Kakching Travel and Tourism Guide

The history of the Manipur  area was written in the Cheitharal Kumbaba, an ancient book of Manipur which was written and modified five times from 1700 to 1830 A.D. The book covers the history of Manipur from 33 A.D. - 1897 A.D. As per the book, the area was ruled by Pakhangba kingdom for about 120 years. During 154 A.D., King Tompok took over the Kingdom. He and his successors ruled until 654 A.D when King Kairench took over and the craft of the area developed during this time. The Shang dynasty (1523 - 1027 BC) was established by the Meitei tribe king that was later known as Tang Shang dynasty.  Thereafter a lot of development took place in the area in terms of transport, agriculture, cultural exchange, animal husbandry, literature etc. The successors continued to rule successfully. The Meitei initially worshipped the Dragon God and later adopted Hinduism by worshipped Lord Shiva and the Snake God. The worship of Lord Vishnu was started by King Kyamba in the 15thcentury. In the mid-13th century, the Chinese invaded Manipur but they were defeated. During the middle of15th century, King Kyamba took the throne. King Kobomba opened the road to Assam and the trade and cultural contacts started. Ningthou Kangba (15th century BC) is regarded the foremost king of Manipur.  In the 1600 A.D, King Khemba introduced cap / headgear to be worn at a time of festival. Relationships with China were also initiated in this century. In the year 1714, King Garib Niwaj took over the throne. Unfortunately, there was a great famine in the area during 1715-16A.D. A number of people died of starvation. King, Garib Niwaj undertook many social and administrative reforms. In the year 1750, King Garib Niwaj was deceived by his son who drove his father out of the kingdom. In 1752, the king was invited back. From 1753-1758, there was no proper ruler of Manipur due to conflicts. In 1760, Yuvaraj Bhagya Chandra took over the throne. The Manipur Kingdom was extended to the present territorial upto Myanmar. The Burmese attacked the entire territory in 1769 AD and in 1773 AD, but it was taken back. Burma invaded again in 1819 AD during the reign of King Marjeet Singh. During this anarchy, Burmese occupants destroyed the place and assets badly. In 1825, the locals attacked the Burmese in an army led by Gambir Sing and drove them away. Manipur was free of the invasion from Burma by February 1826. The famous Yandaboo treaty was signed in February 1826. Finally in the late 17th century, the first alliance between Manipur and the East India Company was made in the year 1762. By this time, there was British intervenes in the entire state. The first British officer came to Manipuri 1825-26. After the death of Maharaja Gambir Singh in 1829, his son, Chanu Kumudini Chandrakirti, was announced the king when he was 2 years old.  His uncle and caretaker used this opportunity and declared himself as the king. After his death, the young king came back and took over the throne. Maharaja Surajchand, son of Maharaja Chandrakirti, ruled from 1886 - 1890 and then his son, Maharaja Churachand ruled from 1891 - 1941, who was then a minor. In the year 1907, the Manipur State Durbar was established to assist the Maharaja in the administration of Manipur. His son, Maharaja Budhachandra Singh ruled from 1941 - 1955 AD. The locals declared a war against the British. The great Khongjom war was fought between Manipuri army and the British Army. Manipur was taken over by the British after the fierce battle. The Kuki tribal revolt against the British took place in the year 1917. The second women war against the misrule of the British took place in the year 1939 and it continued for about 14 months.