Unforgotten relationship of Manipur and Tai kingdoms : A historical perspective

Maheshsana Rajkumar
The close to 3 months unrest in Manipur has brought condemnation from citizens worldwide with no signs of relief to end the Meitei vs Kuki-Chin clash and still counting. The earnest desire of every peace loving citizens is to see end to the violence engulfing the State of Manipur. On the present imbroglio, 79 years old renowned Shan scholar Dr Sai San Aik, the author of the book, “Basic History of Multiracial Burma 1980: Indianization and Burmanization”, expressed sadness in an email to witness such a clan style clashes of Meitei (Tai Kassay) with Kuki-Chin ethnic in the 21st century Manipur. He said in a strong worded message not time for war or clashes.
The connection of kingdom of Manipur with Tai Nanchao kingdom is established from the ancient Chinese records. Edward Harper Parker HM Consul, Kiungchow, Officiating Adviser on Chinese Affairs in Burma in his book, “Burma with Special Reference to her Relations with China”, 1893, writes, “The Chinese have records of the existence of Manipurese people under the name Kie-sie, this last name being imitation of the word Casse or Cathay, meaning ‘Manipuri-people.’ The Chinese annals also mention Shan’s possession of the Manipur kingdom at different times, and for several centuries.” The Tai Nanchao king Ko-lo-feng built a trade route between Manipur and Nanchao in 8th century CE.
Ney Elias recorded the Tainized Manipur kingdom (Kassay) in the political unit of Mogaung kingdom at the time of Mao Commander Sao Hsam Long Hpa/Samlungpha in J. George Scott’s book, “Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan States”, Part 1. Vol. 1, as follows:
“This was probably the period of greatest extension reached by the Mao Kingdom, and certainly, if their own account be accepted, their country now formed a very respectable dominion.” The following is the list given by the Shan historians of the States under the sovereignty of the Mao Kings immediately subsequently to Sam Long Hpa’s conquests, but a mere glance at the name of some of them, such as Arakan, Tali, &c., will show it to be greatly exaggerated, though it is possible that at one time or another some portion of all the places named may have fallen under their power:-
In the region of Mong Kawng or Mogaung, comprising ninety- nine Mongs, among which the following were most important, -  Mong Long (Assam), Kahse (Manipur), part of Arakan, the Yaw country, Kale, Hsawng Hsup (Sumjok), Mong Kong Mong Yawng, Mong Kawn (in the Hukawng valley), Singkaling Hkamti, Mong Li (Hkamti Long), Mong Yang (Mohnyin), Mot Sho Bo (Shwebo), Kunung-Kumun (the Mishmi country), Hkang Se (the Naga country) & etc
The Burmese Empire, Pagan grew stronger under King Anawrahta. But under the reign of King Narathihapate (1254-87 CE), Pagan (Bagan) became very weak due to the effects of the Mongol invasion of Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan. At the same time, Nanchao was inflicted by the invasion of Mongol army under Kublai Khan. In short, Nanchao and Pagan were destroyed by Kublai Khan in 1252 CE and 1297 CE.
After the loss of Nanchao and Pagan kingdoms, the rise of the Shans had appeared in Southeast Asia under the three Shan Brothers, Athinkaya, Yazathinkyan and Thihathu. They controlled the economic base of Kyaukse area and became very powerful and played a leading role in Bagan power politics. For two and a half centuries the Shans established their dynasties and made their power felt over Myanmar.
The political unit of Tai kingdoms functioned as semi-independent States as in the case of Nanchao, Mong Mao Long and Mogaung kingdoms and kingdom of Manipur was one of the Tai/Shan semi-independent States in that period.
The political entity of Tai kingdom of “Mong Mao Long” in ancient time functioned in the most dynamic manner. The centre of power shifted frequently between the smaller States or chieftainships. Sometimes they were unified under one strong leader, sometimes they were not. The Shan scholar Sai Kam Mong observes: “Sometimes one of these smaller States strove to be the leading kingdom and sometimes all were unified into one single kingdom. The capital of the kingdom shifted from place to place, but most of them were located near the Nam Mao River (the “Shweli” on most maps today)”.
