Manipur’s history is one of dramatic evolution—an ancient princely state nestled in the northeastern hills of India, witnessed royal rule, insurgency, and autonomy movements, all while grappling with ethnic diversity and political aspirations.
Before Independence, Manipur was a princely state ruled by Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh. The Hindu Meiteis predominantly occupied the Imphal Valley, while the Christian Kukis and the Nagas dominated the hills. Each ethnic group had its own militia and distinct demands. The Meitei insurgents sought independence from India and territorial consolidation, the Kukis aspired for a separate state, while the Nagas desired to merge along the concept of Greater Nagaland, or Nagalim.
The demand for Manipur's independence first emerged in 1948 when the citizens submitted a petition calling for a legislative council for the state. Political parties like the Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha and Kuki National Assembly applied pressure to move from monarchy to democracy.
Prime Minister Nehru wrote to Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh, suggesting a union between Manipur and India. In response, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession and the Standstill Agreement, though not the Merger Agreement, thereby establishing a constitutional monarchy in Manipur.
The Manipur State Congress, however, pushed for full integration with India. To achieve this, they launched a satyagraha movement and campaigned for a responsible government in Manipur. In September 1949, Assam's Governor, Sir Akbar Hydari, invited Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh to Shillong and urged him to sign the Manipur Merger Agreement. The Maharaja initially refused but later agreed after negotiations, in exchange for his title, some ceremonial roles, and a privy purse.
On 15 October 1949, Manipur officially became a chief commissioner's province within the Union of India. When India adopted its Constitution on 26 January 1950, Manipur was classified as a Part C state, remaining under direct central administration.
In 1956, the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) Act redesignated all Part C states, including Manipur, as Union Territories (UTs), which continued to be centrally governed. Shortly after, the Territorial Councils Act of 1956 was passed, granting some autonomy in local affairs through the establishment of territorial councils in Manipur.
Despite these changes, demands for greater autonomy persisted in Manipur. The Ashok Sen Committee was formed to review these demands. The Committee recommended the introduction of panchayati raj institutions and the transfer of more responsibilities to territorial councils. However, it did not support the public's desire for legislative bodies.
Contrary to the committee's recommendation, the Union government passed the Government of Union Territories Act in 1963, establishing legislative assemblies in five Union Territories, including Manipur, Pondicherry, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, and Goa. These assemblies were given powers akin to state legislative assemblies, allowing them to make laws on subjects in the Union and Concurrent lists.
In 1967, Manipur's state legislature passed the Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chiefs’ Rights) Act, which authorized the government to acquire land rights from local chiefs, compensating them in return. This move sparked protests and reignited the demand for statehood.
In response, President's Rule was imposed in Manipur in 1969. On 30 December 1971, Parliament passed the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, which led to the creation of three new states—Meghalaya, Manipur, and Tripura—and two new Union Territories—Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. Manipur became a full-fledged state on 21 January 1972, and President's Rule was lifted in March of the same year.
In 1972, Manipur was divided into five districts. Over time, the number of districts in the state has grown to sixteen. In 1983, the names of four of the original five districts were changed: Manipur North became Senapati, Manipur South became Churachandpur, Manipur West became Tamenglong, and Manipur East became Ukhrul. Later, Tengnoupal, carved out of Manipur Central, was renamed Chandel. The Imphal district was created in 1996 from the original district of Manipur Central. It was later subdivided into Imphal West and Imphal East districts.
Sources: Administrative Atlas of India (2011); Manipur - State Govt Website; Administrative Atlas of India (2011); Origin Story of India’s States (2020), We the People of the States of Bharat (2022) Chopra Sanjeev; VP Menon - The Unsung Architect of Modern India Tangled Skeins; The Better India.
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