Who are the Indigenous People of Manipur ?
- Part 2 -

Dr. Khomdon Lisam *

12. Are Meiteis Indigenous People of Manipur ?

There are enough Archeological /Scientific evidences that Manipur was inhabited by the aboriginals /Natives/Indigenous people at least during the Old Stone Age and New Stone Age. The first evidence of Pleistocene man in Manipur dates back to about 30,000 BCE. It also indicates the submergence of the Valley under water during the Late Pleistocene. Palaeolithic Age, or Old Stone Age, represents the earliest phase of pre-history, or Stone Age. The first phase is the Early/Lower Palaeolithic (600,000-150,000 BC), the Second is the Middle Palaeolithic (150,000-35,000 BC), and the last phase is the Upper Palaeolithic (35,000-10,000).

The Scientific Archaeological excavations of Palaeolithic sites of the FOUR KHANGKHUI CAVES (discovered in 1969) located near Khangkhui in Ukhrul district. SONGBU cave in Chandel District (discovered in 1983) MACHI in Chandel District and NONGPOK KEITHELMANBI in Senapati District are the significant sites where material remains of Palaeolithic Age are found. ( O.Kumar , Eminent Anthropologist)

This is in tune with the historical records. Other notable caves nearby include HUNDUNG CAVES of Ukhrul, PURUL CAVE in Purul Village and the SONG RING ROCK shelter at Beyang village in Tengnoupal. District. Archaeological sites at MACHI, Maring village in Chandel District (discovered in 1974), Australoids inhabited THARON CAVE in Tharon village of Liangmei Nagas. in Reyangling hills NAPACHIK Neolithic stone culture on the right bank of the Manipur River at Wangoo village (discovered in 1979).

PHUNNAN site at Phunan Maring village near Imphal and its age is fixed 'first millennium BCE. Tripod Ware 1450 BCE (discovered in October, 1967). NAPACHIK is A Stone Age site dating to the second millennium BCE. It is on a small hillock near Meitei Village, Wangu (discovered in 1979)., in the southern part of the Imphal Valley, on the right bank of the Manipur River, Archaeologist indicated that human beings were living in these caves at least 23000 to 25000 years ago. (O.Kumar Singh)

In general, people of the Palaeolithic Age survived on hunting and food gathering. O. Kumar Singh (, Eminent Anthropologist) is of the opinion that human settlement in Manipur began since the pre-historic times, and the earliest settlement took place in the hills, particularly in the Songu cave in Chandel and Khangkhui caves in Ukhrul District Manipur has a long history of monarchy spanning from 1445 BCE to 15 October, 1949.The Meiteis ruled the kingdom of Manipur from 1445 BCE. with the first king named Taangja Leelaa Pakhangba (1445-1405 BCE). Nongda Lairen Pakhangba is ruled Manipur from 33 CE to 153 CE. .

12.1. Yumnaks (Surnames ) and Yek Salai System of the Meiteis

The Meiteis have specific Surnames (Yumnaks) and Clans (Yek Salais) given by the king. The Meitei have 827 Yumanks / Surnames ) given by the king. A group of Surnames are classified into seven Yek Salais

The Yek Salai system is the classification or identification of various Meitei Clan families in ancient times. The Salai system started during the Pakhangba period. It is believed that the Yek Salai System started to consolidate from the early BCE. The present day Salai classification still follows the early core rules of Seven (7) Yek Salai All the Meitei communities are said to be descendants of these seven (7) Yek Salai.We can trace a person with his most ancient or root ancestor in an unbroken lineage.

