Northeast India · Manipur
Manipur
Sources: wikimedia
About Manipur
- Hills
- Lakeside
Where it is
Manipur is a state in north-east India on the border with Myanmar, made up of an oval central valley around Imphal and Loktak Lake, ringed by forested hills; its capital is Imphal.
History
Manipur was a kingdom for centuries, ruled by Meitei kings whose court chronicle, the Cheitharol Kumbaba, records its history. It was overrun by Burma in the early 19th century and came under British paramountcy later that century, and in 1944 the Battle of Imphal was fought here. The kingdom merged with India in 1949, and Manipur became a full state in 1972.
People
Meitei, also called Manipuri and written in the Meitei Mayek script, is the official language and is spoken mainly in the valley, while Naga and Kuki peoples speaking many languages live in the hills. Manipur is known for its classical dance, handloom weaving and sport.
Known for
- Loktak Lake and its floating phumdis
- Keibul Lamjao, the floating national park
- Manipuri dance and the Ras Lila
- Polo and the martial art thang-ta
- Ima Keithel, the women's market in Imphal
Did you know?
British officers learned polo from Manipuri players in the 19th century, and the modern game spread around the world from there.
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