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Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (Old Manipuri: ꯅꯣꯡꯇꯥ ꯂꯥꯏꯂꯦꯟ ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯄ, romanized: nongtā lāilen pākhangpa, or Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯗꯥ ꯂꯥꯢꯔꯦꯟ ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ, romanized: nongdā lāiren pākhangba), was the first Meitei monarch of the Ningthouja dynasty, who ascended the throne of the Kangla of Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur') realm) in 33 AD, after the withdrawal of the mainstream powers of the Khabas. Before the reign of king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, the clans, or salais were already in existence.

Nongda Lairen Pakhangba initiated the process of unification of the warring ethnic groups and principalities groups, which led to the formation of Manipur realm, under the political supremacy of the Ningthouja dynasty in the first century AD. Nongda Lairen used the title Pakhangba, and he appears in literature and mythology as a human incarnation of God Pakhangba.

According to some scholars including Sujit Mukherjee, Nongda Lairen Pakhangba ruled for 21 years, from 33 to 54 AD. The list of Meitei kings was recorded in the Cheitharol Kumbaba, which survives in several versions, the most authentic of which is preserved in the Royal Palace of Manipur. and in the Chada Laihui, which contains information about their parentage and the important events of their reigns. Coins were issued by Nongda Lairen Pakhangba.

A historic Sagol Kangjei (polo) match was organised by Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, which was played by his friends, in the Imphal Polo Ground, the oldest Polo Ground in the world.

Rise to power

Nongda Lairen Pakhangba subjugated the powers of Sorarel Ariba Ahum, who were the chiefs of three clans, Salai Leishangthem, Luwang and Kha Nganpa. Poreiton challenged Nongda Lairen Pakhangba for the throne of the Kangla, but was defeated. Other clans, including the Salai Leishangthem and Kha Nganpa lost their sovereignty. The Angoms and the Luwang, though independent, shared their political powers with the King.

Family

Nongda Lairen Pakhangba's queen consort, Leima Leisana, was a priestess (Meitei: ꯃꯥꯏꯕꯤ). According to legend, Leisana and her brother Poireiton had their origin from a distant place in the east. When she and her brother came to the realm of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, they were accompanied by the Poirei people. She brought with her two hundred varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Law and order

The supreme court (Meitei: ꯀꯨꯆꯨ) was established during the reign of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba. It presided over legal both criminal and civil cases. The king was the president of the court, and his nobles and ministers served as its members. The Kuchu also handled women's cases. The concept of the liberation of women was already prevalent in that era. The roles of women in their families' decision making processes were significant.

Lower courts (Meitei: ꯆꯩꯔꯥꯞ) were also established.

The Patcha Loishang (women's court) was established during the reign of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba. This court dealt with all women-related crimes and protected women's rights and privileges. Queen Laisna presided over the court, .

The lallup (corvee) system was established during the reign of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba.

Some scholars asset that under the administration of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, his capital was split into four divisions, or panas: Ahallup; Naharup; Laipham; and Khabam. Others suggest that it is the interpolation, by stating that pana came into existence much later, during the era of King Khagemba.

Artistic and cultural developments

When Nongda Lairen Pakhangba and his queen consort Laishna were crowned in 33 AD, the ritual song Ougri was sung. The singing of Ougri can supposedly bring either prosperity or ruination to the civilization. It became customary to recite Ougri during the coronation of every Meitei king. These recitations of the verses, during the royal coronation of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in 33 AD, were recorded in the ancient text, Laisrapham.

The Mera Hou Chongba is thought to have been be introduced by Nongda Lairen Pakhangba. It is a festival in which dignitaries from all the ethnic groups assembled together in the Kangla. It is annually celebrated on the 10th day of the Meitei lunar month of Mera (October–November).

During the era of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, a court singer named Leinung Tharuk Asheiba initiated the use of the Pena, a traditional musical instrument.

The Hiyang Tannaba (Meitei: ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯇꯥꯟꯅꯕ, lit. 'boat race') festival has been celebrated since the time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba.

Institutions of medical care

During the reign of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, his younger sister Panthoibi , established the ametpa loishang, or office of the masseurs to diagnose and treat diseases (especially boils, abscesses, ulcers). Metpi attended mothers in labour. Metpi laibi were responsible for the treatment of diseases for the Queen and other imperial consorts. They accompanied the king wherever he went.

Death or dethronement

Though almost all the scholars have a consensus on the year of the coronation of King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba as AD 33, regarding the year of the end of his reign, which may be either due to his death or due to being abdicated, is still disputed.

