- Maharaja Nara Singh
-
Nara Singh 
Portrait by RKCS. King of Manipur Reign 8 February 1844 – 11 April 1850 Coronation 22 November 1844 Predecessor Chandra Kirti Successor Maharaja Devendra Singh Regent 9 January 1834- 8 February 1844 Consort Maharani Daseshori, Wahengbam Chanu Rashmi, Haikrujam Malika, Achom Khemeshori, Nongmaithem Chandrabala, Maibam Dhanapati, Wangambam Neleshori and others Issue Bogendra, grandfather of Maharaja Sir Churchand Singh, Natendra, Angou Senapati, Haochao, Sana Barachaoba, Panganton, Puskar, Sana Uriba, Sana Megajing,ThebaIrendra, Ningtek Sana,Princess Yumshangbi, Princess Chaonu, Princess nongthonbi, Princess Thokchom Ongbi, Princess Konusana, Princess Wangol sana, Princess Chaobiton, Princess Chaobiton and others Full name Meetingu Lairen Nonglen Sendreng Manik Khomba House Ningthouja Father Maharaja Badra Singh Mother Queen Loitongbam Chanu Premlata Born 1792
Sagolband Maputhou Mantri Leikai, ImphalDied April 11, 1850
Kangla Palace, ImphalNara Singh, also known as Chingthanglen Pamheiba and Meetingu Lairen Nonglen Sendreng Manik Khomba, was the most illustrious king of the modern Manipur, who ruled for a short period of six years from 1844 to 1850 . His patriotism, courage, military skill, political wisdom and administration capabilities had made him the national hero of Manipur. His grateful subject called him ‘Eningthou Nungsiba’ or ‘our beloved king.’[1]
Contents
Early life
Nara Singh was a son of King Badra Singh ( r.April 1825 –June 1825 ) and Queen Loitongbam Chanu Premlata and the great grandson of Emperor Pamheiba, popularly known as Garibniwaz ( r.1709-1748 ).[2] He was born at Sangolbal Maputhou Mantri Leikai, Imphal, Manipur. According to the Cheitharol Kumbaba his father Badra Singh was holding several posts including that of Yaiskul Lakpa (minister) during the reign of Bhagyachandra (r.1763-1799 ). For his involvement in a conspiracy against the king Badra Singh was exiled to Cachar in 1796 . In 1819, Manipur was occupied by the Burmese forces. During this period all the princes of Manipur took shelter in the kingdom of Cachar. Many princes like Herachandra and Yumjaotaba tried to liberate Manipur; some obliging princes were appointing the king of Manipur under Burmese sovereignty. Badra Singh’s son Jadu Singh (r.1823), Jadu Singh’s son Raghov Singh ( r.1823-24) and Badra Singh himself ( r.1825) were puppet rulers of Burmese occupied Manipur.[3] Though her father, his elder brother and his nephew became puppet rulers, Nara Singh was not involved in the scramble for the throne of Manipur. He was taking shelter in Cachar. And he supported the cause of his second cousin Gambhir Singh in negotiating with the British for the liberation of Cachar and Manipur.
