Heirem Khunja

Heirem Khunja
(Heirem Khunjan)
ꯍꯩꯔꯦꯝ ꯈꯨꯟꯖꯥ
Holy and sacred totems of the Khumans who conquered the Heirem Khunjans & the Luwangs to whom the Heirem Khunjan people belong their ethnic identity
Regions with significant populations
Ancient Kangleipak
Languages
Ancient Meitei language
Religion
Sanamahism
Related ethnic groups
Luwang, Khuman

The Luwang Heirem Khunja (ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ ꯍꯩꯔꯦꯝ ꯈꯨꯟꯖꯥ), shortly known as the Heirem Khunja (ꯍꯩꯔꯦꯝ ꯈꯨꯟꯖꯥ), was an ancient sub-tribe[1] within the Luwang clan of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur).[2] They ruled at Heirem village in Kakching’s Kereching region.[2][3][4]

Origin

The Heirems were related to the Khunjans. They were believed to be of Tai origin, mixed with neo-Tibetan elements, while the Khunjans were of Tai origin descended from Ngai-Lao groups. Heirems first settled near the Thoubal River, likely around the present-day Yaingangpokpi area. They later settled close to the Khuman kingdom on the eastern side of Loktak Lake after migrating downstream with the Khunjans along the Thoubal River. They were subsequently referred to as the Heirem-Khunjans.[2][5]

Migration

From Loklaobung, the Heirem-Khunjans moved to the Kiri Hills in what is now Manipur's Bishnupur district.[6]

Founding of the Luwang Heirem-Khunja

The Luwang Heirem-Khunja was founded by Lumjeng Ahanba (alias Lumjenghanba), the son of Luwang Ningthou Punshiba, and Yusin Leima Chingnung Haoba Chanu[3][7] The sons and grandsons of Luwang Ningthou Punshiba established many chiefdoms within the Luwang clan such as; Heirem-Khunja, Luwang Phantek, Lera Khongnang, Luwang Yumlen, etc.[8][9]

Territory and capital

The Luwang Heirem-Khunja was bordered by the Khuman kingdom on the north, by Tharei (Wangoo) on the south, by the Heirok Hills on the east, and on the west by the Loktak Lake and the Moirang Kingdom.

The capital of the Luwang Heirem-Khunja was Heirem Khere (or Kere Ching Khunjan Lalum Thon).[3]

Rulers

The rulers of the Luwang Heirem-Khunja were;[10][11]

  • Lumjeng Ahanba
  • Yumjin
  • Pana
  • Pansareng
  • Toureng Lanthaba
  • Lairuba
  • Lemba
  • Chingjaroi Thabanba
  • Kambong Waiba
  • Kambong Amukoi
  • Haying Khoiya Athouba
  • Khuchupthang Tora
  • Lasira

Chingjaroi Thabanba was an important king and Heirem Kangbishu was a famous warrior.[2] During their time, the Heirem-Khunjas made it difficult for the Khuman kingdom to invade them.[11]

Dissolution

The Heirem-Khunjans were completely destroyed with the combined forces of the Meitei dynasty (Ningthouja) and the Khuman kingdom during the reign of Meitei king Thawanthaba (13th century).[11][12] Their last ruler may be Lasira as on Sagei Salairol.[13]

Later on, the Heirem-Khunjans were merged into the Khuman kingdom.[14][12]

References

  1. ↑ Kabui, Gangmumei (2002). Ethnicity and Social Change: An Anthology of Essays. Pouganglu Gangmei.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Glimpse of the State formation of Ancient Manipur (PDF). p. 4.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Hareshwar Goshwami. Hareshwar Goshwami History Of The PEOPLE OF MANIPUR. p. 175.
  4. ↑ "manipur channel >>Folks ~ E-Pao! News About Manipur". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-07-13. Long ago in a village called Heirem.....
  5. ↑ Hareshwar Goshwami. Hareshwar Goshwami History Of The PEOPLE OF MANIPUR. p. 119.
  6. ↑ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
  7. ↑ Manipur State Kala Academy (1982-10-22). Sagei Sallairol. p. 29.
  8. ↑ Hareshwar Goshwami. Hareshwar Goshwami History Of The PEOPLE OF MANIPUR. p. 174.
  9. ↑ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
  10. ↑ Manipur State Kala Academy (1982-10-22). Sagei Sallairol. pp. 29–31.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Hareshwar Goshwami. Hareshwar Goshwami History Of The PEOPLE OF MANIPUR. pp. 175–176.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Tensuba, Keerti Chand (1993). Genesis of Indian Tribes: An Approach to the History of Meiteis and Thais. Inter-India Publications. ISBN 978-81-210-0308-7.
  13. ↑ Manipur State Kala Academy (1982-10-22). Sagei Sallairol. p. 31.
  14. ↑ Hareshwar Goshwami. Hareshwar Goshwami History Of The PEOPLE OF MANIPUR. p. 176.
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