Iwanthaba
| Meidingu Iwanthaba | |
|---|---|
| King of Manipur | |
_and_%22Hemtou_Iwanthaba%22_(Modern_Meitei_name)_of_the_Meitei_king,_the_ruler_of_Kangleipak_kingdom_(Manipur_kingdom).png?lang=simple) "Hemtou Iwanthapa" (Ancient Meitei name) and "Hemtou Iwanthaba" (Modern Meitei name) of the Meitei king, the ruler of Kangleipak kingdom | |
| Reign | 1163–1195 CE |
| Predecessor | Atom Yoiremba |
| Successor | Thawanthaba |
| Issue | Thawanthaba |
| Dynasty | Ningthouja dynasty |
| Father | Loitongba |
| Religion | Sanamahism |
Meidingu Hemtou Iwanthaba, also called just Iwanthaba, was a king from the Ningthouja dynasty in the Manipur Kingdom. He ruled from the year 1163 to 1195 CE. Iwanthaba became king after he removed the former king Atom Yoiremba from power. After Iwanthaba's rule, his son Thawanthaba became king.[1]
His rule lasted for 32 years. It is written about in the royal record of Manipur called the Cheitharol Kumbaba.[2][3]
War with the Khuman clan
[change | change source]During Iwanthaba’s rule, the Meetei people had a war with the rival Khuman clan. The two groups fought a battle at a place called Uchiwa.[4]
The royal book says that the Meetei army found the Khuman queen while she was watching farm work. She was killed in the fight. Her body was taken away by the Meeteis.
This made the Khuman people very angry. They marched toward a place called Yairou to fight the Meeteis.[2] A big battle happened there. The Meeteis won. They caught around 30 people from the Khuman side. These included:
- Khunbu Loithangcha
- Thingbai Aamakchamba
- Tona Leichin Pamba Kaireima
- The son of Ponchengsu
Some Khuman soldiers were killed, but others ran away. The word used in the royal book for those caught — pharouye — shows they were taken as prisoners.[4]
Legacy
[change | change source]Meidingu Iwanthaba’s time as king was important for the Ningthouja dynasty. His win against the Khuman helped the Meetei become stronger in the region. This war is an example of how different clans fought for power in Manipur’s early history.[3][2] His 32-year rule is seen as a time when the Ningthouja dynasty grew and became more powerful.[5]
Related pages
[change | change source]References
[change | change source]- ↑ "A Brief history of the Meiteis of Manipur". themanipurpage.tripod.com. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "The court chronicle of the kings of Manipur : the Cheitharon kumpapa : original text, translation, and notes 9780203444276, 0203444272, 9780415344302, 0415344301". dokumen.pub. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Parratt, Saroj Nalini (2005). The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: 33-1763 CE. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-34430-2.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 An Early History of Manipur (PDF).
- ↑ rahularya (2024-12-24). "Expansion of the Ningthouja Dynasty". Manipur PSC Notes. Retrieved 2025-05-31.