Kangla fort

Coordinates: 24°48′29″N 93°56′24″E / 24.808°N 93.940°E / 24.808; 93.940
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Meetei Mayek
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Kangla
From top, left to right: the sacred images of God Pakhangba and his consort, the Kangla Sanathong, the holy Hiyang Hirens inside the Hijagang, the Pakhangba Temple, Kangla, the statue of Meidingu Nara Singh, the Sanggai Yumpham and the dual statues of Kangla Sha dragon, the emblem of Manipur
Map
Alternative name
  • Kangla Fort
  • Kangla Palace
LocationImphal West district
RegionKangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur')
Coordinates24°48′29″N 93°56′24″E / 24.808°N 93.940°E / 24.808; 93.940
Typecapital city (historical)
Part of
History
PeriodsClassical Antiquity
CulturesMeitei culture
Associated with
EventsAnglo Manipur War
Site notes
Conditionprotected
Ownership Government of Manipur
ManagementKangla Fort Board
Public accessyes
Architecture
Architectural stylesMeitei architecture
Kingdom of Manipur
Part of History of Manipur
Kings of Manipur
Loiyumba 1074–1112
Senbi Kiyamba 1467–1508
Koirengba 1508–1512
Khagemba 1597–1652
Pitambar Charairongba 1697–1709
Pamheiba 1720–1751
Gaurisiam 1752–1754
Chitsai 1754–1756
Ching-Thang Khomba 1769–1798
Rohinchandra 1798–1801
Maduchandra Singh 1801–1806
Chourjit Singh 1806–1812
Marjit Singh 1812–1819
Gambhir Singh 1825–1834
Nara Singh 1844–1850
Debindro Singh 1850–1850
Chandrakirti Singh 1850–1886
Surachandra Singh 1886–1890
Kulachandra Singh 1890–1891
Churachandra Singh 1891–1941
Bodhchandra Singh 1941–1949
Manipur monarchy data

The Kangla,[1] officially known as the Kangla Fort,[2] is an old fortified palace at Imphal, in the Manipur state of India.[3][4][5] It was formerly situated on both sides (western and eastern) of the bank of the Imphal River, now remaining only on the western side in ruined conditions. Kangla means "the prominent part of the dry land" in old Meetei.[6] It was the traditional seat of the past Meetei rulers of Manipur.[7][8]

Guide map of the Kangla displayed to the public

Kangla (Imphal) was the ancient capital of pre-modern Manipur.[9] The Kangla is a revered spot for the people of Manipur, reminding them of the days of their independence. It is a sacred place to the Meiteis.[10]

The Kangla is being proposed to be declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for which there are discussions ongoing in the Indian Parliament.[11][12]

History[edit]

"One of the outstanding figures in the history of architecture in ancient Manipur was Naophangba (428-518 CE), who aside [sic] the foundation stone of the Kangla, the "Namthak Sarongpung", the holiest place of the Manipuries."

—L.Kunjeswori Devi., p. 108[13]

The Kangla was the seat of administration of the Meitei rulers of the Ningthouja dynasty (33 CE to 1891 CE).[14]

Flora and fauna[edit]

A tree of Koubilla (Grevillea robusta) species growing inside the Kangla

The Kangla possesses a sobriquet, "Lungs of Imphal" as it is heavily forested, providing oxygen at a massive level in the heart of the metropolis of Manipur.[15][16][17] Unfortunately, due to some developmental construction activities in the last few years, some minor but significant deforestation occurred inside the Kangla.

In the year 2009, the Kangla Herbal Garden was set up by the Kangla Fort Board, in order to carry out the plan of planting medicinal plants inside the Kangla into action. The responsibility for bringing up the botanical garden was held by the Lamphel based sub-branch of the North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat (NEIST).[18] In the year 2010, the Government of Manipur financed ₹6.16 lakh (equivalent to ₹14 lakh or US$17,000 in 2023) out of ₹13.46 lakh (equivalent to ₹30 lakh or US$38,000 in 2023) to the NEIST to carry out the task. It planted around 131 different plants, (including around 20 medicinal plant species) in the garden. Notable plant species nurtured in the Kangla Herbal Garden include "heigru" (Phyllanthus emblica Linn), "kihori" (Phyllanthus acidus Linn), agar (Aquilaria agallocha Lamp), neem (Azadirachta indica A Zuss), tera (Mobax malabathricum Linn), singairei (Nyctanthes arbotristis Linn) and leihao (Michelia champaca Linn). An area covering 3.5 acres of land was allocated for the development of the botanical garden by the Manipur Government.[19]

