Meitei History & Culture
In This Article
For millennia, the valley and hills of the land historically known as Kangleipak (now Manipur) have cradled a unique and profound civilization. The Meitei people, the primary inhabitants of the valley, possess a history that stretches back into the deep annals of time, long before the advent of Hinduism in the 18th century reshaped its cultural landscape. This post delves into the indigenous origins of the Meitei race, drawing from ancient Puyas (sacred scriptures), archaeological findings, and historical traditions to piece together a narrative free from later fabrications and to reveal the astonishing depth of their ancient knowledge.
The Primordial Homeland: Koubru Mountain
According to ancient Meitei tradition, the story of their origin does not begin in the fertile plains of the Imphal Valley but on the majestic peaks of the surrounding mountains. Living tradition points to the Koubru mountain range as the 'incubation centre' of the Meitei race. This was a time when the valley itself was submerged under a great body of water. Archaeological evidence from sites like Tharon Cave in Tamenglong, which has yielded tools from the Paleolithic period, supports the claim of extremely ancient human habitation in the region's highlands.
"Awang Koubru Assuppa,
Leima-Lai Khunda Ahanpa,
Nongthrei Ma-u Lingliba,
Eerik Mapan Thariba,
He Lainingthou!"
This verse reveres the Koubru mountain as the first habitation of the 'Leima-Lai'—the ancestors of the Meitei—where the Creator God, the Lainingthou, first planted the seeds of life. This tradition remains vibrant, with thousands of Meitei making an annual pilgrimage to Koubru to honor their ancestors and the Creator.
From 'Leima-Lai' to 'Meetei'
In the pre-historic and proto-historic periods, the ancestors of the Meitei were known as the 'Leima-Lai' people. The term is a compound of 'Leima' (woman/female) and 'Lai' (man/male/god). This nomenclature reflects a deep genealogical connection to their creator deities. As stated in the Puya, Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Amailon Pukok, the Meitei race traces its lineage directly to the Universal Lord. The racial name 'Meetei' developed much later, around 2000 B.C., after the people descended from the hills and established a sophisticated civilization in the newly dried Imphal Valley. The scripture explains that the name signifies a man born on Earth who is an incarnation of the divine image ('Mi').
The Sanamahi Faith: A Unique Cosmogony and the Concept of the Fatherland
The original religion of the Meitei, Sanamahism, is one of the most ancient faiths in the world. It is centered around a profound philosophical concept of a single, formless, universal creator known as Eepungloinapa Apakpa. From this primordial being emanate other deities, including Leimarel Sidabi, the supreme mother goddess of earth, water, and household, and her son, Sanamahi, the creator and guardian of life. The creation theory, as detailed in the Puyas, begins not with an act of making, but with a state of being: Talang Malang, a primordial, indeterminate state where the One God existed alone. This belief system extends to the very land itself. The country of Kangleipak was not viewed as a mere territory but as a personification of the Universal Father God. This is why, in Meitei tradition, the concept is not of a Motherland, but of a Fatherland, an entity to be worshipped and defended as a divine protector.
The Dawn of a Monarchy and the Seven Salais
The beginning of the written political history of Kangleipak is marked by the establishment of a monarchy. Based on calculations from the Maliyapham Palcha Era mentioned in the Puyas, the first political monarch, Konchin Tukthapa Ipu Athoupa Pakhangpa, ascended the throne at Kangla around 1737 B.C. This event heralded the 'Meetei Era'. His seven sons—Mangang, Luwang, Khuman, Angom, Moilang, Khapa-Nganpa, and Salai Leisangthem—became the progenitors of the seven great clans, or 'Salais', that compose the Meitei race. This structure formed a unique system of governance described as a 'Unitary Federalism'.
Ancient Insight
The concept of "Phun" (zero) in ancient Kangleipak was not one of nothingness. Instead, it represented the very basis of life, a concept akin to a precious drop of blood or life-essence, showcasing a deeply philosophical approach to mathematics.
Pillars of an Ancient Civilization
The Kanglei Meetei Eeyek: A Scientific Script
Around 2000 B.C., the Meitei developed their own script, the Meetei Eeyek, originally consisting of 18 alphabets. This system is not pictographic but alphabetic, based on the scientific principle of the phoneme—where each symbol corresponds to a distinct sound. Remarkably, the names of the alphabets are derived from parts of the human body, reflecting a deep philosophical connection between the human form and the creation of knowledge. Nine additional letters were added later to accommodate sounds from other languages.