Nongda Lairen Pakhangba likely ruled for 21 years, from 33 AD to 54 AD. Some traditional sources claim that he ruled from 33-153 or 154AD. According to Anuradha Dutta and Ratna Bhuyan, Nongda Lairen Pakhangba was murdered and his queen Laisana saved their son.

Deification

In traditional Meitei religion

In Meitei folklore, Nongda Lairen Pakhangba is considered a deified ancestor. Some scholars believe that people of later generations wove mythological stories around him. However, some suggest that he was a god living amongst humans.

According to superstitious people, Pakhangba was a demigod, appearing divine during the day and human at night. With this, the legend of Meitei kings' divine origin was born. The identity of the historical king Pakhangba was mingled with that of the dragon god Pakhangba of ancient Meitei mythology and religion.

In Hinduism

With the influence of Hinduism, new mythological tales tainted the identity of King Pakhangba. According to one Hindu tale, Pakhangba was born to Enoog Howba Chonoo, the wife of Babruvahana. According to another, he was the son of Sooprabahoo, son of Babruvahana, son of Arjuna, thereby drawing relationship with the characters in the Mahabharata.

In the 18th century AD, the Vijay Panchali (also called "Bijoy Panchali"), composed by Shantidas Goswami, a Hindu missionary, attempting to erase the history and the culture of Manipur, claiming the land of northeast India's Manipur to be the Manipur of the Mahabharata and Babruvahana to be the father of King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, identifying him as Yavistha.

In contemporary art and culture

In the Kangla of Imphal, there is an annual Nongda Lairen Pakhangba flag-hoisting ceremony, organised by Nahanong Kanglei Laining Liklam (NKLL). Ceremonies are performed and the Salai Taret Huiyen Lalong Thang-Ta Lup, giving guard of honour, hoists the flag of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba. The ceremony is performed as a way of preserving and promoting the indigenous art and culture of Kangleipak.

See also

• Leishemba Sanajaoba
• Meitei inscriptions
• Meitei literature
  • Numit Kappa
  • The Tales of Kanglei Throne

Notes

1. Padma Shri awardee scholar Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra mentioned it in the page 37 of his article Sources of the History of Manipur, quoting information from ancient texts including but not limited to the Pakhangba Laihui and the Panthoibi Khongul.
2. This is mentioned in the ancient Meitei text Chengleiron.
3. The younger sister of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba is eponymous with Meitei goddess Panthoibi.

