Collapse of the Khaba Kingdom

The Khaba clan was one of the most powerful ruling groups in Ancient Kangleipak (now called Manipur).Gangmumei Kabui (2012). "The Social Structure of the Meiteis of Manipur." p. 171. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341758751_The_Social_Structure_of_the_Meiteis_of_Manipur They ruled many areas, including the holy place of Kangla. The Khabas ruled before other major clans, even before the rise of the Ningthouja (Mangang) clan.Naorem Sanajaoba (2021). "The Sacred Lineage: Clan and Cult in Meitei Society." Third Concept Journal. May–June 2021. Retrieved from http://thirdconceptjournal.co.in/current-issue.html But after the Meitei king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba came to power, the Khaba clan started to lose its power and importance.“Feudalism in Pre-Colonial Manipur.” KanglaOnline. Retrieved from https://www.kanglaonline.com/2011/12/feudalism-in-pre-colonial-manipur/

 Background 
The Khaba clan was one of the earliest groups to rule the Imphal Valley. They ruled before the Ningthouja, Khuman, Luwang, and Moirang clans. The Khaba were strong in both politics and culture in early Ancient Kangleipak.“Though the pre-history of Manipur is under investigation, all evidences point to the fact that the Khaba Nganba, Angom, Moirang, Chenglei and several other tribes were already in existence by establishing their strong holds in different parts of Manipur years before the accession of Pakhangba to the throne of Kangla.” *The Evolution of the Meetei State*, Imphal Times. Retrieved from https://www.imphaltimes.com/articles/the-evolution-of-the-meetei-state/“The first Salai (tribe) into the Meitei fold was Khaba. Till the beginning of the Christian era, the Khaba Kings were ruling at Kangla.” *The Evolution of the Meetei State*, Imphal Times. Retrieved from https://www.imphaltimes.com/articles/the-evolution-of-the-meetei-state/“There are seven salais in the Meitei social structure … Khaba-nganba … can be aptly called a clan rather than caste.” R. K. Saha, *THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE MEITEIS OF MANIPUR*

Later, the Khaba clan joined with another group called the Nganba. Together, they formed a new kingdom called Khaba‑Nganba. They ruled from Kangla, the sacred capital that later became the seat of the Meitei kings. Khaba kings like Khaba Taoren and Khaba Tarang Khoinucha are mentioned in old records.“Kha‑Nganpa (Khaba Nganba) is one of the seven clans of Meitei, with early rulers at Kangla including Khaba Taoren and Khaba Tarang Khoinucha.” *Kha Nganpa*, e‑pao.net. Retrieved from http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Ethnic_Races_Manipur.Meeteis_Surname“The Khaba‑Nganba clan is formed from the union of two ancient lineages … Initially powerful rulers of the Kangla region … .” Pandit N. Khelchandra Singh. Retrieved from https://books.e-pao.net/Heritage_Manipur/epShowChapter.asp?src=tocvol1

Their kingdom had fixed borders: Khonghampat in the north, Kakwa Lamdaibung in the south, the Iril River in the east, and the Langol Hills in the west.

The Khaba-Nganba ruled through a clan-based system. They were one of the original seven clans, or Yek Salai, that made up Meitei society.Prasenjit Biswas & C. Joshua Thomas (2006). *Peace in India’s North-East: Meaning, Metaphor, and Method*, Regency Publications. https://www.worldcat.org/title/peace-in-indias-north-east-meaning-metaphor-and-method/oclc/69984319“There were seven clans … including Khaba-Nganba.” *The Sacred Lineage: Clan and Cult in Meitei Society*, Third Concept Journal, May–June 2021. http://thirdconceptjournal.co.in/current-issue.html Their customs, language, and religious practices helped shape early Meitei culture. But over time, their power weakened as rival clans like the Ningthouja grew stronger.Gangmumei Kabui (1991). *History of Manipur, Volume I: Pre-Colonial Period*, p. 84. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465870

 Political structure and society 
The Khaba clan followed a clan-based rule. Leaders were chosen from powerful families. They acted as both political rulers and religious heads.Thomas Callan Hodson (1908). *The Meitheis*, pp. 82–83. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.467109/page/n3 They ruled by Meitei customs—respecting elders, using oral laws, and practicing clan rituals.Zougam (2007). “Chieftainship among the Meiteis & Mizos.” https://zougam.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/chieftainship-among-the-meiteis-mizos-i/

Each village under Khaba rule had a local chief who followed the orders of the king at Kangla. These local leaders also performed religious duties and ceremonies.Hodson, ibid.

