Thawānthābā

Thawanthaba
Meitei Ningthou
King of Ningthouja dynasty
Reign1195 CE - 1231 CE
Coronation1195 CE
PredecessorHemtou Iwanthaba
SuccessorChingthang Lanthaba
Died1231 CE
IssueChingthang Lanthaba
HouseNingthouja dynasty
FatherHemtou Iwanthaba
MotherKhuroi Ngambi
ReligionSanamahism
OccupationRuler of the Kangleipak Kingdom

Meidingu Thawanthaba or Thawan Thaba (ꯊꯋꯥꯟꯊꯥꯕ) was a Meitei ruler of the Ningthouja dynasty of Medieval Kangleipak who ruled from 1195 CE to 1131 CE. He is the main personality in the historical Meitei language literary work, Thawanthaba Hiran, a tragedy based on a crime story. He ascended the throne during a fairly peaceful time in Manipur's history and also during a time of rivalry and casual alliance between the Meiteis (Ningthoujas) and Khumans.

Matrimonial alliances

To build a good relationship with the Khumans, Thawanthaba decided to marry Khayoiron Tangja Samphabi, the daughter of the Khuman king Punshi Purenhanba, also called Punshiba (around 1230 CE - 1270 CE). In return, Thawanthaba gave his own daughter, Wangamlon Chingkheithanbi, to marry the Khuman king. Both weddings were celebrated with fancy ceremonies, lots of gifts, and meaningful gestures of peace.

At first, the new brides were the young favorite queens of each king. But soon in the Meitei kingdom, fights and jealousy in the palace, especially among the many wives, would cause a tragedy.

According to scholar Wahengbam Ibohal, Thawanthaba was the father-in-law of King Punshi Purenhanba.

War against Heirems

Thawanthaba was asked by the Khuman King Punshi Purenhanba to support him in a battle against the Heirems. Thawanthaba agreed and went to help the Khumans with his soldiers. The Heirems (Heirems and Khunjans in other books) were completely defeated by the mixed forces of the Meiteis and Khumans.

Unfortunate misjudgement

During a royal festival, Thawanthaba held an archery contest and invited his younger brother, Leishapamba Tougaingamba, who loved flowers. He didn't want to go because he was sad over losing his flowers. At the same time, a mean maid named Akong Langmeisu put those flowers in Queen Samphabi's bed.

That night, the king found the flowers and got very angry, thinking the queen was unfaithful. Even though the queen cried and insisted she was innocent, the king sentenced her to death with a sharp weapon. This was done without mercy.

War with Khumans

The terrible events started when Queen Samphabi was killed. Her father, King Punshiba of Khuman, found the weapon in her head during her funeral and promised to get revenge.

He asked Thawanthaba to join him on a military mission but secretly wanted to kill him. Thawanthaba escaped after his daughter warned him, but Khuman soldiers caught him. The Meiteis won that battle and killed a Khuman noble in revenge.

In revenge, King Punshiba killed Thawanthaba's daughter—his own wife—who was pregnant and innocent. This led to a full-scale war between the two kingdoms.

Military campaigns and final conflict

Thawanthaba led several military actions against the Khumans that included fierce battles and clever traps. He used hidden spies and scouts to enter Khuman land.

One Meitei warrior pretended to be a lone hunter and surprised the Khumans in a strong attack. Even though the Khumans tried to fight back, they were defeated and many of their soldiers were killed. By the end of the war, both sides had lost many troops.

References

  1. ↑ "Rulers of Kangla and Ethnic Tribes of Manipur Part 1 By Naoroibam Indramani". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
  2. ↑ Ray, Asok Kumar; Chakraborty, Satyabrata (2008). Society, Politics, and Development in North East India: Essays in Memory of Dr. Basudeb Datta Ray. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-8069-572-8.
  3. ↑ Oinam, Bhagat; Sadokpam, Dhiren A. (2018-05-11). Northeast India: A Reader. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-429-95320-0.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Sahitya Akademi. pp. 23, 29–36. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  5. ↑ Ibobi, Laikhuram (1998). Khuman Kangleiron Amasung Laikhuram Shageigee Meihouron.
  6. ↑ Moyon, The Lost Kingdom of Moyon (Bujuur): Iruwng (King) Kuurkam Ngoruw Moyon & The People of Manipur (2023), p. 116.
  7. 1 2 Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur, p. 178.
  8. 1 2 Singh, Wahengbam Ibohal. The History Of Manipur.
  9. ↑ Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur, p. 176.
  10. 1 2 Parratt, Saroj Nalini (2005). The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: 33-1763 CE. Routledge. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-0-415-34430-2.

Sources cited