Contents

Foreword vii N. Sanajaoba Preface xiii Acknowledgements xv List of Photo Plates xxxiii Our Contributors xxxvii

VOLUME - ONE

Chapter 1 Reassessing History For Posterity-Editor's Rationale 1-43 Dr. H. Dwijasekhar Sharma 1 Through Manipuri Eyes 1 2. Modernity Viewpoint of History 6 3. Imagining Post-Modernity 13 4. Thinning Values of 'Sovereignty* Vs Ascendancy of 'Market' 16 5. '' et al Becoming Misplaced in Post-Colonial Era 18 6. Historicism and True Historical Understanding 20 7. Continuum of Time From 50,000 Years B.P. 21 8. Affinity of Manipur Culture to 2nd Millennium B.C. Chinese Culture 21 9. Trade as the Golden Goose Hill Chiefs Could Not Apportion 23 10. Relevance of Economic History 24 References & Notes References 26 Notes 1. The Chinese Miracle 28 2. Cultural Factors in Economic Development 30 3. Cultural Materialist Viewpoint 39 4. 'Vulnerable Manipur' 42 (xviii)

Chart 1. Aesthetics (Highest Synthesis And Ultimate Concern) 30 Tables 1-1: Spectrum of Positions (Increasing Thinness) of Tonniesian/Weberian Practices & Concepts 38 1 -2: Cultural Materialist: Infrastructure 41

Chapter 2 The Historical, Archaeological, Religious & Cultural 44-96 Significance of 'Kangla': The Ancient Citadel of Manipur Pandit N. Khelchandra Singh

1. Tracing Origin of Kangla in Pre- or Khaba Era 44 2. How Pakhangba Became the -King of Manipur? 44 3. Origin of The Manipuri People 46 4. Coronation at *Kangla Men* 47 5. Lallup & Panna Systems as Introduced by Pakhangba 48 6. Growth of Kangla as a Fortress City Through the Ningthouja Clan 49 7. &a«g/a-Centric Prosperity of Ancient Manipur 50 8. Desertion of Kangla during the Burmese Assault 54 9. Details of Kangla Fort From the Various Annals 54 10. The Intricate Kangla System 55 11. Final Assault on Kangla-ThQ Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 56 12. The Climactic Aftermath-Beheading of Quinton& Others 57 13. Demolition of Kangla By Brigadier General Collett 58 14. Post-1891 Status of Kangla 5 8 15. Iconic Symbolism of Kangla 59 16. Monuments, Historical Sites & Remains in Kangla 60 References, Further References & Notes References 67 Further References 68 Notes 1. How Pakhangba Extirpated Khaba Chief Nongjengba From Kangla? 69 2. The Evolution of Meitei Polity 70 3. Significance of Kangla in the Economic 72 4. Kangla as a Central Place Market System 78 5. Role of Kangla in the Evolution of the Meitei Polity 79 6. Mythical Significance of Kangla 81 7. Manipur in the Eyes of Foreign Historians 83 8. Manipur as the Origin of Polo 87 9. Handloom& Handicrafts of Manipur 93 Tables 2-1: Chronology of the Rajas of Manipur (33-1955 A.D.) 64 2-2: British Officers who Served as Political Agents in Manipur 66 (xix)

2-3: Names of Traditional Royal Apparels 95 2-4: Traditional Colours for Different Salais/Cldn Members 96

Chapter 3 The Prehistoric Stone Age-Archaeological Background of Manipur 97-112 Dr. O. Kumar Singh

1. Introduction 97 2. Prehistoric Stone Age 98 3. Palaeolithic Culture 98 4. Hoabinhian Culture 103 5. Neolithic Culture 105 6. Mayr's 'Founder Principle' 108 7. Sequencing of Stone Age Culture of Manipur 110 8. Conclusion 110 References, Further References & Notes References 112 Further References 115 Notes 1. Pre-Historic Stone Age: Archaeological Background of Manipur 116 2. George Van Driem's Landmark Findings 120 3. Further Evidences 125 4. Transformation into a Rationalized Culture for DQSCQndQnt-Hominoids 126 5. Early Indian Influence on Southeast Asia 127 Tables 3-1: Chronological Sequence: Stone Age Cultures: Manipur: 109 3-2: Pre-Historic Stone Age: Archaeological Background of Manipur 118 3-3: Development of China's Sichuan Culture & Splitting-Up of the Tibeto-Burman Languages Family in South/South-East Asia 119

