Ancient Meitei language

Ancient Meitei
Old Manipuri
Ariba Meiteilon/Ariba Manipuri
(ꯑꯔꯤꯕ ꯃꯩꯇꯩꯂꯣꯟ/ꯑꯔꯤꯕ ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔꯤ)
Yumbanlol (Yumpanlol), a 6th century collection of Meitei language copper plate inscribed texts, in Meetei script
Ethnicityvarious groups of the Meitei confederacy
EraAncient Kangleipak (early Manipur)
Sino-Tibetan
  • Tibeto-Burman
    • Ancient Meitei
Early forms
Dialects
Meitei script
Official status
Official language in
Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur)
Language codes
ISO 639-3omp
GlottologNone

Ancient Meitei (also known as Old Manipuri, Ariba Manipuri, or Areeba Manipuri, Ariba Meiteilon, or Meiteirol Ariba, Archaic Manipuri, or Old Meithei, or Archaic Meithei) is the earliest historical stage of the Meitei language. It was spoken by the various Yek Salai groups of the Meitei confederacy in Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur) before the emergence of later forms of the language. According to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, the old period of the language existed till 1675 CE, because there was no significant influence of any other group on the language before that time.

Old Meitei gave rise to Modern Meitei, by passing through its early phases of literary and script usage. In the Tibeto-Burman classification, it is recognized as a distinct linguistic unit. Thus, through its historical development and its tradition of literacy and culture, it has established itself as a significant written language in its own right.

Writing system

Meitei Mayek, also known as Meetei Mayek, was used to write ancient Meitei language, in stone inscriptions, copper plate inscriptions and manuscript texts.

Literature

"The beginning of this old Manipuri literature (as in the case of Newari) may go back to 1500 years, or even 2000 years, from now."

— Suniti Kumar Chatterji, Indian scholar and Padma Vibhushan awardee
Lammitlon Puya, a book of toponyms of Ancient Kangleipak

The earliest known ancient Meitei language compositions are the Ougri ritual song (before the Common Era) the Numit Kappa (1st century CE) the Poireiton Khunthok (3rd century CE) the Yumbanlol copper plate inscriptions (c. 6th-7th century CE) the Khencho poetry (7th century CE) Khongtekcha's copper plate inscriptions (c. 763-773 CE), the Panthoibi Khonggul (7th-8th century CE).

According to Indian scholar Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra, the ancient Meitei canon has a large collection of broad categories or genres, including (1) literary, (2) Laihui (origin of deities, cults and pantheon), (3) Chinglon (accounts for hills and mountains), (4) Nunglon (accounts on stones and rocks), (5) Khunthoklon (accounts on early human migrations, leading to settlements and civilisations), (6) Meihouron/Meihourol (other accounts on ancient human settlements), (7) Wayen Pathap/Wayel Pathap (judiciary system), (8) Lammitlon (geography and topography), (9) Leisem Nongsemlon / Leishem Nongshemlon (cosmogony and cosmology), (10) Yangpi/Yangbi (ways of different religious and philosophical ideology), (11) Sekning/Shekning, (12) Nauyom/Naoyom, (13) Jagoi Eesei/Isei (dance and music), (14) Sa Lan / Sha Lan (hunting and battles), (15) Tungda Thoklakkadaba (future telling, fortune telling, prophecy), (16) Khonggul/Khongkul (accounts on tracing origins), (17) astrology, (18) Laining Lambi (ways of religious life), (19) Laiphamlon (accounts on holy and sacred sites), (20) Laiyeng Pathap (traditional medicine), (21) Eerat Thounirol / Irat Thouniron (accounts on worship, rites and rituals), (22) Laison Tinson / Laisol Tinsol (accounts on holy and sacred chantings and hymns), (23) historical genre, (24) purely religious genre, (25) Thiren/Thilen/Thilel/Thirel (accounts on great searchings and findings), (26) Mahou, and (27) Paorou Paotak (sayings, proverbs, maxims).

Ritual practices

Ancient Meitei hymns form a part of the Meitei folklore associated primarily with Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of the Meitei civilisation. These are typically recited or sung during religious ceremonies, seasonal Meitei festivals, and rites of passage. The content of the hymns includes invocations to deities, cosmological narratives, and expressions of ethical or spiritual principles. Notable songs and hymns are Sana Lamok, Apoklon, Mei, Nonglao Eesei, Louta Eesei, and Phoukouron. Ancient Meitei ritual songs are closely associated with the Lai Haraoba festival, notably Ougri, Khencho, Anoirol, and Lairemma Paosa. These compositions are traditionally considered to have been performed since the inception of the festival.

