subject: Thang Ta: A journey (Through the history of Kangleipak) from an ancient combat art to a popular modern sport [1st section] [print this page] Thang Ta: A journey (Through the history of Kangleipak) from an ancient combat art to a popular modern sport [1st section]
Thang Ta: A journey
(Through the history of Kangleipak)
from an ancient combat art to a popular modern sport [1st section]
-1st Part-
(a) The Introduction:
Thang Ta is the popular, common name given to Huyen Langlon or Lallong {Huyen'~ war; Langlon'~ knowledge of the art; Lallong'~ knowledge of war or martial art; hence in simple words, it roughly means the knowledge of art of war or martial art}, the martial art system of the Meetei race, major inhabitants of the valley of Kangleipak (Meitrabak/Meeteileipak; Sannaleipak; Poirei Meetei Leipak/Poileipak), present day Manipur, Northeast India.
Thang Ta [Thang'- sword; Ta'- spear, as these are the major weapons used] is a complete martial art; complete in the sense that it has both the external {the weapons art; the unarmed aspect: Sharit-Sharak' or Sarie-Sara', including the indigenous wrestling / grappling style - throwing & locking art- Mukna'; the physical exercise- power/strength development, conditioning, balancing, flexibility etc - Sajen Kanglon}; the internal component {focusing on the awareness of the spirit & mind; meditation & concentration- Hirikonba; & self cultivation}; the health component { Layeng Kanglon; including the breathing control & exercise- Hirikonba}; along with spiritual & ritualistic aspects {the morning practice of Chingkheirol (mostly in olden days); the tradition of Thengou (sacred martial forms/dance) ; the tradition of performing spear martial forms by Pana Khousaba in the Kwak- Tanba festival, (near Hindu Dussehra),& Ta Khousaba (spear forms) in Lai Haraoba (Merry festivals of Meetei Deities); even the performance of some of Ta Khousarols in the funeral procession by some group of Meetei - the Chakpa/ Loi & Andro/ yathibi (now mostly at places like Shekmai, Phayeng, Leimaram, Andro, & various places of Thoubal & Bishnupur, etc Manipur)}
[They are the descendants of a group of brave Meetei people, who dared to oppose the forceful conversion to Hinduism, rather preferred to die & be tortured, & were, thus, expelled & sent to faraway places & hills - being treated as the Sudras, the lowest caste in Hinduism - during the reign of Meidingu (=Meetei king) Pamheiba (~1709-1748); & who still are preserving some of the indigenous traditions & cultures of Meetei race].
In short it is a way of life; an integral element of the Meetei culture; the very foundation upon which the kingdom of Kangleipak was laid; the life giving oil for the lamp, the Meetei race, whose overall survival depended upon it. Hence, not to be amazed , to the local legend, stating the origin of each & every movements of Meetei from Thang Ta- the world famous Manipuri Classical dance, the splendid Pung & Pala Cholom, the graceful Lai Haraoba dance- all trace their origin in the moves , gaits & postures of Thang Ta.
(b) Some words about the origin:
The origin of Thang Ta is full of myths & legends; is believed to be born out of the basic survival instinct, the self- defense needs, the hunting activities {some of the sequences of a particular Ta-Khousaba depict various stages in hunting & catching wild animals.} - [Ta-Khousaba: an ancient collection of moves/ exercise series designed for mastering / increasing efficiency in handling Ta (spear) & Chung (buckler), & its techniques in simple words, most likely, a spear forms / patterns. Its main types are: Maram Nungsetpa, Maram Achouba, Maram Macha, Kabui, Tangkhul, Thel, (Athou, Yangbi & Atan, the main 9 types, as per many learned masters; according to others, in addition to the above six, other main types are- Maram Nungjongba, Athou Chumthang, Athou Macha & Athou Achouba)] - , the military training & experience, & most importantly, the burning desire & the utmost passion of the Meetei race never to be dependent or under any foreign rule.
One popular legend relates the creation of universe with Thengou [ancient sacred martial art forms/dances performed with sword or spear. As with Ta Khousaba, nine styles are known: Akao Thengou, Leiphal Thengou, Nongphal Thengou, Leichal Thengou, leipak Thengou, Leinet thengou, Langkak Thengou,Akham Thengou, Leishit Thengou.] performed by the Gods. So sacred are the forms considered till today that they have been kept very secret, & revealed only to few worthy, by the great masters, under immense precautions, strict supervision & rituals. Unfortunately, this very fact is making the art prone for extinction.
Another myth is the divine origin of various weapons known to Meeteis as derivations from the limbs & bones of the God, Til Sidaba. Whatever the legends say, the origin & evolution of Thang Ta can be understood (to some extent, even if indirectly) through the origin of Meetei race; the history of Kangleipak {the ancient books & literatures like Cheinarol - with details of many medieval fights & challenges , mainly among the commoners; Saturol Lanturol Sapharol Lanpharol concerning about divined laws/rules which a Thang Ta warrior had to follow in a battle field/combat; Takhel Ngamba concerning various situations in which even an enemy is forgiven or not killed; etc}; the geographical characteristic, interaction with surrounding Kingdoms (their culture & martial arts - including major battles fought); the profile of migration in & out of the kingdom; socio-cultural & religious evolution of the society, life of some of the well known Thang-Ta masters, & lastly the arrival of modern sport movement in Manipur.
(c) The Meetei The Origin:
According to the ancient religion of Meetei, The God Sannamahi (or the sun god: spreading the liquid of life in all directions) created all life forms when there was nothing in the universe, as asked by his father, the supreme god, Atiya Kuru Sidaba (Atiya- vast empty sky; Kuru- circular hemisphere; Sidaba- never ending/no birth, no death present) or Lainingthou Salailel Sitapa (Ipa Salailel or Ipa Sorarel). Then to sustain & propagate the newly created life, The God father sent his younger son, Lord Pakhangba, who became the protector & in due course of time, the King (hence regarded as the first King of the Meetei people). In another more accepted version, Konchin Tukthapa Ipu Athoupa Pakhangpa, the first Meetei monarch & hence given the name Lailel Pakhangba' (Lai God, lel best/supreme, Pa Father, khangba to know), is considered to be the younger son of the God Lainingthou Salailel Sitapa & Leimalel Lailelma Sitapi (Malem Leima - the Earth), who married seven Lai ladies & fathered seven sons, the seven Salais, hence the Meetei race.