References

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8. Singh, Dr Th Suresh (2 June 2014). The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India. Quills Ink. p. 28. ISBN 978-93-84318-00-0. Quoting 'Pakhangba Laihui, "Panthoibi Khongul" etc., scholar Khelchandra stated in his article "Sources of the History of Manipur" at page 37 stated that the Khaba dynasty ruled in Manipur before 1st Century AD before Nongda-Lairen Pakhangba, the 1st recognized King of Kangla, ascended the throne in 33 AD.
9. ^ Tarapot, Phanjoubam (2003). Bleeding Manipur. Har-Anand Publications. p. 92. ISBN 978-81-241-0902-1.
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15. Singh, P. Gunindra (1983). Manipuri Numismatics. Mutua Museum. p. 2.
16. Devi, Khwairakpam Renuka (2011). "Representation of the Pre-Vaishnavite Culture of the Meiteis: "Cheitharol Kumpapa" of Manipur". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 72: 501–508. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44146744.
17. ^ Hareshwar Goshwami (2004). History of the People of Manipur (Revised ed.). London: Yaol Publishing. pp. 84–85. ISBN 978-1-9993057-0-3.
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23. Chakravarty, Kalyan Kumar (1994). Bhāratīya Parivāra: Manushya Ke Astitva Ke Lie Vaikalpika Soca. Indirā Gāndhī Rāshṭrīya Mānava Saṅgrahālaya. p. 191.
24. The Quarterly Review of Historical Studies. Institute of Historical Studies. University of Michigan. 1999. p. 30.
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26. Banerjee, Paula (10 June 2008). Women in Peace Politics. SAGE Publishing India. p. 155. ISBN 978-93-5280-098-8. Laisna, the wife of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, who came to the throne in Kangla of 33 AD. She presided over the Patcha, or the women's court, that dealt with women related crimes.
27. Bengal, Past & Present: Journal of the Calcutta Historical Society. The Society. 1999. p. 83. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
28. ^ The Oxford anthology of writings from North-East India. Vol. 2, Poetry and essays. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2011. pp. 148–149. ISBN 978-0-19-806749-8.
29. Paniker, K. Ayyappa (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections (Assamese-Dogri). Sahitya Akademi. pp. 329–331. ISBN 978-81-260-0365-5.
30. Roy, Jyotirmoy (1973). History of Manipur. Eastlight Book House. p. 177.
31. Ahluwalia, B. K. (1984). Social Change in Manipur. Cultural Publishing House. p. 53.
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33. Glimpses of Manipuri Language, Literature, and Culture. Manipuri Sahitya Parishad. Manipuri Language and Literature Sub-Committee. 1970. p. 14.
34. Siṃha, Niṃthaukhoṃjama Khelacandra (1975). Manipuri Language: Status and Importance. N. Tombi Raj Singh. p. 51. The recital of this verse on the occasion of coronation of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in 33 A.D. is recorded in the work Laisrapham.
35. ^ Northeast India a Reader. Routledge. 1 January 2018. pp. 315–316.
36. Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi (16 June 2019). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
37. Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi (16 June 2019). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
38. Rastogi, Priyanka (13 May 2019). Early Sunrise, Early Sunset: Tales of a Solo Woman Traveler Across North East and East India. Partridge Publishing. p. 95. ISBN 978-1-5437-0523-2.
39. Palicica, Maria; Raţă, Georgeta (22 September 2011). Academic Days of Timişoara: Social Sciences Today. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 116. ISBN 978-1-4438-3401-8.
40. Verghese, B. G. (1996). India's Northeast Resurgent: Ethnicity, Insurgency, Governance, Development. Konark Publishers. p. 113. ISBN 978-81-220-0455-7.
41. Nepram, Binalakshmi (2002). South Asia's Fractured Frontier: Armed Conflict, Narcotics and Small Arms Proliferation in India's North East. Mittal. p. 74. ISBN 978-81-7099-863-1.
42. Laishram, Dhanabir (2007). North-East in Benthic Zone. Akansha Publishing House. p. 82. ISBN 978-81-8370-114-3.
43. Mukherjee, Sujit (1998). A Dictionary of Indian Literature: Beginnings-1850. Orient Blackswan. p. 75. ISBN 978-81-250-1453-9.
44. Social Action. Indian Social Institute. 1995. p. 374.
45. Basanta, Ningombam (2008). Modernisation, Challenge and Response: A Study of the Chakpa Community of Manipur. Akansha Publishing House. p. 177. ISBN 978-81-8370-152-5.
46. Gangte, Priyadarshni M. (2008). Customary Laws of Meitei and Mizo Societies of Manipur. Akansha Publishing House. pp. 91, 121. ISBN 978-81-8370-130-3.
47. Singh, N. Tombi (1975). Manipur and the Mainstream. Chitrebirentombichand Khorjeirup. p. 50.
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49. Dutta, Anuradha; Bhuyan, Ratna (2008). Women and Peace: Chapters from Northeast India. Akansha Publishing House. p. 34. ISBN 978-81-8370-126-6. The exploits of royal ladies like Laisana, queen to Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, the first ruler of Manipur (A.D. 33), when the king was murdered is still remembered. She is credited to have saved the prince.
50. Birajit, Soibam (1 December 2014). Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. ARECOM (Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur). p. 83.
51. Hodson, T. C. (Thomas Callan) (1908). The Meitheis. London: D. Nutt. p. 5.
52. "Nongda Lairen Pakhangba flag hoisted: 11th oct18 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 16 September 2022.

Sources

• Kala Meitei, Pukhrambam. Pakhangba (in Manipuri). India: Digital Library of India.
• Singh, Lairenmayum Ibungohal (1969). Cheitharol Kumbaba (in Manipuri). India: Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Manipur.
• Kullachandra Sharma, B (2010). Cheitharol Kumbabagi Kumbarolsing (in Manipuri). Digital Library of India. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)

• Tarapot, Phanjoubam (2003). Bleeding Manipur. Har-Anand Publications. p. 92. ISBN 978-81-241-0902-1.

External links

• Kangla The Living Historical Symbol of Manipur at Eastern Panorama
• Dancing to Protect the World- Maibi Jagoi E paper easier to read at Academia.edu

• 1st-century Indian monarchs
• Founding monarchs
• Heads of state of former countries
• History of Manipur
• Meitei royalty
• National founders
• 1st-century monarchs in Asia
• 1st-century Asian people
• Kings of Ancient Manipur