Seven Years Devastation of Manipur explained

The Seven Years Devastation, also known as Chahi Taret Khuntakpa, was a dark period in the history of modern Manipur. During this time, the Kingdom of Manipur was occupied by the Third Burmese Empire, resulting in chaos and anarchy within the kingdom. The devastation lasted from 1819 AD to 1826 AD. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

History

The Seven Years Devastation began on the 12th day of Poinu 1819 and continued until February 1826. It is regarded as the darkest and most tragic yet landmark event in the history of Manipur. This period had grave consequences for the political, social, and economic conditions of the kingdom. The Burmese rule during this time was marked by intense torture, plunder, and suffering for the people of Manipur. ^[5]

Several factors contributed to the Seven Years Devastation. These factors had been unfolding since the reign of Maharaj Garibniwaj (1709-1748) up to the reign of Maharaj Marjit (1813-1819). Some key factors include:

• Garibniwaj's Behavior: Maharaj Garibniwaj's actions, such as destroying valuable Puyas (manuscripts) and breaking the correct line of succession, weakened the political stability of Manipur. His decision to hand over the throne to his incompetent son Chit Shai instead of the rightful heir Shyam Shai led to a war of succession and instability.
• Conspiracy and Revolts: Nobles, queens, and army generals instigated conspiracy and revolts among the princes. Frequent changes of rulers disrupted the strong political system that Garibniwaj and his predecessors had built. The unified Manipur, painstakingly established, crumbled due to weak and unworthy successors who prioritized personal pleasure over defending the kingdom.

Impact

The Seven Years Devastation left indelible scars on the minds of the Manipuri people. Dr. N. Birachandra aptly described it as an "undisguisable scar on their face," reminiscent of the ferocity and inhuman treatment inflicted by the Burmese. Manipur had never faced such cataclysmic events before, and the suffering during this period was unparalleled.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Seven years devastation .
2. Web site: A Brief Note on Chahi Taret Khuntakpa .
3. Web site: A Brief history of the Meiteis of Manipur .
4. Web site: Seven Years Devastation 1819 1826 Book Review by James Oinam .
5. Maibam Chanu Babiya. “The Seven Years Devastation (1819-1826) in Manipur.” Imphal Times