The seven Yek Salai are as follows :-

1.Ningthoujaa (Mangang- 234 Surnames)
2. Khuman ( 199 Surnames)
3. Angom ( 109- Surnames)
4. Luwaang ( 93- Surnames)
5. Khaba-Nganba ( ( 37- Surnames) )
6. Moirang ( 110 - Surnames)
7. Chenglei - (Sarang Leisangthem) ( 45- Surnames)

(Dr.M.T.Laiba , Geography of Manipur , ISBN 81-7525-016-X, Angomcha Longjam Langmeiba Thangmeiband , Sinam Leikai, Imphal, Page 222-228, and Sarangthem Bormani, " Meiteigi Laining Laishol , Chander Sheikher Panchani , Manipur , Religiom, Culture and Society , Konark Publishers Pvt.Ltd)

The present Meitei people are strictly following the seven Yek Salai System very carefully.at the time marriage. These Yek Salai was given by the king and every individual has to follow it. Those who violate the system were punished by terming as Outcastes, Untouchables and degraded such as Lois, Yaithibi etc. Considering the Yek Salais , the Meiteis are the Natives, Indigenous People, Aborignals But the Meiteis are not Schedule Tribes as per Article 342 of Indian Constitution.

According to the Judgement of the Supreme Court of India's dated 5 January 2011, the Schedule Tribes are the Indigenous People of India. Therefore, legally speaking, the Meiteis are not the Indigenous People of Manipur . Either the State Government or some Civil Society Organisations have file a case to the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India regarding the legality of the Status of the Meiteis as the Indigenous nPeople of Manipur.

12.2. Are the Meitei Bamons ( Brahmins) the indigenous People of Manipur.

The arrival of Hindu Brahmins to Manipur started during the time of Meidingu Senbi Kyaamba (1467-1508 ) in 1467. His original name was Thangwai Ningthouba . He was given the title of Kyaamba after conquering Kyaang, a Shan kingdom in the Kabow Valley of Burma ( present Myanmar).

In 1474, the King of Pong visited Manipur and presented Kyaamba, King of Manipur a golden box made of 80 mohurs of gold containing a stone idol, known as "PHEIYA" (Almighty), having the power of God and a sacred spear to guard the stone .

At that time, the people of Manipur did not know about the worship of God in the form of a sacred stone. Some Brahmins who were well acquainted with puja (ritual) of Lord Vishnu were available in Manipur in those days. In 1475, King Kyaamba in respect of the King of Pong built a brick temple at Lamangdong, 27 km south of Imphal. Later, two Brahmins namely Banamali and Haribidyasur, migrated from Cachar understood "PHEIYA" as the Hindu God, Vishnu. They announced that rice boiled in cow milk (Sangom Ksheer) should be offered to the deity in order to bring good fortune to the King and the people of his kingdom.

Accordingly, Meidingu Kyaamba appointed the Brahmins in the service of the deity. The worship of Bishnu was started in Manipur during the reign of king Kyaamba. From the Burmese words "Pheiya" , the temple in which Bishnu was wroshipped was known as "Phura " in Manipuri. The descendants of the Brahmin who worshipped at the Phura became known as Phurailatpam. During Kyaamba's time, many Brahmins came from Sylhet , Assam, Gujarat, Kanpur, Nandagram. Kharadah.

They were allowed to settle in Manipur and married Manipuri women and absorbed in the Manipuri society.The ancestors of Lairikyengbams and Brahmins with surnames like Sija Gurumayum, Leihaothabam, Takhenchangbam, Phurailatpam, Adhikarimayum came during Kyaamba's time . Similarly , there was an influx of Shan during his time., they were also absorbed in the Manipuri society. He was the first Manipur king to be formally initiated to Vaisnavism.

King Charairongba (1697-1709) and his family were initiated first into Nimandi sect of Vaisnavism. The Brahmins started arriving from this period and were given shelter and patronage by the Kings. Brahmins from Nabadwip, Krishnanagar, Kanchan Nagar of Bengal adorned the courts of Charairongba (1697-1709 A.D). In 1703 CE.a Brahman preacher named Krishnacharya alias Rai Vanamali from Shweta Ganga, Puri arrived in Manipur. He was accompanied by his wife, Krishnamayi , two Shudras and a Brahmin named Balabhadra Brahmachari . On Wednesday , the 5th Sajibu (April), 1704, Krishnacharya formally initiated the king into Nirmandi cult of Vaisnavism.

