RK Ranjan’s new book is provocative
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Free Thinker
A few days back I got a tacitly thought-provoking new book “Geopolitical Relation of the Princely State Manipur with Neighbouring Regions” authored by Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, former Minister of Education & External Affairs. This book is a publication of National Book Trust ( NBT ) and it was released on front of a considerably large educated audience by Proof Milind Sudhakar Chairman NBT and Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director NBT during the World Book Fair on 11 January 2026, at Bharat Mandapam (erstwhile Pragati Maidan) ,New Delhi.
I have known the author for many years; he loves Manipur as any other patriot does. The only difference between him and new Manipur lovers is that the neo patriots have shrunken the territorial concept of the land. At the outset in the “Introduction” the author had written about the expanded Manipur Kingdom. As the Kingdom expanded towards Ahom, Tekhao, Takhel, Burma and Bengal – social, political and cultural evolution had taken place in the entire region – perhaps this was the beginning of diplomatic relations with the neighboring kingdoms. Readers may be interested in the geographical idea of Manipur which is now shrinking day by day.
The author maintains that Manipur was an ancient Kingdom which had fluctuating boundaries. But during the reign of King Pamheiba the boundaries of Manipur extended up to the western bank of the Chindwin River (Burma) in the east and southeast covered the Kabaw Valley sometimes up to the present Barak Valley in the west covering the whole of Cachar and Sadiya (Tinsukia) of Assam in the north and northwest. He is not saying that now we should claim these areas – but certainly telling the people about the sphere of influence of the then Manipur. The present generation at least should know the territorial ambit.
Now after the ethnic clashes sections of hill people think that Imphal Valley does not belong to them; the Valley citizens ponder whether their territory ends at Moirang or Keithelmanbi (west) or Morbung. We have actually shrunk the territorial notion of Manipur because of our own parochial follies. If we start going back in history, pre 33 AD – we can still have 7 sub kingdoms in the Valley itself. That is not what the writer wants to narrate – he believes in the evolving idea of Manipur vis-à-vis the adjoining regions .
The author mentions that some scholars believe that the indigenous people of Manipur migrated from eastern Tibet near Kham Valley and Tai-Shan groups entered from various directions to the present landscape of Manipur. We also agree with this theory. Now the issue seems to be who came first. Those who have joined us in the last 100 or 150 years think they are also we. But those who entered the Manipur landscape after the Merger are not we (Now 1962).
Sometimes I forget that I am reviewing a book written by a scholar who had already written 9 books and also served in the Council of Ministers of the Government of India as a junior minister under Modi ji. The book also reflects some of his experiences (ministerial ) particularly with reference to Bangladesh and Burma.
Border Fencing is another ‘issue’ in parts of the Northeastern region. The ongoing border Fencing along the Indo Myanmar border is also covered by the author. He wrote (page 62-63) that the Indo- Myanmar border is not fully fenced, allowing easy cross-border movement of insurgents, smugglers, and illegal immigrants. The full fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border may be required – the author ponders.
At page 130 of the book the author says “During prehistoric and early kingdoms the Kabaw Valley was inhabited by various ethnic groups including the Meitei, Naga and Shan communities. The Burmese Pagan Empire intermittently influenced the Valley. The Valley frequently also came under the sphere of Manipur and became part of the Manipur Kingdom after the epochal year 1826, when Gambhir Singh succeeded to defeat the Burmese with the help of the Britishers.
The author deliberately instigates young minds by opening intriguing issues like “3000 years old stone relic in the Complex of Konthoujam Lairembi (goddess)”; ‘when did Manipur loss Kabaw Valley and also subsequently the monthly tribute of 500 Sica from Burma’ ; “this valley is more than just a geographical feature – it is a corridor of history, culture and geopolitics – its legacy is still in a contested zone”. Young scholars may try to find out whether Manipur was as part of ancient Southern Silk Route, whether Tin Route is identical with Tiddim Road etc; Whether Lallup System is ‘corvee’ or voluntary or an acceptable practice then. The author has opened up many trails for further research.
Towards the end I would suggest our new generation to go through this book – so as to have a glimpse of Manipur past and present. In short, this book is just like ‘The Discovery Manipur’ comparable with Nehru’s “The Discovery of India”. The author tells the story of Manipur linking with the neighboring regions through the socio- politico-economic and cultural ties making an exotic cocktail of history, myth and personal knowledge and research. It is definitely an informative and provocative read just at a paltry sum of Rs 265 (NBT). Don’t think, I am bribed by the author.
