Ananta Sai

Mantri Ananta Sai (alias Ananta Shai or Ananta Sain, ) was a Meitei prince of the Ningthouja dynasty of Medieval Manipur. He was an uncle of Gaurisiam and Bhagyachandra. He recomposed the lost royal chronicle of Manipur in 1780. He and his nephew, Bhagyachandra started the Heikru Hidongba festival after the installation of Lord Bijoy Govinda and Lord Shri Govinda.

 Background 
Ananta Sai was the seventh son of King Pamheiba, born to his ninth queen, Lairikyengbam Chanu Haripriya. Pamheiba was expelled from the palace by his third son, Chitsai in 1748 and out of Manipur in 1750 due to jealousy.

 Conflict with Bharatsai 
Once Chitsai's betrayal was discovered, his younger brother, Bharatsai, banished him from Manipur in 1752. However, he also plotted against his nephews, Gaurisiam and Bhagyachandra. Sangkoi Tapa (Bharatsai) governed so ineffectively that the people began to revolt against him.

A nobleman of Bharatsai convinced him to murder his nephews. He initially declined, but after further pressure, he chose to kill his nephews. Upon hearing about this, Wayenbam Chanu Chakha Maring Loikhombi escaped to Huntung village and subsequently to Maring village with her sons, Maramba (Gaurisiam) and Bhagyachandra. Ananta Sai could endure this only at his own peril. Ananta Sai commanded his army against Bharat Sai on behalf of his nephews, Maramba and Bhagyachandra. 

Ananta Sai told his men: "My elder brother Shyam Sai was a noble son of a worthy father. He was also the natural successor to the throne. As misfortune would have it, he died without ascending the throne. God will be pleased if his sons Gourshyam (Gaurisiam) and Bhagyachandra are installed to the throne. Besides, their legitimate title is unquestionable. I will place them on the throne alternatively for a period of five years." Ananta Sai then dethroned Bharatsai and made Maramba the king, and Bhagyachandra the crown prince. As soon as Maramba ascended the throne in October 1753, he expelled Bharatsai to Inwa (Ava). He then ruled with his younger brother, Bhagyachandra alternately for 5 years.

 Tenure 
Ananta Sai was the Prime Minister of his nephew, Bhagyachandra. Before Maramba died, he sent Ananta Sai and Jagannath Das to meet Harry Verelst in Chittagong in September 1763. They went to finalize the treaty terms of the Anglo-Manipuri pact in 1762. The treaty then was confirmed on behalf of Maramba.

 Contributions to religious aspects 
In 1779, when Bhagyachandra started the Ras Leela dance, Ananta Sai and few others specialised it with unique compositions.

In November 1783, Ananta Sai, who was the Nongthonba (revenue collector), inaugurated a pond, which came to be known as Mantri Pukhri (). 

In December 1788, Bhagyachandra established the idols of Shri Bijoy Govindajee. The idol was then worshipped by Ananta Sai who honored it with a brick temple. The Shri Govindajee temple was under the care of Bhagyachandra, while the Shri Bijoy Govindajee was under the care of Ananta Sai.

 Later descendants 
Prince Ananta Sai is the patriarch of the Mantrimayum (House of Minister) family of the extended royal family of Manipur. His descendants are responsible for Shri Bijoy Govinda worship and the annual Heikru Hidongba festival. The temple of Shri Bijoy Govinda is now managed by the descendants of Prince Ananta Sai.

 See also 

 Haricharan Sai
 Ananta Sai

 References 

 Bibliography 





Category:History of Manipur
Category:Meitei people
Category:1725 births