The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-21
AN INDIAN PARADISE.
The Singular Town OF fmphail In the Hill
states of 1Ianipur.

The Singular Town OF Imphail I'm the Hill
states of NIanipur.
Lying between Assam and Burmah Is the
remote little hill state Of Manipur, which has
obtained some attention since the annexation
Of upper Burmah made the question Of land
routes between Bengal and Burmah Of i'm
portance
It has lately been visited by Indian officers,
one Of whom. writing ON the forests q the
state IN Indian Forests, gives an extraordi-
nary account Of Imphail. the capital. The
town is situated in what appears a dense for
est. "Neither spires nor chimneys cut the
blue sky, nor is smoke observed TO ascend
from the sylvan scene Of the capital. Moth
ing. i'm fact. bespeabs the busy home of 5000
to 1000 people, and yet hidden away among
these trees is the palace Of the raiah, and
hard By are the houses Of his favorites, each
family having a large inclosure around the
homestead
"Imphail may thus be described as city
Of villages. or, rather, suburban residences,
around the palace Straight, wide roads, lined
with trees. frequently interesting each other
at right angles, afford the means If c0mmu-
nication: but neither shop, artisan nor
wheeled conveyance exists in the city. In
dustry and slziii occur only In the distant
rural homesn The people Of the capital are
the promoted favoritcs Of the ruler, who
have had assigned % them plots OF ground
near the palace and live by pressing uoon the
prosecuted agricuturists Of the state
The capital Of Manipur Is a royal residence
dedicated 20 luxury and amusement. All are
happy. Tho streets are crowded with smil-
ing, healthy faces, Of which few bear the
marks Of toll or labor There are no schools
In the state, aud court favor aud promotion
ore secured by success in polo. Coinage l.
unknown, and the men are not allowed 10
trade Imports and exports, except In GER
tain articles that yield a royal revenue, are
practically prohibited. The women from the
distant villages repair on certain day 10 the
capital or % other recognized cs1ters.
Each carries on her head a neatly made,
square basket, in which has been placed the
surplus stock Of the homestead, the labors OF
her industrial skill or Of her husbands agri-
cultural knowledge On reaching the mar
ket place the contents Of these baskets are
exposed and bartered, when each returns
again % her farm, carrying of the proceeds.
On market days the long, straight road from
Bisheupur 10 lmphail is crowded by groups
Of women hurrying to and fro. Each wears
an elegantly striped dress in bright colors
made OF silk and cotton Tho stripes run
along the length, and the top and bottom
are neatly embroidered.
A long piece Of cloth is cleverly carried
across the breasts and just under the arm
pits. instead of round tho waist, and is firmly
tucked mp, So that the top embroidered edge
fails forward, al ling an additional fold 70
the garment. while the bottom edge reaches
little below the knees. The legs and arms
arc left exposed, hut frequently a short
green silk sleeveless jacket covers the upper
part OF tho body, reaching down to the top
edge Of the neither garment. The women are
the only traders ia the whole state