure left the land of Meiteis for Cachar.

Grandfather Ramananda (later king of Moirang) took care of Raja Dumdra Singh, younger brothers, and mother Shija. Father Chaobiyaima died a few years later.

To be continued....