Sao Saimong Mangrai a renowned Shan scholar in his book, “The Shan States and the British Annexation”, 1965, mentioned enthronement of Mongpo Sawbwa (king), a Tai kingdom in northwest Myanmar by Manipur king Gariba Niwaza. At his zenith of power Gariba Niwaza (Pamheiba) was regarded as one of the great sovereign monarchs of Southeast Asia in the first half of the18th century. The close affinity Manipur had with the Tai kingdoms of northwest Myanmar indicated a part of Shan confederacy.
Manipur with her military might became Asiatic power in Southeast Asia. In 1740, Manipur backed by the Cacharese army and Tai kingdoms of Northwest Burma (Myanmar) consolidated by Gariba Niwaza exercised control over a zone of northern Shan tributaries formerly loyal to Ava after Burmese King Bayinnaung conquest of Shan States became vassal of Manipur.
The Burmese Chronicle “Hmannan” records in 18th century the then Toungoo King Maha Damma Yaza Dipati sought Qing Emperor’s assistance in the letters sent to him to crush Manipuri invaders with the help of Chinese Qing army. Manipur under the rule of Gariba Niwaza was perceived as a serious threat to the Burmese Toungoo Empire.
Mention may be made of Meitei/Meetei (Tai Moy/Kassay) ethnic belonged to Tai family and is one of the 83 Tai sub-tribes in the world. The Tai peoples numbering 93 millions are settled in 6 countries i.e. Yunnan province of Southwestern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam and in the Northeastern States of India. In Upper Assam we find settlements of Tai Ahom, Tai Khamyang, Tai Phake, Tai Aiton and Tai Turung, and in Arunachal Pradesh Tai Khamtis are settled in Namsai and Lohit districts and in the Manipur valley.
In the present Myanmar context the emergence of changed historical facts necessitates the need to revisit the respective histories. Dr Sai San Aik on the recent article covered by ‘The Sangai Express’ written by Maheshsana Rajkumar titled, “A need to rethink Meitei in sub-section of Chin group in Myanmar census code 402”, in support of the article he strongly disagreed Meitei in the regrouping of Chin sub-section in Myanmar census code 402 by the successive Myanmar Governments. He said Meitei cannot be a sub-section of Chin group. A well known researcher on Tai/Shan ethnic, Dr. Sai San Aik stated Meitei culture is in common with old Tai culture.
Dr. Sai San Aik on account of Chin ethnic in Myanmar writes, “CHIN word is used and understood only in Burma (Myanmar). Shan or Tai people called ‘Chin’ as ‘Karng’ (Hill Top Dwellers).
Shan people had their Feudal System of administration (recorded since AD 7/121/130 in Ta-Kong/Tagaung which is 127 miles north of present Mandalay). Kabaw valley practically means Shan valley (Shan grow rice where-ever they settled).
When Mezau/Kuki/Lushai first moved east they would not meet Bamar (Burmese) people because they were not there yet but they would meet Shan/Tai people. The Chin word is not Bamar word but it is a descendant from Shan word-Karng to Kin/Chin. Tai people pronounce Ganga River as Ganga but Bamar pronounce Ganga as ‘Ginga’ River. Bamar people could not pronounce Karng. So they recorded it as Chin.”
Yazagyo or Rajgriha was the ancient capital of Kassay (Manipur) since 550 BCE during the reign of Sakya/Maurya ruler Dhaja Raja and is located at Kabaw Valley, in a remote area of Northwestern Myanmar/Burma. Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Phayre mentioned the names of Kabaw Valley specifically which the Burmese called the territory, west of the Chindwin, Kabaw valley, as Mau-re-ya, Mau-ringa or Mwe-yeng.
Col. GE Gerini in his book, “Researches on Ptolemy’s Geography of Eastern Asia: Further India and Indo-Malay Archipelago”, 1909, writes, “Mauryas belonged to Sakyan race. Every subsequent dynasty that reigned in Burma claimed descent from the Mauryas or Mayuras through the princes who founded Tagong and Old Pagan; hence the Burmese kings placed the peacock (Mayura) on their coat-of-arms, and this bird became the National emblem of the country Burma.”
During the reign of Manipur King Mungyamba (r. 1562-97), Princess Sana Hekpi was given in marriage to a Shan ruler of Kabaw Valley. She was described as Kabaw Leima (Queen of Kabaw). The bride price of this princess was seven elephants.
(To be contd)