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Manipur

Manipur, state, north-east India, bordered on the east by Myanmar, on the north by Nagaland State, on the west by Assam State, and the south by Mizoram. It was a union territory from 1949 until 1972, when it became a state. One of the smallest of India's 25 states, Manipur has an area of 22,327 sq km (8,620 sq mi).The state capital is Imphal.

Geographically, Manipur is divided into mountainous hills which surround a central plain—the valley of the Manipur River. The hills have an average height above sea level of 1,300 m (5,000 ft.); the valley, 660 m (2,500 ft). The valley is the most densely populated area of Manipur. At its centre is Lake Loktak, which has an area of about 104 sq km (40 sq mi) and is the largest freshwater lake in the north-east. The hills are cloaked with dense forests, which contain large stands of teak and bamboo, as well as oak, magnolia, and pine. The total forested area is 15,154 sq km (5,851 sq mi). The climate is temperate in the valleys and cold in the hills. The average maximum and minimum temperatures in Manipur are 22° C and 15° C respectively. Average annual rainfall is 1,650 mm (65 in).

The population of Manipur is 2,388,634 (2000), giving an average density of 107 people per sq km (277 per sq mi). Imphal, one of the oldest state capitals of India, has a population of about 200,600. More than 60 per cent of Manipur's population belongs to the Meithei ethnic group, who are predominantly Vaishnavite Hindus and live in the central valley. The remaining third of Manipuris belong to one of 30 hill tribes. Divided into many clans and sections they fall into two main groups: the Nagas in the north and the Kukis in the south. Animism is the dominant form of religion, although some hill people have been converted to Christianity. Manipuri and English are the official languages. The Manipuris have a reputation as warriors, and the martial arts are still practised; polo and hockey are popular sports. The indigenous dance style is one of the six forms of Indian classical dance. Manipuri dance is highly decorative and graceful and uses hand movements decoratively rather than symbolically. It was popularized throughout India in the 20th century by the poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Poor road, rail, and air links emphasize Manipur's isolation from most of the rest of India. Agriculture, which provides the livelihood of 70 per cent of Manipuris, and forestry dominate the economy. Rice is the principal crop; maize, sugar cane, pulses, and tropical and temperate fruits are also grown. Forest products include teak, bamboo, and pine. There is little modern industrial development, but cottage industries like weaving flourish.

Manipur has a Legislative Assembly with 60 seats and sends three members to the Indian national parliament—one to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) and two to the Lok Sabha (lower house). There are eight local government administrative districts: five in the hills, three in the plains. Following state elections in 1990, a United Legislature Front coalition, led by the Manipur People's party, came to power. It collapsed two years later and was replaced by a Congress (I)-led coalition.

Little is known about Manipur's early history. It was unified as a state in the early 18th century by Rajarshri Bhagya Chandra. Manipur was often invaded by Burma; in 1762 the raja requested British aid. This eventually led to the seven year Indo-Burmese war, which was ended in 1826 by the Treaty of Yandabo which brought Manipur into British India. In 1949, Manipur was made a union territory. Political instability in the Legislative Assembly during the 1960s led to the temporary imposition of direct rule by the Indian national president. Manipur was one of the headquarters for the Indian National Army and the Indian national flag was first hoisted there in 1944. The state retains a strong pride in its distinct identity, and discontent with central government has led to a certain amount of political unrest.

TAKEN FROM Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia. © 1993-2001.