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{{Short description|Traditional weaponry in Meitei civilisation}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}

[[File:Thang-Ta.jpg|thumb|Traditional Meitei spear and shield used in [[Thang-Ta]] performance]]

The [[Meitei people]] of [[Manipur]] as well as of [[Assam Meiteis|Assam]] and [[Tripura Meiteis|Tripura]], in [[northeastern India]], besides those of [[Bangladesh Meiteis|Bangladesh]] and [[Myanmar Meiteis|Myanmar]], use different traditional weapons for hunting, defense, and fighting. They use swords for close combat. Spears are thrown or used in battle. Shields protect warriors during fights. Arrows are shot from bows for hunting and battle. Darts are small weapons in wars. These weapons are made from materials like wood, bamboo, and animal body parts, showing the Meitei people's skill and connection to nature. Many of these weapons are used in various classical [[Meitei martial art]] forms, such as [[Thang Ta]], [[Cheibi]], etc.<ref name="Green, Thomas A. 2010. p. 294-297">Green, Thomas A.., Svinth, Joseph R.. Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. United States: ABC-CLIO, 2010. p. 294-297</ref>

== Mythology ==
{{main|Meitei mythology|Meitei folklore|Meitei folktales}}
[[File:Thengkoulol + Khousalol + Chaina Ta + Lan Thang + Thang Leiteng of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb|Many traditional Meitei weapons are believed to be originated from the different body parts of god [[Pakhangba]], which is why the weapons are considered holy and sacred.<ref name="Green, Thomas A. 2010. p. 294-297"/>]]
The lore of an old Meitei text named Pudin tells how the Thang (sword) and Ta (spear) were created from the body parts and bones of Tin Sidaba (also known as [[Pakhangba]]). According to the story, different parts of his body turned into weapons. The long blades of the sword, called Thangsang Kabak Thang, came from his body. The Tarung-Thang, an ancient sword, came from his right shoulder. His ribs turned into another sword called Thang Kairempa Khutphangton. His hands and fingers became smaller blades called Singtup Sangai, and a bone called Naklu Maiphangton Apik became a kitchen knife called Heijrang. His teeth turned into an iron axe.<ref name=":antrocom.net_swords" /><ref name="Green, Thomas A. 2010. p. 294-297"/>

During a dance called Thengou (a dance with martial arts moves), Pakhangba held a sword called Tubi Cheirong-Hainaba Thang-Kaklen Yashaba, which made the sword a symbol of Pakhangba for the Meitei people.<ref name=":antrocom.net_swords" /><ref name="Green, Thomas A. 2010. p. 294-297"/>

In another story, from the Thanglon Thangchat Puya, Tin Sidaba’s teeth became an axe called Chakhapa. Tin Sidaba’s grandson, Ngaite ngamba, was caught and died in a fish trap called Sara Lu. Various parts of his body turned into different weapons. For example, Chakot became a Thangchou, a common dao (knife). His limbs, called Yupang, created the Ta, also known as Khangsu-Ta (spear).<ref name=":antrocom.net_swords" /><ref name="Green, Thomas A. 2010. p. 294-297"/>

== Arambai ==
[[File:A Classical Meitei sculpture of an ancient Meitei cavalry soldier, trying to throw an Arambai weapon backwards (traditionally towards the pursuing enemies), while riding on a galloping Meitei horse (Manipuri pony) 03.jpg|thumb|A Classical Meitei sculpture of an ancient Meitei cavalry soldier, trying to throw an [[Arambai]] weapon backwards (traditionally towards the pursuing enemies)]]
The [[Arambai]] was a key weapon used by the Meitei cavalry in battles. It is a dart with a sharp iron tip, like an arrowhead, and [[peacock feather]]s tied together to form a hole for a bamboo handle. There are two types: one made of wood and cane, and the other made of bamboo.
The Arambai is about 2 feet long with the handle and 1.5 feet without it. It can be thrown in any direction, allowing the user to attack or retreat. It can travel 30 to 40 feet when thrown backward while retreating, and it can fly far when thrown forward. The dart’s feathers are made from 9 to 12 peacock [[Feather#Structures and characteristics|quills]], and warriors carried around 50 in quivers on their ponies.
The sharp tip is often poisoned with [[snake venom]], bee venom, or chili extract. The poison made the weapon even more deadly. The Arambai can be thrown up to 70 to 80 yards, and a throwing stick was sometimes used to increase the distance. It could be thrown one by one or in groups, depending on the situation. The Arambai was an important weapon for both defense and attack.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arambai: A Weapon for Guerrilla Warfare|url=https://abhidhajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Paper-7_-Arambai_-a-weapon-for-guerrilla-warfare_v3.pdf?form=MG0AV3|website=abhidhajournal}}</ref><ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur">{{Cite web|title=Weapon Tradition of Manipur|url=https://www.ijmra.us/project%20doc/2018/IJRSS_MARCH2018/IJRSSmar18HRSRy.pdf|website=International Journal of Research in Social Sciences}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Arambai Meitei weapon that kept medieval Burmese at bay By Phanjoubam Chingkheinganba|url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Arambai_Meitei_weapon_that_kept_medieval_Burmese_at_bay_By_Phanjoubam_Chingkheinganba|access-date=2025-02-12|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