[Pakhangba laining (worshipping or mediation) was therefore traditionally performed by the Kings, Nobles & Maichous (scholars), which requires deep concentration & meditation, instead of verbal chanting. Hence, Lord Pakhangba is considered to be the source of Thang Ta, so in the past, it was compulsory for every Thang Ta disciple to have a devotion to & worship him (Lord Pakhangba or Ipu Athoupa Pakhangpa). On the other hand, the Sannamahi laishon became common to all people - here, verbal chanting & singings are very common]
Scientifically speaking, no one knows, with 100% certainty, the origin of Meetei race - only probabilities & suggestions, based on archeological evidences, the written records, legends, myths & oral traditions etc. The earliest settlers of Kangleipak were believed to be the Himalayan Mongoloids groups (though disagreed by some).The Proto-Austroloid was believed to have inhabited the ancient Kangleipak before the advent of Tibeto-Burmans around 5000-4000 B.C. However, the first evidence of the Pleistocene man here dates back, even to about 30,000 B.C. {as the evidences from Khangkui caves, 11 km southeast of Ukhrul; & from tools found in Machi (in Chandel district), from Maring Naga Village}.
Some argue that the Kangleipak Valley (the dry areas- probably near the Kangla; some scientific sources date the approximate human habitation of parts of the Kangla at around 180,000 years BC) were first inhabited by a group of people, called Lai people, coming down from the Koubru Mountain ranges (to the north-west of present day Imphal); & their descendants became the Meetei. They had been there (in Koubru) since the very beginning of time - may even be the first Homo Sapiens.
[In accordance with a theory of first Human appearance (by about 195,000 years ago) & evolution in Africa, some learned argue that they came in one of the waves of pre-historic migrations from Africa, some 70,000-50,000 years ago, arriving in present India, around 20,000 years ago, & through Northeast India, including present Manipur, went to Southeast Asia. But, there is also an interesting claim & theory put forward by the respected Meetei learned, Mr. Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen, in his book, Kangleipak : the Cradle of Man' arguing the ancient Kangleipak as the origin place of Homo Sapiens, based on the scientific findings of the famous Chinese Paleoanthropologists, Professor Jia Lanpo, whose 40 years research concluded the place of origin of Homo Sapiens as in the southern part of East Asia, which very much includes the ancient kingdom of Kangleipak. Mention is also there of an evidence of 1969 which clearly asserts that the Ramapithecus from Northeastern Indian is not less than 4,500,000 older than the Australopithecus from Eastern Africa, thereby giving less weight to the African origin of modern man. Besides citing numerous folklores, folktales, mythologies, traditions of the ancient Kangleicha backing the theory that Kangleipak is indeed the cradle of mankind.]
(d) The Meetei - Theory of some early foreign influence The Chinese:
One among the many theories indicates the early Chinese influence. A group of adventure seeking people [believed to be belonging to earlier Shang Dynasty(~1766BC to 1046BC), China, founded by the rebel leader (of Shang tribe, Cheng Tang or Zi Lu, after fighting 17 years (11 major battles) against the Emperor Jie, the last of the Xia Dynasty (~21st to the 17th century BC; considered a myth by many, hence the Shang is the first true dynasty of China)& ultimately overthrowing him in the Battle of Mingtiao] reached the Koubru Mountain ranges, Kangleipak, following the Yangtse river -{The river which traditionally divides the Chinese martial arts into Northern styles (which lay more focus on legworks, kicking & acrobatics etc) & the southern styles (which lay more focus on low stable stances, short powerful movements, combining both attack & defense, use of arm & full body techniques)}- from the Yangtse river to the Chindwin river or Ningthi tural (now in Myanmar), passing the Somra hills, & reaching the origin of the Ireel river, & ultimately the Koubru.
[(a) Tang was the 14th generation Shang leader(descendent of Yilu & his son Yao Situ, the vassal of then Xia King) was a good & virtuous ruler, a model/ideal ruler, whose example was imitated by every monarch. He ruled as a king for13years, succeeded by his younger son (as believed by many- the elder son, Tai Ding/Da Ding was said to have died at an early age without succeeding his father), Wai Bing, & grandson, Tai Jia.
(b) Shangs are the tribes who used to live in the lower reach of the Yellow River (hence also called Yellow Civilization).Their Dynasty lasted over 500 years, with 31 kings belonging to 17 generations,& ruled much of the northern (or northeastern) China, with seven different successive capitals. Two most important events/developments during the period were the invention & development of a writing system (the ancient Chinese inscriptions found mostly on tortoise shells, & flat bones, mostly of cattle's, like scapulae etc- called oracles bones; bronze inscriptions; on pottery, jabe, horn, stones etc), & the use of bronze metallurgy.
The advance bronze casting techniques gave then a military advantage-their infantry were armed with varieties of bronze (& stone, wood or horn) weaponry- like bow, axe, halberd or ji ( similar to a spear, with an extra blade attached at its end.) etc- although the bronze was commonly used for art rather than weapons. Hunting was considered as an important part of their martial training. They practised some earliest form of Chinese martial arts- Shoubu ch'uan fa (or, more popularly, kung fu); jiao di (or horn butting developed by The Yellow Emperor) & earlier form of Xiang Bo (much similar to sanda/sanshou of present day wushu ). Martial arts also evolved into a kind of dancing, which was very useful for training soldiers, & increasing their morale. Many of the wrestling techniques were applied in battlefields.
There was rapid development of the skill & technology of sword forging, & sword ceremony. They (specially near the end of their dynasty) were also known to migrate (emigrate) & travel far & wide - the foundation of Gija Joseon, which became one of the early Korean states (by the Yin, latter part of Shang dynasty, prince Jizi); & the theories of their travelling & settling to ancient America- sharing part of ancestry of native American people.), hence, no surprise to the theory of their immigration to the ancient kingdom of Kangleipak.]
Around 1445 B.C., one leader of the group, Tang-Ja Leela Pakhangba (1445-1405 BC) {Pakhangba here isn't the Meetei God, but a name/title; Pa' = forefathers, khangba' = knowing; one who knows his forefathers} married the daughter (Sinbee Leima) of the Chief of Lei-hou people (~Lai people?), & established his kingdom.
[However, the current popular theory rejected all the above claims, & stated that the first monarch of Kangleipak was Konchin Tukthapa Ipu Athoupa Pakhangpa (a Lai'), who ascended the throne near >2000BC(+) {~>1737 BC(+)} & fathered seven sons - the seven Salais, begotten from his seven Lai wives/queens, whose descendents become the Meetei.].
The dynasty continued till the King Korou Nongdren Pakhangba (~934 B.C.to?) & his (younger) son, the King Sentreng. Its believed that in the following 700 years there were no rulers in the ancient Kingdom.
