Day 16 of the cycle · Northeast

Manipur

Capital

Imphal

Language

Meiteilon, English

Manipur has a long and glorious history from the beginning of the Christian era. The recorded history of kingship started from 33 A.D., The independence and sovereignty of Manipur remained uninterrupted until the Burmese invaded and occupied it for seven years in the first quarter of the 19th century (1819-25). Then came British Paramountcy in 1891, and later on it was merged with the Indian Union as part “C” State on 15 October 1949. This was replaced by a Territorial Council of 30 elected and 2 nominated members. Later in 1963, a Legislative Assembly of 30 elected and 3 nominated members was established under the Union Territories Act, 1962. The status of the administrator was raised from Chief Commissioner to the status of the Lt. Governor with effect from 19 December 1969. Manipur attained full-fledged statehood on 21 January 1972. With this, a Legislative Assembly consisting of 60 elected members was established.

Manipur is situated on the eastern frontier of India. It is bounded on the east by Myanmar (Burma), on the north by the State of Nagaland, on the west by the State of Assam and on the south by the State of Mizoram and Myanmar.It has an area of 22,327 sq. km. Physically Manipur comprises of two parts, the hills, and the Valley. The valley is at the center surrounded by hills on all sides. The hills cover about 9/10 of the total area of the State. Manipur Valley is about 790 meters above the sea level. The hill ranges are higher in the north and gradually diminish in height as they reach the southern part of Manipur. The valley itself slopes down towards the south.

Agriculture and allied activities are the only mainstay of the State’s economy where about 70 percent of the population depends on it. The State has two topographical zones – valley and hills. The valley is known as the ‘Rice Bowl’ of the State. The valley has sub-tropical to the sub-temperate climate with an average altitude of 3000 meters above MSL. The State has distinct winter, warm, humid and rainy summer.