== Arrows ==
[[File:Kakyen Mingamba - Tyrannical monstrous gigantic colossal cannibalistic bird - swallowing Meitei Elder Prince Yoimongba in front of Younger Prince Taothingmang - Classical Meitei mythology & folklore of ancient Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb|A special arrow was mentioned in ancient Meitei texts for defeating the [[Kakyen]].]]
In [[ancient Meitei language]], the bow and arrow is called Waira. The use of arrows goes back a long time, as seen in old [[Puya (Meitei texts)]]. One story, called [[Numit Kappa]] (shooting of the sun), tells how Khwai Nongchengba made a bow and arrow and used it to shoot down the elder sun, Taohuireng Ahanba. Later, Chaoba Meleiba Sangton Sanouba killed Khwai Nungjengba with an arrow at [[Kangla]].<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />

Although arrows were mostly used in war, they were also used for other things. For example, there were arrows used in rituals, like Naowa Khoijuten (an arrow for a child’s birth ritual), Kasan Yongkap Ten (an arrow for shooting monkeys), Hangoi Taokapli (an arrow for shooting floating frogs), and Leinung Hikap Yaikap Ten (an arrow for black magic). These examples show that arrows had many uses beyond just being weapons.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />

== Spears ==
In [[old Meitei language]], the spear is called Timen. It is one of the oldest traditional weapons of the Meitei people. The spear is used in war and hunting. When in battle, the spearman uses a shield for protection, but for hunting, the spear alone is easier to use. The spear has two sharp iron tips at both ends of the handle. Different parts of the spear have special names, like Tjin (shoukhet), Mashong, Maya, Khang (Ta Machi), Takhok, Taning, and Tadon.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
[[File:The classical Meitei epic of "Khamba and Thoibi" - The tiger hunt.jpg|thumb|Spears were widely used by the Ancient Meiteis for hunting wild animals, including tigers.]]

There are different types of spears for different purposes. For example:
# Lambu Ta is a large spear used to fight tigers.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# Langshoi is the smallest but longest spear, used to guide elephants.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# Khangnangta has a sharp arrow-like tip and is used for hunting pigs.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# Sagol Ta (or Thougal Ta) is a lance used by cavalrymen.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# Taronta (or Hunnata) is another spear used by cavalrymen.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# Tapak has a wide tip and is used in battle against both people and animals.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
Each type of spear is made for a specific job, showing how skilled the Meitei people were in using these weapons.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />

[[File:KHAMBA THOIBI EPIC - THE TORTURE BY THE ELEPHANT.jpg|thumb|Spears were frequently used by the Ancient Meiteis for controlling elephants.]]

