Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba
The Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba (Meitei: ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯔꯣꯜ ꯂꯝꯕꯨꯕ) is a classical Meitei language historical document (puya). It is the court chronicle of the rulers of Moirang kingdom. It records the genealogy of the kings of the Moirang dynasty.[1][2][3]
| Country | Ancient Moirang (historic)
India (current) |
|---|---|
| Language | Meitei language |
| Genre | History, Genealogy |
The chronicle also slightly mentioned about the history of the Zeliangrong people.[4]
As the title suggests, the Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba tells the story of the rulers of Moirang, a region and ancient dominion in present-day Manipur. Though it is written in the style of the Ningthourol Lambuba, the language in this text is simpler and has a more musical quality.[5]
Style and introduction
The introduction of the Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba includes a prayer and a vivid description of the land and its history. The writing is expressive, flowing like the waters of a hill stream, and resembles the poetic style found in other texts about Panthoibi, a Meitei princess.[5]
Invocation
The text begins with a prayer to Thangching (also known as Thangjing), the main deity of the Moirang clan:[5]
"Prayer to Thee O Thangching, Lord of the Universe and Creator of the Moirang clan.
Thou art the source of all living beings, the fount of time, the presiding god of heaven, the defender of the region standing like an iron rail, the protector of all animals both domestic and wild, the vanquisher of enemies and the Lord who is omnipresent both in the sky and on the earth. Thou canst also make thine abode in the tender care of a lotus to remain ever fresh and charming and issue forth from the azure sky most probably from inside the transparent moon.
As a child Thou wert ever dauntless, grew up healthy as a luxuriant oak plant... I pay obeisance to Thee and Thine consort, Thangching Koirel Leima, pure as the white cotton and also the repository of all souls."[5]
A King of Moirang: Yiwang Laikacheng Atengpa
The chronicle describes one Moirang king named Yiwang Laikacheng Atengpa, who was known for his military achievements. He led eastern expeditions, starting with cutting off a part of Lilong Sahoupat. There, the Meitei prince Ngaangoi Yoimongpa met his younger brother while clearing the great rivers.[5]
The king continued to Taknakha through Yamla Lamtanthi, a place whose name has a traditional story. He passed by Kainou Louchingkhei, where Poireiton and his sister-in-law Leinaotabi had once rested with their staff planted in the ground. Without stopping, the king moved ahead to Lambui village, then attacked Youkok village.[5]
Through his own bravery, the Moirang king forced the Lambui chief to surrender. He gave himself a new title: Lanthaba Yiwang Laikacheng Atengpa.[5]
Western Campaigns
The king later turned westward and led his army to the hill village of Khuroi, where people lived by terrace farming. After conquering this village, he earned another name: Kapui Khuroi Lanthapa, meaning the Conqueror of Khuroi.[5]
Heroic tone
The heroic style of the Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba is similar to that of the Ningthourol Lambuba. The focus is on the valor, conquests, and honor of the kings, especially in the way they gained new titles after military victories.[5]
Bibliography
References
- ↑ Moirang Ningthourol Moirang and Ebuthou Thangjing Part 6
- ↑ Indian Literature. Sahitya Akademi. 1984.
- ↑ Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology. Sahitya Akademi. 1997. ISBN 9788126003655.
- ↑ Kabui, Gangmumei (2004). The History of the Zeliangrong Nagas: From Makhel to Rani Gaidinliu. Spectrum Publications. ISBN 978-81-87502-76-0.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Singh, Ch. Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 75, 76