MANIPUR

Sang a poet in the old times, roughly translated as : “My Manipura, Prime of the mainland of the Land of Gold, How bulwarked thou art by the ranges of thine hills all round, And sentinelled by the children of Nature on their round !”

“Manipura Sana – Leimayol, Chingna Koyna Pansaba, Haona Koyna Panngakpa !”

MANIPUR - The Jewel of Incredible India

Manipur is bounded by Nagaland in the north, Mizoram in the south, upper Myanmar, In the east and Cachar district of Assam in the west. The valley portion of the state is surrounded by hill ranges from all sides. Manipur had been a Union Territory from 1956 and became a full-fledged state from 1972. Manipuri was recognized as a national language in 1992.

There are many mythical stories about the origin of the name Manipuri. Some local people narrate its link with the Mahabharata. They say the name is from Mani, a jewel. This jewel was formerly in the possession of the Rajas of the country ages ago. The country was at one time named Mohindrapore but the Raja named Bubra Baha changed the name of Manipur. According to Mahabharata the name Manipur was is existence before the birth of Bubra Baha and Mahindrapore was the name of a high hill which is situated a short distance to the east of the capital. Jawaharlal Nehru described Manipur as the ‘Jewel on India’. By virtue of its geographical situation Manipur is a shining pearl in the Himalayan system. Manipuris call it as Meithei Leipak. In the valley Kongba (Imphal), Eeril and Thobal are the big rivers which originate from the hills and flow down into the valley and forms the drain for all waters

flowing into the valley carrying them off by Sagnu river through the southern ranges of hills further into the Ningthee. The Bark river flows through its western borders. The natural lake Loktak is a big water reservoir of 36 meters depth. It is 8 miles long from north-west to south-east and 5 miles broad at its greatest breadth from the east to west. The dark green Eichornia (water Hyacinath) reed and other aquatic plants floats on its surface abundantly.

In the valley there are numerous small lakes and swamps. The hills around the cup-shaped valley add to the natural beauty of Manipur. The hills are part of the Himalayas and are termed as Sub- Himalayan ranges. They are spread into ranges with irregular serrated ridges with tapering cliffs. There are several names given to these ranges. On the west : Nunjaibong, Kala Naga, Chakka Nungba, Kanpum and Kopru-Laimotol. On the north : The Khhunho spurs, Thumion (Mayang Khang), Laison and Sirohi farar. In the East : Surameti or Chinganguba, Somrah, Kassom, Nupitel or Maphitel and Yomadoung and on the South : Hawbi. Among these Chinganguba or Surameti peak is the highest with 12,557 ft. all the hills are covered with luxuriant growth of forests with nagesar, jurul, India-rubber, tan oak, ash, teak, palm (in eastern slsopes). There are different varieties of bamboo all over Manipur. Pinus Longifolia is found in Somrah basin and in northern portion. It has been planted on the hillock adjacent to Imphal town. The forest department of Manipur should make it a policy of reforestation of these entire ridges if they are really keen on aesthetic reflection of Imphal town in its peripheries. In the high hills the red and white rhododendron is seen. The flame of the forest trees are also found on the way to Tamenglong. Manipur represents population of two ethnic groups, the people who inhabit the hills called the Nagas and those who inhabit the valley called the Meiteis. The hills are also inhabited by the group called the Kukis. Imphal is the political capital of Manipur. The earliest recorded history dates to 900 AD.

In the course of its history there have been several invasions form Myanmar (Burma) which borders with Manipur and numerous clashes with the Nagas. In 1826, Manipur was brought into India by the treaty of Yandavo by Raja Jai Singh with the British at the end of the Indo-Brumese war. This followed a dispute in accession to the throne. With the intervention of the British the dispute was settled. In 1891 Churachand was nominated the Raja and it came under British rule as a princely state. During World War II Imphal was occupied by the Japanese. After Indian independence Manipur became a Union Territory and subsequently achieved statehood in January 21,1972.

Manipur was formely outside the pale of India. Aryavarta fell far too short in extent to enfold it. So did Bharatavarsha of later ages. Hence the Hindu Puranas locate it within the Kiratadesa. It was however, a ‘Suvarnabhu’ or ‘Land of Gold’, and formed geographically, a part of the so called ‘Suvarnabhu’ of old as so indicated by an old name of it’s namely ‘Sanapung’ which means ‘Land of Gold’. Further, it’s own history together with foreign accounts, best evidences that this tract of land was a gold producing country and that it had it’s own gold currency once.

 

One of the loveliest but lesser known holiday destinations in the North East is the state of Manipur with its capital Imphal. The erstwhile royal state is slowly entering mainstream tourism from its sheltered environs amongst the blue-hued hills and is set to be one of the hottest tourist finds in India.

One of the oldest states in the North East, Manipur displays its identity with vigorous enthusiasm. This zeal is reflected in the indigenous game of Sagol Kangjei (Polo). The state gave the world modern polo and prides itself in having the oldest active polo ground. The traditional form of the game is played with small and sturdy ponies in many rural areas. The same vigorous enthusiasm is reflected in the martial arts of Thang-Ta and Sarit-Sarak, and the state’s artistic leanings are visible in the graceful Ras Leela, Indian classical Manipuri dance. A gateway to South East Asia, Manipur offers visitors a cornucopia of cultural delights.

The stunning environs of Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Loukoipat eco-park in Bishnupur District, Dzuko Valley, Mt. Isii in Senapati District, Shiroi Hills and Khangkhui Cave in Ukhrul District, Tharon Cave, Bunning Meadows, Barak Waterfall and Zeilad Lake in Tamenglong, a hill station surrounded by thick forests full of orchids and wild tea, are living examples of the eco-friendly atmosphere which can lure any traveler here.

The stunning environs of Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Loukoipat eco-park in Bishnupur District, Dzuko Valley, Mt. Isii in Senapati District, Shiroi Hills and Khangkhui Cave in Ukhrul District, Tharon Cave, Bunning Meadows, Barak Waterfall and Zeilad Lake in Tamenglong, a hill station surrounded by thick forests full of orchids and wild tea, are living examples of the eco-friendly atmosphere which can lure any traveler here.

Manipur - The Jewel of Incredible India