Ahom–Meitei relations

(Meitei royalty) of Kangleipak (Kingdom of Manipur) and the Ahom dynasty of Assam]]

The Ahom people (alias *Tai Ahoms*) and Meitei people (alias *Manipuris*), integral to the histories of Assam and Manipur respectively, have a long history of political, cultural, and economic interactions. The Ahoms, of Tai or Thai origin, established the Ahom Kingdom, which later became the modern state of Assam. The Meiteis ruled the Kangleipak Kingdom, which evolved into present-day Manipur state. Their relationship involved trade, diplomatic exchanges, cultural interactions, and occasional conflicts, influenced by geographical proximity and shared cultural elements, contributing to the historical development of both regions.

As indigenous populations of India since ancient times, they are referred to as Indo-Mongoloid, indicating Mongoloid peoples residing in the Indian subcontinent. The Buranjis are ancient royal chronicles of the Ahom-Tai dynasty of Assam, written in archaic Tai scripts. The Mee-Tai people of Manipur possess their own historical records known as Pooya/Puya texts, written in traditional Mee-Tai scripts.

One brother migrated to Assam and his descendants were known as the Ahoms, another settled in the plain of Manipur, and his descendants were known as the Meiteis, and a third remained in Makhel, whose descendants were known as the Maos (one of the several Naga tribes). Other Naga brothers, including the Tangkhul, Maram, and Poumai, also dispersed to different areas.

## Early relationship 
Gangmumei Kamei, in his book, "History of Manipur: Volume One Pre-Colonial Period", 1991, writes the following:

## Matrimonial alliances 
Medieval Assamese historical records also document matrimonial alliances between the kingdoms of Assam and Manipur, highlighting the interconnection between these regions.

The Ahom king accepted the proposal, and Kuranganayani was sent to Gargaon with ceremonial honors, accompanied by key figures such as Sammath Borah, Manipuri Kotoki Shiramoni, Nanangk, and other gifts. Upon receiving the news, Swargadeo Rajeswar Singh dispatched his senior officials to Tengabari to receive the princess with due respect and personally went to Sonari town to await her arrival.

During this period, Ragha Moran, a leading figure in the rebellion, mistreated Kuranganayani. In a covert operation with the support of Lakshmi Singh’s loyalists, she stabbed Ragha Moran just below the calf with a sword during the Bihu festival. Royalist forces, disguised as Bihu performers, were present and assisted in killing him, effectively completing the operation.

The painting shows Kuranganayani assassinating Ragha Moran, a rebel leader who had seized the throne from Ahom king Lakshmi Singha. This event reflects the political dynamics of the period and underscores the historical connections between the Meitei and Ahom royal families. Lakshmi Singha ascended to the throne in 1769 following the death of his brother, Rajeswar Singha, who was married to Kurangunayani. Their marriage represents a key link between the two regions, which RKCS highlights through his depiction of this historical narrative.

## Legal statuses 
Both the Tai Ahoms of Assam and the Meitei people of Manipur are asking for Schedule Tribe (ST) status, but the Central government of India has not yet added them to the ST list.

## Related pages 
* Meitei people in Assam
** Meitei language in Assam
* Burmese–Meitei relations
* Meitei–Shan relations
* Meitei people in Myanmar
** Meitei clothing in Myanmar 
* Meitei people in Bangladesh
** Meitei clothing in Bangladesh
** Meitei monuments in Bangladesh
* Meitei people in Tripura
* Meitei people in Nagaland
* Meitei people in Meghalaya
* Meitei martial arts
* Meitei traditional weapons
* Meitei traditional toys
* Meitei traditional games

## Bibliography 
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## References