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{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}

[[File:Replica of the head of Khuman Kwakpa being installed in the stern of the Meitei imperial dragon race boat (Hiyang Hiren) - kept in the Kangla Fort, Imphal, Kangleipak 02.jpg|thumb|Replica of the [[beheaded]] head of Khuman Kwakpa Litonpanba being installed in the stern of the Meitei imperial dragon race boat ([[Hiyang Hiren]]), kept in the [[Kangla Fort]], [[Imphal]]]]
[[File:ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯍꯤꯔꯦꯟ ꯲.jpg|thumb|Replica of the [[beheaded]] head of Khuman Kwakpa Litonpanba being installed in the stern of the Meitei imperial dragon race boat ([[Hiyang Hiren]])<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466342|title=Hiyang Hiren Kanglasa Amasung Kangla|last=Samerendra|first=Chongtham|date=2007|language=mni}}</ref>]]

'''Khuman Kwakpa Litonpanba''' ({{Script|Mtei|ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯀ꯭ꯋꯥꯛꯄ ꯂꯤꯇꯣꯟꯄꯥꯟꯕ}}), shortly known as '''Kwakpa Litonpanba''' ({{Script|Mtei|ꯀ꯭ꯋꯥꯛꯄꯥ ꯂꯤꯇꯣꯟꯄꯥꯟꯕꯥ}}), or '''Khuman Kwakpa''' ({{Script|Mtei|ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯀ꯭ꯋꯥꯛꯄꯥ}}), was an ancient [[Khuman]] warrior mentioned in the [[classical Meitei language]] literary-historical narrative Thawanthābā Hiran. Known for his exceptional bravery and daring spirit, he is remembered as one of the most courageous warriors in the conflict between the [[Khuman kingdom]] and [[Kangla|Meitei (Ningthouja) kingdom]] during the 13th century CE. His valiant but fatal attempt to capture the Meitei king during a river escape remains one of the most dramatic moments in [[Meitei folklore]] and [[Meitei literature|literature]].<ref name=":Old Manipuri Literature_Khelchandra Ningthoukhongjam">{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466183|title=History Of Old Manipuri Literature|last=Singh|first=Khelchandra Ningthoukhongjam|language=mni}}</ref><ref name=":Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature">Singh, Ch. Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature. India: [[Sahitya Akademi]], 1996.</ref>

== Role in the conflict ==

The most well documented event involving Khuman Kwakpa Litonpanba occurs during a critical moment in the war between the Meiteis and the Khumans, following the execution of Meitei Queen Khayoiron Tangja Samphabi (a Khuman princess) by the Meitei [[Ningthouja]] king [[Thawanthaba]], and the subsequent retaliatory killing of Khuman Queen Chingkhei Thanbi (a Ningthouja princess) by the Khuman king.<ref name=":Old Manipuri Literature_Khelchandra Ningthoukhongjam" /><ref name=":Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature" />

During the escalating conflict, Thawanthābā was trapped in the Khuman kingdom, and he attempted to flee from Khuman territory by boat across a river, making a hasty escape after learning of an imminent ambush by the Khumans. In an act of extraordinary bravery, Khuman Kwakpa Litonpanba leapt into the river and tried to seize the king’s speeding boat, attempting to stop his escape by force.<ref name=":Old Manipuri Literature_Khelchandra Ningthoukhongjam" /><ref name=":Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature" />

Despite the strength and skill he demonstrated in the attempt, Litonpānba was ultimately overpowered by the Meitei oarsmen, who struck him down during the encounter.<ref name=":Old Manipuri Literature_Khelchandra Ningthoukhongjam" /><ref name=":Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature" />

Kwakpa's plot was detected by Taoriya Elangba, a warrior of the Meitei ([[Ningthouja]]) side. Acting swiftly, Taoriya Elangba seized Khuman Kwakpa and beheaded him, bringing a decisive end to the scheme. His death was recorded as a major loss for the Khuman side and is portrayed with tragic heroism in the historical and folk narratives.
The [[Ningthouja]] Meitei warriors then carried Khuman Kwakpa’s severed head and placed it on the stern of their boat as a powerful symbol of victory over the [[Khuman kingdom]]. In later times, replicas of Khuman Kwakpa’s head were installed on traditional boats known as [[Hiyang Hiren]], preserving this event as a lasting emblem of Ningthouja triumph and historical memory.<ref name=":Old Manipuri Literature_Khelchandra Ningthoukhongjam" /><ref name=":Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature" />