Nara Singh in the First Anglo-Burmese War
Nara Singh appeared in the History of Manipur as the commanding Officer of the Gambhir Singh levy, popularly known as Manipur Levy, which was the most effective force to defeat the Burmese in Cachar and Manipur.Nara Singh got an allowance of Rs. 100 per month from the Government of British India during the First Anglo-Burmese War ( 1824–1826).[4] He showed his military skill and courage in the war of liberation. The Manipur Levy liberated Manipur in June 1825. The last battle of the war of independence was fought at Tamu in December and January 1826. Nara Singh played a vital role in saving the Manipuri race by inflicting a crushing defeat on the Burmese armies and driving them beyond the historic Ningthi river. The article no. 2 of the Treaty of Yandaboo, which concluded the First Anglo-Burmese War, declared Gambhir Singh as the independent ruler of Manipur.[5]
As the General of Manipur
During the reign of his second cousin Gambhir Singh ( r.1826-1834 CE) Nara Singh served as the Senapati ( General) of Manipur. He conducted around five military expeditions into the hills of Manipur to subjugate the rebellious chieftains. In December 1826, he successfully conducted military expedition against Thonglang Hao; in February 1827, he led an expedition into Khaki Hao; in October 1828, he conducted Kongchai expedition and in April 1831, he again attacked Khaki Hao in which twenty villages were abandoned.[6]
As the Regent of Manipur
Gambhir Singh having sat on the throne for about eight years made up his mind to make a pilgrimage to Brindavana after entrusting the state and his little son, Chadra Kirti, to Nara Singh. When all preparations were over, the king’s ailing health suddenly took a turn for the worse and soon he passed away on January 9, 1834. Turning down the offer of the throne to him by the people, Nara Singh made Chandra Kirti, the young prince, only four years old then, king with himself as regent.[7] The whole reign of the minor king Chandra Kirti, also known as Ningthem Pisak, witnessed a large number of rebellions. He successfully quelled the palace revolts of Prince Tarang Khomba ( May 1836), Prince Jogendrajit Singh (June 1835), Prince Tribubanjit Singh ( April–May 1841), Prince Karaba ( May 1841), Prince Chiba ( May 1841), Prince Parbitan Singh, Prince Norendrajit Singh and Prince Nilambar Singh ( September 1841). During the reign of the boy king Chandra Kirti, Nara Singh conducted military expeditions against Phumnung Hao ( September 1835), Awang Hao (February 1836), Khaki Hao ( April 1836), Koirek ( December 1838), Awang Hao (September 1839), Nungbi and Nunghar ( October 1839), Khongchai ( October 1840), Khaki Hao and Kolek Hao ( February- march 1842), Ngamei (January–February 1843) and Khaki Hao ( April 1843).
Queen-Mother Maisnam Kumudini’s Conspiracy
Nara Singh looked after the administration of Manipur as the Regent with efficiency and care for the welfare of the people. He was popular during the life time of Gambhir Singh. And during his 10 year regency, he got the appreciation of his subjects. He became more popular. Popularity of Nara Singh created a fear and jealousy in the mind of Dowager queen, Maharani Kumudini, the mother of the boy king Chandra Kirti. This ultimately led to the plot for the assassination of the Regent. Queen Kumudini sent Prince Nabin to assassinate him. The plot failed. In consequence of the failure of her plot, Kumudini and her son Chandra Kirti fled to Cachar.
As the King of Manipur
On the abdication of Chandra Kirti in 1844 Nara Singh ascended the throne on the request of his subjects to save the kingdom from chaos and anarchy. According to the Cheitharol Kumbaba Nara Singh ascended the throne on February 8, 1844 at the age of fifty-two. His installation ceremony was performed on November 22, 1844.[8] One of the first acts of Nara Singh as the king was to shift the capital from Langthabal to Imphal.[9]
Death
After a short but glorious reign of six years Maharaja Nara Singh breathed his last at the Kangla Palace on April 11, 1850. In Nara Singh’s death Manipur lost a brave soldier, a noble prince, an able statesman, a patron of art and culture and a lover of justice. Every year his death anniversary is observed as National Dedication Celebration Day in Manipur. The Government of Manipur has made the day as restricted holiday in the state since 2001.
References
- ^ Kamei, Gnangmumei (2009). maharaja Nar Singh: "Eningthou Nungsiba" of manipur. Imphal: The Maharaja Narasingh Merorial Committe. pp. 6.
- ^ Hemchandra, Chanam (2004). Meihoubarol sangai Phammang. Imphal.
- ^ Kabui, Gangmumei (1991). History of Manipur, Vol.I. New Delhi: national Publishing House. pp. 291–292. ISBN 81-214-0362-6.
- ^ Y, Mohendra Singh (2009). The Status of Manipur( 1825-1947). Imphal. pp. 1–2.
- ^ Crawfurd, John (London). Journal of an Embassy from the Governor genneral of India to the Court of Ava, appendix. 1834. pp. 9–10.
- ^ R.K., Somorjit Sana (2010). The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs (From 1666 CE to 1850 CE). Imphal: Waikhom Ananda Meetei. pp. 279–286. ISBN 978-81-8465-210-9.
- ^ Ch, Manihar Singh (2003). A History of Manipuri Literature. New Delhi: Sahitya akadami. pp. 160–161. ISBN 81-260-1586-1.
- ^ R.K., Somorjit Sana. pp. 344.
- ^ R.K., Jhalajit Singh (1992). A Short History of manipur. Imphal. pp. 267.
External links
Categories:- Meitei royals
- 1792 births
- 1850 deaths
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