Nongdā Lāiren Pākhangba

Nongda Lairen Pakhangba () or Nongda Lairel Pakhangba () was officially the first Meitei king of the Ningthouja dynasty. He was coronated in the Kangla of Kangleipak ( realm) in 33 AD. He rose to power after defeating the Khabas.
According to Paratt, before the times of king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, the "salai"s () were already in existence.
Nongda Lairen Pakhangba started unifying the warring ethnic groups and principality groups positively. It led to the formation of Manipur realm, under the political supremacy of the Ningthouja dynasty (Mangang clan) in the first century AD. Despite the historical context, with the usage of the title "Pakhangba", he was often deified with various mythological tales, revolving around his identity as a human incarnation of God Pakhangba (frequently mentioned in the alias "Konjil Tuthokpa").
According to Sujit Mukherjee, Nongda Lairen Pakhangba ruled from 33 AD to 54 AD (21 years of reign). The Cheitharol Kumbaba also recorded the list of Meitei kings, starting from Nongda Lairen Pakhangba. The record has several versions. However, the most authentic record is the one that is preserved in the Royal Palace of Manipur. The information on the Cheitharol Kumbaba is supplemented by that in the Chada Laihui, which also records the details of the Meitei kings, starting from Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, regarding their parentage and important events in their reigns.
According to Prof. P. Gunindra Singh, coins were issued by Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, which served as one of the significant evidences relevant to the study of the subject.
One of the most remarkable historical events occurred during the times of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba was the organising of a match of polo () sports, played by his friends, in the Imphal Polo Ground (), the oldest Polo Ground in the world.
Name
The name "Pakhangpa" () was mentioned in the ancient Meitei text, named the Thanglon Thangchat. However, due to the given name "Pakhangba", being possessed by multiple historical personalities in ancient times, the identity of the "Pakhangba" mentioned in the text is questionable. Notably, there were four notable people named "Pakhangba", who are (1) Leinung Lonja Ariba Pakhangba, (2) Tangja Leela Pakhangba, (3) Lolang Pakhangba, and (4) Nongda Lairen Pakhangba himself. They lived in different times in the history of Manipur.
The title "Pakhangba" is used by the historical kings who are considered to be "enlightened". King Nongta Lailen ("Nongda Lairen") was one among the historical personalities to use the title "Pakhangba". Many scholars compared the usage of the title "Pakhangba" by Meitei kings with that of the title "Buddha", used by the people who are considered to be "The Awakened One" or "The Enlightened One".
King Pakhangba inherited the political powers as he followed the traditional practices of his forefathers and paid respect for his ancestral rituals.
Rise to power
According to Hareshwar Goshwami's "History of the People of Manipur" as well as the ancient Meitei text Chengleiron, Nongda Lairen Pakhangba subjugated the powers of Sorarel Ariba Ahum, who were the chiefs of three clans, viz. Chengleis, Luwangs and Nganbas.
Nongda Lairen Pakhangba was challenged by Poireiton, for the throne of the Kangla. In the conflict, the former defeated the latter. With the accession of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba to the throne of the Kangla, other clans including the Chengleis and Khaba Nganbas lost their sovereignty. The Angoms and the Luwangs, though independent, shared their political powers with Nongda Lairen Pakhangba.
Some scholars opined that under the administration of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, his capital was divided into 4 "pana"s (). The 4 panas include Ahallup Pana, Naharup Pana, Laipham Pana and Khabam Pana. However, some scholars are of the opinion that the "Pana" system is a later interpolation, by stating that "Pana" came into existence during Meitei King Khagemba's era.
Family
Nongda Lairen Pakhangba's queen consort, Leima Leisana (also called "Laisna"), was a maibi (). Leisana and her brother Poireiton had their origin from a distant place in the east. When she and her brother came to the realm of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, they were accompanied by the Poirei people. She brought two hundred varieties of fruits and vegetables. Legend says that one hundred of the varieties were meant to be cooked and the rest of the hundred were meant to be eaten raw.
Administration
During the reign of king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, the "Kuchu" (, /ku.chu/) was established in his kingdom. It was the highest level court (supreme court), having legal jurisdictions over both criminal cases as well as civil cases. The king was the president of the court, and his nobles as well as ministers served as its members.
The "Kuchu" court also used to perform trials of women's cases. The concept of the liberation of women (feminist movement) was already prevalent in that era. The roles of women in their families' decision making processes were considerably significant.
The "Cheirap" (derived from the word "Cheirak") was established during the reign of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in his kingdom. In Meitei language, "Cheirap" (, /c@i.rap/) means "court". In Meitei language, "Cheirak" (, /c@i.rak/) means "punishment" or "said of strict control to enforce obedience".
Starting from the era of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in the 1st century AD, "Pacha Loishang" (also spelled as "Patcha")() was established in Kangleipak. The court protected the women's rights, privileges, rights against immoral trafficks. During his time, his queen consort "Laisna" presided over the court, dealing all women related crimes.
The Lallup system was established during the reign of King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in his kingdom. The "Lallup" (also spelled as "Lalup") was a practice of forced labor and free labour in services to the sovereign or to the state.
Development of art and culture
When Nongda Lairen Pakhangba and his queen consort Laishna were coronated in 33 AD, the ritual song "Ougri" was sung. "Ougri" ritual song can bring either prosperity or ruination to the civilization. Since then, it became customary to recite "Ougri" during the coronations of every Meitei kings. These recitations of the verses, during the royal coronation of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in 33 AD, were recorded in the ancient text, "Laisrapham".
During the era of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, a court singer named Leinung Tharuk Asheiba initiated the performance of the traditional musical instrument Pena.