(e) The Meetei - Theory of early foreign influence The ancient Immigration:
An important intermixing of different groups of people occurred (according to some belief) during the reign of the king Chingkhom Poireiton (34-18 B.C.).There was a place named Khamtilong at the junction of three kingdom - China, Tibet & Myanmar, inhabited by different tribes - Nung, Chakpa, Kham, Mon, Khu, Nga etc (considered to be neo-Tibetans). In response to the invitation by the people of then Kangleipak (known as Tai-Pong-Pan to the people of Kham-Nung; as there were no rulers present), Chingkhom Poireiton was sent by his brother, Thongarel, Kham-Nung Saowa, the great man of the Nung tribe to rule the place; hence came accompanied with lots of people, of the above mentioned tribes (they were believed to follow Buddhism), who inter-married & lived together with the earlier {Lei-Hou (-Tang-Shang) / Lai} inhabitants of the ancient Kangleipak (Kangleipak was then called Poirei-lam, & the inhabitants: Poirei-Meetei).
[Here we see one of the earliest Buddhist influence. Some even argued the derivation of the term Sanaamahi (indigenous religion of Meetei) from Sanaamahay {~meaning the royal fruit, the essence of the teaching of the lord Buddha (the historical Budha was known by the name- Kawtumuni)}.Many Buddhist articles (including marble statues of lord Buddha) have been found in excavation in various sites of Manipur. Also, in ancient Meetei literature like Subikaa (ancient astrology book), many drawings & sketches, found are of Buddhist elements.
Buddhism was hardly known to Kangleipak, but some of its elements are said to be invariably found in our culture & tradition , as interpreted by some scholars{like the Meetei tradition of worshipping Sanaa Khongnaang (sacred fig tree); & the Buddhist belief of Prince Siddhartha (historical Buddha or Saikyamuni) attaining enlightenment under an sacred fig tree/ Bo (Bodhi vrikhs) tree};- besides some believe Buddhism was considered to spread to Myanmar/Burma, passing through Northeast India (also one of the three ancient silk routes passed through Kangleipak- perhaps leading to Yunnan; but was stopped since 1820 AD); The Pyu & Mon kingdom of ancient Burma was known to practise Theravada Buddhism - however many strongly object this claim stating the communicating link between Mainland India & South East Asia didn't included Kangleipak at all - either through Assam etc or by sea route, even the claimed silk route never touched Kangleipak.
Nevertheless, everyone knows the emphasis given in the development of almost every orient martial art with Buddhism].
(f) The Meetei The Seven Salais, & the Kingdom:
After some duration, from these people, the indigenous seven feudal clans/Salais of the Meetei; & all their closed associate brothers (many hill tribes) sprang out ( in the previous section, more accepted origin theory of the seven Salais of the Meetei was given - as a direct sons of the first monarch of the Meetei. Also, its believed that some groups of the Meetei Salais went to the surrounding hills & contributed to the ancestral line of hill tribes possibly the Kabui, Tangkhul tribes & many others etc).
The seven clans of Meetei {the Ningthouja, the Angom & the Khaba-Nganba (latter, mostly settled along the river courses, as with any great civilizations, of Nambul, Kongba, Hill & upper portion of Imphal); the Khuman (settled in Thoubal, Wangjing & lower course of Imphal rivers); the Moirang (along the Maklang, Nambol, Thongjaorok, Khuga & Moirang rivers); the Luwang (along the Luwangli, Phumlou, Abalok & Isingda rivers); & lastly, the Sarang Leishangthem (along the Maklang & Nambol rivers)} were at frequent fighting & struggling among themselves (& with other tribes) for supremacy & power, thereby constantly improving & refining their martial skills - the experiences were accumulated & many new techniques discovered/invented,& passed down from generations to generations. Eventually, the Ningthouja clan subdued the whole & emerged as the supreme power, thereby uniting the feudal clans, & an independent kingdom arose (however Moirang clan was annexed much later, in the year 1435) in 33 A.D.
This happened under the able & dynamic leadership of the great Meidingu (= king) Nongda Lairen (Nongda Lairen=heaven born) Pakhangba (33-153 A.D.), with the help of Angom Pureiromba & Luwang Langmaiba, as per many. [However, more than 61 kings are believed to have ruled the Kingdom before him. He was the descendent of the line of Meidingu Tangja Leela Pakhangba & his son, Meidingu Kangba; & he married Laisra, daughter of the line of Meidingu Chingkhom Poireiton kings]. He was the one, among the first to in habitat some of the low-lying valley of Kangleipak, which he named Kangla (meaning dry land) - some present scholars are against this view & considered Konchin Tukthapa Ipu Athoupa Pakhangpa as the establisher of the Meetie Kingdom, & Lai people being the first to inhabitate the valley the Kangla, as its written in sacred puya of Meetei.
[ (a) although ruled by Khaba clan before him, Kangla, situated on the bank of the Imphal river, (later referred as The Manipur Fort' by the British.) not only was the capital/ royal palace from his period till the year 1891, but also a holy place for Meetei; Lord Pakhangba is believed to reside under Kangla', besides there are some 360 sacred places of Meetei in it.
Since its occupation by the British on 27th April 1891, a column of security forces- Assam Rifles (one of Indian Paramilitary force after independence) was stationed there, which even, after the independence & merger with India (as per the controversial Merger agreement of 2nd Sept.1949), was not removed from there, to the much discontent of the Meetei.
{The agreement was signed unwillingly by the King of Manipur, Meidingu Bodhchandra (1941-1955) at Shillong (Meghalaya), as a result of immense pressurization & as forced by the newly formed independent Indian govt.( Shri Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the Iron man of India, was given the task of unification & annexation of princely states into mainland India.). It may be noted that the Meetei king, - after the handed over of the Manipur by the British to the him & his queen, Iroshi Devi, at 12 midnight of 28th August 1947, after the 2nd world war (1939-1945; in Manipur, 1942-1945) - had already declared the Manipur as a sovereign kingdom/ state, linked to India only by the act of accession. Also, by the July 1947, the making of the constitution of Manipur (drafted by the committee, whose composition was done earlier on 12th Dec. 1946, on the order of the Meetei king, Meidingu Bodhchandra) was already completed.
As per the first election poll of Manipur on Jan. 1948 (as a result of the recommendation by the council of princes of 1946, for establishing popular elected governments in Indian states), the first elected govt. of Manipur was formed, & Shri Priyobarta, the brother of the Meetei king, was offered the post of first C.M. (he was already working as C.M., appointed by the Meetei king himself, for the interim govt. just after the independence).
