Maharaja Garib Niwaz : Builder of Manipuri civilisation
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Maheshsana Rajkumar
Contd from previous issue
In 1782, keeping this in view, King Bodawpaya brought the Konbaung Burma’s “Suddhama Refor- mation” a reformation which gave emphasis on Burmese intellectual life, monastic organisation and practice, patronizing the characteristic peculiarities of the Chindwin Literary Culture resulting in the promotion of intellectual exchange between Manipuri and Burmese societies.
The Tai book in new Shan script “Shan History in Ancient Times” authored by Hsur Lahn Hsao (Merng Paeng), 2005, in pages 60-64 in the list mentioned the names of the Tai dynasty kings from 2512 BCE onwards. In point no. 19 of the said book Garib Nawaz name is written with a spelling error as Guyaed Nawaz (1672-1734 AD).
The kingdom of Manipur was one of the semi-independent states of the Mong Mao Long and Mogaung kingdoms. The political entity of Tai kingdom of “Mong Mao Long” in ancient time functioned in the most dynamic manner. The centre of power shifted frequently between the smaller States or chieftainships. Sometimes they were unified under one strong leader, sometimes they were not.
The Shan scholar Sai Kam Mong observes: “Sometimes one of these smaller states strove to be the leading kingdom and sometimes all were unified into one single kingdom. The capital of the kingdom shifted from place to place, but most of them were located near the Nam Mao River (the “Shweli” on most maps today). Sao Saimong Mangrai a renowned Shan scholar in his book titled, “The Shan States and the British Annexation”, 1965, mentioned enthronement of Mongpo Sawbwa (king) by Garib Niwaz.
J. George Scott’s book, “Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan States”, Part 1. Vol.1, 1900, records in the region of Mong Kawng or Mogaung, comprising ninety- nine Mongs, among which the following were most important,-Mong Long (Assam) followed by Kahse (Manipur), part of Arakan, the Yaw country, Kale, Hsawng Hsup (Sumjok), Mong Kong Mong Yawng etc.
The Tai kingdoms of northwest Burma and Ca-char kingdom were vassal states of Manipur. The close affinity Manipur shared with the Tai kingdoms of northwest Myan- mar in Garib Nawaz’s reign indicated Manipur was part of the Tai/Shan confederacy.
After in-depth analysis of the Tai accounts above it is well established beyond doubt that Maharaja Garib Niwaz was indeed an emperor and not just the ruler of Manipur in his prime but also the ruler of Mogaung kingdom in northern Burma. D.G.E. Hall referred to Manipur as trans-Chindwin mountain king- dom of Manipur, and Garib Niwaz was the ruler of Manipur.
Garib Niwaz had tirelessly worked hard in the interest of the nation with the religious and cultural reforms against all the odds as the ruler of Manipur though the reforms were opposed by some section of the people. It’s an undeniable fact that the religious and cultural dynamism brought almost all the ethnicities of Manipur into Kshatriya fold that actually inspired and transformed Manipur into a very powerful kingdom.
Garib Niwaz was able to build a large royal army which enabled him to consolidate and strengthened his position in order to thwart any attempts of the enemies from attacking Manipur and to safeguard her motherland from the religious warfare of the Theravada Buddhism.
It is high time the great emperor Garib Niwaz (Pamheiba) should be cherished and remembered not only by the Manipuris but should also find a respectable place in the Indian history books in the making of the history of Southeast Asia.
The Two-Day National Seminar on Maharaja Garib Niwaz: Builder of Manipuri Civilisation collaborated by Manipur Seva Samiti, organised by College Deve- lopment Council, Manipur University and sponsored by Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi should take up proactive role to highlight the greatness of Emperor Garib Nawaz of Manipur, and make his name remain in the consciousness of every Indian mind.
The people of Manipur should not forget the history in 18th century after Ma-nipur came under Rama- nandi fold as stated earlier attained zenith of her power and an Asiatic power in Southeast Asia in the reign of Garib Nawaz.
The idols of Rama, Lakshman and Hanuman were worshipped and the Ramji Prabhu Temple was built by Garib Nawaz in Imphal. It’s very unfortunate that Ramji Prabhu Temple to-day is lying in a dilapidated condition and needs world-class upgradation unlike Shree Shree Govindaji Temple which has been renovated several times and its one of the prime attractions of Manipur.
It is not late for the Manipur State Government to honour the great emperor Garib Nawaz and name places in his memory, and establish museums and historical sites, and fund historical preservation which will provide a tangible link to know the great emperor for both locals and visitors and to ensure his legacy isn’t lost to time.