Under this cult, Shri Krishna is regarded as the full incarnation of Vishnu. Charai Rongba built a brick temple of Shri Krishna at Brahmapur Guru Aribam Leikai . Since Krishnacharya was the guru of the king , his descendants came to be known as the Guru Aribams or the family of the old Guru.

Charai Rongba, warned by prophecy that he would be slain by his son , wanted abortion of his child in the womb. But the mother of Pamheiba (later Garib Niwaz), Noongthil Chaibee refused and smuggled the child away to a village - Makeng Thangal where he was brought up by Thangal tribesmen . The boy's grandfather escaped with him to the village of Thangal in the hills to the north occupied by Quiron tribe of Nagas. Pamheiba was brought to the king;s palace at the age of 11 years after the death of his mother, Noongthil Chaibi.

In 1709, Charairongba went to Tusuk village to subdue a rebellion there. The Chief of Tusuk was killed in the battle. After subduing the rebellion he came back . On his onward journey , he took rest just below a Pipal tree and at this time, lightening struck him. At this juncture, Charai Rongba's son, Pamheiba speared him to death

Pamheiba (later Garib Niwaz), (1709-1748 ) ascended the throne on Wednesday , the 23rd Thawan (August), 1709 at the age of 19 years. The king Garib Niwaz got himself initiated into Vaishnavism in Mera (Sept/Oct) in 1717 CE by appointing Gopal Dass as his Guru. In 1723 , Sanamahism was abolished. In 1724 CE after conversion to Hinduism, he was known as Garib Niwaz .

King Garib Niwaz declared "Vaishnavism " as the "State Religion" and it was practically forced on the people. At the instance of the King and his Brahmin Gurus, the people were forced to adopt the Bengali alphabets. The Manipuri versions of the Indian epics, specially of Krittibas Ramayan and Kashidas Mahabharata appeared. On the 17th Mera ( Sunday) , 1732 all the sacred Puyas of Meiteis written by Maichous (Scholars/Prophets/Sagei Pibas) were got collected and burnt down to ashes . This episode was known as "Puya Meithaba" ( Burning of Meitei scriptures ).

About 125 old puyas, records , scriptures, books were burnt down (Puya Meithaba or Meitei Lairik Manghanba ) at the instigation of Santi Das. Pamheiba and his Guru Santi Das substituted Meitei script with Bengali script and changed the original or personal name of Meitei into a Hindu's name (e.g. the Meitei name of "Pamheiba" was changed into a Hindu name " Garib Niwaz". The tradition of Meidingu or Ningthou has been changed into " Maharaja" and the queen known as "Maharani" . Thus he was known as Maharaja Garib Niwaj and his queen Gomti Maharani. All the names of the valley people of Manipur were changed to Sanskrit names with the suffix " Singh" in caseof male and " Devi" in caseof female.

The Meitei Bamons (Brahmins) were enjoying a very respectable position in the Manipur society. They were the Gurus (reverend teachers ) of the Hindus Meiteis.. Each of the Brahmin family was given free land, built their houses, Hindu Temples, the statues of Hindu Gods like Radha Krishna, Jaganath, Balabhadra, Sobhadra , Gopis and other Gods and Goddesses to be worshipped in the villages , The Meitei Bamon performed the marriage ritual, death ritual, Birth ritual etc . and all the materials including money and other things goes to the Meitei Bamon.

No law can punish a Meitei Bamon even if he committed a crime including murder. No ordinary Hindu Meitei family can live without the blessings of Meitei Bamon. The Meitei Bamons were allowed to settle in each and every village of the valley. Thus the Meiteis Bamons were completely assimilated and absorbed in the Meitei /Manipur Society. The King established a Brahma Sabha (an apex body of Meitei Bamons) where only the noted, most qualified Bamons (Brahmins) are included. Thus the descendants of Meitei Bamons are born, brought up in Manipur and they have blood relations with the Meiteis. They were completely absorbed in the Meitei/Manipur Society. The Meitei Bamons are the Indigenous People of Manipur.