Unfortunately, with the merger agreement (the king signed it, without any prior accountability of the elected Manipur Assembly, & govt.), the interim Manipur State Council, & the Manipur State Assembly (& the elected govt.) were dissolved. Major General Rawal Amar Singh became the first Indian Chief Commissioner of Manipur, on 15th Oct. 1949, after the annexation of Manipur to India (Manipur was given a part C' territory status, basically his province- he had the power to rule the land even without consideration of the people). With much struggle & hardship (since early 1950), the statehood was finally achieved in 1972.}
After much pressurization & request to the Union Government of India, finally on 20th November 2004 (~133 years after the British occupation) the Kangla fort was handed over to Manipur State government.
(b) As much before 1 century AD, major portion of Kangleipak valley was believed to be covered by vast water (fresh water), named Loktak (Lok=stream in hillocks; Tak=vast) by Meidingu Kangba (1405-1359 BC) {it was during his reign (Meidingu Kangba) that Sagol Kang-jei (the polo game) was first introduced; Kang Jei- the stick used like the hockey stick, Kang drom- the ball used}].
He is however considered truly the maker of Kangleipak, & during his reign, the Meitei culture took its roots. His dynasty ruled the kingdom continuously in proper chronological order (till the merger of Manipur with the Indian Union in 1949, & as a part of India till 1955, a total of more than 47 kings). The art of Thang-Ta began maturing & taking shape.
The Kingdom of Kangleipak then stretched up to the border of China on the north, up to the river Chindwin in the east & south (present Myanmar), & in the west up to south Bengal sea. This close geographical & cultural proximity (& interaction) with the neighboring kingdoms (which also have rich martial art traditions),{also probably known to far west & east kingdoms, as the international trade route (including silk route) of past (comprising Europe, The Middle East-Arabs, Asia & Oriental countries) passed through these regions though disagreed by some}, continuously had a considerable impact in the evolution of Thang Ta.
-2nd Part-
(a) The Meetei martial art - Interaction with neighboring Kingdoms The Chinese:
The inter-influence between the Meetei martial arts & Chinese (China- our once ancient neighbor) martial arts can be roughly understood from some of the historical events- like some of the historic battles & profile of migration between the two.
The earliest Chinese interaction has already been mentioned [In Chinese, Meithei' means people of this country', meaning people of their territory, as per some learned.]. About the year 1250, a large number of Chinese forces invaded Kangleipak (known to Chinese as Hsiao Po-lo-mein'), during the reign of Meidingu Puranthaba (ascended the throne in 1247), but was defeated. Many Chinese prisoners of war were assimilated into Meetei society, & settled at Susa Kameng' in the valley.
[during these periods, in China, the practice of Ch'uan fa/Kung fu was so popular among the various civil organizations that there some group of people, called Luqi people, made their living performing martial arts all over the country.]
The words of military excellence & martial skills of Meetei Kings spread far & wide, even up to China (Khagi' to Meeteis). In 1576, during the reign of Meetei King, Meidingu Mungyamba,(1562-1597), a Chinese Chief/King (Khagi Ningthou), by the name Piyango (as known to Meeteis), sent (as per a legend / story) one fierce Chinese martial art expert or fighter, by the name, Mayadana or Moydana to challenge the Meetei king for one-on-one lethal combat.(so ferocious was he that the commoners feared him as Hingchaba or a demon/monster).
The Meetei King, Meidingu Mungyamba accepted the challenge, & fought him using his sword name Khoubomba' & spear Khangshunaha'(believed to be given by the Lord Pakhangba himself, as per a legend). The Khagi- hingchaba (Chinese monstor/demon) was ultimately defeated, killed, crushed & buried under a stone in Kangla, by the Meetei King.{some considered the stone to be at the Nunggoibi', still in Kangla today (It is the sacred place of worship of the goddess of war. Whenever a king of Kangleipak emerged victorious in battle, the sacred ritual of Huyein Lalu Chanba' was performed at this site)}
[In the same year (1576), Meidingu Mungyamba got a son, who came to be known as Khagemba (from the word, Khagi - ngamba'; Khagi=Chinese, Ngamba =conqueror)]
It is said that when the news reached the Chinese King/Chief, he was so impressed that he, himself, came (he stayed for a short duration in Kangleipak, before returning to his kingdom) with his royal attendants to the Meetei Kingdom, & presented many precious gifts, they brought from China, including, a flower, Khagileihou' (Khagi'= Chinese; leihou' ~ flower - a type of flower, very common in present day Manipur) to the Meetei King. Deeply impressed by the techniques & effectiveness of Thang Ta, many of his attendants stayed {& settled, as believed by many Thang Ta masters, at three places- Koutruk, Sengjam & Chirang (some sources referred the places as Khagi Hingol, west to the Kangla)} & learnt the Meetei art, Thang Ta.
His son, Ningthou (Ningthou=Meidingu=king) Hanba or Meidingu Khagemba (1597-1652), just like his father, was a great King, & also a skilled martial artist. He defeated a troop of raiding Chinese forces; probably from Yunnan province of China, in around 1631. He attacked Chinese Villages, & defeated their Chief Chouopha Hongdie' (known to Meeteis as Mangolsha or Manubak, a Chinese martial art expert, who was killed by Meidingu Khagemba). He too brought many Chinese war captives, & with them many skills- brick making, sericulture, & to a little extent their martial art system.
[At these periods in China, their martial arts received much development during the Ming (1368-1644), & Qing Dynasty (1636-1911). Many Martial arts books were published. There was integration among various martial arts genres during the Qing period; also were the wrestling techniques introduced into general martial arts-improving & maturing them]
(b) The Meetei martial art - Interaction with neighboring Kingdoms The Burmese:
Another important kingdom which had a significant impact was the Burmese (Kangleipak was known as Kathes to them), present day Myanmar, (to some extent, other Southeast Asian kingdoms), to the east. One may understand this by appreciating the similarities between the Meetei Thang Ta & Burmese martial art systems- Thiang (meaning total combat), specially the weapon art of Banshay, (& the unarmed art, Bando) {& even with the Thai art-Krabi Krabong (Krabi= the sabre, a long sword with curved tip & oversized hilt; Krabong=spear/ staff, the mother art of modern Muay thai.)}.
There was constant social-cultural relationship, & trade contact between the two kingdoms, & even beyond. The similarity of the traditional Meetei male garment, Khudei, with those of Thai & Khmer is amazing. The ancient Meitei script is considered comparable to that of Thai.
[The Khmer people of the great Khmer empire (of Cambodia, Java, Sumatra, etc) are believed to have come from west of Burma, & India, in ancient time. They played a significant role in shaping of the ancient Burmese, Thai (& other Southeast Asian) kingdoms. ]
Some scholars believe that the Mon of Burma (Myanmar) came & settled in the ancient Kangleipak kingdom as early as around 2000BC. As related to the Khmers (The Meetei called them Khamarans), it is said that they immigrated around 1000BC to the kingdom.There is also historical evidence of immigration of many Shans, Tai (Pang) & Chin-Kuki groups from Upper Burma as a result of ravage of upper Burma by the Mongol ruler, Kublai Khan (who ruled China, covering the Yunnan; 1215-94; the grandson of the great Chingis Khan).