Chapter 4 The Mera Haochongba Festival-The Traditional Hill-Valley Interface: The 'Carnival' of Manipur 131-198 A. Kamson

1. Defining Mera Haochongba 2. Pre-Colonial State Formation in the Hill Societies 133 3. Mera Haochongba-A Time-Defying Tradition 135 4. Hypotheses-The 'Rainbow Coalition' Effect 136 5. Inter-Communal Harmony-The Basic Aim of Mera Haochongba 139 6. Mera Haochongba as Per Available Accounts 142 7. Kabui & Various Ethnoses Cohabiting in Manipur Valley 145 8. Mera Sanduba-As a Prologue to Mera Haochongba 148 9. \miagewiseAnnuitres "t49 (xx)

10. Present Status of Mera Haochongba 152 11. Upendra Commission Vests a Defining Role to Mera Haochongba 155 12. Mera Haochongba as Bonding for Ethnic Groups 160 Appendix I. Extracts: Report of the Upendra Judicial Commission of Inquiry: 2001 162 II. Action Taken Report (ATR) on the Recommendations of the Upendra 168 Judicial Commission Of Inquiry Set Up by the Govt. of Manipur: Vide Notification No.8/l(l)2001-H Dated 14th July 2001 To Inquire into the Incidents of 18th June, 2001 at References, Further References & Notes References 171 Further References 172 Notes 1. British Negation of Mera Haochongba Led to Inter-Ethnic Eruptions 172 2. Hill Administration Under the British Regime 174 3. Naga-Kuki Conflict in Manipur 178 4. Mera Haochongba conjoins the Hills & Plains Peoples 180 5. Mera Haochongba as Trade Networking 185 6. Instances of Manipuri Kings' Forays into Hill Villages 190 7. There'll Always Be 'A Manipur With A Generalized Culture' 191 8. Manipur's Transcending "Exceptionality" 194 9. British Attitude towards the Hills 195 10. Aborigines in Canada & Australia 198 Tables 4-1: Villagewise Chiefs Participating in Mera Haochongba 148 4-2: Presents Brought forth b/the Hill Chiefs for the King 150 4-3: Area & Demography of Four Manipur Districts Claimed for Nagalim 158 4-4: Manipur Hill Sub-Areas Allotted to Specific British Officers 198

Chapter 5-A The Golden Rule of Garib Niwaz 199-238 & K. Jhalajit Singh

1. Lineage 199 2. Condition of Manipur During Garib Ni waz's Reign 199 3. Contemporaneous Condition In Burma 200 4. Consolidation of Manipur By Garib Niwaz 201 5. Freedom From Hunger 203 6. Housing Condition 207 7. Protection Against Wild Animals 208 8. Promotion of Public Health 210 9. Vindication of Manipur's Honour 212 10. Burmese Invasion on Manipur 214 11. The Samjok Rebellion 214 (xxi)

12. Simultaneous Invasions on Manipur 215 13. 'The Truth That Sticks!' 217 14. Invasion of Sagaing 218 15. Victories of Peace 218 16. Immigration of Brahmins 219 17. Friendship with Neighbouring States 220 18. Development Works 220 19. Birth of Jai Singh (Bhagyachandra) 221 References & Notes References 221 Notes 1. Fortunes of Manipur at its Highest During the Garib Niwaz Era 222 2. Innovative Reforms of Garib Niwaz 224 3. Garib Niwaz as an Imperialist Precursor of a Colonialist (?) 225 4. The Mystery Weapon Arambai, Most Dreaded by the Burmese 227 5. The Manipuri Pony 231 6. Backgrounder on Contemporaneous Burma 235 Tables 5A-1: Exports from Manipur to Cachar 234 5A-2: Manipur Export Livestock (1946-47 & 1956-57) 235