Imphal

Imphal is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Manipur. Situated in a valley in the north-eastern region of India, it serves as the political, commercial and cultural centre of the state. The city lies along the banks of the Imphal River and is surrounded by hills inhabited by various indigenous communities.

Key facts

Geography

Imphal is located in the Imphal Valley, a roughly oval-shaped basin in central Manipur surrounded by the hill ranges of the state. The Imphal River flows through the city, and Loktak Lake — the largest freshwater lake in north-east India — lies to the south. The valley has a subtropical climate moderated by its elevation, with a distinct monsoon season.

Administration

The urban area is divided between two districts, Imphal East and Imphal West, formed in 1997 by the bifurcation of the earlier Imphal district. Civic administration is carried out by the Imphal Municipal Corporation. The city houses the Manipur Legislative Assembly, the Manipur Secretariat, the Raj Bhavan, and the Manipur High Court.

History

Imphal has historically been the seat of the Meitei kingdom of Manipur, ruled for centuries by the Ningthouja dynasty. The royal palace, Kangla, located at the heart of the city, was the traditional capital and ceremonial centre of the Manipur kings.

• Pre-colonial period: Kangla served as the seat of Meitei rulers, with continuous occupation traced over many centuries.
• 1891: The Anglo-Manipur War culminated in the British capture of Kangla, after which Manipur became a princely state under British paramountcy.
• 1944: During the Second World War, the Battle of Imphal was fought in and around the city between Allied forces and the Imperial Japanese Army (supported by the Indian National Army). The battle, alongside the Battle of Kohima, is regarded as a decisive turning point of the Burma Campaign.
• 1949: Manipur acceded to the Indian Union, with Imphal continuing as its capital.
• 1972: Manipur attained full statehood, and Imphal was designated the state capital.
• 2004: The Kangla fort, long occupied by the Assam Rifles, was handed back to the Government of Manipur and opened to the public.

Economy

Imphal's economy combines government services, trade, handloom and handicraft production, and agriculture-related activities from the surrounding valley. The city is known for the Ima Keithel ("Mothers' Market"), a long-established marketplace run entirely by women vendors, considered one of the largest of its kind in Asia. Manipuri handloom textiles, including the phanek and innaphi, are widely produced and traded here.

Culture

Imphal is a major centre of Meitei culture and the home of Manipuri dance, one of the eight classical dance forms of India. Important cultural institutions include the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy and the Manipur State Museum. Religious and cultural landmarks include the Shri Govindajee Temple adjacent to the old palace, the Kangla complex, and the Sanamahi temples associated with the indigenous Meitei religion. Festivals such as Yaoshang, Cheiraoba (Meitei New Year), Ningol Chakouba and Lai Haraoba are widely observed.

Education

Imphal hosts several institutions of higher education, including:

• Manipur University (a central university located at Canchipur)
• Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS)
• Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS)
• National Institute of Technology, Manipur
• Indian Institute of Information Technology, Manipur
• Central Agricultural University (headquartered at Iroisemba)

Transport

The city is served by Imphal International Airport, also known as