Manipuri–Burmese wars of 1717 to 1749
| Manipuri – Burmese Wars of 1717–1749 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Ningthouja dynasty |
 Toungoo Dynasty Manikya Dynasty[1][2]Kingdom of Pong[3] | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Charairongba Pamheiba |
Mahadhammaraza Dipadi Taninganway Min | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 20,000 + [5] | Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| More[6] | Less | ||||||||
The Manipur – Burmese wars of 1717–1749 were a series of conflicts between Manipur under Gharib Niwaz and the Toungo kingdom of Burma.[7]
Background[edit]
The conflict between the Kingdom of Manipur and the Kingdom of Burma, also known as Awa, was sparked by a series of events rooted in familial ties and political grievances. Following the demotion of his sister, who was married to the Burmese King as Awa-Leima, Manipur King Charairongba harbored deep resentment. Before his demise, he tasked his son Pamheiba (Garibaniwaz) with avenging this slight against their family. The tensions escalated when a delegation from Burma, accompanied by Samsok emissaries, arrived in Manipur seeking a Meitei princess's hand in marriage. Despite King Garibaniwaz's courteous reception, the presence of the Samsok people further fueled his anger, setting the stage for further hostilities between the two kingdoms.[7]
Conflicts[edit]
Battle of Ningthi River[edit]
Instead of the bride party, the Army of Manipur fell upon the Burmese and committed a surprise and terrible attack.[8][9][10][11]
Invasion of Pong[edit]
In 1739 A.D, in response to an appeal from the princess of Pong kingdom, Pamheiba again invaded Burma and removed the Burmese from (Mogaung), the capital of Pong, and raised the eldest prince of Pong to the throne of Pong.[12]
Capture of Sagaing[edit]
After freeing Pong from the Burmese, Pamheiba and his army went on to occupy Sagaing, situated on the western bank of the Ayeyarwadday Irrawaddy, which was once the seat of Government of Burma. In February 1740 A.D he captured Sagaing. It is to be noted that in the year between 1662–1672 A.D, a son of the King of Ava reigned in pong, after whom, the succession again reverted to the lineal descendants of their ancient race of kings, five are mentioned, whose united reigns bring the history of that country down the year 1734 A. D. Now, about this time, two princes of Pong – Mongpa and Kyethon – fled to Raja Gharib niwaz (Pamheiba) of Manipur solicited his protection against the Burmese, he attacked and destroyed the town of Sagaing and established the two princes Mungkhong in the month of May, bestowed his daughter Yenjiyoyai in marriage on the elde From Mungkhong they returned in August to Mongmaorang[clarify], the ancient capital of Pong, when t eldest reigned for a short and uncertain period.[13][14][15]
Second Siege of Sagaing and Myedu[edit]
In 1740 CE, the empire of Pamheiba was extensive and populous. King Maha Dharma Raja Dibati of Toungoo dynasty of Burma could not acquiesce in the loss of his strategic towns happily and waited for an opportunity to strike blow for their recovery. In mid 1740 CE, the Burmese made a fresh bid for recovery of Sagaing and Myedu and laid siege to the towns. In October 1740 CE, the King of Pong sent his envoys to acknowledge the news to his master Pamheiba. Accordingly, in December 1740 CE, Pamheiba undertook another expedition against Burma to secure complete submission of Sagaing, but could not fulfill his task as the Maring rebellion compelled him to leave the expedition to his generals and returned to his capital. The generals continued the operations against the Burmese. After staying six days in the capital, Pamheiba again set out to invade Burma. He penetrated again up to the town of Sagaing opposite Ava. While encamped at Sagaing his standard was brown down, taking this as an evil omen he negotiated a peace treaty with the King of Ava. As a sequel to the peace, the king of Ava sent many embassies to the court of Pamheiba requesting a daughter in marriage.[16]
Aftermath[edit]
Shamsokngamba puya describes the personal courage and military skills of Gharib nawaz. His words in the battlefield could reverse the adverse battlefield-situations. An excerpt from the above puya:
"Tayam Nakhoibu Khoyam Karigee Namai Leirakpano. Lairel Eibu Leiye. Lairel eepa Meitengu Tubi Charairongba Kharam Tusuk Ngamba Mapari Panba Hathnongbu kharophaba Keiren Nausongbada Songlophaba eibu leiye. Tayam Nakhoibu Khoiram Namai Leigano.