Administration, governance and law

The Loiyumpa Silyel (Modern Meitei: "Loiyumba Sinyen") is an 11th-12th century written constitution, regulated in the Manipur kingdom during the regime of King Loiyumba (1074-1122 CE). A promulgation of the proto-constitution in 429 CE by King Naophangba was reduced to a final format in 1110 CE.

The first page of Loyumba Silyen (Loiyumpa Silyel), an 11th-12th century Meitei language Constitution of the then Kangleipak in traditional Meetei Mayek writing system (Manipur State Archives)

Scholars and scribes

In ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur), rulers often patronised the institutions of scholars and scribes to produce and maintain a large collection of manuscript books. One institution was called Maichou Loishang (also spelled as Maichou Loisang). In Meitei language, Loishang or Loisang means office or department, and Maichou literally means "great Maiba", which is a term used to refer to all the scholars. In the medieval times, this old institution of Maichou Loishang later got its parallel institution of Meitei Hindu culture as Pandit Loisang (Pandit Loishang), getting influenced by the Indo-Aryan culture from Bengal. In Sanskrit and Bengali languages, the word Pandit means a scholar.

Revival and preservation efforts

The Classical Meitei epic text “Numit Kappa” in Archaic Meitei, Modern Meitei and English languages, published in the 1908 encyclopedia “The Meitheis” (page no. 188) by British scholar Thomas Callan Hodson

Many scholars in modern times make efforts to revive and preserve ancient Meitei language and literature, by translating from Ancient Meitei to Modern Meitei, transliterating from old Meitei script to modern Meitei script and Bengali script, and publishing dual versions, simultaneously, so that modern population can easily get access to the ancient Meitei linguistic cultural heritage. Oinam Bhogeshwar translated, transliterated and published the following in Modern Meitei versions:

Dictionary

Ariba Manipuri Longei: Old Manipuri to modern Manipuri Dictionary, was authored by Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra Singh, under the publication of Manipur State Kala Akademy, Imphal, in 1978.

Annual educational competition

Starting from 2011, the Students’ Union of Kangleipak (SUK) annually organises the All Kangleipak Ancient Manipuri Language (Kanglei-lon) Meaning Competition (Meitei: Kangleipak Pumbagi Ariba Lon (Kanglei-lon) gi Wahanthok Changdamnaba) as an educational initiative to promote knowledge, preservation, and wider appreciation of Ancient Manipuri (Kanglei-lon) vocabulary and the state's linguistic heritage. Open to students from school through postgraduate level, the competition assesses participants' understanding of the meanings of traditional Meitei words and expressions, encouraging the study of indigenous linguistic traditions alongside contemporary education. Conducted in multiple stages, the programme recognises outstanding performers with cash prizes, certificates, mementoes, and consolation awards for finalists, emphasising on academic achievement and language preservation. Organised alongside SUK's State-Level Spelling Competition, the initiative forms part of the organisation's broader efforts towards linguistic excellence, strengthen awareness of Manipur's cultural heritage, encouraging younger generations to engage with and preserve the historical vocabulary of the Meitei language.

Vocabulary

EnglishArchaic MeitheiModern MeitheiEtymological Notes
buttonpunuŋ
həyru		hayrupunuŋ 'shirt'
destinationwaythuŋ-
phəm		thuŋphəmway 'whereabout', thun 'reach' phəm 'place'
fishing traplolululon, 'weave', lu 'trap'
fishing trapluphuiluphui 'bear, give birth'
houselol yimyumyim is presumably the same as yum 'house'
to callpəw kəwbəkəwbəpəw 'news' kəw 'call'
to fearsoŋ kibakibəsoŋ 'dense' ki 'fear'
to seatphəmphəm
bə		phəmbəphəm 'seat' (noun) 'seat'
tuskləŋŋoy
moysəyə		səmmu məyaləŋŋoy 'elephant', səmmu 'elephant'.

Sample texts

The following Old Meitei writings are from an inscription, found in Manipur. Its Modern Meitei equivalent words and literal English translations and formal English translation are also given together.

