The Meitei-Pangal Legacy in Manipur (India): A Historical Perspective

Abstract

The historical narrative of Manipur illustrates the sustained contributions of diverse communities, marked by their bravery, resilience, and innovative spirit, in which the Muslim community, locally recognized as Meitei-Pangals, holds a particularly notable status. In spite of being a minority, they played a significant role in the defending of the kingdom, enhancing its economic framework, and contributing to its cultural heritage. Embedded in the lallup system, Pangals made substantial military and economic contributions, often sacrificing their lives in wars against neighboring kingdoms and the British during the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.Their contributions surpassed beyond the military engagement: they initiated progressive agricultural practices including paddy transplantation and the application of bullock-drawn ploughs, advanced craft skills such as weaving, pottery, paper production, carpentry, and firearms manufacturing, and encouraged the proliferation of commercial networks. Muslim women similarly participated energetically in socio-political movements, as exemplified by the Nupi Lal, standing shoulder to shoulder with their Meitei sisters. Nevertheless, their contributions and innovations remain largely unacknowledged in conventional historical narratives. This manuscript endeavours to recover and highlight the various contributions of Muslims in the historical and cultural heritage of Manipur, emphasizing their contributions as warriors, innovators, and unsung patriots.