A few days back I got a tacitly thought-provoking new book “Geopolitical Relation of the Princely State Manipur with Neighbouring Regions” authored by Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, former Minister of Education & External Affairs. This book is a publication of National Book Trust ( NBT ) and it was released on front of a considerably large educated audience by Proof Milind Sudhakar Chairman NBT and Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director NBT during the World Book Fair on 11 January 2026, at Bharat Mandapam (erstwhile Pragati Maidan) ,New Delhi.
I have known the author for many years; he loves Manipur as any other patriot does. The only difference between him and new Manipur lovers is that the neo patriots have shrunken the territorial concept of the land. At the outset in the “Introduction” the author had written about the expanded Manipur Kingdom. As the Kingdom expanded towards Ahom, Tekhao, Takhel, Burma and Bengal – social, political and cultural evolution had taken place in the entire region – perhaps this was the beginning of diplomatic relations with the neighboring kingdoms. Readers may be interested in the geographical idea of Manipur which is now shrinking day by day.
The author maintains that Manipur was an ancient Kingdom which had fluctuating boundaries. But during the reign of King Pamheiba the boundaries of Manipur extended up to the western bank of the Chindwin River (Burma) in the east and southeast covered the Kabaw Valley sometimes up to the present Barak Valley in the west covering the whole of Cachar and Sadiya (Tinsukia) of Assam in the north and northwest. He is not saying that now we should claim these areas – but certainly telling the people about the sphere of influence of the then Manipur. The present generation at least should know the territorial ambit.
Now after the ethnic clashes sections of hill people think that Imphal Valley does not belong to them; the Valley citizens ponder whether their territory ends at Moirang or Keithelmanbi (west) or Morbung. We have actually shrunk the territorial notion of Manipur because of our own parochial follies. If we start going back in history, pre 33 AD – we can still have 7 sub kingdoms in the Valley itself. That is not what the writer wants to narrate – he believes in the evolving idea of Manipur vis-à-vis the adjoining regions .
The author mentions that some scholars believe that the indigenous people of Manipur migrated from eastern Tibet near Kham Valley and Tai-Shan groups entered from various directions to the present landscape of Manipur. We also agree with this theory. Now the issue seems to be who came first. Those who have joined us in the last 100 or 150 years think they are also we. But those who entered the Manipur landscape after the Merger are not we (Now 1962).
Sometimes I forget that I am reviewing a book written by a scholar who had already written 9 books and also served in the Council of Ministers of the Government of India as a junior minister under Modi ji. The book also reflects some of his experiences (ministerial ) particularly with reference to Bangladesh and Burma.
Border Fencing is another ‘issue’ in parts of the Northeastern region. The ongoing border Fencing along the Indo Myanmar border is also covered by the author. He wrote (page 62-63) that the Indo- Myanmar border is not fully fenced, allowing easy cross-border movement of insurgents, smugglers, and illegal immigrants. The full fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border may be required – the author ponders.
At page 130 of the book the author says “During prehistoric and early kingdoms the Kabaw Valley was inhabited by various ethnic groups including the Meitei, Naga and Shan communities. The Burmese Pagan Empire intermittently influenced the Valley. The Valley frequently also came under the sphere of Manipur and became part of the Manipur Kingdom after the epochal year 1826, when Gambhir Singh succeeded to defeat the Burmese with the help of the Britishers.
The author deliberately instigates young minds by opening intriguing issues like “3000 years old stone relic in the Complex of Konthoujam Lairembi (goddess)”; ‘when did Manipur loss Kabaw Valley and also subsequently the monthly tribute of 500 Sica from Burma’ ; “this valley is more than just a geographical feature – it is a corridor of history, culture and geopolitics – its legacy is still in a contested zone”. Young scholars may try to find out whether Manipur was as part of ancient Southern Silk Route, whether Tin Route is identical with Tiddim Road etc; Whether Lallup System is ‘corvee’ or voluntary or an acceptable practice then. The author has opened up many trails for further research.
Towards the end I would suggest our new generation to go through this book – so as to have a glimpse of Manipur past and present. In short, this book is just like ‘The Discovery Manipur’ comparable with Nehru’s “The Discovery of India”. The author tells the story of Manipur linking with the neighboring regions through the socio- politico-economic and cultural ties making an exotic cocktail of history, myth and personal knowledge and research. It is definitely an informative and provocative read just at a paltry sum of Rs 265 (NBT). Don’t think, I am bribed by the author.