Rare Vanghai stone inscription gets Govt attention
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 04 2015:
The stone inscription written in Meitei Mayek at Vanghai Range in Tipaimukh area of Churachandpur district will be brought under the protection of the State Archaeology at the earliest.
Superintendant Dinamani gave this information on Tuesday in an exclusive interview with Hueiyen Lanpao.
He said the stone inscription was established by Maharaj Garibniwaj in 1656 from the date of the Saka Era which corresponds to 1734 AD and it was subsequently chronicled in Cheitharol Kumbaba.
As the relocation of the slab is prohibited under the laws, a facsimile is being prepared using rubber molds.
The facsimile will be kept at a special museum for stone inscriptions which will be built at Kangla, he stated.
Dinamani acknowledged that even among all the stone inscriptions established by the kings of Manipur, this one is unique due to the fact that a wide range of indigenous weapons used by the Meitei military were engraved on it.
The figures on the slab included an elephant, elephant traps, arambai, traditional bows and arrows, swords, spears, shields and others.
Dinamani described the stone inscription which has a flat squarish face of about 70 cm as an irreplaceable and invaluable asset of the State.
So far, an individual named Martin has on his own volition taken up the cudgel for conservation of the stone inscription from forest fires and loggers.
It is imperative that no more time is wasted in taking up actions for protection of the site, he stated.
There is no human settlement around the area and thus no proper road.
Reaching the spot is an enduring climb lasting more than one and half hours which involves creating a passage oneself by clearing the thick overgrowths.
He lauded the assistance offered by officer-in-charge of Parbung Police Station, Inspector Lunsen Lhouvum, who provided six police personnel to guide the archaeological team to reach the destination.