Aalong

Aalong
Founder of the Khuman dynasty
Monarchy	est. 174–220 CE
Successor	Tumaba
Spouse	Chinphuren Leitanglen Chinkhubi
Issue	Tumaba
Names Aalong Khuman Ningthou
Dynasty	Khuman dynasty
Father	Singtangpung Tapung Singminnapa
Mother	Shanthong Punemba Chanu
Religion	Sanamahism

Aalong (also spelled Aarong), also known as Areng, Arengba was the first king of the independent Khuman dynasty in ancient Kangleipak (modern-day Manipur). Traditionally described as the brother of King Pamingnapa—the founder of the Luwang dynasty—Aalong was the son of King Singtangpung Tapung Singminnapa, the last ruler of the undivided Khuman–Luwang royal lineage. He was the grandson of Poireiton and a contemporary of Khuyoi Tompok of the Ningthouja dynasty.

Biography

Early life and lineage

Aalong belonged to the Khuman–Luwang ancestral lineage, which traces its origin to Poireiton, a cultural hero in Meitei mythology and also a king of undivided Khuman-Luwang undivided lineage. Poireiton was the brother of Thongalen, the god of the underworld, and is believed to have migrated into ancient Kangleipak, as recorded in the text Poireiton Khunthok. But in historical books like Khuman Ningthourol, Poireiton was the brother of Thawaren.

This common royal line produced nine successive rulers. The last of them was King Singtangpung Tapung Singminnapa. After his reign, his two sons split the lineage—Aalong founded the Khuman dynasty, and Pamingnapa established the Luwang dynasty.

Reign

Aalong’s reign marked the beginning of the independent Khuman dynasty. His initial capital was at Thoubal, which was later moved to Meikoipung near present-day Loktak Lake.

The Khuman clan (one of the seven Yek Salai or clans of the Meitei people) rose to become one of the three dominant powers in early Kangleipak, along with the Ningthouja dynasty and the Luwang dynasty.

As the founding monarch, Aalong likely maintained both diplomatic and possibly military relations with the Ningthouja kings—particularly Khuyoi Tompok—during a time of growing dynastic rivalries and shifting regional influence.

Cultural and historical significance

The Khuman dynasty emerged as one of the three main political powers in early Manipur, alongside the Ningthouja dynasty and Luwang dynasty. Each dynasty represented a major clan of the Meitei confederacy.

Aalong’s lineage is central to the Khuman Salai identity. The clan is symbolized by a black dragon, a totem deeply rooted in Meitei mythology, oral history, and traditional art.

Background and ancestors

The origins of the Khuman clan are embedded in the broader narrative of the seven original Meitei clans. These clans, including the Khuman and Luwang, are traditionally believed to descend from the divine serpent deity Pakhangba.

Poireiton, a mortal prince, is said to have led a great migration into Kangleipak, uniting scattered groups and laying the foundations for royal houses. Among his descendants were Pamingnapa of the Luwang dynasty and Aalong of the Khuman dynasty.

The formal political separation occurred by the time of Luwang Ningthou Khunthiba and Khuman Lungba, who are regarded as the rulers under whom the distinct dynasties were finally delineated.

Later history

The Khuman dynasty flourished independently for centuries. By the late 14th century CE, however, it was subjugated by the Ningthouja dynasty. The Khuman capital at Meikoipung was absorbed into the growing territory of the Ningthoujas.

Despite losing sovereignty, the Khuman people continued to exist as a respected clan within the Meitei ethnic group, preserving their heritage and customs.

See also

• Poireiton
• Khumanlol
• Poireiton Khunthok
• Yek Salai
• Luwang dynasty
• Khuman dynasty
• Meitei people
• Ningthouja dynasty
• Khuyoi Tompok