Senba Mimaba

Senba Mimaba (Old Manipuri: ꯁꯦꯟꯄ ꯃꯤꯃꯥꯄ, also spelled Senpa Mimapa) was a king of the Khuman dynasty in ancient Manipur, also known as Kangleipak. He was also a prince from the Luwang dynasty.^[1][2] He ruled the Khuman kingdom from around 700 CE to 760 CE. During his time, King Naothingkhong ruled the Ningthouja dynasty.^[3][4]

Senba Mimaba was born to King Luwang Ningthou Punshiba of the Luwang dynasty and Queen Khayoiron Ngabi, who came from the Khuman royal family. His mother was the daughter of Punshi Yumoiba, the 10th king of the Khuman dynasty. So, Senba had royal blood from both the Luwang and Khuman dynasties.^[1][2][3][4]

After a disagreement between his parents, his mother returned to the Khuman kingdom with young Senba. Later, during a hunting trip, his father saw him again and they reconnected.^[1][2]

Senba Mimaba became king of the Khuman kingdom after the death of his grandfather Punshi Yumoiba. He ruled from around 700 CE to 760 CE.

During the rule of King Naokhamba of the Ningthouja dynasty, Senba Mimaba travelled into the hills in southeastern Manipur.^[1][2] He later lived with the hill people and became one of the early ancestors of the Maring tribe. Because of this, many people from the Maring community have links to the Khuman and Luwang dynasties.^[1][2][3][4]

Senba Mimaba had three sons: Laiku, Laikha, and Laipha. After his rule ended, they fled the Khuman land. Laiku went to Leitang, Laikha went to Uchiwa, and Laipha went to the Maring region.

Many families and clans in Manipur today trace their roots to Senba Mimaba. These include:^[1][2]

• Luwang Heirem
• Khuman
• Khunchan
• Kampong
• Lokkhu
• Kakla
• Hemjenglempi
• Sanshen
• Makhal Thangal

• Khuman dynasty
• Luwang dynasty
• Maring tribe
• Punshi Yumoiba
• Naothingkhong