Eight Leikais And Nine Market Places
Moirang and Ebuthou Thangjing :: Part 7

Hemamcha Shobha *

RKCS Painting at Ibudhou Thangjing, Moirang, Manipur - Pix :: Recky Maibram

EIGHT LEIKAIS AND NINE MARKET PLACES

For a smooth and sound administration, the kingdom of Moirang was divided into eight (8) Leikai or Wards or Sectors under one leader called Leikai Lakpa like the present councilor of ward; and constructed nine market places (Keithels in different suitable sites for each and every Leikais except that of Khori Keithel). Such all achievements are said to be the landmark achievements of Iwang Puriklai Phang Phang.

Names and their Locationals Descriptions

i) NGANGKHA LEIKAI: It comprises the present areas of Chegaipat, Heiremkhong, Chingnungsoi - where the homestead of Khuyol Kappi Kaklen Nongdam Suja was located, the co-operative farm areas of nongkhangpokpi, Thambongtak, Moirang electricity colony radiating towards the north along the present Tiddim road upto Ningthoukhong. The Ngangkha Keithel - market is within its jurisdiction and was located around Chegaipat which is to the west of the present Moirangthem and Kuman Leikai and near the river Thambongtak.

ii) KHOYON LEIKAI: Covers the Koujengbung and Pukshripung areas including the present Moirang Vetenary Hospital; the surrounding areas of the present Lamkhai market including the Tenapung Tebi Tesha Pung; and extending towards Taothong Pung; Shangailou and continues further south to Tronglaobi village. The Khoyol Keithel was within its parameters being said to be located around the Taothong Pung - east of the present Okshongbung Leikai

iii) NGANGLOU LEIKAI: The Leikai is very important in the history of Moirang because of the existence of the homestead of historical personalities of Khuman Khamba and Akongjamba. Again it is noted for the location of Keke Chengei Taret Phoukei Taret - means place or site of granary of ancient Moirang Kingdom. Nganglou Leikai occupies the present Chingei Leikai south of Laikhurembi bridge; Pologround, Pukhram Leikai, and extends southwards and southeast upto Maronglou. Nganglou Keithel also known in the past as Ahong Keithel is situated within this Leikai around the present Chengei Leikai and Pukhram Leikai.

iv) KHAMBI LEIKAI : was also known as Khoinai Leikai, covers the areas of Meikambi, Thameikon, Khudekpi village and its surroundings, Kwakta - the old place of one time Moirang king, further extends towards Torbung-Torphai. The Leikai has its historical importance owing to the location of the past homestead or campus of various prominent persons viz Kadeng Thangjahanba hence Khoinai Upu Leikai and also known as the Thangjam Leikai during the reign of King Laiyu Punsiba (236-297 AD); and of Maichou-Pandit Khumu Leirijamba - all were within its jurisdiction. The Keithel or market place of this Leikai called Khambi Keithel was situated around the present Thameikol Loukol-paddy field area east of Tronglaobi village.

v) HIGA LEIKAI: Represents the area east of Keke Kangla and Moirang river and north of Keke Leikoi Achanba and the then graveyards of the ancient Moirang kings -that is now occupying the areas north of Mairembam and Phairembam Leikai (from where different coffins of 12 ft long were excavated) and further comprises the Kambong Pat-lake; Nungjengpat, Hubitak-Huitukhong and continues towards Ithing, Sendra and Thanga Villages. The market place known as Higa Keithel occupies the areas around the eastern side of the former course of Moirang river.

vi) OKCHIN LEIKAI: This leikai had its historical significance as Keke Leikoi Pung (Achanba) Moirang Cheikak Pung and King's Manung -indoor Kangjeibung - Playground etc were all within its jurisdiction. It is said that the name Okchin was named as the hidden or bygone Ok when come across by Akongjamba became or converted a big pig and hence oknare means 'met' and came across of pig means ok. But the name of market place was later on changed from Okchin Keithel to Awoon Keithel means gift or dowry market. It comprises the present Moirang Bazar, Khamnu Bazar and the surrounding areas flanked on the north by the palatial and historic INA martyr's memorial complex and the Moirang river on the east and Thambongtak river on the west.

