The Lost Sovereignty of Kangleipak
- Part 1 -

M. Nilamani *

Kabaw Valley - Pix :: DocNelson/Flickr

Manipur, which was originally known as "Kangleipak" having unique history of its own for the last more than two thousand years-being ruled and governed by the kings till before the 27th of April, 1891, the day on which the elements of independent kingdom of Kangleipak and its sovereignty were lost at the hands of Britishers, who conquered our motherland and its people in the battle of Anglo-Manipur War 1891, had been facing various socio-political and religious conflict situations from amongst its own indigenous people.

What were the causes which led to the present political scenario of Manipur?

Manipur (Kangleipak) had every ingredient of its being an independent kingdom (Country) having its own geographical boundary - recognized by prominent countries of the world. It had its own language - "Meiteilon" which is the "LINGUA FRANCA" of the whole people of Manipur. The script of Manipur is as many as 2000 years old. Before the birth of "Jesus Christ" Manipur had its own manuscript. Manipur, being self sufficient kingdom there was nothing lagging behind. Manipur was not dependent on neighbouring countries. Control over its people living in the hills and the valley were in the hands of the kings. Kings of Manipur were the supreme heads of the entire territories of Kangleipak (Manipur). Any rebellion by any community of the hills and the valley were suppressed by the kings.

The system of "LOIPOT" was prevalent throughout the hills from time immemorial with the exception of few negligible "KHULLAKPAS" of small section of tribes who were recently migrated to Manipur and whose settlements were given by the kings. This exceptional relaxation was made on consideration of their poor financial condition. They system of "LOIPOT" in those days could be referred as clear example - to the case of legendary figure "KABUI SALANG MAIBA" who had close connection with legendary love story of "KHAMBA THOIBI" of the 12th Century, under whose utmost care KHAMBA AND KHAMNU were brought up from their childhood to fully matured youth.

Had Manipur (Kangleipak) not been under British Rule, the present political and religious conflicts would not have been seen and there would not have been the present indication of divide BETWEEN HILLS & VALLEY for which what we need is urgent solution and better understanding so as to bring in "ONENESS, MUTUAL RESPECT & PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE" amongst the thirty six ethnic groups of people as once prevailed and well proved by the history of Manipur since 33 AD till Manipur was conquered by British Crown on the 27th April, 1891 and thereafter British People ruled Manipur for a little above 56 years till before the midnight of 14th August, 1947.

27th April 1891 was a bad omen for all the people of Manipur. Series of "Events" followed after the 27th of April, 1891 were against the interest of ethnic groups of people of Manipur. The boundary of Manipur, once, covered the entire areas of "KABAW VALLEY" and in the North-West of Manipur the area was extended upto Dhanashari River after crossing "THIBOMEI" (Kohima) which is at present under the Govt. of Nagaland. Nagaland is a new state created under the Constitution of India.

Most notable and unprecedented Episode which took place in Manipur was the "DEMARCATION" of neighbouring Cachar and Manipur during British Rule in India - initiated by British Authority and that too to the maximum advantage of Britishers which resulted in the loss of vast areas of Manipur's land in Cachar as well as the lands occupied and settled by Angamese within the geographical boundary of Manipur now in Nagaland who lived as bonafide subjects under the control and jurisdiction of the kings of Manipur. British Author had categorically said that Manipur had lost these Angameses (thirty thousands) and the areas settled by them from time immemorial in favour of British Authority.

With the exception of few tribes (Ethnic groups) who are original settlers of Manipur (Kangleipak) most of the tribes were found migrated to the land of Manipur. They were given settlements by the Kings. From amongst the tribes of hills, very often enmity between them emerged and as a result - war - like attack by stronger force to weaker tribes occurred in the hills of Manipur. But the forces of the Kings intervened in such war - like - attack and brought them under control.

Though the whole population of hills and valley of Manipur was few in number in those times prior to the arrival of British people, the vast territories of Manipur were ruled by the Kings being the Supreme Heads of Manipur country.

