Khagemba
| Senbi Khagemba | |
|---|---|
| Khagi Ngamba Khagemba | |
Flag of Meidingu Khagemba | |
| Monarchy | 1597 CE - 1654 CE |
| Coronation | 1597 CE |
| Predecessor | Mungyamba |
| Successor | Khunjaoba |
| Born | Ningthou Hanba |
| Issue | Khunjaoba, Tonaba |
| House | Ningthouja dynasty |
| Father | Mungyamba |
| Religion | Sanamahism |
| Occupation | Monarch of the Kangleipak kingdom |
Meidingu Khagemba or mononymously Khagemba (Old Manipuri: ꯈꯥꯀꯦꯝꯄꯥ, romanized: Khakempa) was a monarch of the Kangleipak kingdom (early Manipur) who ruled from 1597 CE to 1654 CE. He was called "Khagemba", which means "the conqueror of the Chinese". He got this name after defeating Chinese (Meitei: ꯈꯥꯒꯤ, romanized: Khagi) soldiers who came from the north.[1]
Achievements
King Khagemba made many changes in Manipur. He brought new clothing styles and a new way of playing polo. He also built many markets, including the Ima Market, which still exists today.
During his rule, Chinese workers helped build bridges and walls. These workers were prisoners of war from China. They taught the people of Manipur how to make bricks. These bricks were used to build the Kangla Gate and other places.
Manipur also started using coins more widely during his rule. He allowed Muslims to settle in the kingdom and made good relationships with the Mughal Empire.[1]
Military Conflicts
Fight with the Mughals
In 1606, the Mughals, led by Shah Jahan, tried to attack Manipur. Prince Sanongba, the younger brother of King Khagemba, joined the Mughals because he wanted to become king. But the Mughals and Sanongba were defeated and captured in Cachar. King Khagemba brought many Mughal prisoners to Manipur.[2][3][4][5]
War with the Chinese
In 1631, the Chinese emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty sent his army south after taking over parts of Myanmar. They moved toward Manipur, but King Khagemba defeated them. The Chinese emperor ran back to Yunnan.
King Khagemba brought many Chinese prisoners to Manipur. He used their skills to build things like the arched bridge over the Nambul River and the gate at the royal palace. The Chinese taught the people how to make bricks. These bricks were small and not fully baked. The Manipuri language also borrowed the Chinese word for "brick".[2][4][3][1][6]
War with Burma
In 1649, Burma invaded Manipur, but King Khagemba quickly stopped the attack.[7]
War with Tripura
King Khagemba also fought with the Tripura kingdom in 1603 and 1634. In the 1634 war, his army captured 200 people from Tripura.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Vol. 72, 2011 of Proceedings of the Indian History Congress on JSTOR". www.jstor.org. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Parratt, Saroj Nalini (2005). The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: 33-1763 CE. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-34430-2.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Cultural Fusion in a Religious Dance Drama: Building the Sacred Body in the Manipuri Rāslīlās - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bhogeshwar Singh, Oinam Tr (1969). Ningthourol Lambuba Part. 1.
- ↑ "HistoryFacts : Khagemba- conqueror of the Chinese". HINDUISM AND SANATAN DHARMA. 2021-09-16. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ Chelliah, Shobhana L. (2005). "Asserting Nationhood through Personal Name Choice: The Case of the Meithei of Northeast India". Anthropological Linguistics. 47 (2): 169–216. ISSN 0003-5483. JSTOR 25132326.
- ↑ Rajendra, Moirangthem (2000). Studies in the History of Manipur (1508-1709). Imphal: Smt.Moirangthem ongbi Ibecha.
- ↑ Singh, R. k Jhaljit. A Short History Of Manipur.