- Translation
"Why would you soldiers turn your face from the battlefield? I am here with you. Do not turn back your face from the battle"
By drawing exclusively from the Burmese historical records, among other primary sources, E.W. Dun described as to how Gharibnawaz, with as many a thirty thousand Manipuri army, defeated the Burmese army in as many as seven wars including the wars in 1725, 1735, 1738, 1739 and 1749. Manipur power overwhelmed the Burmese at a time when Gharib nawaz reached the zenith. With his abdication from the throne in 1749 and five-year instability, which followed till 1754 during the reign of his sons Ajitsai and Bharatsai, Manipur power had slid down to abyss.[17][18] Raja Jai Singh of Manipur who came with Sandhikari ap- pealed to Rajeswar Singh for help to expel the Burmese from his kingdom. The king consulted the nobles and agreed to send a force to reinstate him. A number of officers had to be dismissed and deprived of their property for refusing to accept the command and go on the ground of ill-health. The march through the hills south of Charaideo was difficult, clearing a road through dense jungle was arduous and slow; exposure, insufficient food, snake-bite, death at the hands of the Nagas and sufferings generally of the troops made the king order their return. A second force was despatched by way of Raha and the Kachari country the main body halted at Raha and a force of ten thousand men accompanied Jai Singh who raised also a force of Nagas and drove out the usurper, Kelemba, placed on the Manipuri throne by the Burmese.
Jai Singh sent valuable presents to Rajeswar Singh, and gave him a daughter in marriage. A number of Manipuris accompanying the Manipuri princess were settled near the mouth of the Desoi at Magaluhat or the Manipuri Market . In 1769 the Jaintia Raja moved with a force towards the Ahom frontier. The king thought of summoning him to appear and explain, but the nobles suggested nothing should be done until hostile intentions were clear. The Bar Barua marched to Raha in full force; the Jaintia Raja withdrew in fears.
The king was a strict Hindu. Gauhati to worship at temples there. He paid a long visit to He erected many temples [19]
References[edit]
- ^ History of Manipur, the medevial period. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05.
- ^ Sana, Raj Kumar Somorjit (2010). The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs. Waikhom Ananda Meetei. ISBN 978-81-8465-210-9.
- ^ Somorjit, Wangam (March 2016). Manipur. Waba Publications & Advanced Research Consortium. ISBN 978-81-926687-2-7.
- ^ Gait, Edward; Gait, Sir Edward Albert (1906). A History of Assam.
- ^ Mill, James (March 25, 1848). "The History of British India". Madden – via Google Books.
- ^ "Garib Niwaz: Wars and Religious Policy in 18th Century Manipur". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27.
- ^ a b Sorokhaibam, Manglemjao S. (July 10, 2021). "GARIBANIWAZ (PAMHEIBA): The Master of Manipur and Upper Burma (West of Irrawaddy) (1709–1748) » Imphal Review of Arts and Politics". imphalreviews.in.
- ^ Roy, Jyotirmoy (1958). History Of Manipur.
- ^ Shimmi, Yanao Lungharnao Roland (1988). History of the Nagas. Inter-India Publications. ISBN 978-81-210-0210-3.
- ^ Tensuba, Keerti Chand (1993). Genesis of Indian Tribes. Inter-India Publications. ISBN 978-81-210-0308-7.
- ^ The Lost Kingdom of Moyon (Bujuur). Shashwat Publication. 16 November 2023. ISBN 978-81-19517-31-2.
- ^ The Lost Kingdom of Moyon (Bujuur). Shashwat Publication. 16 November 2023. ISBN 978-81-19517-31-2.
- ^ The Lost Kingdom of Moyon (Bujuur). Shashwat Publication. 16 November 2023. ISBN 978-81-19517-31-2.
- ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
- ^ A history of Burma : Htin Aung, U. New York, Columbia University Press. 1967.
- ^ Sana, Raj Kumar Somorjit (2010). The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs. Waikhom Ananda Meetei. ISBN 978-81-8465-210-9.
- ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur , Past and present. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
- ^ History of Burma: from the earliest times to March 1824: Harvey, G.E. 1925.
- ^ {{cite book|https://archive.org/details/dli.pahar.3374/page/68/mode/1up