Everybody is aware of the fact that "KABAW VALLEY" once belonged to Manipur (Kangleipak) and possession thereof was delivered to the King of Ava very skillfully and diplomatically by British Authority under an agreement entered into between British Government on one part and Burmese Government of the other part on condition of monthly grant of stipend of 500 (five hundred Sicca Rupees) payable to the Rajah of Manipur - to commence from the ninth of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, the date at which the transfer of "KABAW VALLEY" took place as shown in the agreement mutually signed by two British Officials and two Burmese Commissioners and that too without impleading the King (Supreme Head of Manipur) as party to the agreement which now resulted in the loss of vast areas of "KABAW VALLEY". It was a great loss to the whole people of Manipur.

This unprecedented event took place before the British Rule in Manipur while Manipur was an independent kingdom.

British Commissioners Major F.C. Grant and R.B. Captain Pemberton were the party who presented British Authority under instruction from Honourable Governor General in Council - while king of Av was represented by his two Commissioners in 1834 in connection with "KABAW VALLEY AGREEMENT".

In the aforementioned agreement it is very clearly and specifically mentioned that "should any circumstances hereafter arise by which the portion of territory lately made over to Ava again reverts to Munnipore, (Manipur) the allowance now granted by the British Government will cease from the date of such reversion".

On the issue of "KABAW VALLEY" British Authority was silent. Even the Queen of England kept mum when Manipur under British Rule was handed over to the King - Maharaj Bodhchandra on the midnight of the 14th August, 1947.

Britishers in England knew it well that "KABAW VALLEY" was the land of Manipur Country. They also knew that it was with the policy of England, possession of "KABAW VALLEY" was delivered to Burmese Government for keeping diplomatic relationship between the Burmese Government and British Authority.

Before handing over Manipur to the King - Maharaj Bodhchandra, British Authority should have made clarification and the Burmese Government should have been urged to formally handover possession of "KABAW VALLEY" to the King of Manipur. It was obligations and responsibilities of British Government to take back "KABAW VALLEY" and deliver the same to Manipur.

Certain arrangement for delivery of possession of "KABAW VALLEY" to the King of Manipur ought to have been made by the British Authority.

Why England did remained silent on this very important issue - an issue which was originally initiated by British Authority and that too without impleading the Kind of Manipur as party to the said Agreement?

Sovereign authority of the King of Manipur was lost on the 27th of April, 1891 after Manipur was conquered by the Britishers. Prior to this date - England did not have legal authority to enter into an agreement with foreign country in respect of the land of Manipur "KABAW VALLEY" and its delivery of possession to Burmese Government. Britishers had no power and legal jurisdiction over the Kingdom of Manipur.

The two officials of England who were one the parties to the said Agreement could not be treated as legal authority to enter into such agreement since they were not authorized Agents of the King of Manipur nor was there any Special Power of Attorney delegated to them by the King of Manipur to sign the Agreement on his behalf and as such the nature of this particular Agreement and the manner in which it was drawn and executed should be deemed to have been done with many legal loopholes.

The Agreement in Question suffers from defect of parties. The king of Manipur (the Supreme Head of Manipur) was not impleaded as party to the Agreement. Hence, the same could be declared as "Null and Void" by a competent and appropriate Court of Law having jurisdiction and power to proceed with the case of "KABAW VALLEY" which now involved foreign elements.

Eminent lawyers who are experts in private and public International law as well as Constitutional laws of three countries - England, Myanmar and India could take up the case with full confidence. Ever since the "KABAW VALLEY" (the land of the King of Manipur) was transferred to Burmese Government in 1834 without making the King of Manipur as party to the agreement signed by the two British Officials and two Commissioners of AVA - till date no one had interrupted in the matter of transfer of "KABAW VALLEY" to Burmese Government. Both the tribal of hills and valley people inclusive of veteran politicians from these two groups were found very much reluctant and kept mum over the issue of "KABAW VALLEY".

Even after the Britishers left Manipur on the midnight of 14th August, 1947 and when Manipur's administration was carried on by Elected Representatives of Manipur Legislative Assembly which was formed under Manipur Constitution Act, 1947 which is older than the Constitution of India, no one from the hills and valley of Manipur turned up and attempted to take back the lost "KABAW VALLEY" through legal process.

TO be continued...