== Character and symbolism ==

Kwākpā Litonpānba is remembered as fearless and fiercely loyal to his kingdom. His bold, lone assault on the fleeing Meitei king’s boat, with no guarantee of survival, shows his personal courage and devotion to duty. In [[Manipur]]i cultural memory, he represents the ideal warrior, unafraid of death, unwavering in resolve, and driven by honor.<ref name=":Old Manipuri Literature_Khelchandra Ningthoukhongjam" /><ref name=":Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature" />

His actions contrast with the strategic caution of other characters in the Thawanthābā Hiran, showing individual heroism against the backdrop of political betrayal and warfare.<ref name=":Old Manipuri Literature_Khelchandra Ningthoukhongjam" /><ref name=":Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature" />

== Legacy ==

Though his life ended in battle, Kwākpā Litonpānba’s name lives on as a symbol of [[Khuman]] military valor. His dramatic final act is frequently recounted in traditional storytelling, theater performances, and scholarly discussions of [[ancient Meitei literature]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465438|title=Meidingu Thawanthaba|last=Tejkumar|first=Chongtham|date=1984|language=mni}}</ref>
Replicas of the severed head of Khuman Kwakpa Litonpanba are traditionally installed on the sterns of many [[Hiyang Hiren]] boats.<ref name=":Old Manipuri Literature_Khelchandra Ningthoukhongjam" /><ref name=":Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature" />

[[File:Replica of the head of Khuman Kwakpa being installed in the stern of the Meitei imperial dragon race boat (Hiyang Hiren) - kept in the Kangla Fort, Imphal, Kangleipak 05.jpg|thumb|Replica of the [[beheaded]] head of Khuman Kwakpa Litonpanba being installed in the stern of the Meitei imperial dragon race boat ([[Hiyang Hiren]]), kept in the [[Kangla Fort]], [[Imphal]]]]

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯒꯤ ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯍꯤꯔꯦꯟ.jpg
ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯍꯤꯔꯦꯟ.jpg
The tableau of Manipur passes through the Raj path during the 61st Republic Day Parade-2010, in New Delhi on January 26, 2010.jpg
Hiyang Tannaba — Classical Dragon Boat Racing (in the imperial moat of the Kangla Fort of Imphal) — Cultural heritage of Meitei civilization — Living tradition of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur) — 1891 British artwork.jpg
</gallery>
== See also ==
* [[Khuman dynasty]]
* [[Khuman Kangleirol]]
* [[Khumanlol]]
* [[Khuman (linguistics)|Khuman language]]
* [[Lai Haraoba]]
* [[Hiyang Tannaba]]
* [[Khuman Maithingkongaba]]
* [[Thongbu Wainucha]]
* [[Chakha Moiremba]]
* [[Haoba Athouba]]
* [[Haokhong Sinaikhu]]
* [[Kangchin (Khuman warrior)|Kangchin]]

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466994/page/%E0%A7%A8%E0%A7%AD/mode/thumb|title=Khuman Kangleirol|last=Khelchandra Singh|first=Ningthoukhongjam|date=1980|publisher=Digital Library of India; Internet Archive|year=1980|location=India|language=mni}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466468/page/10/mode/thumb|title=Khuman Ningthouron Lambuba|last=Kullachandra Sharma|first=B|date=1998|publisher=Digital Library of India; Internet Archive|year=1998|location=India|language=mni}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465221/page/n9/mode/thumb|title=Khuman Kangleiron Amasung Laikhuram Shageigee Meihouron|last=Ibobi|first=Laikhuram|date=1998|publisher=Digital Library of India; Internet Archive|year=1998|location=India|language=mni}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465404/page/n9/mode/thumb|title=Khumal Ningthourol Lambuba|last=Kullachandra|first=B.|date=1989-03-15|publisher=Digital Library of India; Internet Archive|year=1989|location=India|language=mni}}

== References ==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Meitei literature]]
[[Category:People from the Khuman kingdom]]
[[Category:13th-century executions]]
[[Category:13th-century deaths]]
[[Category:13th-century Asian people]]
[[Category:Assassinated people]]

Khuman Kwakpa Litonpanba - Revision history

Juliaauhm: Creating a pg added tags - done