Imphal Times Supplementary issue 2 Editorial Gaudiya : An Integrating force in Monday, October 15, 2018 the Amalgamation of Meitei Nation The state of the states By : Manindra Konsam, Editor, Sanathong Monthly INTROUCTION: The present day such groups and their independent brought Imoinu to the Meidingu Yaanglou Keiphaaba This very day the state under the third best with a geographical area principalities are mentioned in the Poirei Meitei Leipaak. From the (969-984 A.D.) introduced the of 22,327 sq. Km. is a land of hills recorded history of Manipur, viz. above two episodes, it is known pattern of embroidering Khoi (a Chief Minister in the country is reeling under and valley. The hills almost Angom, Khaaba, Ngaanba, that both the Goddess Panthoibi curve design) in the border of the the ‘General Strike’ called by a committee of occupied ninth-tenths of its total Luwaang, Khuman, Moiraang, and Imoinu was not concern as of Meetei womens’ Phanek Mayek representatives of armed proscribed groups. area. The valley being one-tenths Mangaang, Chenglei, Haorok the Meitei before. Goddess Naibi (stripe-sarong) which was This is also the very state where professors is only about 2,000 Sq. Km. of Konthou, Heirem Khunjaan, Panthoibi had been the only adopted by all the groups stretching plains in the centre of Thaanga Kambong, Haokhaa concern of the Khaabas till the amalgamated to the Meitei power. and students of the university are being surrounding hill ranges in all sides. Lokkhaa, Selloi Langmai, Maanting time Nongdaa Lairen Paakhangba However that was done in different paraded with hands cuffed for dissent and The surrounding hill ranges Maraang, Lera Khongnaang, devastated and brought the colours of distinctive stripe-sarong raising their voice against perceived bordered to divide mainland India Chakpa, Sektaa, etc. Khaabas under the Meitei power. to identify the women wearer of the in the northwest and in 2. EMERGENCE of MEITEI and But after the Khaabas becoming a respective group she belongs. Such wrongdoings. In contrast to the declaration of the southeast. It also lies almost in MEITEI KINGDOM: part of the Meitei power, Goddess as : making Manipur a disturbance-free state by the the halfway between the tri- At the start of the recorded history Panthoibi became a common a. Ningthoujaa (Meitei) : Thambal new government especially when it comes to junctions of India-Burma-China. of Manipur, i.e. in 33 A.D., a group Goddess of the amalgamated machu phanek (indigo and red As such, the valley and the of men comprisingly drawn from Meitei power. Likewise, Goddess stripe). the overwhelming number of disruptions and surrounding hill ranges of Manipur different groups, led by one Imoinu was also the only concern b. Khaaba-Ngaanba : Chigonglei disturbances in the daily routine of the people naturally became an important Nongda Lairen Paakhangba, a man of the Luwaang and Khuman till phanek (golden and black stripe). of the state due to blockades, bandhs and station of migration and trade route from the Angom invaded and the reign of Meidingu Chalaamba c. Angom : Langhou phanek (black between South Asia and South devastated the group of Khaaba and thus became a common and white stripe). general strikes for the past many years, the East Asia. Alongside, it also who occupied Kangla and its bonding Goddess for the entire d. Chenglei (sharaang Leishaang restrictions and disturbances on the lives of became a cradle of civilization for nearby adjoining areas as their amalgamated Meitei power. As and Haorok Konthou) : Loirang the general public is on the rise, and the various remarkable groups of principality. After the Khaaba, such, an initiation of an evolution phanek (reddish and white stripe). thought of the condition of the other states people who came in search of land Nongda Lairen Paakhangba of a common bonding of cultural e. Luwang : Higok phanek (sky-blue for better living and glory. So, the established seat of power at the tradition for the integrated Meitei and black strip). ranked lower in the poll can only present an history of Manipur is the story of Kangla for his group which later power can be seen since the f. Khuman : Kumjingbi phanek alarming mental picture. Surprisingly, unlike the evolutionary amalgamation of bacame to be known as the Meitei beginning of the amalgamation of (dark blue and whitish stripe). last instance of general strike which was called varied cultures and societies and and started process of the Meitei Nation. However, in the g. Moirang : Hangampal phanek shaping of an unique cultural amalgamation to build a Meitei process of the common cultural (yellow and reddish stripe). just a few days back, the state government tradition for an integrated society nation by subduing different evolution for the amalgamated (Those trend of wearing distinctive has remained silent and refrained from issuing which was befittingly essential for groups with annexational expansion Meitei power, there are historical colours stripe-sarong by the Meitei diktats for punitive action against those who a nation building. of Meitei power and territory which evidences that shows: the Meitei women conforming to their Archeological evidences proved became to be known as Poirei also developed their own respective groups continued till the does not turn up for work. And unlike last time that the land of the present day Meitei Leibaak (the land of Meitei). distictive culture different from the Great World War II. But after the when the shops and commercial institutions Manipur had experiences of The amalgamation process so other groups they subdued and