The Khaba clan strongly believed in nature and their ancestors. They followed the Sanamahi religion, which became important in Meitei life later on.Yash Mishra (2021). “Sanamahism: The Lost Religion of Manipur.” https://www.livehistoryindia.com/story/history-daily/sanamahism-manipurLoushambam Sanatombi Devi & Samom Tejbanta Singh (2024). “Rites & Rituals Associated with Ancestral Worship of the Meiteis.” https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/Arts-Journal/ShodhKosh/article/view/3497

 Conflict and fall 
The last years of the Khaba-Nganba kingdom had many conflicts with other clans, especially the Ningthouja, Angom, and Luwang.“The Khabas were already at Kangla … Pakhangba organised a coalition of other clans including Angom, Luwang, and Moirang to challenge them.” — *The Evolution of the Meetei State*, Imphal Times. https://www.imphaltimes.com/articles/the-evolution-of-the-meetei-state/

Rulers like Khaba Tarang Khoinucha and Nganba Khamchingkon led their people during these struggles. The Khaba fought with support from Chakpa and Chenglei, against the Meitei, Angom, Luwang, and other groups.

Later, Khaba Nongjengba briefly regained Kangla from Nongda Lairen Pakhangba. But Pakhangba returned with help from Moirang under the archer Chaopa Soubol and defeated the Khaba.

Khaba Nongjengba, his son Sanggai Telheiba, and daughter Kangkham Ichumbi were all killed in the final battle.

 Merger with Nganba 
Before their fall, the Khaba merged with the Nganba clan to form the Khaba-Nganba kingdom. This happened during the time of leaders like Khaba Tarang Khoinucha and Nganba Khamchingkon Haiheiba.

But even with this alliance, they could not stop the growing power of the Ningthouja, Angom, and Moirang clans.IOSR Journal (2020). *A Concise Socio‑Political and Cultural History of Manipur*. https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jhss/papers/Vol.25-Issue10/Series-1/C2510012125.pdfNaoroibam Indramani. *Rulers of Kangla and Ethnic Tribes of Manipur*. https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Rulers_of_Kangla_and_Ethnic_Tribes_of_Manipur_Part_1_By_Naoroibam_Indramani

 Massacre and dispersal 
After defeat, the Khaba clan faced attacks from rivals. Many were killed or forced to run.

A war with the Angom clan led to the death of a Khaba leader by Pureiromba. Khamchingkon Haiheiba tried to help but fled and asked Thongaren, king of Khamnung, to fight.

Many Khaba survivors joined nearby hill tribes like the Tangkhul, Kabui, and Mahou. Others moved to the Koubru hills and became known as Khaba Umlen. A few were protected by the Angoms.Imphal Times: *The Evolution of the Meetei State*. https://www.imphaltimes.com/articles/the-evolution-of-the-meetei-state/

One survivor, Khaba Nonganba, was spared by Pakhangba. But the clan never regained political power.

 Ancestry of Khaba-Nganba 
Today, only the Nganba branch and two Khaba families seems to have survived. Most Khaba were likely wiped out during conflict.

The Chahi Taret Khuntakpa (Seven Years Devastation) caused more loss when Burmese invaders killed most of the population. Only 3,000 adult males survived.

Today, many families may not know if their roots are Khaba or Nganba.

 References 

Category:History of Manipur
Category:Meitei people
Category:Meitei clans
Category:Former monarchies of Asia
Category:Ancient Indian kingdoms
Category:Sanamahism
Category:Ethnic groups in Manipur
Category:Dynasties of India