It was the Pong king (Burma; Kangleipak was known by the name Cassay/Kassay to them & to Shans / Tais) , Chaopha (Tsatwa) Khekhomba (to whom a Meetei princess was married), who presented (around 1470) a gift- a golden box (some source : silver casket) containing a stone, known as Pheiya or almighty (later claimed by an immigrant Brahmin as Hindu god Vishnu sitting on Garuda hence mark the advent of Vaishnavism), & a sacred spear to guard it- to the Meetei king Meidingu Senbi Kyamba (1467-1508) {as a gift to celebrate their victory after conquering the (with their combined force) Kyang Khambat (hence Meidingu Kyamba was known as the conqueror of Kyang) which was a Shan Kingdom in Kabow Valley, Burma.}, that started the idol (in form of sacred stone) worshipping in Kangleipak.
[Some sources claim the statue, probably, as Lord Buddha; as The Pong king was a Buddhist. Also Meidingu Kyamba was not a Hindu (he practised the indigenous religion of Kangleipak- Sanaamahism.). However, the stone statue considering as The Hindu God Vishnu, was installed in a temple at the place, Lamangdon, which latter was called as Vishnupur (land of Vishnu)]
The Taungoo dynasty of Burma sent emissaries (around 1702) asking for Meetei princess {for marriage, to which the Meetei king Meidingu Charirongba (1697-1709) gave his daughter}
However the relation with Burma was not always friendly, but more hostile. They were frequently faced war situations, & huge war captives (along with their tradition & martial culture) were brought into/ out of the kingdom. From the period of King Meidingu Mungyamba (1562-1597), many Burmese (Kabo/Awas) war captives (settled at Kabo Leikai, Imphal) & were assimilated into the Meetei society; also by Meidingu Khagemba (around 1630).
Meidingu Pamheiba (1709-1748) (popularly known as Garibnawaz, a Persian word, meaning kind to poor'- given by Muslim immigrants), invaded Burma after the Burmese king insulted his sister (already the wife of the Burmese king), & asked for hand of another of his sister (for marriage). He with his skilled army under the great general, Thangjaba Chakrapani, defeated the Burmese army on many occasions (in 1725, 1735, 1738, 1748-49). He was the terror of the upper Burma. The upper Chindwin valley {under the Bayinnaung's dynasty or Toungoo dynasty (1531-1752)} was under annual raids. His army crossed the Chindwin River & captured Mayedu town on the bank of Yu River. His kingdom extended up to Mandalay in Myanmar. He also repulsed an army of about 20,000 to 30,000.
The Meetei soldiers, specially the cavalry on ponies with excellent skills of Thang Ta were feared & respected by all (&Meetei; kings, considered to possess divine powers & abilities). One of the deadly weapons used by Meetei army cavalry was called Arambai', a steel arrow (commonly poisoned ) with a rope tail, hurled from the war ponies with a very high speed, accuracy, causing maximum casualties to the enemy.
(c) The Meetei martial art The military strategy: Lallup system':
The Military excellence of the Meetei was mainly due to the Lallup' system (war/military organization). In Lallup, every male Kangleicha (people of Kangleipak) above 16 years & mostly up to 40 years was a member. There were seven Salai Lallup groups, belonging to the seven clans of Meetei (each controlled by their respected Maichou), all under the central command of the Meetei king.
Each Salai group had their own identifying colour code, even characteristic weapons (swords- as an identification mark; & for ritualistic & religious use) of different shapes & sizes. Every member had to master the art of Thang Ta, & had to ready for action any time, when the Meetei king commanded.
This didn't mean Thang Ta was exclusive for males. Kangleipak has witnessed many great female warriors. One of the many, was the Queen Lingthoingambi (considered as the Joan of Arc, of Kangleipak) [She was the queen of the Meetei king Meidingu Ningthou Khomba (1432-1467),& the mother of king Meidingu Thangwai Ningthouba or Kyamba (1467-1508). In the absence of her King, she led the Meetei soldiers in various war fronts, & also brought many spectacular victories; like the successful defense to the raid by the Tangkhul tribes from Tuisem village. ]
The Salai clan also had their way of learning & teaching Thang Ta (slightly different from one another). Many techniques were taught in total secrecy, for the fear of revealing to any expert onlooker; & the fear of creation of neutralizing counter attacks etc, if they became well-known & common, & hence no longer would be as effective as before. Even today, Thang Ta is taught & practised by the present masters in different ways (though the final goal is same), according to what they have learnt & experienced.
(d) The Meetei martial art The fall, & the consequence:
With the advent of Hinduism, gradual disbandment & disorganization of the Lallup system & the Lalmee (soldiers) started. The King Meidingu Charairongba (1697-1709) embraced Vaishnavism (Madhavcharya sect of Vaishnavism) in 1704, but he gave equal respect & still regarded the indigenous Meetei religion. His son, Meidingu Pamheiba (1709-1748), on the contrary, was completely swayed away (by the waves of extreme/dark side of Hinduism), & even tried forceful imposition of Hinduism (he was first initiated into Vaishnavism by Gopal Das; latter he switched over to Ramanandi school of Vaishnavism).
Many temples belonging to Meetei traditional religion & deities were destroyed; & replaced by Hindu gods. He prosecuted severely the Meeteis following the traditional religion; & even did not spare those belonging to other sect of Vaishnavism. He banned poultry & piggery (around 1723), even records & books written in ancient Meetei scripts. All the Lupungs (burial grounds for Meetei Kings & his forefathers) were excavated, & the remains, burnt (on 20th March 1724) on the bank of Ningthi river (Chindwin river, then a part of Kangleipak), according to the Hindu rituals (thus starting cremation of deaths among Meeteis; the cremation site of Meetei Kings, the Manglen in Kangla, was subsequently developed by him in the year 1738).
Hinduism became deep rooted into the society, & its influence obvious in every section, resulting in extensive & sudden transformation of the socio- economic & cultural formation. Sanskritisation/Hindunization of the Meetei nomenclature {the kingdom was recoined as Manipur, so as to relate to the Manipur of the Mahabharata; however the name was believed, assigned officially (British India) to Kangleipak by Mr.Rendel in 1774 when Mr.Warren Hastings was the Governor General of British India} & introduction of Hinduised gotra of the seven Salais followed.