During the month of June in 2019, around 700 indigenous fruit-bearing tree saplings were planted inside the Nura Heikol (Meitei for 'Women's fruit garden' / 'Ladies' orchard'), formerly known as "Biodiversity Park" of the Kangla) of the Kangla by the Government of Manipur, under the initiative of Green Manipur Mission.[20][21][22]

During the month of September in 2019, around 120 trees, including mayokfa, agar, uningthou, teak, chahui and samba, were planted inside the Kangla by the editorial board and the management team of "The Sangai Express" (TSE), a newspaper daily of Manipur, on its 20th foundation day.[23][24]

There's another garden named "Engellei Leikol" (formerly known as "Rock Garden" of the Kangla) located in the southern part of the Kangla.[25][26][27]

During the month of May in 2022, around 50 fruit-bearing plants were planted inside the Kangla by the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD).[28][29][30]

There's a plan for planting 10,000 saplings of fruit bearing trees inside the Kangla by the Kangla Fort Board, under the leadership of Nongthombam Biren, the Chief Minister of Manipur.[31][32]

Places[edit]

Image(s) Name Description(s)
Western Kangla Gate (Meitei: ꯀꯪꯂꯥ ꯁꯅꯊꯣꯡ, romanized: kangla santhong, lit. 'Golden Door of the Kangla') The grand royal entrance gate to the Kangla from the western side
Kanglasha (Meitei: ꯀꯪꯂꯥꯁꯥ, lit. 'Dragons of the Kangla') A pair of sculptures dedicated to the lion god Nongshaba.
Kangla Museum (Meitei: ꯀꯪꯂꯥ ꯃꯤꯎꯖꯤꯌꯝ) A museum that showcases the lifestyle of Meitei rulers of the Ningthouja dynasty as well as the ancient Meitei artistic and cultural heritage and maps of Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur'))
Kangla Uttra Shanglen (Meitei: ꯀꯪꯂꯥ ꯎꯠꯇ꯭ꯔꯥ ꯁꯪꯂꯦꯟ, lit. 'Royal Office Building of the Kangla') A religious office building of Sanamahism (traditional Meitei religion), built in the traditional Meitei architectural style. The most significant and the holiest element is the chirong (literally, "horns"), which is the V-shaped design adorned on the roof of the building.
Sanggai Yumpham (Meitei: ꯁꯪꯒꯥꯏ ꯌꯨꯝꯐꯝ, lit. 'Royal residence') A fortified royal residence inside the Kangla.
Inner Polo Ground (Meitei: ꯃꯅꯨꯡ ꯀꯥꯡꯖꯩꯕꯨꯡ, romanized: manung kangjeibung) Ningthouja dynasty polo field located to the south west of the citadel inside the Kangla
Manūng Thāngapāt (Meitei: ꯃꯅꯨꯡ ꯊꯥꯡꯒꯄꯥꯠ, lit. 'inner moat') Manung Thangapat is the Inner Moat of the Kangla Fort, encircling and protecting the Sanggai Yumpham as a second line of defense.
Statue of Meidingu Nara Singh (Meitei: ꯃꯩꯗꯤꯡꯉꯨ ꯅꯔꯁꯤꯡꯍꯒꯤ ꯃꯤꯇꯝ, romanized: meidingu narasinghgi mitam) The grand bronze sculpture of King Nara Singh riding on a Manipuri pony.
The tomb of King Bodhchandra (Meitei: ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯕꯣꯙꯆꯟꯗ꯭ꯔꯒꯤ ꯃꯪꯂꯦꯟ, romanized: ningthou bodhchandragi manglen) The site where the mortal remains of Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh (Manglen of Ningthou Bodhchandra or Samadhi of Maharaja Bodhchandra), the last ruler of sovereign state of Manipur Kingdom, was consigned to flames in 9 December 1955.
Chīngkhei Īkon (Meitei: ꯆꯤꯡꯈꯩ ꯏꯀꯣꯟ, lit. 'Northeastern pond') or Chingkhei Pukhri. A sacred pond in the northeastern corner of the Sanggai Yumpham.
Kangla Boatyard (Meitei: ꯍꯤꯖꯒꯥꯡ, romanized: hijagāng) The boatyard houses traditional Meitei royal boats (hiyang hiren) and commoners' boats (tanna hee).
Pakhangba Temple, Kangla (Meitei: ꯏꯄꯨꯊꯧ ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯄ ꯂꯥꯏꯁꯪ, romanized: iputhou pakhangba laishang, lit. 'Temple of Lord Pakhangba') A temple dedicated to the god Pakhangba of Sanamahism.
Archaeological Museum, Kangla (Meitei: ꯑꯥꯔꯀ꯭ꯌꯣꯂꯣꯖꯤꯀꯦꯜ ꯃꯤꯎꯖꯤꯌꯝ) A museum housing Stone Age tools and historical stone inscriptions, coins and other artefacts of the Ningthouja dynasty.
Site for Meitei Heritage Park A Heritage Park dedicated to the Meitei people, the largest ethnicity of Manipur. It is also known as Meitei Heritage Park.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Kangla". dsal.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  2. ^ Deshpande, Abhijeet (19 December 2017). Backpacking North East India: A Curious Journey. Notion Press. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-946556-80-6.
  3. ^ Sajnani, Manohar (2001). Encyclopaedia of Tourism Resources in India. Gyan Publishing House. p. 226. ISBN 978-81-7835-017-2.
