HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MANIPUR

Manipur has been described as “Switzerland of India” by Lord Irwin, it otherwise takes its name from ‘Jewel’ (Mani) ‘State’ (Pur) due to its shape. Physically Manipur may be divided into two parts-the hills & the valley. The valley is at the centre surrounded by hills on all sides. The hills cover approx 75% of the total area of the state. The people & the tribes of Manipur includes Meitei, Naga, Kuki & Chin-Mizo groups & other colourful communities. Manipur was an indep princely kingdom until its was defeat at the hands of the British in1891. The last king of this small kingdom was King Kullachandra Singh. The recorded history of Manipur begins from the first century AD, i.e since the king assumed power. He drove away the ‘Khabas’, the tribesmen, to the hills. Some ‘Khabas’ who ran away towards the East became Tangkhul Machiba & some took shelter in the court of Angoms. From the first to the 15^th century, there were many principalities of different gps of people indep of each other. The gps were the Meiteis, the Angoms, the Luwangs, the Khumans & the Heiram Khujas.

                                        

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Merger with Indian Union

2.         Manipur was merged with the Union of India on 15 Oct 49. The merger of Manipur into the mainland of India is treated by most Manipuris as a controversial issue. Though the merger was carried out on similar lines as that of the other princely Indian states, some Manipuris bear resentment & allege that this was done under duress. This is an aspect which all valley based Insur Gps (VBIGs) use as the basis of their demand for secession from the Indian Union.

Fmn of State

3.         After its merger in 1949, Manipur was a class “C” state under a Chief Commissioner. In 1950-51, an advisory form of Govt was introduced & in 1957 this was replaced by Territorial Council of 30 elected & two nominated members. Later, in 1963 a Legislative Assy of 30 elected & three nominated members was est under the Union Territory Act. The status of administrator was raised from Chief Commissioner to Lt Governor on 19 Dec 69.

4.         Manipur became a full fledged state on 21 Jan 72. The assy constituencies were delineated in 1972 into 60 seats, out of which 19 are res seats for the ST & one seat is for the SC. The State is rep in the Lok Sabha by two members & one member rep it in the Rajya Sabha.

5.         Pre Independence Pd.         A line of powerful & indep kings ruled the valley, enjoying sovereignity over other small principalities in the valley & over neighbouring areas of Assam & Myanmar. There is no authentic record upto the 17^th century. There are some indications of the existence of scripts (similar to Chinese graphic writing), However, it has not so far been possible to decipher the same. The history of the area, before the 18^th century is hazy because of difficulties in interpreting old Manipuri records, which are non existent.

6.         Manipur reached its ht of glory under Garib Niwas (1714-1755) who extended the bdy of the empire upto the bank of Chindwin R by bringing the whole Kabow valley under his occupation. Garib Niwas revived Hinduism, with the help of a Hindu preacher Shanti Das Goswami. After the assasination of Garib Niwas, Imphal valley came under Burmese forces who ravaged Manipur on their way to Assam. King Ghambir Singh ruled the region from 1826 to 1834. After his death there was constant struggle for the throne. This period saw active sp being given by the British in the sec & third war with Burma. The Lushai expedition of 1872 & the Kohima revolt of 1879 are other imp land marks. Manipur came under British rule in 1891. There were revolts against the British in 1904 & 1939, but of little avail. During WW-II, Manipur became a battle fd from 1942 to 1945.INA along with the Japanese force reached Manipur on 18^th March, 1944.Moirang was the first Indian territory to be captured by INA, it is here where Col Soukat Ali Malik hoisted the Indian Natonal flag. The Indian National Army War Memorial alongwith a museum is located at Moirang.