Ningthou Kongyamba

Meidingu Kongyamba, also called Ningthou Kongyamba, or mononymously Kongyamba (Old Manipuri: ꯀꯣꯡꯌꯥꯝꯄ, romanized: Kongyampa), was a king of the Ningthouja dynasty of Manipur Kingdom. He reigned from 1324 C.E. to 1335 C.E.^[1] He is noted for his military victories and his attempts to assimilate other cultures during his reign.^[1] He is remembered in particular for defeating the Khuman King Lamyai Kaikhinba and for integrating Khuman and Luwang elements into Meitei life, especially clothing.^[2][3]

In 1334 CE, Kongyamba decisively defeated the Khuman King, Lamyai Kaikhinba, in the Kongyaiphai battle.^[4] With this victory, the Khuman's political autonomy collapsed, resulting in further Meitei extension in the southern parts of the valley even though Lamyai Kaikhinba was still the titular king.^[2][5][4]

The Khuman Kingdom was already politically frail when Kongyamba's battle occurred. During King Lamyai Kaikhinba's reign, political strife among Khuman noble men caused political divisiveness that led to chaos. Subsequently, their dominion began to decay in spite of the people's misery. The ruler, unable to maintain control, abdicated his throne and fled to Kangla (the Meitei capital) to be under the auspice of Kongyamba.^[5][4]

There was no other Khuman leader to mitigate this disaster, so Kongyamba exercised command over Khuman territory and annexed it into the Meitei dominion formally.^[6] Therefore, the Khumans lost independence, and Kongyamba incorporated their territory into the newer expansion of the Meitei dominion.^[5][4][7]

In addition to the defeat of the Khuman, Kongyamba extended his military campaigns throughout the southern areas of Kangleipak.^[1] He also had a campaign against the southern kingdom of Kongyang where he captured the south's king and more of his nobles. He also was able to quell a Mayang rebellion in the Koupa Hinglen Hill, and collect a number of important enemy captives:^[8][1]

• Mayang Maipa Samloipa
• Aafe Racha, a famed swordsman
• Tingko Raja
• Lakasumka Tao
• Aaring Aarang Tao

These prisoners were detained after their defeat.

Kongyamba also fought war against the Chakpa people; and in the Khuroi Haora, Lamangtong. Kongyamba's army won again, capturing many, including Yumkhei Ngakpi, who was a female defender of the Chakpas.^[1]

The reign of Kongyamba witnessed significant cultural changes. After the conquest of the Khuman, the Meitei adopted the Khuman style of dress. The Meitei began adopting Luwang dress too.^[3] These cultural assimilations, born out of military amalgamation, marked the beginning of a more expansive Meitei identity, which included aspects of independent clans.^[7]