Contd from previous issue
In 1782, keeping this in view, King Bodawpaya brought the Konbaung Burma’s “Suddhama Refor- mation” a reformation which gave emphasis on Burmese intellectual life, monastic organisation and practice, patronizing the characteristic peculiarities of the Chindwin Literary Culture resulting in the promotion of intellectual exchange between Manipuri and Burmese societies.
The Tai book in new Shan script “Shan History in Ancient Times” authored by Hsur Lahn Hsao (Merng Paeng), 2005, in pages 60-64 in the list mentioned the names of the Tai dynasty kings from 2512 BCE onwards. In point no. 19 of the said book Garib Nawaz name is written with a spelling error as Guyaed Nawaz (1672-1734 AD).
The kingdom of Manipur was one of the semi-independent states of the Mong Mao Long and Mogaung kingdoms. The political entity of Tai kingdom of “Mong Mao Long” in ancient time functioned in the most dynamic manner. The centre of power shifted frequently between the smaller States or chieftainships. Sometimes they were unified under one strong leader, sometimes they were not.
The Shan scholar Sai Kam Mong observes: “Sometimes one of these smaller states strove to be the leading kingdom and sometimes all were unified into one single kingdom. The capital of the kingdom shifted from place to place, but most of them were located near the Nam Mao River (the “Shweli” on most maps today). Sao Saimong Mangrai a renowned Shan scholar in his book titled, “The Shan States and the British Annexation”, 1965, mentioned enthronement of Mongpo Sawbwa (king) by Garib Niwaz.
J. George Scott’s book, “Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan States”, Part 1. Vol.1, 1900, records in the region of Mong Kawng or Mogaung, comprising ninety- nine Mongs, among which the following were most important,-Mong Long (Assam) followed by Kahse (Manipur), part of Arakan, the Yaw country, Kale, Hsawng Hsup (Sumjok), Mong Kong Mong Yawng etc.
The Tai kingdoms of northwest Burma and Ca-char kingdom were vassal states of Manipur. The close affinity Manipur shared with the Tai kingdoms of northwest Myan- mar in Garib Nawaz’s reign indicated Manipur was part of the Tai/Shan confederacy.
After in-depth analysis of the Tai accounts above it is well established beyond doubt that Maharaja Garib Niwaz was indeed an emperor and not just the ruler of Manipur in his prime but also the ruler of Mogaung kingdom in northern Burma. D.G.E. Hall referred to Manipur as trans-Chindwin mountain king- dom of Manipur, and Garib Niwaz was the ruler of Manipur.
Garib Niwaz had tirelessly worked hard in the interest of the nation with the religious and cultural reforms against all the odds as the ruler of Manipur though the reforms were opposed by some section of the people. It’s an undeniable fact that the religious and cultural dynamism brought almost all the ethnicities of Manipur into Kshatriya fold that actually inspired and transformed Manipur into a very powerful kingdom.
Garib Niwaz was able to build a large royal army which enabled him to consolidate and strengthened his position in order to thwart any attempts of the enemies from attacking Manipur and to safeguard her motherland from the religious warfare of the Theravada Buddhism.
It is high time the great emperor Garib Niwaz (Pamheiba) should be cherished and remembered not only by the Manipuris but should also find a respectable place in the Indian history books in the making of the history of Southeast Asia.
The Two-Day National Seminar on Maharaja Garib Niwaz: Builder of Manipuri Civilisation collaborated by Manipur Seva Samiti, organised by College Deve- lopment Council, Manipur University and sponsored by Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi should take up proactive role to highlight the greatness of Emperor Garib Nawaz of Manipur, and make his name remain in the consciousness of every Indian mind.
The people of Manipur should not forget the history in 18th century after Ma-nipur came under Rama- nandi fold as stated earlier attained zenith of her power and an Asiatic power in Southeast Asia in the reign of Garib Nawaz.
The idols of Rama, Lakshman and Hanuman were worshipped and the Ramji Prabhu Temple was built by Garib Nawaz in Imphal. It’s very unfortunate that Ramji Prabhu Temple to-day is lying in a dilapidated condition and needs world-class upgradation unlike Shree Shree Govindaji Temple which has been renovated several times and its one of the prime attractions of Manipur.
It is not late for the Manipur State Government to honour the great emperor Garib Nawaz and name places in his memory, and establish museums and historical sites, and fund historical preservation which will provide a tangible link to know the great emperor for both locals and visitors and to ensure his legacy isn’t lost to time.