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]
First Invasion of Burma[edit]
Taninganwe (1714-33) the king of Burma desiring to make peace. Mahanta Bakridas, a disciple of the Vaishnava missionary Shantidas, was sent to the Burmese court as a plenipotentiary to the king of Manipur. Taninganwe, being defeated, expressed his wish to get into a marriage with the daughter of Gharib Niwaz.The Burmese king was informed that Satyamala would be with him after 3 days from the spring festival.
Battle of the Ningthi River[edit]
The Burmese being unaware of Pamheiba 's intentions prepared for the marriage and instead of the bride party , the Manipur forces waged war against the burmese and caused a severe damage upon them. [8] Invasion of Myedu Pamheiba crossed the ningthi river and destroyed the town of Myedu on the bank of the river Moo , he took a huge number of captives from the town. [9][10]
Second Invasion of Burma[edit]
In 1738 , Pamheiba once again crossed the ningthi river and deffeated a Burmese force of 15000. [11]
Sieges of Mutseng , Myedu and Deebayen[edit]
In the same year , Gharib Nawaz with an army of 20000 and 3 divisions , waged war against several cities along with the ancient capital Zakaing , Burmese historians mention that a type of religion extremism was in the minds of the Manipuris ,a Burmese chronicle mentions of a brahmin who gave the assurance that if they take a bath in the Irrawaddy river , their sins would be washed away. [12]
Third Invasion of Burma[edit]
Gharib Nawaz being aided by the cacharees, along with a army of 20,000 invaded Ava , but was deprived to capture a Burmese port at Myedu. Gharib Nawaz suffered setbacks and was deserted by his allies , the Bijoy Panchali says , seeing the opportunity, Manikya Dynasty invaded Manipur advancing as far as Moirang . Gharib Nawaz being hesitated to wage war on two fronts made peace with the burmese and offered the hands of her daughter to the Burmese. [13]
Fourth Invasion of Burma[edit]
In 1749 , Pamheiba with a force of 2000 , crossing the Ningthi river and camping near Kyendwen and Irrawaddy river , waiting for an opportunity to cross the Irrawaddy and to wage war on the capital Ava , the burmese put up all their defences but a bad omen changed the preferences of Pamheiba , one night his sword got broken , considering it as a bad omen , he decided to sought peace with the burmese . [14]
Aftermath[edit]
Upon his retreat , he came onto a conflict with the Koee tribe , reaching the mouth of the Maglung river , he met Ajit Shah who rebuked Pamheiba for his faliures in the recent campaign , this created a huge dissatisfaction among his troops and he was deserted with only 500 troops with him . He sought help from Burmese against his rebellious son , he resided at Tseengain and gave the hands of another daughter of him to the Burmese crown. Due to the rise of the peguers , not much help could be provided to Pamheiba . See the situation , Pamheiba set out to re-enter Manipur and was met by the men of Ajit singh who murdered him along with his elder son Sham shah and all the principles of court who followed Pamheiba. [15][16][17][18][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). Comparative History of the Nagas, from Ancient Period Till 1826. Inter-India Publications. ISBN 978-81-210-0210-3.
- ^ Kanisetti, Anirudh (2023-06-08). "Manipur's imperial moment—When King Gharib Nawaz spread Hinduism, conquered Burma". ThePrint. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
- ^ Roy, Jyotirmoy (1958). History Of Manipur.
- ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
- ^ Roy, Jyotirmoy (1958). History Of Manipur.
- ^ Roy, Jyotirmoy (1958). History Of Manipur.
- ^ Gait, Edward; Gait, Sir Edward Albert (1906). A History of Assam. Thacker, Spink & Company.
- ^ Sana, Raj Kumar Somorjit (2010). The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs: From 1666 CE to 1850 CE. Waikhom Ananda Meetei. ISBN 978-81-8465-210-9.
- ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (2003). Manipur: State and country. Akansha Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-87606-30-7.
- ^ Department, India Foreign and Political (1931). A Collection of Treaties, Engagements and Sanads Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries. Government of India Central Publication Branch.
- ^ Roy, Jyotirmoy (1958). History Of Manipur.