War, Meetei women started were forced open using security personnel, paleothic, neolithic, ancient and started since the time of Nongda amalgamated to their own power. trendsetting to wear any kind of medieval cultures which have Lairen Paakhangba continued by For such insertion, the followings stripe-sarong as they like and almost all the shops and business establishments affinity with the Hoabinhian and his subsequent lineal successors may be considered:-I. Meidingu continues to be still in vogue. remains closed and the streets bore a deserted are of non-Hindu origin. However, and completed during the reign of Ningthoukhomba (1432-1467 II. The Chakpas of Manipur is a look. For the representatives of the people in the courses of amalgamation Meitei King Chingthangkhomba A.D.) wanted to attack and strong group of people who came history of Manipur which started (1763-1798) by totally bringing the subdue the Moiraang but and settled in this land since early who set out with evident grit and declared from 33 A. D., by the turns of the principality of Moirang, a group of hasitated as both the powerful days.Their main settlement areas objectives of bringing change and positive 19th c. A. D.; Gaudiya Vaishnavism people with distinctively rich Khuman and Kabo were allies of with their religious practices which development in the state by focusing on of the Hindu emerged as the main cultural heritages completely into Moirang. Whereas the Kabo was had affinity to the Tantric culture of inclusive progress and thereby turning the integrating forceespecially among the Meitei kingdom and Meitei fold. friendly with the Meitei but the Buddhist were in and the groups of people so 3. Process of CULTURAL Khuman remaind a great around the present day Bishnupur system around for the good of the state has amalgamated and known under one INTEGRATION in the adversary. So, the Meitei king (Lamaangdong). They were for all practical purpose been tweaked by the nomenclature : Meitei, the major AMALGAMATION of the MEITEI planned a conspiracy with the defeated and -5-brought within the very system to conform to its functions and communityof Manipur. NATION: Chief of Andro to make alleis with Meitei power during the reign of Now, this paper, from a journalistic Historically and logically, it can be the Kabo to attack Moirang. The Meidingu Kongyaamba (1324-1335 ways. Sad to say there are more disturbances point of views, is trying to concluded that the group of people Chief of Andro was sent to Kabo A.D.). But they continued to remain and disruptions on the horizon, and if the overview the evolution courses of led by Nongdaa Lairen Paakhangba for requesting help for Meitei to with their customary practices and present reactive manner of functioning is not history of Manipur where the who devastated the Khaabas from attack Moirang. Meanwhile a distinctive dialect. As such, The Gaudiya Vaishnavism of Hindu Kangla and established seat of night, Meitei secretly attacked Chairen, subdued and brought rectified in time, we are all in for a long haul became an integrating power for his group had no any Kabo and beheaded Kabo queen within the Meitei power during the of chaotic and uncertain days- probably months. force in the amalgamation process compact cultural tradition for a and placed the head atop the reign of Meidingu Telheiba (1335- The unmistakable restrictions and unshakable of the Meitei Nation : Manipur. For common bonding amongst palace gate of the Kabo. The 1355 A.D) also remained retaining the purpose, the following brief themselves as they were comprised Meitei attackers on their return left their customary practices; whereas instructions from the higher echelons of power factual accounts of history are with men from different groups scattering meal leftovers wrapped the Heirem Khunjaan, subdued at at the centre that contradicts the aspirations taken for a logical conclusion on (whose descendants became to be in lotus leaves to mislead them as the same time with the Chairen got and expectations of the people of the state the topic of this paper. Two-Day known as the Ningthoujaa group Moirang as it was a customary completely merged to the Meitei fold. has become the unspoken spanner in the works, National Seminar on CULTRO- in the seven clan lineage system tradition of the Moirang of In addition to the above RELIGIOUS TRANSITION developed in later period). As such, wrapping their meal packages circumstances, alien groups with and a symbol of relay-administration the people AMONG THE NATIVE the group started blending of (Chayom) -4-in lotus leaves, their distinctive cultural traditions are increasingly worked up about. COMMUNITIES OF NORTHEAST different culture in the proximity to whereas the Meitei wrapped started settling within the INDIA 9the-10th September 2018 at suite for the amalgamated Meitei their’s in Leihouraa (plantain amalgamated Meitei power either The people of the state is not concerned about Central Hall, Dhanamanjuri power and society to come. For leaves of edible banana) and the by means of forced exlusive University, Imphal Jointly such conclusion, the followings Khuman in Changbi Laa (leaves settlements as war captives or by the ranking or popularity of its leaders based Organised by : INDIA may be cited as example-i. of wild plantain). migration from both the east and on results culled by people from outside the FOUNDATION, New Delhi; Paanthoibi the daughter of Lairen II. Meidingu Nongyin Phaaba west. So, by the turns of the early state who collects figures put up by government Department of Social Work, Indira Tauroinai of Mangaang