On the 17th day of Mera (October), 1732 (as decided by a seminar, held at Kangla Hall, Imphal on 9th Oct.2008) at the instigation of the king's religious guru, Shanti Das Gossai (A Hindu preacher who came during the later reign of Meidingu Pamheiba from Sylhet, Bangladesh), all the ancient written documents of the kingdom, ancestral records, including the holy scriptures, called the Puya, were burnt down { Puya Meithaba: an attempt to modify & erase the ancient identity of Kangleipak; & to rewrite the theory of Hindu origin of Kangleipak; even many new Puyas (Sanggai-Phamang Puyas' with wrong information) with ideas or philosophy concerning with Hindu religion were forced to be written by the scholars, as per his order.} at Kangla Uttra (which is the ancestral coronation hall of the Meetei Kings).
Those Meeteis (the Lois & Yaithibi) {including all the Maichous (scholars like Louremba Khongang Thaba, Langol Lukhoi, Konok Thengra, Wangoo Bajee etc); & many more like Chingngu Khongnangthaba, Moirang Lalhanba etc. were even hanged to death} who resisted to the conversion to Hinduism {as one among the many techniques of conversion, said by many) - people were forced to drink Charnamitra' or Khongjum' (in Meetei language: Meeteilon basically, water remain after washing or sinking feet- of the Hindu priests; who knows may be even possible, might have been forced to eat cow dung / cow urine etc ??'.} were tortured, & driven out of the main community to far villages (with them some ancient Meetei records).
All these strained the relationship between the king & the Lallup Lalmee (also with the hill tribes, who along the Meetei Loi & Yaithibi were considered as the Sudras, the lowest caste in Hinduism, & uncivilized.), who often became to be viewed with suspicions. Top military commanders became Hindu immigrants. The Lallup system was deteriorating & with time, becoming more a civil organization (from its original military organization).
This collapsing of the Lallup system (& also due to the prevailing political turmoil as a result of the frequent fights for controlling power & throne among the princes of the kingdom) may be attributed for the 6 khuntakpa (devastation & abandoning of the Meetei kingdom due to Burmese army terror). Two during the reign of king Meidingu Gourashyam (1753-59), when the Burmese king Alaungpaya's Konbaung forces (of the highly militaristic Konbaung Dynasty) invaded Kangleipak. {by 1758, his forces had reunited all of Burma}; Three in the year 1764, 1769, 1772 during the reign of King Meidingu Ching-Thang Khomba/ Bhagyachandra (reign:1763-1769?; 1773 -1797). The last one, lasting for seven years, was known in the history of Kangleipak, as Chahi Taret Khuntakpa' from 1819 to 1825, ending the reign of King Meidingu Marjit (1813-1819).
The Meetei force faced defeat in the hand of King Hsinbyushin's (1760-73) force (of Konbaung dynasty, 1752-1885, Burma) {~ at Tamu, around late 1760's (~1762-1769; 1769?, some source 1764?)}, assisted by Chitsai, uncle of Meidingu Ching-Thang Khomba, who had killed his father (Ching-Thang Khomba's) Samjai Khurai-Lakpa (the elder son of Meidingu Pamheiba) in Awa (Burma). The King, Meidingu Ching-Thang Khomba fled (along with his queen, & a few royal attendants) to Ahom kingdom, Assam (Kangleipak was known by the name Meklee/ Magloo/ Moglai to them & to Cacharis).
(e) The Meetei martial art The famous Maram Ta Khoushaba':
There are some interesting incidents (story) during his exile. On his way to Ahom kingdom, the king reached Maram' , a village on the mountain top, where the inhabitant tribes failed to recognized him, & demanded a proof of his identity (as they had heard many stories about the divine power of the Meetei king). To this, The king did a "Ta Khoushaba"(Thang Ta spear form/ martial dance) on a hard rock, leaving his foot prints (in the spear form/pattern, about 70-80% utilization of lower extremities is needed), as he did various moves (Phanba) of the form.
Similarly, when he reached Ahom kingdom (as a result of a letter from his crafty uncle, poisoning the Ahom king, Rajeshvara that it was an imposter not the Meetei king, who was taking refuge at his court), he (without any weapons) was asked to tame & control one fierce, wild elephant at Rang Ghar (a stadium like, for observing social functions etc in Ahom kingdom) as a proof of his identity as a Meetei king (believed to possess divine powers). So beautifully & gallantly he did the formidable task, winning the respect & belief of Ahom people instantly. Thereafter, the Ahom king (with about 10,000 Ahom troops of the total ~ 80,000 infantry) helped him regained the throne of Kangleipak in 1773 (he ruled up to 1797).
[As a devotee of lord Govind (Cheitanya's School of Vaishnavism); he was said to have been helped by the lord himself (who tamed the elephant as the Mahout). After this incident, as revealed in his dream, an idol of the Lord (some said to be four in no.) was carved form a certain Jack fruit tree growing on the slopes of Kaina hill (26 km from Imphal on Imphal-Yairipok Road), & installed at a Temple at his Langthaban (Canchipur) Palace (11th Jan 1779). After the installing, ras-leela was played continuously for five days (at the open ground of Ras Mandal Pukhri). The dance (Kunja Ras, Maha Ras, Basanta Ras), its dresses etc, were composed by the King with the help of his daughter, princess Bimbabati or Shija Laioibi , as what he had seen in his dreams.]
(f) The Meetei martial art The major exodus of Thang Ta warriors - The seeding out:
The year from 1819 to 1826 witnessed the dark periods of chaos & devastation in the history of Kanglaipak, painfully engraved in the hearts of each Meetei, "The 7 years devastation".
The Burmese King Bagyidaw, successor of the King Badawpaya of the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885) sent a large force under the General Mingimala Bandula when the Meetei King Meidingu Marjit (1813-1819) refused to attend the coronation ceremony & pay homage to him (the Burmese King). Meidingu Marjit was defeated (after a fierce fighting of seven days), & he fled to Cachar (in Assam).
Under the Burmese Commander Pakhan Woon, Burmese troops took way about 30,000 subjects of the Kingdom as war captives (around 1820). Fearing the terror of Burmese army, many thousands more fled to neighboring kingdoms (Tekhao, Assam; Takhel, Tripura; Sylhet, Bangladesh; Awa, Burma etc; also to the hill tribes, mainly Tangkhuls & Kabuis, who latter were absorbed within them). These people, including many Thang Ta masters, took along with them the martial arts tradition of Manipur.[During & after these seven years, the population of the Kingdom was reduced by about 30,000-50,000].
(g) The Rebirth:
Slowly with time, the national struggle against the Burmese rule became stronger, & the first standing army, the Manipur Levy, was created. With 500 Meetei Levy (which subsequently was increased to 2000), under the Gambhir Singh with the help from British Army (under the command of Captain Grant) succeeded in expelling the Burmese from Cachar (Assam), & Manipur (Ningthee river/ Chindwin river was made the eastern boundary of Manipur) in the 1st Anglo-Burmese war (From 5th March 1824), considered (by many) as the longest & most expensive war in the history of British India.