vii) CHENGLEI LEIKAI: It consists of a vast area in and around the present Moirang College campus, Rural Hospital, SDO Office complex which spreads from Nura Heidingkon, Sana Chenchampung, Saroi Yumpham and further proceeds to south and east being hemmed by the hillocks like Mori Leppa Ching, and Komchin on the east. Due to the location of Angom Nongban homestead known as Nongban Engkhol - the present ISKON temple and School Campus, the area is historically noted for. Nura Heidinkon and Saroi-Mayumpham - the present Phiwangbam and Ahanthem Leikai area, is said to be site of Chenglei Keithel.

viii) YAOSHU LEIKAI: The areas from Panda Hiden Iroiwa - the present west Shribon Thana and besides the Moirang river, and extending to the south, it covers the present Kokilbon, Thoya, Moirangkhunou, Keirenphabi, Kangsoibi etc. The market place known as Yaoshu Keithel is located around the eastern side of the present Shribon Leikai and besides the river of Moirang.

NAMES OF NINE KEITHEL (MARKET) PLACE

1) KHORI KEITHEL: This market place was not withing any specific jurisdiction of any leikai or wards, even though it had its historical importance being the locational site of Laiyingthou Nongsaba temple-one of the nine Laibungthous who attended during Lai Haraoba of Eputhou Thangching. Besides, this market place is related with the love story of Adon Khamba and Thadoi Thoibi; where Thoibi's father and rival Nongban attempted to kill Khamba in the late night through a pre-planned vindictive action called Shamu Khongyetpa - means dragging of Khamba on the ground by tightening to the feet of elephant. The area is just to the north and at an arm's length from the Eputhou Thangching complex or Yoikon. The market place comprises the present Laishangbam Leikai of Moirang and Khoyangbam Leikai where Godesses Kabok Chaiba Ebendhou's temples are located.

2) NGANGKHA KEITHEL: around Chegaipat.

3) KHOYON KEITHEL: located on Taothong Pung.

4) NGANGLOU KEITHEL: or AHONG Keithel situated around Chengei and Pukhram Leikai.

5) KHAMBI KEITHEL: was located within Khambi or Khoinai Upu or Thangjam Leikai and the site was around Thameikol Loukon - paddy field area.

6) HIGA KEITHEL: occupied the areas around the east of the former river course of Moirang.

7) OKCHIN KEITHEL or AWOONKEITHEL: occupies the southrn part of the present Moirang Bazar and Khamnu Bazar.

8) CHENGLEI KEITHEL: also known as Nura Heidikon and Saroi Mayumpham Keithel cover the present Ahanthem Leikai, Phiwangbam Leikai areas.

9) YAOSHU KEITHEL or PANDA HIDEN IROIWA KEITHEL: comprises the present Iroiwakhong besides the Moirang river and the present Shribon areas.

Thus, in the ancient Moirang Kingdom there flourished Nine Keithels or market places in different eight Leikais - Wards/sectors showing a far and wide extension of planned township pattern on one side, and on the other, showing the abilities of a peaceful and smooth administration by the then rulers of Moirang.

Regarding the cultural heritage of Moirang, the influences and impacts of Moirang in the realm of love stories, dances, folk lores and folktales had enriched the ancient Manipur culture and civilization. Through the golden pages of Moirang Kangleirol, Eputhou Thangching had been playing various Salwons and Langwongs means incarnation of divine souls to different divine personalities to demonstrate the lofty ideals of divine loves, love-makings and romantic stories whether be it a tragedy or comedy.

Such stories known as Sheishaklon were present during the reign of some of the Iwang Puriklais; and for such references the genealogy of Moirang kings called Ningthourol is herewith furnished.

To be continued....



About the Book:

Source Author: Hemamcha Shobha (b.1941), President of Moirang Thangjing Yageirel Marup [Register No: 1025/1972] and Chief Editor of 'Yageirol'.
Reproduced from Chapter - 2 of his book 'Moirang and Ebuthou Thangjing'
for public reading by: Shanjoy Mairembam, London (UK), shanjoym (at) gmail (dot) com