The King of Manipur gave the Meitei Bamons the Yumnak Sagei (Surnames) of Meitei Bamons (Manipuri Brahmins). There are 78 Yumnak Sagei exclusively for the Meitei Bamons. (Dr.M.T.Laiba , Geography of Manipur , ISBN 81-7525-016-X, Angomcha Longjam Langmeiba Thangmeiband , Sinam Leikai, Imphal, Page 229)

The existing Meitei Bamons are the sons and daughters, who are born and brought up in Manipur and who have blood relations with the Meiteis, the indigenous people of Manipur. Hence the Meitei Bamons are the indigenous people of Manipur,

12.3. Are the Meitei Pangans ( Manipuri Muslims ) the indigenous People of Manipur.

Some section of the Manipuri Muslims are not happy to call them as Meitei Pangans. They do not realise that only because of the nomenclature Meitei Pangans and the Meitei Yumnaks they are recognised as the Indigenous people of Manipur. The Meiteis called them as Meitei Pangans out of love and also to indicate their blood relations with the Meiteis, I do not think they will get offended by calling them Meitei Pangans.

Meitei Pangans came to Manipur as the Prisoners of War in 1606. Sanongba, younger brother of King Khagemba revolted against his brother. Under the leadership of Yakharek Bhim Bon, King of Cachar and equipped with firearms and with a force of more than 1000 Muslim soldiers from Cachar, he invaded Manipur. The king went for the battle in person. After some fighting , the king won a decisive battle . The battle was concluded on 17th Inga , 1606 with the surrender of 1007 soldiers , 30 elephants, 1000 muskets .

The surrendered army included a large number of Muslims and Bishnupriyas. Many of the captured persons were blacksmiths, utensil makers, artisans , musicians, washermen, grooms, elephant tenders . On 10th Lamda, 1631, (Wednesday) , King Khagemba shifted his palace to Kangla and worshipped his ancestral God, Sanamahi with sacrificing hundreds of buffaloes, cows, sheep, lambs, dogs, pigs etc. He introduced boat race , Hiyang Tanaba in the month of Hiyangei , 1635 CE as a part of the celebration of the old traditional ritual known as ' Hiyangei Kumjanba. ".

For the first time, the Meitei Pangans introduced smoking of tobacco and tobacco was cultivated as a new luxury. Regular playing of Polo was started in 1620 CE . The people started extracting salt from salt springs The use of firearms started from his time. The Manipuris started learning manufacture of heavy artillery ( top guns)

All the surrendered persons were allowed by the king to settle in Manipur by giving lands free of cost and Manipuri women . These surrendered sepoys spoke Bengali and they were called " Bangal ", later on " Pangan . They were given Meitei surnames ( Yumnak ). A new office was opened for administering justice to them according to Mohammedan customary laws.. Thus the Prisoner Muslims were fully absorbed in the Meitei Society and they are the Indigenous people of Manipur.

