I happened to visit Imphal, Manipur (means land of Jewels) in last week of May 2025. This was my second visit to Imphal – first one being in December 2024. At first, I was little apprehensive, but after assurance of people out there, I collected courage to pay my first visit. I had long desired to visit Manipur, due to reasons unknown! After the Meitei-Kuki conflict started in May 2023, we have been witnessing so much unrest, and as per sources, more Hindus (Meiteis) are being killed. Here, I have tried to share the experience of my two visits to Imphal, reflecting through conversations with her people.
The Journey To the Land of Jewels
During my first visit, as I moved out of Imphal airport, I didn’t feel that the place is much different from Assam – be it views and smell of lush green landscapes, structure of houses or small stalls of fresh vegetables and fruits on the roads. But, there was an untold tension in the air, people looked subtly gloomy in general, as if something precarious might just happen any moment. As if people had’t slept a serene night since long! I started talking to the taxi driver who was a Meitei (Hindu) – a young man, who used to sing and used to run a coffee shop as well. But now, all his business has gone down the water! From window of taxi, I also happened to see a woman of about 40 years age, who was begging on street, but otherwise she didn’t look like a beggar at all! The taxi driver told that many woman have been forced to resort to begging, or engaged in other unpleasant activities, just to meet their ends! Earlier, they used to engage in agricultural or other activities. Thousands of Meiteis have been displaced. Lost everything. Children have not been able to go to schools regularly.
During my first visit, I didn’t have courage to move out in the city. I was scared. For sure.
However, during my second visit in May 2025, I gathered all my courage, and went out to see the city of Imphal – Govindjee ka Mandir (Imphal east district), Kangla Fort (Imphal west district), INA memorial in Moirang and Loktak lake (Bishnupur district). And after visiting these places, I earned more confidence, and started connecting to the place and people more empathetically. A feeling of warmth was connecting me to Manipuris. Purpose of my visit to these places was not just tourism, tourism was an excuse – I wanted to feel the place. The pulse of it. I wanted to connect with people to feel their pain. I wanted to be their part. What they have been going through? What they have to share? I yearned to feel those places for the purpose of connecting with their historical journey, across the “Kalchakra”!
I talked to a spectrum of people of the society. Since President’s rule has been imposed in Manipur in February 13, 2025, we expected things would improve. Hence, I posed this question before people – and to my surprise, almost all of them replied that though things appear to improve on the surface, they have not improved in actuality. Problem is still smoldering beneath the ashes – unfortunately, little air would be sufficient to lit the fire again!
Glimpses From History and Legacy of Manipur
The history of Manipur can be traced back to Mahabharata (at least 3000 BCE) – Chitrangada, a skilled warrior princess, daughter of Manipuri King Chitravahan, was married to Arjuna, one of the five Pandavas. The ancient Kangleipak (Manipur) kingdom is believed to have been founded in 33 CE by King Pakhangba, was home to Nature worshipping religion called Sanamahism. Archaeological findings and the Puyas (ancient Meitei texts) suggest the presence of Meitei communities in the Manipur Valley during 1000-2000 BCE. A very charming hilly state, with Imphal valley surrounded by enchanting hills, and many rivers whispering ancient glories, is abode to many ethnic groups and tribes, like – Meiteis, Naga and Kukis, with 33 scheduled tribes in all. The inhabitants of both the valley and the hills used to freely exchange various goods according to their mutual agreement based on the needs and products without any restriction. This social activity was a source of cultural exchange and harmony among the people, strengthening the relationship between the hills and valley people.
It was a powerful kingdom, whose territories varied from time to time. Inflicted with invasions, raids, treacheries, internal fights for power of the Kingdom since ancient times! As is clear even from narrations in books written by the British political agents, Manipuris are a fine stalwart race, enigmatic, people of great activity and energy, with attitude for acquiring new arts. Men are very strong, talented, skilled, were always cheerful on marching for days even without food under harsh weather and road conditions, never apparently conscious of fatigue. Women are skilled weavers, and carry a very powerful position in society – they run the largest women-run Ima Market (believed to have started in 16th century), and Lupi Nan movements (1904, 1939-1940). Manipuri princesses were married to kings of Assam (Kuranganayani), Tripura and Burma.
Manipur’s markets used to bustle with textiles, handicrafts, metal work and pottery products. Fertile land produced abundant rice, fruits and vegetables. The state is renowned for its aromatic black rice, pineapples, oranges, and ginger, which are not only consumed locally but also exported to other states and countries. Manipur is well known for Polo, Manipuri Ponies, metal works, weaponry. In old days, she had famous breed of ponies, larger and better than Burmese ponies coming from Shan state. On these ponies were mounted formidable cavalry that made Manipur feared throughout upper Burmah. Many times Manipuris entered Burmah and got victory. Cavalry used Manipuri saddle, and were armed with spears and two quivers of darts. As described by British, Manipur forests have plenty of fine timber trees, several varieties of oak and chestnut, fir trees, bamboos of many kinds. The kingdom had trade links with Assam, Burma, Tibet, China, and other states of India – the Silk Route passed through Manipur, that played a crucial role in Manipur’s cultural and economic development. The hill routes were used by travelers, immigrants, traders, pilgrims, invaders alike.
Manipuri dance is one of the Classical Dances of India. Thang-Ta is a traditional martial art of the state, Sagol Kangjej is considered the ancestor of modern-day polo – a testament to the rich legacy of Manipur. Sangai is the endangered deer of Manipur, it is found only in the Keibul Lamjao National Park, a floating park on Loktak Lake in Manipur. The state flower of Manipur is the Shirui Lily – a rare, pinkish-white flower endemic to the Shirui Hill range of Ukhrul district. Manipur has contributed splendidly to the field of sports (boxing, weight-lifting, hockey, judo, archery) to the Nation, with 19 Olympians!
Eclipses and Wounds
Manipur has been inflicted with conflicts and invasions since long. The Kingdom was weakened due to incessant invasions by surrounding tribes, including the Burmese, Kuki and Naga. Some sources suggest that in 1250 AD, Chinese force invaded the eastern Manipur and were defeated. The current Meitei-Kuki conflict started in May 2023. Kukis first started settling in hills of Manipur in 18th century during times of Maharja Pamheiba (also called Garibniwaj, ruled 1709-1751). They were pushed by powerful people of Burma, and British encouraged settlement of Kukis from Myanmar in hills of Manipur sorrowing the valley, during seven years of devastating Burmese invasions (1819-1826). Manipur became protectorate under British in 1824. In the Anglo-Manipuri War of Khongjom, Veer Yuvraj Tikendrajit along with General Thangal were hanged publicly on August 13, 1891, for their fight against British, after which the British gained control of Manipur in 1891. Kukis were initially used as a buffer by the British between the Nagas and the Meitei kingdom, served as mercenaries to protect the Manipur valley from the raids of Naga tribes. Kukis who settled earlier became an integral part of Manipur, and had been living peacefully in harmony with Meiteis.
Looking Ahead
From above, it is seen that Manipur has lot of potential to march ahead on the path of peace, and progress and development specially in the sectors such as exports and trade with other parts of India of agricultural and horticultural products, education, sports, production, IT and AI sectors. Manipur’s youth is talented, hard working and eager – they only need motivation and support to channelise their energy in proper directions. The chronic wounds need to be healed, and after analysing the root cause, the complex conflict should be handled sensitively and empathetically. Strategical and geographical location importance of Manipur for India and her security should be kept in mind too.
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