The Thawanthaba Hiran (ꯊꯋꯥꯟꯊꯥꯕ ꯍꯤꯔꯥꯟ) is a Classical Meitei historical tragedy based narrative epic literary work, rooted in a crime of passion. It is considered the one of the earliest examples of realism in ancient Meitei literature, drawing from historical events rather than traditional Meitei folktales. Thawanthaba Hiran is a landmark in early Meitei literature. It introduced historical subjects, realistic narrative techniques, complex character portrayals, extended prose, rich vocabulary, and natural dialogue, in a new era of literary expression in the Meitei civilisation.
The story is set during the reign of Meitei King Thawanthaba (1195–1231 CE), whose intense but unwise affection led to jealousy and conflict. Historically, the Meiteis (here, Ningthoujas) and Khumans were rival clans in ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur), although there were occasional periods of peace.
In a rare moment of goodwill, King Thawanthābā married Khayoiron Tangja Samphabi, daughter of Khuman King Punshiba. In exchange, the Meitei king's daughter, Chingkhei Thanbi married into the Khuman royal family. Both alliances were celebrated with lavish gifts, and both brides were warmly welcomed by their new families.
During a royal festival, King Thawanthābā organized an archery competition and invited his flower-loving younger brother, Leishapamba Tougaingamba. However, the brother declined, upset over a headdress flower he had lost. That flower was found by a maid of another Meitei queen named Loibi Tharangamba, who planted it in the queen’s bedchamber. When the king discovered the flower next to his young Khuman princess (Meitei queen) at night, he accused her of infidelity and executed her without hearing her pleas.
The Khuman king, Punshiba, discovered the murder weapon during funeral rites and invited Thawanthābā to join an expedition, planning revenge. The Meitei princess (Khuman queen) warned her father, but Meitei forces prevailed and captured a Khuman leader’s head. In response, the Khuman king arranged the execution of the Meitei king’s daughter in a similarly violent manner. This provoked further retaliation, both sides engaged in ambushes and battles marked by treachery, surprise attacks, and massacres.
The story also preserves historical funeral rites of the Meitei civilisation before the arrival of Hindu cultural influence, initial burial followed by exhumation and bone-washing for reburial.