HistoryFacts : Khagemba- conqueror of the Chinese

The following chapter hasbeen taken from the historical accounts of :
▪︎Chaitharol Kumbaba : Raja Jai Singh Meitrabak.
▪︎Sebastian, Rodney (2019). Cultural Fusion in a Religious Dance Drama: Building the Sacred Body in the Manipuri Rāslīlās (Thesis). University of Florida. ProQuest 2464172212.

● #Khagemba also known as ‘Maharaja Ning-thou Hanba’ or ‘Raja Khaki Ngampa’ was the 27th King of the #Kangleipak Kingdom. He hasbeen credited for introducing a new form of polo & new apparel styles. He ascended the throne in 1597CE.

• Confict with the Mughal invaders:
Most of the northwestern parts of the Indian Subcontinent were already under Islamic invasion till the 15th century. Now, the Turko-Afghan invaders were trying their best to capture the Southern & Northeastern parts of the Indian Subcontinent.
In 1606CE, when the Mughals launched attacks on Manipur under the leadership of ‘Sultan Shahjahan’, Ningthou Hanba’s younger brother ‘Prince Sanongba’ betrayed his Kingdom & joined hands with the Mughal Army with a dream of becoming the new king of Manipur. But still the Mughal Army & Sanongba were defeated & captured in Cachar. King Ningthou Hanba brought many Muslims as PoW(prisoners of war). They were then eployed as carpenters, blacksmiths, weavers etc. Since most of those Mughal soldiers were ancient bengali Hindus who were forcefully coverted to Islam, the King absorbed these Muslims into Manipuri fold by giving them Manipuri family names & allowed them to marry Manipuri women. Thus, they came to be known as Meitei Bangals or #Meitei Pangals.

■ Conflict with the Chinese:
In 1631CE, Chinese King Chong Zhen of the Ming Dynasty invaded the Indian Subcontinent. After successfully capturing Burma, he marched towards #Manipur. Maharaja Ningthou Hanba defeated the Chinese Army & King Chongzhen fled back to Yunnan. Ningthou Hanba brought many Chinese PoW (prisoners of war) & employed the skilled Chinese PoW in constructing bridges. The historical hump-backed arch bridge over Nambul River at Khwairam-band Bazar & the gate at the royal palace, were built by the Chinese PoW. Bricks were made for the 1st time in Manipur, these Chinese bricks were small in size & were not burnt fully. In Chinese language bricks are known as ‘chek’ & the same word was incorporated into Manipuri language.