On author, research and publication : A critical look

Dr Longjam Krishnamangol
Contd from previous issue
And, usually or generally, full academic freedom is given to the university in the matter of teaching and research. Also, the research scholar is awarded the PhD degree for his original contributions or entire contributions to any branch or area of knowledge or discipline/subject. In research and in the steps of research, there are areas or stages where things are given for introduction and also for a brief review or for giving a passing reference as a background of research or as a prelude to the research problems. But, his or her main interest is to investigate into the main theme of research problems. In fact, as already stated, a research scholar/student has been awarded PhD degree in the concerned subject after fulfilling all necessary conditions as per PhD rules and regulations of the university concerned.
Regarding the controversial part of the use of data/information on the geographical area of Manipur at the time of "Merger Agreement" (ie prior to 1949), the data or estimates of the total  geographical area of Manipur were used by the individual writers. In fact, the data of the total area of Manipur were scanty at that time. However, according to R Brown, the data or information of the total area of Manipur (ie prior to 1873, the year of publication of R. Brown's book, Statistical Account of the Native State of Manipur and The Hill Territory under its Rule) is between 7 and 8,000 square miles, and that of the valley proper about 650 square miles (Brown, R, 1873:1)
It is further stated that as the country (ie Manipur added) has never been surveyed and mapped, the total area stated above is merely approximate and represents the size of the territory (ie  Manipur added) as nearly as possible.(Ibid. P.I.). And , there were many undefined areas also at that time. It is, however, found that. "The largest tract of country under the Manipur rule is that situated in the hills and inhabited by various tribes, divided, however, into two great sections of Nagas  and Kukis " (R Brown, 1873:2) In the account of the State of Manipur, Brown further pointed out, "By far the largest tract of country owned by Manipur is that situated in the hills surrounding the valley. The total area of the hill possessions of Manipur (ie the total area of Manipur under the hills-bracket added) is probably about 7,000 square miles, and the population is roughly computed at 74,000 (hillmen) (Ibid.1873:1 and 8).
As Brown had pointed out, "The population of the valley of Manipur and that of the surrounding hills are estimated to be about 74,000 hillmen and 65,000 Manipuris, total (‘of’ bracket added) 139,000 souls (inhabitants-bracket added)-(Ibid.,P.I.). This was the situation obtained in1873 (the year of publication of the book) Thus, from the estimates of the account of Brown R, with 7,000 square miles of the hills and 650 square miles of the valley, the total area of Manipur accounted for 7,650 sq. miles. (Cf. Brown R, 1873: 1 and 8). And, with some undefined areas, the total area of the State of Manipur was estimated at 8000 sq. miles prior to 1873 (Ibid., P.I.)  Brown, R had also pointed out,. "This area (i.e. the above area of 7,000 sq. miles-bracket added) has gradually extended since the re-establishment of the Manipur power (i.e. the power of the king of Manipur)
In another estimates, according TC Hodson, the native State of Manipur consists of about 7000 square miles of hill territory and 1000 sq miles of the broad valley (Cf. TC Hodson, The Meitheis) (ie  Meitei bracket added)-(First published under the Govt. of Eastern Bengal and Assam, 1908, and printed and published by Akansha Publishing House, New Delhi, 2018 : 1). And, TC Hodson further described the boundaries of the State of Manipur (CFTC Hodson), The Meiteis, 1908 reprinted.
(To be contd)