Why Meiteilon deserves its rightful place in India’s classical pantheon

Dr Abul Khair Choudhury (Moijing Mayum)
Contd from previous issue
Such a continuous, secular historical record is a rarity in world literature and comparable to the Rajatarangini of Kashmir.
PoireitonKhunthok (3rd Century AD): This prose narrative describes the migration of people and the colonization of the Manipur valley. It is a vital anthropological document that details ancient agricultural practices and settlement patterns .
Science in the Hills: The Intellectual Tradition
Manipuri literature was not confined to poetry; it was a vehicle for science.
Subika Laisaba: This illustrated manuscript on astrology and cosmology is a visual encyclopedia of the ancient Meitei worldview. It uses indigenous dyes and a unique illustrative style found nowhere else in India.
Maibarol: The ancient texts on healing document an indigenous medical system that includes pulse diagnosis, pharmacology, and surgical techniques independent of Ayurveda .
Metallurgy: The existence of iron-smelting clans and records of advanced metallurgy in the Kakching region prove that the language possessed a technical vocabulary for industry and science centuries ago .
Conclusion: A Matter of Right and Identity
The inclusion of Manipuri in the list of Classical Languages is not a plea for charity; it is a claim to our legitimate constitutional and civilizational right.
When Manipur merged with the Indian Union in 1949, it did not just bring land; it brought a civilization that had flourished for 2,000 years. Since that merger, the people of Manipur—both Meiteis and Pangals—have stood like a rock for the nation. From the battlefields of nation-defense to the podiums of international sports, we have sacrificed sweat and blood to enhance the honor of this country.
Therefore, it is our right (hak) that our language receives its due respect in the Indian mosaic. A language is not merely a tool for communication; it is our true identity . To deny it Classical Status is to deny the antiquity of the Northeast itself. By recognizing Manipuri, India would not only be honoring a state but would be enriching its own definition of what it means to be an ancient civilization.
About the Author

Dr. Abul Khair Choudhury (Moijing Mayum) is a scholar of Manipuri Folk Culture and Modern Manipuri Literature, with specialized work on classical manuscripts and the civilizational history of Manipur. He holds an M.A. and Ph.D., and is NET–SLET qualified. He is currently serving as Assistant Professor & Head, Department of Manipuri, S.R College, Assam.