Ancient Manipur facts for kids

"Ancient Manipur"', also known as "Kangleipak", was a civilization, concentrated along the central plains of the present day Manipur, India. The Kangla served as the capital city of Ancient Manipur (Kangleipak) since time immemorial till the late 19th century AD. It has its earliest evidence of monarchy right from 15th century BC, during the reign of Emperor "Tangja Leela Pakhangba" (1445 BC-1405 BC).

The grand statues of the dragon lions, standing inside the Kangla.

The ancient temple (rebuilt) of Lord Pakhangba inside the Kangla.

History

Layout of the citadel of Kangla, the ancient capital city of Manipur

The imperial history of Ancient Manipur began with the reign of Tangja Leela Pakhangba in 1445 BC.

The game of polo (sagol kangjei) was invented during the reign of King Kangba (1405 BC-1359BC), the successor of Tangja Leela Pakhangba. This remarkable achievement was recorded in many ancient scriptures including the Kangbalon and the Kangjeirol.

Geography

The territory of Manipur (Kangleipak) is mountainous and thereby, ancient Manipur consists of several smaller region each with its own dialect, cultural peculiarities, and identity.

Language

Main page: Meitei language

The ancient Manipuri language (Meitei language) had a rich granary of scriptures (Puya), of numerous topics, written in the archaic Meitei script. One of the oldest scripture is the "Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya", written in 1398 BC (verified by the National Archives of India, New Delhi).

Ancient Manipuri alphabet

Culture

Illustration of common people of Manipur

Daily life

Most people of ancient Manipur were farmers tied to their lands. Their dwellings were restricted to immediate family members.

Architecture

The ancient architectural designs of common houses were believed to be sustainable, eco friendly and affordable. It gives a cooling effect during hot summer and a warming effect during chilling winter.

Religious beliefs

The ancient religion of the indigenous ethnicities of the hills and the plains is the Sanamahism. The abstract concept of the space time entity is the ultimate God creator of the universe. Beliefs in the divine and in the afterlife were ingrained in the civilization of ancient Manipur from its inception. The ancient rulers were based on the divine right of kings.

Military

Manipuri horseman

Lallup system

Lal-lup system (literally, Lal means war; lup means club or association or organization) was a predominant system in ancient Manipur. According to the system, every men of indigenous ethnicity of above 16 years of age was a member.

Images for kids

Kangla Uttra Sang at the Kangla Fort, former residence of the Manipur kings. The two Kangla-Sa Pakhangba dragons standing at the gate were destroyed after the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 but have been restored in recent years.
The princes of Manipur, Col. Johnstone, Thangal Major and the European officer in Kohima after relieving the fort from the siege of the Nagas, 1880
Pakhangba, a heraldic dragon of the Meetei tradition and an important emblem among Manipur state symbols
The Manipuri dance was formerly patronised by the royal house of Manipur.
Manipur in the Toungoo Empire (1580)
Raja Gambhir Singh (1788–1834) accepted British suzerainty in order to retrieve the kingdom from Burmese occupation
Maharaja Nara Singh (1792–1850), who ruled Manipur State first as regent, and then as king from 1844 to 1850