Advanced Mathematical and Astronomical Knowledge
The ancient Meitei possessed a sophisticated understanding of mathematics and astronomy. Their numerical counting system was vast, extending to the number 'Pu Ama,' which represents one followed by thirteen zeros (10 trillion). Their astronomical prowess allowed them to predict eclipses and establish a precise calendar. Uniquely, the Meitei day began at midnight ('Nongyai'), demonstrating a clear understanding of the Earth's rotation.
The Lallup System: A Nation in Arms
The Lallup system was a compulsory public service for all indigenous males between the ages of 16 and 60. It was a sophisticated dual-purpose system: members served as soldiers during wartime and as a labor force for public projects—such as building roads, canals, and temples—during peacetime. This ensured that the kingdom could rapidly mobilize a formidable fighting force, renowned for its cavalry and its unique dart weapon, the 'Arambai,' while also maintaining and developing its infrastructure.
The Yek-Salai System: Ancient Genetic Wisdom
The Yek-Salai culture strictly prohibits marriage between a man and a woman belonging to the same Salai. This was not a social taboo but was based on a profound understanding of genetics. The Puyas explain that the union of two similar 'Iliks' (bloodlines or genes) creates 'Yek' (enmity), leading to the decline of the lineage, an incredible insight predating modern genetics by millennia.
Rich Cultural Heritage
The Meitei civilization developed unique forms of art and recreation. The traditional martial art of Thang-Ta ("The Art of the Sword and Spear") is an ancient and sophisticated system of combat. Furthermore, the modern game of polo is widely believed to have originated from the traditional Meitei game of Sagol Kangjei, which was played with seven players on each side on the local ponies. The most important pre-Hindu festival, Lai Haraoba ("The Merrymaking of the Gods"), is a ritualistic celebration that re-enacts the creation of the universe through intricate dance and music.
The Great Erasure: Puya Meithaba and Historical Distortion
The rich history of Kangleipak faced a catastrophic turning point in the 18th century. With the ascent of King Pamheiba (Garivaniwaz) and the influence of the Hindu missionary Santi Das Gosai, Hinduism was forcibly imposed. This led to the tragic event known as the 'Puya Meithaba'—the wholesale burning of hundreds of ancient Meitei scriptures. This act was a deliberate attempt to erase the indigenous identity and fabricate a new history. The name of the land was changed from Kangleipak to 'Manipur' to create a false connection to external mythologies. The conflict of nationality provoked by later rulers led to invasions from the Burmese Konbaung dynasty, culminating in the devastating "Seven Years' Devastation" (Chahi Taret Khuntakpa) from 1819-1826. This period led to the death of nearly two-thirds of the population and plunged the history of Kangleipak into obscurity, necessitating the careful reconstruction we undertake today.
A Timeline of Kangleipak's Ancient History
c. 30,000 B.C.
Paleolithic artifacts from Tharon Cave suggest very early human presence in the region.
c. 2000 B.C.
The Lai people become the Meetei race. Development of the 18-alphabet Meetei Eeyek script.
c. 1737 B.C.
Konchin Tukthapa Pakhangpa ascends the throne, establishing the Kangleipak monarchy.
18th Century A.D.
King Pamheiba imposes Hinduism. The 'Puya Meithaba' (Burning of Scriptures) occurs.
1819-1826 A.D.
The "Seven Years' Devastation" (Chahi Taret Khuntakpa) by the Burmese empire depopulates the land.
A Shared Lineage: Dispelling the Myths
One of the most crucial revelations from the ancient texts is the shared ethnic origin of the valley-dwelling Meitei and the peoples of the surrounding hills. The Wakoklon Puya explicitly states that as the descendants of the seven Salais multiplied, "some of them had gone to the high hills." These people became the ancestors of the various hill tribes. This scriptural evidence refutes later, politically motivated narratives that created a division between the people of the plains and the hills.
"As the descendants of his sons increased in number by leaps and bounds, some of them had gone to the high mountains... climbing up the high mountains became their nature, in that way, (They) happily lived on the mountains."
Conclusion: Reclaiming a Lost Heritage
The historical, archaeological, and literary evidence overwhelmingly points to the Meitei as an ancient, indigenous people with a unique and self-contained civilization that originated in the land of Kangleipak. The establishment of their monarchy, the development of their own scientific script, and their profound philosophical concepts all occurred thousands of years ago. The destruction of their records was a great loss not just for the Meitei, but for the world. Reclaiming this history is not just an act of remembrance but a vital step in restoring the true identity of a proud and ancient people.
0 Comments