[The British (Mr.Venositart, the Governor of Bengal) had signed a treaty in 1762 with the Kingdom (Meidingu Gaurashyam, 1753-63 ) that the British would give necessary assistance for protecting the Kingdom from outside invaders (Burmese, Nagas etc), for a land(a village) given to them (British) by the Meetei King for the East India Company posting.].
Gambhir Singh was crowned the King of Manipur with capital at Langthabal (Canchipur) (1826-1834). About 763 Awa (Burmese), & 152 Non-Manipuri were brought as war prisoners- with them their martial tradition. Even today one can see the sword marks left by Meidingu Gambhir Singh (as considered by many scholar) in Koumudo Pagoda, (Burma) Myanmar.
(h) The Meetei martial art The 2nd seeding out:
Another exodus of Thang Ta experts form Manipur took place, during the latter reign of Meidingu Chandrakirti (1834-1844, 1850-1886).
Meidingu Gambhir Singh died on 1834 when Chandrakirti (his only son) was only 2 years old, & hence was, in accordance to the tradition, made the king of Manipur (hence he was also known by the name, Ningthem Pishak'), with his uncle, Nara Singh, as the caretaker & regent (so the power & control was in his hand, Nara Singh, the second cousin of Meidingu Gambhir Singh).
[Meidingu Gambhir Singh died (of Heart Attack? or as reported, of Cholera) when the British, in order to please the Burmese, gave the Kabow Valley to them (Burmese), against the original agreement between them (Meetei King & British) - Kabow Valley was to be leased to Burma only for cultivation purpose for which the Meetei King would get a sum of Rs 6000 per annum as a tribute.
The valley had been an integral part of Kangleipak since olden days (~1470; during the reign of Meidingu Kyamba, 1467-1508.)The valley was then given according to the agreement signed between Nara singh, representing Meidingu Chandrakirti, & British (Captain Grant, Captain Pamperton, Mr.George Gordon, the British political Agents.) on 12th Jan. 1834. Even after independence, & merger with India, payment of Kabow valley agreement to Manipur was discontinued by the first Indian Prime Minister, Pt.Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1953.]
The queen & mother of Chandrakirti, Maisnam Chanu Kumudini Ponglen-Khombi, was not satisfied with the arrangement (power in the hand of Nara Singh); & supported the revolt against Narasingh by Nobin, who was a descendant of Meidingu Pamheibi.
Narasingh was a skilled Thang Ta expert, & a devotee of Lord Govinda (he built the original Govind temple in Kangla, Imphal in 1846, during his reign, 1844-1850). One fine morning taking the advantage of the vulnerable hours of Govinda worshipping, Nobin attacked to kill Nara Singh (who was unarmed) when he was bending to bow the lord. Immediately, Narasingh reacted & retaliated, defeating Nobin (who was killed by his escort).This incident lights the undoubted effectiveness of Sarie-Sara.
After the defeat of Nobin, Queen Kumudini with her son (said to be accompanied by Thangal General) fled to Cachar (in Assam) on 27th Jan. 1844. Narasingh became the king, as desired by the people in 1844 (at the age of 51 years; with capital at the Kangla). Chandrakirti came from Cachar with his force (supported by rulers there) & defeated King Meidingu Debendra {the brother of King Meidingu Narasingh, who ascended the throne after his death (Meidingu Narasingh) on 10th April 1850}, & regained the throne of Kangleipak in 1850 (at the age of ~18 years)
The childhood incidents & hard struggles impacted deep in his mind, & in order to subdue any possible conspiracy against him (kingship), there started the killing (silent) of many Thang Ta masters, who were not in his group or directly under his control. Among the many killed was the Thang Ta master, Ojha Sanachapprando (paternal uncle - elder brother of father - of Ojha Rajkumar Sanahal, another great Thang Ta master, & also his teacher - its said that Ojha Sanahal used to record many of the famous Thang Ta moves/stepts - which he preserved for the us, the future generation - using a charcoal piece on the floor as revealed /done by Ojha Sanachapprando) who was murdered under a conspiracy.
Many surviving Thang Ta masters fled the Kingdom for neighboring countries (Kingdoms) - (present day Myanmar, Assam, Tripura etc.)- where they settled & spread the seed of Thang Ta martial art.
-3rd Part-
(a) The Interaction The west & north-west kingdoms - Tripura:
As with the Burmese, various kingdoms on the west, north (northwest) & mainland India, also exercised much influence over the Meetei Kingdom, & her tradition (including Martial art).There are many non- Meeteilon terms of various Thang Ta movements & steps (like Kalak, Yalak, Shut etc).
There were records of immigration of Takhels (from Tripura) during the reign of King Meidingu Moramba, Meidingu Thangbi Lanthaba & Meidingu Tonaba (between 1278-1358), who were settled at Takhel village, at the foothills of the Nongmaijing hills (Imphal East district). In 1533, the Meetei King Meidingu Kabomba defeated the Tripuris, & brought many Tripuri prisoners of war, also by Meidingu Khagemba who brought about 200 Takhel war captives around 1633-34.The Meetei King Meidingu Pamheiba invaded Tripura in 1734, & brought about 1100 captives. These people were gradually absorbed into the Meetei Community, along with their traditions.
(b) The Interaction The west & north- west kingdoms - The Muslims:
The major interaction between Meetei & Muslim (Mughals, & their fighting system) took place in 1606, when Prince Sanongba (one of the younger brothers of King Meidingu Khagemba) rose in rebellion with his army in Cachar, which included many Muslims soldiers from the Bengal province of Mughal Empire (Jehangir was the then Mughal Emperor),{also from the Muslims who got settled in Cachar during & after the invasion of Cachari Kingdom (reign of king Yasonarayan) by the Nawab of Bengal, Islam Khan.} The great Meidingu Khagemba & his brave army defeated him (the prince) & brought many Muslims prisoners (~>1000) of war, who subsequently were assimilated into the community. Earlier also, many Muslims war captives from Tekhao (Assam) were settled at Mayang Imphal (in Imphal west district) during the reign of King Thingkhonba of Khuman Clan.
