Ancient Kangleipak, also known as Antique Manipur, was an ancient, lesser known civilisation, concentrated along the central plains of the modern day Manipur, India.
The Kangla served as the foremost capital city of Ancient Manipur (Kangleipak) from the 15th century BC upto the late 19th century AD. It has its earliest evidence of monarchy right from 15th century BC, during the reign of Emperor "Tangja Leela Pakhangba" (1445 BC-1405 BC).

History

The imperial history of Ancient Manipur began with the reign of Tangja Leela Pakhangba in 1445 BC.

The game of polo (Sagol Kangjei) was invented during the reign of King Kangba (1405 BC-1359BC), the successor of Tangja Leela Pakhangba. This remarkable achievement was recorded in many ancient Meitei scriptures including the Kangbalon and the Kangjeirol.

Ancient rulers

There is a genealogy of ten successive foremost rulers in ancient Manipur kingdom.   

After the reigns of these ten kings, there is a great historical gap, from 1199 BC to 44 BC.

After this, the reign of Nongta Lailen Pakhangpa started from 33 AD, with the annexation of the Kangla by the Ningthouja dynasty.

Geography

The territory of Manipur (Kangleipak) is mountainous and thereby, ancient Manipur consists of several smaller region each with its own dialect, cultural peculiarities, and identity.

In fact, there were seven independent kingdoms ruled by the seven clan dynasties in Ancient Manipur. These seven principalities had their own capital cities.

Language

The Ancient Manipuri language (early form of the modern Meitei language) had a rich granary of Meitei scriptures (Puya (Meitei texts)), of numerous topics, written in the archaic Meitei script. 
One of the oldest scriptures is the Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya, written in 1398 BC (verified by the National Archives of India, New Delhi).

Culture

Daily life
Most people of ancient Manipur were farmers tied to their lands. Their dwellings were restricted to immediate family members.

Architecture

The ancient architectural designs of common houses were believed to be sustainable, eco friendly and affordable. It gives a cooling effect during hot summer and a warming effect during chilling winter.

Religious beliefs

The ancient religion of the indigenous ethnicities of the hills and the plains is the Sanamahism. The abstract concept of the space time entity is the ultimate God creator of the universe.
Beliefs in the divine and in the afterlife were ingrained in ancient Manipur from its inception. The ancient rulers were based on the divine right of kings.

Military

Lallup system
Lal-lup system (literally, Lal means war; lup means club or association or organization) was a predominant system in ancient Manipur. According to the system, every men of indigenous ethnicity of above 16 years of age was a member.

Gallery

Related pages
 Science and Technology in Ancient Manipur
 King Tang of Shang of China
 Puya Mei Thaba
 Bihu Loukon
 Stonehenge of Manipur

References

Other websites
 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-site-of-Kangla-from-which-the-potteries-and-bricks-were-excavated_fig2_242219964
 http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Discovery_of_Kangleipak
 http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.The_Kingdom_of_Manipur
 http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Thawan_Thaba_burial_discovery_A_medieval_findings_lost_amidst_tragic_ignorance_By_Phanjoubam_Chingkheinganba

History of Manipur