  4. ^ James, Rajesh; Venkatesan, Sathyaraj (1 July 2021). India Retold: Dialogues with Independent Documentary Filmmakers in India. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 232. ISBN 978-1-5013-5269-0.
  5. ^ Prakash, Col Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 1600. ISBN 978-81-269-0706-9.
  6. ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. p. 415. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
  7. ^ Chandra, N. D. R.; Das, Nigamananda (2007). Ecology, Myth, and Mystery: Contemporary Poetry in English from Northeast India. Sarup & Sons. p. 82. ISBN 978-81-7625-742-8.
  8. ^ Binodini (17 March 2015). The Maharaja's Household: A Daughter's Memories of Her Father. Zubaan. p. 203. ISBN 978-93-84757-19-9.
  9. ^ Chandra, N. D. R.; Das, Nigamananda (2007). Ecology, Myth, and Mystery: Contemporary Poetry in English from Northeast India. Sarup & Sons. p. 82. ISBN 978-81-7625-742-8.
  10. ^ Dhar, Pannalal (1998). Ethnic Unrest in India and Her Neighbours: Also Includes Europe, West Asia, the Balkans and Africa. Deep & Deep Publications. p. 115. ISBN 978-81-7100-818-6.
  11. ^ "Manipur titular king moves Parliament to declare Kangla Fort as World Heritage Site". The Times of India. 5 February 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  12. ^ "Kangla as a World Heritage Site". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  13. ^ Sana, Raj Kumar Somorjit (2010). The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs: From 1666 CE to 1850 CE. Waikhom Ananda Meetei. p. 28. ISBN 978-81-8465-210-9.
  14. ^ Michaud, Jean; Swain, Margaret Byrne; Barkataki-Ruscheweyh, Meenaxi (14 October 2016). Historical Dictionary of the Peoples of the Southeast Asian Massif. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 245. ISBN 978-1-4422-7279-8.
  15. ^ "CM leads plantation drive inside Kangla". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  16. ^ "Manipur CM Leads Mass Tree Plantation Drive at 'Sacred Kangla'". India Today NE (in Hindi). 26 June 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Manipur CM leads plantation drive at Kangla fort; announces indigenous names for gardens - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  18. ^ Press, Imphal Free (14 November 2012). "Kangla herbal garden in dire straits | KanglaOnline". Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  19. ^ Press, Imphal Free (14 November 2012). "Kangla herbal garden in dire straits | KanglaOnline". Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  20. ^ "CM leads plantation drive inside Kangla". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  21. ^ "Manipur CM Leads Mass Tree Plantation Drive at 'Sacred Kangla'". India Today NE (in Hindi). 26 June 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  22. ^ "Manipur CM leads plantation drive at Kangla fort; announces indigenous names for gardens - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  23. ^ "TSE takes up tree plantation drive at Kangla on 20th foundation day: 12th sep19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  24. ^ "TSE takes up tree plantation drive at Kangla on 20th foundation day". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  25. ^ "CM leads plantation drive inside Kangla". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  26. ^ "Manipur CM Leads Mass Tree Plantation Drive at 'Sacred Kangla'". India Today NE (in Hindi). 26 June 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  27. ^ "Manipur CM leads plantation drive at Kangla fort; announces indigenous names for gardens - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  28. ^ "50 fruit bearing plants planted inside Kangla Fort in Imphal". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  29. ^ "Saplings planted at Kangla Fort". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  30. ^ "Tree Plantation Programme at Kangla 20220507". e-pao.net. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  31. ^ Gurumayum, William (25 June 2019). "CM leads mass plantation drive at Kangla 10,000 fruit bearing trees will be planted inside Kangla: CM - Imphal Times". www.imphaltimes.com. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  32. ^ "10 thousand fruit bearing tree saplings to be planted in Kangla Fort complex | Pothashang News". Pothashang. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2023.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kangla Fort Complex.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Kangla.


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