79 Meitei Yumnaks given to the Meitei Pangan after their settlement in 1606 :were as follows -

1. Ayekpam 2. Aribam 3. Basei Mayum 4.Bagi Mayum 5. Bhara Mayum 6. Bhuttramayum
7.Chesam (Shesum) Mayum 8.Dolaipabam 9. Epham Mayum 10. Hawai Ingkhol Mayum
11.Hidak Ingkhol Mayum 12. Heikha Mayum 13. Heipok Mayum 14. Huirem Mayum, 15.Kajikhut
16. Korimayum 17. Konthamayum 18. Kamalmayum . 19. Karpur Sungbam
20. Keinoumayum 21. Keikhongtabam 22. Keithel Ingkhol Mayum 23 Khullakpam
24..Khuleibam 25. Khoining Mayum 26. Loitong Mayum (Loitongbam)
27. Labuktongbam Mayum 28. Lairikyengbam 29. Leisasngkhong Mayum
30 Leisangkhong Mayum 31 Loupan Mayum, Luplakpam 32. Leisangbam
33. Loupan Mayum 34.. Moiching Mayum 35. Moinam Mayum
36. Mangagal Mayum 37. Manjam Mayum 38. Merai Mayum 39. Maibam Mayum
40. Malsam/Malcham Mayum 41. Mayang Anouba Mayum, 42. Mayang
43. Makak Mayum 44. Makak Mayum Amuba 45. Makak Mayum Angouba,
46. Musram 47.Nongjai Mayum 48. Nongsa yaibam 49. Oinam Mayum.
50. Panchaimayum, 51.Pukhri Mayum 52. Phisabam Mayum 53. Phiringi Mayum,
54. Phunjam 55.Phundrei Mayum 56. Phisam, 57.Phusam 58 Sanggom Sumbam
59. Sairemmayum 60. Sajoubam Mayum 61. Sairem 62. Sakakpam 63. Singga khongbam
64. Sushram Mayum 65.Sajabam 66. Sanasam 67.Tampak Mayum 68. Taothong Mayum
69. Tin Mayum 70.Thongkhong Mayum 71. Thoubal Mayum 72. Thangcham (Thangjam)
73. Thabakmayum 74.Thenjarmayum 75.UrupMayum. 76. WangMayum 77.YangkhubamMayum
78. Yumkhaibam. 79.Yumkham Mayum.
(Dr.M.T.Laiba , Geography of Manipur , ISBN 81-7525-016-X, Angomcha Longjam Langmeiba Thangmeiband , Sinam Leikai, Imphal, Page 222-228, 230 )

The Meiteis and the Meitei Pangans are very close blood relatives. The respected late Md. Alimuddin who was a member of the Manipur Darbar and Manipur Legislative Assembly before Manipur's merger to India and who was the Chief Minister of Manipur during 23 March, 1972 to 27 March, 1973 and again from 4 March, 1974 to 9 July, 1974 was a glorious example of mutual love and mutual trust between Meiteis and Meitei Pangans. It was due to his charisma and personality that make it possible to establish a medical college in Manipur in 1972 (RMC-Regional Medical College)

The existing Meitei Pangans are born and brought up in Manipur and they have blood relations with the Meiteis. Hence the Meiteis Pangans are also the indigenous people of Manipur. It is unfortunate that some of the Meitei Pangans were indulging in importing foreigner Muslims to increase the population of Manipuri Muslims. People are talking about new villages coming up all on a sudden with the Muslim people who can not speak Meiteilon properly and who can not tell their Meitei Yumnaks.

On 30 August, 2012 a total of 43 foreign nationals, including 24 Bangladeshis and 19 Myanmar nationals, have been rounded up by the Manipur Police from two Muslim dominated areas of Imphal East and Thoubal districts.(Sangai Express 30 August,2012) . On 8 April,2018, two Rohingya Muslim men and a 20-year-old woman, suspected to be a trafficking victim were arrested by the Manipur Police from Moreh's Muslim Basti in on trafficking charges.

On 19 September, 2018, one Rashid Ali alias Nasir Ali, 51, son of Md. Jamaruddin originally from Uttar Pradesh and at present residing at Yairipok, Ningthounai Sabal Leikai and Khulakpam Tahir Begum, wife of Rashid Ali were arrested in connection with trafficking of four Rohingya Muslims including a woman. The present generation of the Meitei Pangans discontinued using Meitei Surnames and even they want to discontinue use of the word Meitei,

The descendants of the Meitei Pangans who have Meitei Surnames are the indigenous people of Manipur. The Pangans who can not speak Meiteilon and do not use Meitei Surnames are not the Indigenous people of Manipur. They are the foreigners.


To be continued .....