Eputhou Thangjing Koren (Koireng) Lai

Pr Kungsong Wanbe *

Moirang Thanjing Lai Haraoba :: May 2009 - Pix :: Deepak Shijagurumayum

The chronicles of Manipur such as Moirang Ningthourol Lampuba, Moirang Kangleirol, Cheitharol Kumpaba, Tilan Suoknaba etc and also many doctorates and historians has referred Eputhou Thangjing Koren (Koireng) lai and Koren (Koireng) tribe. Let us see the following one by one briefly.

First, Dr. M.T. Laiba's the Geography of Manipur, the revised and enlarged edition, 1992 on page 34 noted that Eputhou Thangjing, Maikei Ngakpa lai and Koireng tribe. In page 45 noted that, thus we can refer to the story of Moirang Thangjing Koren lai, Thangjing Makei Ngakpa, a demigod, relationship with Moirang and Koireng people.

Second, Prof. Gangmumei Kabui's the Koirengs of Manipur on page 64 says that Koireng villager worship the nearly Meitei deities. For example, the villages who are in the eastern face of Koubru mountain worship Koubru as their presiding deity. Koubru is a God worshipped by the Meiteis and is supposed to dwell at the Koubru peak.

Likewise, it is claimed that God Thangjing, the presiding deity of Moirang in Manipur Valley was originally a Koireng God when the Koirengs were settled at Thangjing hills in southwest Manipur hills. After Koirengs were defeated by the Moirangs they started worshipping the deity. Even today, god Thangjing is referred to as Koren (Koireng) lai, the god of the Koren (Koireng).

Third, Shri Khwairakpam Nipamacha's article in Poknapham of February 2, 2002 says that in the early time the Koireng people were worshipped God Thangjing and thus God Thangjing was the god of Koireng. Thus the Meitei singers referred as Eputhou Thangjing Koren lai. This shows that God Thangjing is me God of Koireng. When Moirang people become powerful they starts worshipping the God Thangjing.

Fourth, Dr. M.T. Achou's article in Poknapham of January 6, 2008 says that god Thangjing was formerly at Thangjing hill top before the god was brought down to Moirang Valley. The God Thangjing was firstly worshipped by the Koirengs at the time they settled in and around Thangjing hills. While the Koirengs were in Thangjing hills the Moirang king fought war against the Koirengs and the Koirengs defeats the Moirang king, many times and at last the Moirang king defeated the Koirengs.

After Koirengs were defeated some group of Koireng have taken the statue of the Eputhou Thangjing Koireng lai from Thangjing hill and settled with at Kwarok Mantak near Kakching. Like as the valley people could not forget the god Thangjing Koren lai, the Koirengs are also could not forget their god Thangjing Koren (Koireng) lai.

Besides the history given above Dr. M.T. Achou had also written that Eputhou Thangjing Koren lai taken/married a Koren women called Koren Leima like as Eputhou Wangbren marry one Anal Woman. The writer further said that on one Nongmaijing (Sunday) in the month of Sajibu (April), the Eputhou Thangjing Koren lai came with his wife Koren Leima to Moirang valley on the way through Ngankha hill range.

Fifth, Shri Usham Dhananjoy Singh's article in Poknapham of April 21, 1998 says that in early 6th century A.D. the Koireng have settled at lungrel inside at present Churachandpur district but not, long ago the Koirengs had reached at Thangjing hill and started worshipping Eputhou Thangjing and from that time onward god Thangjing is called Koren (Koireng) lai.

Besides the Moirang king make war with the Koirengs there was also a great devastated fire havoc, so the Koirengs left Thangjing hill and came to Laimanai and settled there. Some of them went and settled on Koubru hill. The writer also said that during the reign of Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba the Moirang king defeated the Koireng leader called Nungnangchuong at Yoiren Khungum Koireng village.

In the year 1404 to 1432 Maharaja Meidingu Punsiba defeated the Koireng of Koubru hill. The king had taken the magical sword of the Koireng called by them Chemrangpa (in Meitei Koireng Thangshang). The writer also said that Maharja Meidingu Garibaniwaj make use the Koirang soldiers to drive out the Burmese from the soil of Kangleipak, now Manipur.

Lastly but not the least, nowadays some people from tribal community claim that their community leaders were 'the king of Manipur and Eputhou Thangjing Koren lai is also belong to their tribe. But those claim are picked up only fiction story. As noted above Eputhou Thangjing lai is Koren (Koireng) lai.

There are also only two tribal names who were among the kings of Manipur. In the first part/book of Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba on pages 90 and 141 Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba and Koren (Koireng) Ningthouba are mentioned. Therefore Eputhou Thangjing Koren lai is an original god of Koren (Koireng) tribe. May God bless the people of Kangleipak/Manipur.