Languages Sentences
Section 1
Ancient MeiteiLaailemaa chingthaalaalimaamubhu.
Modern MeiteiLaairemma chingtharaklibabu.
English LiteralLairemma which was brought down.
Section 2
Ancient MeiteiKhaakhaaikhingalbhaana khangdaadunaa. thak
Modern MeiteiKhaakhaaikhingalbhanaa khangdaduna. thak
English Literalby Khaakhaaikhingalbha because he was unaware. on
Section 3
Ancient Meiteikhudadaa kum. Khouthabhaakaa
Modern Meiteikhukaada kumme. kouthabaga
English Literalthe seat descended. as it was invoked
Section 4
Ancient Meiteiaangaale. aakiba. kaakei.
Modern Meiteingaallee. akiba. kaakei.
English Literalbrightened. by a radiance of light. frightened.
Section 5
Ancient MeiteiLaarembhaanaa thouchaalchaarambhaame.
Modern MeiteiLaairembina thoujanbiriramme.
English Literalby the goddess graced with kindness.
Section 6
Ancient MeiteiKamthouchaasalkaa thounaadabha amarak ma Haaraak.
Modern MeiteiKonthoujamga thounaaidaba amurak hannaa Haaorok
English LiteralKonthoujam on the service once more Haaorok
FREE TRANSLATION: The likeness of the goddess, which was brought down by Kaagingamba because he was unaware, descended on the seat. As an invocation to the goddess was performed a bright radiant light frightened the king. Graced by the goddess with kindness, then Konthoujam Haaork once more continued in her service.

