Ningthourol Lambuba

The Ningthourol Lambuba (Meitei: ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯔꯣꯜ ꯂꯝꯕꯨꯕ) is a Meitei language historical document (puya), about the reign of the Meitei kings of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur) till early modern ear.[1][2][3] It is a long roll of the monarchs with the activities of the kings of Manipur kingdom.[4] The scripture contains 348 leaves.[5] It supplemented the Cheitharol Kumbaba, the state chronicle of the kingdom.[6]

It records that King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba was the first historical Meitei king of Ancient Manipur (Kangleipak).[7]

Ningthourol Lambuba is different in both style and content from the Cheitharol Kumbaba, even though both are royal chronicles.[8]

Focus and content

The title Ningthourol Lambuba means it is only about the Meitei kings who performed coronation ceremonies. Unlike the Cheitharol Kumbaba, this chronicle includes the genealogy of the kings from their mothers' side.[8]

In general, the details of each king’s reign are not considered very important, especially up to the time of the ninth king, Sameirang.[8]

Comparison with Cheitharol Kumbaba

The Cheitharol Kumbaba records the reign of Sameirang with historical details.[8] It says:

"Sameirang became king in Saka 440. From Thamanglang came the family name of the Ningthouja clan. The Angoms were defeated, and their leader Kwakpa Thawanthaba was put to death. The practice of entertaining nobles started during his time. Sameirang ruled for fifty years."[8]


In contrast, the Ningthourol Lambuba focuses on royal ancestry and symbolic acts.[8] It says:

"The name of your grandfather, the Meitei king born of your great grandmother Kaireima, the Meitei queen, is Sameirang. He performed his war dance on the eastern border of his kingdom at Langchal Liroulok. How did the place get its name? The Sellois say that a fishing net is called usha, an umbrella tukpu, and a lake theba. When a lake was drained for fishing, a fierce storm came and hit the Langmai settlement. Trees were blown into the water. Since then, the place has been called Langmaikumba Ushata. A fishing trap got stuck in a lanchanglee (loose cane-strap), so the place also became known as Langchal Liroulok."[8]

Style and limitations

The Ningthourol Lambuba does not mention dates or years of important events. It also does not refer to neighboring countries, migrations, or foreign relations. Instead, it focuses on telling stories about the kings’ personal achievements and glorifying their rule.[8]

Important kings like Khagemba, Pamheiba (Garibniwaj), and Noinai Chingthangkhomba (Bhagyachandra) played major roles in Manipur’s history. Their reigns brought territorial gains, political success, and major changes in religion and society. However, the Ningthourol Lambuba largely ignores these deeper changes and focuses instead on the military strength of the kings and the new titles they took.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Bahadur, Mutua (1994). Cane & Bamboo Crafts of Manipur. Mutua Museum.
  2. ↑ Shimray, A. S. W. (2001). History of the Tangkhul Nagas. Akansha Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-87606-04-8. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  3. ↑ Commission, India Indian Historical Records (1976). Proceedings of the Meetings of the Session. Manager of Publications. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  4. ↑ Commission, Indian Historical Records (1973). Proceedings of the Session. Superintendent Government Printing, India. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  5. ↑ Siṃha, Kārāma Manimohana (1991). History of the Christian Missions in Manipur and Neighbouring States. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-285-1. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  6. ↑ Singh, Elangbam Nilakanta (1982). Aspects of Indian Culture. Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  7. ↑ International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics: IJDL. Department of Linguistics, University of Kerala. 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 Singh, Ch. Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 73, 74
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.