and his (1523-1524 A.D.) ascended at the 18th c. A.D., it may easily be Gandhi National Tribal University, wife Lainaamung Naamungbi was tender age of 10 yr. after his father concieved the the hard earned agencies and departments which are often in Regional Campus, Manipur; & betrothed and married off to Taram Meidingu Lamkyamba (1512-1523 amalgamated Meitei Power and contradiction with the reality on the ground. Centre for Manipur Studies, Khoinuchaa, the son of Khaaba A.D.). Taking advantage of the Nation might surely had faced a What the public has been searching for are Manipur University. king Shokchromba.But -3- Meitei king’s young age, Angom chaotic social order. By the turn of leaders who can rise beyond vote bank politics Gaudiya Vaishnavism: Paanthoibi eloped from her King Angoupaamba Kyamba the 18th c. A.D., the small valley of An Int egrating force in the husband’s house and stayed with forcibly married the young king’s Manipur, though it housed the seat and make a firm stand on issues to resonate Amalgamation of Meitei Nation - her lover Angouba Khongjaamba queen mother Chaningphaabi. of power of the amalgamated Meitei with the aspirations of the people he Manindra Konsam, Editor, Nongpok Ningthou, the king of One day the Angom king came to Nation, had numbers of different represents, and at the same time are the ones Sanathong Monthly NOTE: The Langmai Cheeng. After Paanthoibi the royal court adoring Urekshek cultural colours which were not English in this article is subject to left the house of Khaaba, her father Chaashangba (painted feather of rightly befitted for a nation. Other to control and lead the people towards corrections and improvement as the in-law Khaaba Shokchronba white H eron) on his head which than the amalgamated groups of the knowledge and restraint in matters which have writer is not habitual of writing in became aware of her extraordinary was a customary to the Meitei but Meitei Power and Nation, the valley emotional undertones. What the state need is English. - The writer. spiritual qualities and started not of the Angom. So the Meitei had housed- Takhel (Tripuri) -2-1. LAND and PEOPLE of ping Panthoibi’s queen mother protested the nature Vaishnav Hindu village (later to be a set of leaders who can relay the true MANIPUR: The history of Manipur belongings which were left by her of the Angom king and mingled with Chinese), Mayaang aspirations and provide studied suggestions to started from 33 A. D. and according in Khaaba’s house. Later he invited consequently got killed along with (Cachari) Vaishnav Hindu village, the powers at the centre so that decisions to its history there was no any group his ex daughter in-law with her her young king son. Mayaang Kaalishaa (later of people known as Meitei on the husband Nongpok Ningthou and for On the other hand, it is also a well Bishnupriya) Shaakta Hindu acceptable to the people of the state as a earth till the begining of its history. the first time celebrated Lai Haraoba. known fact that all the different villages, Khraamran (Burmese) whole are made. But for that to become a Historically it can be concluded that II. Yielding to instigation from a groups of people (regardless of Buddhist village, Kameng (Burmese reality, those in power must learn to look the present days Meiteis are the queen, Hongnem Punshiba, the king smaller groups that merged to one Karen) Buddhist village, Muslim beyond the obvious and take a long, hard look descendants of the migrating of Luwaang divorced and sent off or another bigger group) villages and in between Brahmans people from the parts of South East the youngest of his nine queens, amalgamated to the Meitei power from different parts of India with at the future to come up with plans and policies Asia which in the course of time Khayoirol Ngaanu Thumbi of and integrated through common their different Hindu school of that will initiate inclusive progress. Turns out, intermingled with number of ethnic Khuman with her infant son Senba cultural bondings in many ways, thoughts. In such chaotic that is easier said than done- at least for the groups from south Asia like India, Mimaaba to her paternal house. With still continued to enjoyed their own combinations of different cultures China, etc. These ethnic groups on turns of e vents, after attaining distinctive ways of folk culture and in a small land like Manipur valley time being. successive migration waves made manhood, the son obliging his traditions. Each group had their where the seat of power for the thier settlements at the different mother’s wish and advice brought own distinctive paterns and amalgamated Meitei power and Letters, Feedback and Suggestions to ‘Imphal Times’ parts of the valley and hills of Imoinu, the Goddess of Luwaang colours of costumes and Nation leis, why a Meitei king would can be sent to our e-mail : [email protected]. Manipur and established their to the Khuman. Then after, during ornaments that could show the not like to adopt a to For advertisement kindy contact: - 0385-2452159 (O). independent principalities with the reign of Meitei king Meidingu identity of the group they belongs. bring common cultural traditions for distinctive dialects, , Chalaamba (1545-1562 A.D.), They had day to day habits and his amalgamated subjects for For time being readers can reach the office at Cell culture and traditions and definite obliging his mother Nongbaallon ritualistic practices different from integration as one? Phone No. 9862860745 for any purpose. territorial boundaries. Number of Haochongambi’s suggestion one another. For example:-I. (Contd. on page 4)