According to Dr. Yumlembam Gopi, the Ancient Meiteis used to play khung, a playing instrument, prior to the era of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in 33 AD. The khung (, /khuNG/) is a cone-shaped toy, similar to the top.
The Hiyang Tannaba () festival had been celebrated since the time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in his kingdom.
The Mera Hou Chongba (also spelled as Mera Hao Chonba) was believed to be introduced by Nongda Lairen Pakhangba. It is a festival in which dignitaries from all the ethnic groups assembled together in the Kangla. It is annually celebrated on the 10th day of the Meitei lunar month of Mera (October-November interface month).
Official groups of medical care
During the reigns of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in the 1st century AD, his younger sister named Panthoibi, established the "Ametpa Loishang" (). The Loishang () used to perform the treatment and the diagnosis of diseases and sicknesses, including boils, abscesses, ulcers, etc. "Laibi", a post in that office, supervised the procedures. "Metpi"s used to perform delivery and child birth. "Metpi Laibi"s were responsible for the treatment of diseases for the Queen and other imperial consorts. "Metpi Laibi"s always used to accompany the king wherever he went, by bringing medical tools and medicines. The text "Loishangi Thouram Thougal" mentioned about the duties of the Loishang and the "Laibi". The text "Masil" (also spelled as "Masin", ) mentioned about the "Metpi"s and the "Metpi Laibi"s.
Death or dethronement
Though almost all the scholars have a consensus on the year of the coronation of King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba as AD 33, regarding the year of the end of his reign, which maybe either due to his death or due to being abdicated, is still disputed.
54 AD
In accordance with Sujit Mukherjee, Nongda Lairen Pakhangba ruled from 33 AD to 54 AD (21 years of reign).
153 AD
Many sources claim that Nongda Lairen Pakhangba ruled from 33 AD to 153 AD (120 years of reign).
154 AD
Many sources claim that Nongda Lairen Pakhangba ruled from 33 AD to 154 AD (121 years of reign).
AD 54, AD 153 or AD 154 maybe either his year of death or removal from the power of monarchy, which is not confirmed.
Some scientists estimate that in case of the most ideal conditions people can live up to 127 years. This does not exclude the theoretical possibility that in the case of a fortunate combination of mutations there could be a person who lives longer.
Some scientists cautiously suggest that the human body can have sufficient resources to live up to 150 years.
Cause of death
According to Anuradha Dutta and Ratna Bhuyan, Nongda Lairen Pakhangba was murdered and his queen Laisana saved their son, the prince.
Worship as a god
In traditional Meitei religion
Nongda Lairen Pakhangba was considered as an ancestor, later worshipped as a God. Some scholars opined that people of later generations wove mythological stories around him. However, some are of the opinion that he was a God living with the human beings and behaving like a normal human.
According to superstitious people, Pakhangba was a demigod, appearing "divine" in daytime and appearing "humanly" in nighttime. With this, the theory of Meitei kings being of "divine origin" started. The identity of the historical king Pakhangba got mingled up with that of the serpentine dragon god Pakhangba of ancient Meitei mythology and religion.
In Hinduism
According to Thomas Callan Hodson's "The Meitheis" (1908), with the influence of Hinduism, new mythological tales tainted the identity of King Pakhangba. According to one Hindu lore, King Pakhangba was said to be born to Enoog Howba Chonoo, who was said to be the wife of Babrubahana, by the end of the Dvapara Yuga (Dapar Jug) and by the beginning of the Kali Yuga (Kali Jug), which is estimated to be around the year 3435. Hindu names were given as aliases to King Pakhangba. For example, "Jobista" (also spelled as "Yavista") was given as a synonym for King Pakhangba. According to another Hindu lore, King Pakhangba was claimed as the grandson of Babruvahana (Arjuna's son) and the son of Sooprabahoo (Babruvahana's son), thereby drawing relationship with the characters in the Mahabharata.
In the 18th century AD, the "Vijay Panchali" (also spelled as "Bijoy Panchali") composed by Shantidas Goswami, a Hindu missionary, attempting to erase the history and the culture of Manipur, projected the land of northeast India's Manipur as the Manipur of the Mahabharata and claimed Babruvahana (Arjuna's son) as the father of King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, by identifying him as "Yavistha".
Notably, in the year 2020, "A Short History of Manipur", a book written by Rajkumar Jhalajit Singh, was banned from publishing and selling by the author's own family members, because the book misleads the readers that the Manipuris are the descendants of Arjuna of the Mahabharata.
In art and culture
In the Kangla of Imphal, Manipur, there is an annual flag hoisting ceremony of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba organised by Nahanong Kanglei Laining Liklam (NKLL).
Ritual ceremonies are performed and the "Salai Taret Huiyen Lalong Thang-Ta Lup", giving guard of honour, hoists the flag of Nongda Lairen Phakhangba.
The ceremony is performed for the purpose to preserve and promote the indigenous art and culture of Kangleipak.
See also
Leishemba Sanajaoba
Meitei literature
Numit Kappa
The Tales of Kanglei Throne
Notes
References
Sources
Further reading
Other websites
"Nongda Lairen Pakhangba" at English Wikisource
"Nongda Lairen Pakhangba" at Imphal Free Press
"Nongda Lairen Pakhangba" at Internet Archive
"Nongda Lairen Pakhangba" at Signpost News
Kangla The Living Historical Symbol of Manipur at Eastern Panorama
Dancing to Protect the World- Maibi Jagoi E paper easier to read at Academia.edu
Meitei people
Kings of Ancient Manipur