The Mughal Prince Shuja (The son of Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan) is said to have fled (through Tripura) to Kangleipak {took shelter at Shujalok cave at Heimgang(Kairang), in Imphal East District, where he died ultimately} after he was defeated by Mir Jumla(Mughal Governor of Bengal); & as wanted by Aurangzeb, then Mughal Emperor.Also during the reign of Meidingu Paikhomba(1666-1697), two Mughal Princes (or Makak princes- as Mughals were came to be known as Makak-mayum)- Sunarful & Lakhiayrful, accompanied by saint Fulleicha Shantullah Shaikh, & traveller Millia Shaikh, with their slaves & attendants (~37) arrived on elephants in Kangleipak form Mughalpur (Makak). These two Princes became the ancestral founders of Makakmayum [Sunarful-makakmayum Angouba, Lakhiaful-Makakmayum Amuba; according to the type of flowers they brought.].The Mangol Shanglen was converted into Mughal Shanglen for them by the Meitei King.
[Meetei Muslims are called Pangals, derived from the word Bengal', as they came from Bengal (mainly as war captives). However, some actively argue that the word Pangal was derived from Pang tribes' (or Tai group: said to have come from northern & eastern sides of kingdom of Kangleipak)' who were first to be converted to Islam.
Present day Meetei Pangals are considered by some to be descendants of various groups like- Pang tribes, Pashas (the Panshi in China, Panthay in Burma- the mongoloid Muslims coming from China, & upper Burma- through ancient silk route through Manipur: Manipur-Yunnan, China - it may be noted that many other learned strongly argue the silk route never included Manipur, even Indian mainland was never part of China-Europe silk route); the Bengalis, Mughal soldiers, Low caste Hindu converts etc.
It is said that earlier Muslim preacher like Amir Hamza , one of the five uncles of Prophet Muhammad, also martially skilled (he defeated then King of Bengal & King of Rosang in the south of Chattagram in Bengal, converting them to Islam) came to Kangleipak, as per some Meetei pangal scholars, during the reign of Meidingu Naophangba (~428-518, some source:590-680) & met the Meitei Scholar, Ashangba Laiba, & preached briefly here, living among the Pang tribes {The title Aribam' was conferred by the Meetei King (Meidingu Naophangba) to Muslims of that periods}. He was on his way to China, as per the saying of the Prophet the seek for knowledge even unto china'. During the reign of Meidingu Irengba (~984-1074), two Pashas & one Pangal Village were recorded to have flourished in the ancient text, Ningthourel Lambuba.]
(c) The Interaction The west & north-west kingdoms - Assam:
The first encounter between the people of Cachar & Kangleipak probably happened during the reign of Meidingu Kongyamba (1324-1335), when the great King defeated & drove away the attacking Cachar people who have come from the Imphal Tamenglong road (Tongjei Maril), & constructed a fort at Hinglen Ching (a hill, 18kms north of Imphal).
In relation with Takhel (Assam), there is one incident in the history showing the high martial skills (of Thang Ta), & valor of Meetei. With 7000 strong troops, including many elephants riding warriors & cavalry, under the Brigadier General Shuldham failed to make inroads from Cachar (in Assam) to Manipur, because of just 500 skilled Meitei soldiers led by the Meetei King, Meidingu Gambhir Singh.
(d) The Interaction The west & north- west kingdoms The influence:
We have already seen the influence of Hinduism & Vaishnavism. The first recorded entry of Hindu Brahmins (about 18) into Kangleipak was during the reign of Meidingu Kyamba (1467-1508), & it was during the reign of Meidingu Pamheiba (1709-1748) that Hindu missionaries started immigrating in large numbers.
The Hindu immigrants, when they saw the Meetei race with their highest martial skills, the extra ordinary valor & courage, the life of honor & justice; starting linking them with one of their greatest hero, Arjuna {the 3rd of the five Pandavas of Mahabharata, all skilled martial artists, belonged to the Hindu warrior caste, Kshatriya- the Kshatriyas were excellent in various ancient Indian martial & combat arts: unarmed arts like Nara, Hsiang ch'a hsiang p'u, the Chinese name of ancient Indian martial art, Vajramushti etc; weapon arts like Shastra Vidya (like Kalaripayat), Dhanurvidya (in which Arjuna was the best) etc.}. Manipur was the place where the Pandava (Arjuna) faced defeat (according to the Aswamedha Parva of Mahabharata).
[After the Mahabharata war, Arjuna went to Manipur with the horse intended for Aswamedha. There he met Manipuri King Babhruvahana {who himself was the son of Arjuna & Chitrangada, the princess of Manipur, the only daughter of the King Chitrabahana, born during his (Arjuna's) exile in Manipur. But in accordance to the matrilineal customs of her people, Arjuna was not allowed to take away her & any of her children, as they were heir to Manipur, as a successor of her father, the King of Manipur.} on the way, & got into quarrel (they didn't know each other), & ultimately in the fight, Arjuna was killed by the Manipuri King Babhruvahana {Arjuna was later restored to life using a gem given by his (Babhruvahana) stepmother, Uloopi, the Naga princess- the name Manipur or the land of gems for the kingdom.}.
But the point to be noted is the Manipur of the Mahabharata is believed by most to be located somewhere in the Indian State of Orissa, (one probability is somewhere in / near Bhadrak district, near the eastern sea coast, as concluded by the extensive research of many scholars, & not the present Manipur State of India - the name Manipur itself was given ~ after 2nd half of the 18th century AD to the much older Kangleipak (which was the name since around 150 century BC, as proposed by some scholars.) by the Meidingu Pamheiba ,as influenced by the immigrants Hindus missionaries, so as to relate to the Manipur of Mahabharata.
In spites of this fact, the story is given special importance by Manipuri Bishnupriyas (having sharp Indo-Aryan features, & speak a language similar to Kamrupi) who believe they were descendants of immigrants from Hastinapur & Dwarika after the Mahabharata war, led by Babhruvahana (who had earlier returned to Hastinapur with his father), or from a group of people coming from Mithila (Videha), the eastern frontier of Aryan culture.
Most accepted one is that they were originally war captives brought by Kangleipak kings, who subsequently settled & absorbed into the community {as believed by some to be before 700AD, as in the same year when the Kangleipak Valley was invaded by Chinese (as one can find in the writing of the great Chinese traveler, Hien-Tasng, who had come upto Kamrupa, around 7th century AD, in the court of Kumar Vaskar Varma), they referred them (Bishnupriyas) as Khalachai (In southern Chinese - Children of the wide lake; Kha=lake,La=Wide,Chai=Children) who had settled around the Loktak lake.
However, many learned are of the opinion that they were mostly people from Cachar etc, who were first settled in the Kangleipak as war captives during the 14th century AD, & the name Bishnupriya' was given to them (Bishnupuri / Bishunpuris / Kalisha / Kalacheiya / Kalachaya - originally worshippers of the Hindu Goddess Kali) by the Meidingu Gambhir Singh in the year 1827 AD]......to be concluded in the 2nd section.