See also

References

  1. ↑ passing through Medieval Meitei language
  2. ↑ also spelled as Khelachandra
  3. ↑ also termed as the Loyumpa Silyel (Modern Meitei: "Loyumba Sinyen") or the Loiyumpa Shilyel (Modern Meitei: "Loiyumba Shinyen") or the Loyumpa Shilyel (Modern Meitei: "Loyumba Shinyen") or the Loyamba Sinyen (Old Manipuri: Loyampa Sinyen)
  1. ↑ Ancient Meitei at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Singh, Khelchandra Ningthoukhongjam; et al. (Manipur University Library, Imphal). History Of Old Manipuri Literature [Ariba Manipuri Sahityagi Itihas] (in Manipuri). India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive.
  3. 1 2 Asigumba (1978). Ariba Manipuri Longei (in Manipuri). India: Manipur State Kala Academi, Imphal.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Nabachandra, Polem; et al. (Manipur University Library, Imphal) (2006). "Ariba sahitya". Ariba Manipuri Sahityagee Saklon (in Manipuri). North Eastern States Libraries. India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive. pp. 3–36.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. ↑ "Seminar on "Areeba Manipuri Sahitya Neinaba" held : 28th nov11 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
  6. ↑ Peoples Meseum, Kakching (1991). Ariba Meiteilongi Ramayan (in Manipuri). India: People's Museum, Kakching.
  7. ↑ Bhogeshwar, O. (1978). Meiteirol Ariba Ashwamedha Puya (in Manipuri).
  8. 1 2 "Archaic Manipuri Monograph by Yumjao Singh - Notes on Manipuri Language - Papers of William Pettigew - Archives Hub". archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
  9. 1 2 "Archaic Manipuri Monograph by Yumjao Singh - Royal Asiatic Society". www.royalasiaticarchives.org. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
  10. ↑ Grierson, George Abraham. Linguistic Survey of India. India: Office of the superintendent of government printing, India, 1904. p. 12
  11. ↑ Hodson, Thomas Callan (1908). The Meitheis. D. Nutt. pp. 187, 188. ISBN 978-81-7536-149-2. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  12. 1 2 3 4 Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). "The Early Period". A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  13. ↑ KanglaOnline. "Manipuri is a classical language | KanglaOnline". Archived from the original on 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  14. ↑ "A History of Manipuri Language – Indian Institute of Advanced Study". iias.ac.in. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  15. ↑ Kloss, Heinz; McConnell, Grant D. (1989). Les langues écrites du monde: relevé du degré et des modes d'utilisation. Inde. 2. Presses Université Laval. p. 1146. ISBN 978-2-7637-7196-0. Despite the difficulties of establishing a precise chronological account of the old Meithei language and its literature, it is evident that the language has passed the old phase of its use in literature and script, and has now established a modern Meithei language and literature. ... Regarding its place in the Tibeto-Burman classification, it is already considered a distinctive unit. Thus in its developmental history and in its tradition of literacy and culture the Meithei language, in its own right, turns out to be a significant written language.
  16. ↑ Manipur: Law, customs, hill-men, language and religion. India: Akansha Publishing House, 2003. p. 641. "... indeed intelligible only to professed scholars who have made it their business to study it. In Mr. Hodson's The Meitheis, there is given a long passage in this ancient dialect with the corresponding words in modern Meithei, and there can be no better example of the rapid changes which can be undergone by a Tibeto-Burman language...".
  17. ↑ Indian Literature - Volume 14 - Page 20 (Volume 14 - Page 20 ed.). Sahitya Akademi. 1971. p. 20. The beginning of this old Manipuri literature (as in the case of Newari) may go back to 1500 years, or even 2000 years, from now.
  18. ↑ Siṃha, Niṃthaukhoṃjama Khelacandra (1975). Manipuri Language: Status and Importance (in English and Manipuri). N. Tombi Raj Singh. p. 34. The beginning of this old Manipuri literature (as in the case of Newari) may go back to 1500 years, or even 2000 years, from now...{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  19. ↑ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. p. 290. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
  20. ↑ Ayyappappanikkar (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections. Sahitya Akademi. pp. 326–329. ISBN 978-81-260-0365-5.
  21. ↑ Kshetrimayum, Jogendro (2023). "Violence". In Wouters, Jelle J. P.; Subba, Tanka B. (eds.). The Routledge Companion to Northeast India. Taylor & Francis. p. 483. ISBN 978-0-367-72566-2.
  22. ↑ Singh, Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra. "Poireiton Khunthokpa". History of Old Manipuri Literature (in English and Manipuri). Imphal: Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra Singh. pp. 121, 122.
  23. ↑ Vijñānanidhi: Manuscript Treasures of India. National Mission of Manuscripts. February 2007. pp. 88, 89. OCLC 171288062. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  24. ↑ Singh, Khelchandra Ningthoukhongjam. "Khencho". History Of Old Manipuri Literature (in Manipuri). Imphal: Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra Singh. pp. 97, 98.
  25. ↑ Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). "The Early Period (Ritual Songs)". A History of Manipuri Literature (in English and Manipuri). India: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 14, 15. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  26. ↑ Devi, Yumlembam Gopi (16 June 2019). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. LP. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  27. ↑ "The relationship between Thang-Ta & Meitei Pung maintained by our Ancient ..." (PDF). ccrtindia.gov.in. Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Centre for Cultural Resources and Training. p. 4.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  28. ↑ Mukherjee, Sujit (1998). A Dictionary of Indian Literature: Beginnings-1850. Orient Blackswan. p. 280. ISBN 978-81-250-1453-9. Panthoibi khongul (? C; Manipuri): prose narrative, the original of which was believed to have been composed in ancient Meitei language in first half of 8th century AD...
  29. ↑ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1993). Manipur: Treatise & Documents. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-399-5.
  30. ↑ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1991). Law and Society: Strategy for Public Choice, 2001. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-271-4.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Beckwith, Christopher (2002-01-01). Medieval Tibeto-Burman Languages: Proceedings of the Ninth Seminar of the IATS, 2000. Volume 6. BRILL. pp. V, 33, 62–70, 189. ISBN 978-90-474-0130-8.
  32. ↑ Bhogeśwara Siṃha, Oināma. Niṃthaurola śaireṃ. India: n.p., 1967.
  33. ↑ Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. N.p.: ARECOM ( Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur), 2014.
  34. ↑ The Lost Kingdom of Moyon (Bujuur): Iruwng (King) Kuurkam Ngoruw Moyon & The People of Manipur. N.p.: Shashwat Publication, 2023.
  35. ↑ Singh, Sanjenbam Jugeshwor (2023-06-29). "Relation between Meitei and other Ethnic Communities of Manipur as per old Books". News from Manipur - Imphal Times. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
  36. ↑ Hanjabam, Shukhdeba Sharma; Singh, Aheibam Koireng; Sharma, Kakchingtabam Ruhinikumar (2021-01-01). Manipur Myanmar Connections: An Indic Perspective. Concept Publishing Company. p. 77. ISBN 978-93-88937-84-9.
  37. ↑ Manipur-Myanmar Historical Connections. India: Concept Publishing Company Pvt. Limited, 2022.
  38. ↑ Ibohal Singh, Moirangmayum. Constitutional & Legal History of Manipur: With Customs & Laws of the Tribal Peoples of Manipur. India: Samurou Lakpa Mayai Lambi Law College, 1986.
  39. ↑ Roland Shimmi, Yanao Lungharnao. Comparative History of the Nagas, from Ancient Period Till 1826. India: Inter-India Publications, 1988.
  40. ↑ Birajit, Soibam (2014-12-01). Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. ARECOM ( Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur). pp. 145, 147.
  41. ↑ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. pp. 462, 463. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
  42. ↑ Homeward: Towards a Poetics of Space. N.p.: Zubaan, 2022.
  43. ↑ American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 27:4. N.p.: International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), 2010.
  44. ↑ Proceedings of North East India History Association. India: The Association, 2000.
  45. 1 2 "SUK to hold State level spelling competition, Kanglei-Lon contest". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2026-07-14.
  46. 1 2 Admin, IT Web (2026-07-13). "SUK announces state-level spelling". News from Manipur - Imphal Times. Retrieved 2026-07-14.
  47. ↑ "SUK to hold State level spelling competition, Kanglei-Lon contest : 14th jul26 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2026-07-14.
  48. ↑ Note that moysaya (possibly moy 'their' + sa 'body' + ya 'tooth') has changed to məya (mə- 'third person prefix' + ya 'tooth').