Origin of Polo (Sagol Kangjei)

Sagol Kangjei, popularly known as modern day Polo originated from Manipur.

Traditionally, the game is played with seven players (in each side) who mount and ride ponies, which are usually 4/5 feet in height. Each player is fitted with Polo-stick made of bamboo root. The mounted player gallops after the ball to hit it straight into the goal. Extremely masculine and vigour-taxing, the exhilarating game is now played in two styles the pana or original Manipur style and the international style i.e. Polo. It is heart- cheering to see Manipuri players in their sixties and even seventies riding ponies at full gallop playing Sagol Kangjei (polo) with gusto. The ponies are also decorated fully with various guards of protecting the eyes, forehead, flanks etc. The oldest polo ground in the world is the Imphal Polo Ground in Manipur State. The history of this pologround is contained in the royal chronicle "Cheitharol Kumbaba" starting from AD 33.

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The Kangla Fort

'Kangla' was the ancient capital of Manipur from the ancient times down to the year 1891 AD. It is located at the heart of the Imphal city almost intersected by 24N Latitude, 94E Longitude and it is 2,619 feet (798 m) above mean sea level. It is situated on the western bank of the Imphal River. In ancient times, 'Kangla' was the royal palace since the reign of Pakhangba who ascended the throne in 33 AD, according to "Cheitharol Kummaba", the royal Chronicle of Manipur. In pre-Pakhangba period, a ruling clan named Khaba ruled from 'Kangla'. 'Kangla' is not only the seat of political power but also a holy place for religious worship and ceremonies. There are a number of ancient treaties/manuscripts especially "Sakoklamlen" "Chinglon Laihui", "Nunglon" etc., which lay down the rules for the construction, worship, ceremonies relating to 'Kangla'. The western gate to the Kangla Fort (Right: At present)

Remains of an inner wall inside the fort

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The fort's big boundary wall, which the British destroyed.

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Kangla sha

Two huge 'Kangla Sha' (Dragons) stands in front of the "Uttra" inside the Kangla Fort. Mr. T.C. Hudson wrote in his book The Meitheis', that the dragon was the National Emblem of the Meiteis. According to Sir James Johnstone, these dragons were originally erected by the Chinese war captives. 'Kangla Sha' were blown to pieces by the British after their occupation of 'Kangla' Fort in 1891. The site is remembered historically as the place where four British officers were beheaded by the Manipuri soldiers.

Kangla Sha, the National Emblem of the Meiteis

Top: Before the British destroyed it Bottom & Right: After renovation by the Government of Manipur

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The Palace

The Old Palace

The Palace of Kangla is an old palace inside the Kangla Fort. It was situated on both sides (western and eastern) of the bank of the Imphal River. However at present, the ruins of the palace remain only on the western side of the bank. Kangla means "dry land" in old Meitei language (Manipuri). It was the traditional seat of the past Meitei rulers of Manipur.

The entrance to the Old Palace

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The British Presence

During the 2nd World War

In 1891 AD, after the defeat of the Meiteis by the British in the Anglo-Manipuri war of Khongjom, Manipurs sovereignty for more than three millenniums was lost. It regained its freedom on August 28, 1947 AD but did not last long. On 15 October 1949, Manipur was annexed into the Indian territory.

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Nupi Laan (Womens War)

Nupi Lan which means womens war in Manipuri- is one of the important movements in the history of Manipuri women. It sowed the new seeds of economic and political reforms for a new Manipur in the early 40s. It was started in 1939 as an agitation by Manipuri women against the oppressive economic and administrative policies ruled by the Manipur Maharaja and the Political Agent Mr. Gimson- of the British Government (1933-45) in Manipur, and later on, evolved into a movement for the constitutional and administrative reform in Manipur.

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Sharmila Chanu and AFSPA

Irom Sharmila Chanu (born March 14, 1972), also known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur" or "Mengoubi" ("the fair one") is a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from the Indian state of Manipur. Since 2 November 2000, she has been on hunger strike to demand that the Indian government repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), which she blames for violence in Manipur and other parts of India's northeast. Having refused food and water for more than 500 weeks, she has been called "the world's longest hunger striker".

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Meitei Mayek (Manipuri Script)

Meitei Mayek as a Unicode standard

Original Meitei Mayek manuscript Modern Meitei Mayek Typography Meetei Mayek script (also Meithei Mayek, Meitei Mayek, Manipuri script) is an abugida that was used for the Meitei language (Manipuri), one of the official languages of Manipur, until the eighteenth century, after which it was replaced by the Bengali script following the burning of piles of Manipuri manuscripts & books under the influence of Shatidas Gosai. In the twentieth century the script is experiencing a resurgence.

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