== Swords ==
=== Swords resembling natural objects ===
In ancient times, swords were made to look like things in nature, such as tree leaves, grasses, birds, fish, and flowers. Old Meitei books like Miyat, [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]], and Thanglon Thangchat mention these shapes. For example, Cheishuthang looked like a rainbow, Tarungthang was shaped like a Pongtha leaf, and Chaklai Thang looked like the leaf of the Leikham herb. Kapakthang resembled a Kabo Leiteng, and Pikanba looked like the Copella bird (Cheklaobi). Sairem Thang was shaped like the [[Labeo]] fish, and Laithang Nungthanba looked like the tip of the Leikham herb. Finally, Nungshamba resembled the [[Anguilla bengalensis|Anguilla]] eel. These shapes show how the Meitei people connected their swords to nature.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />

=== Swords of royalties and nobles ===
[[File:Pukak Thang - a traditional Meitei sword exclusively used for beheading of guilty people by executioners (Sanglingba), after being permitted by Meitei kings of ancient Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb|Pukak Thang - a traditional Meitei sword exclusively used for beheading of guilty people by executioners (Sanglingba), after being permitted by Meitei kings<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466671/page/n39/mode/thumb|title=Safa Lanfa Thengkourol|last=Sana Sharma|first=gurumayum|publisher=Internet Archive; Digital Library of India|year=2008|location=India|pages=39–40|language=mni}}</ref>]]
Kings, nobles, courtiers, and high-ranking military commanders used two types of swords: Langthang (war sword) and Leiteng Thang (decorative sword). Langthang was used in battle and was heavier, longer, and thicker than the Leiteng Thang, which was used in martial shows and competitions. The Langthang had a sharp edge on the blade and at the tip of the slightly curved back.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />

Old books like Ningthourolgi Thang, Ningthourol Lambuba, and others mention that kings had their swords specially made and gave them unique names.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" /> Some of the kings' swords and their names are:
# King [[Ura Konthouba|Urakonthouba]] had two swords named Soisen and Leirukhomba.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# King [[Naothingkhong]]’s sword was called Ipuphaba.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# King [[Charairongba]] had two swords named Khumomba and Pukanba.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# King [[Kiyamba]]’s sword was named Lairenbang.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# King [[Khagemba]] had four swords: Khunkhomba, Khoubomba, Loknung Lakaba, and Nongthang Yeklaba.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# King [[Garibaniwaj]]’s sword was called Yakhu Yekteiba.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# King [[Ching-Thang Khomba|Chingthangkhomba]] had a sword named Changlei Meiraba.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# King [[Gambhir Singh]] had two swords named Khellei Meiraba and Yelei Meiraba.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
# King [[Chandrakirti]]’s sword was called Chenglei Meiraba.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />
These names show how important swords were to the kings and their special value.<ref name=":ijmra.us_Weapon_Tradition_of_Manipur" />

=== Swords of seven clans ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Illustrations of the swords
!Names of the swords
!Romanisation
!Associated Meitei clans
!Romanisation
!Maximum breadth (cm)<ref name=":antrocom.net_swords">{{Cite web|title=Singh N. A., Bezbaruah D., Gourachandra M. / Antrocom Online Journal of Anthropology, vol. 18, n. 2a (2022) 349-356|url=https://antrocom.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/singh-lai-thang-meitei-religion-technology.pdf}}</ref>
!Maximum length (cm)<ref name=":antrocom.net_swords" />
!Note(s)
|-
|[[File:Mangang Dynasty Sword.jpg|thumb]]
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯆꯛꯊꯥꯡ}}
|Chak Thaang
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)}}
|[[Ningthouja]] ([[Mangang]])
|6.2
|59.6
| rowspan="7" |<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.467297/page/n11/mode/1up|title=Sagei Salai Apoklon|last=Monihar|first=N.|publisher=Internet Archive; Digital Library of India|year=2000|location=India|language=mni}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466642/page/n140/mode/1up|title=Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik|last=Neelbir|first=Sairem|publisher=Internet Archive; Digital Library of India|year=2004|location=India|pages=140|language=mni}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:Luwang Dynasty Sword.jpg|thumb]]
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯇꯣꯟꯗꯨꯝꯕ}}
|Tondumba
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ}}
|[[Luwang]]
|5.7
|58.7
|-
|[[File:Khuman Dynasty Sword.jpg|thumb]]
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯇꯣꯟꯀꯛꯄ}}
|Tonkakpa
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯈꯨꯃꯟ}}
|[[Khuman]]
|6.6
|57.2
|-
|[[File:Angom Dynasty Sword.jpg|thumb]]
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯄꯨꯀꯛ ꯊꯥꯡ}}
|Pukak Thaang
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯑꯉꯣꯝ}}
|[[Angom]]
|6.3
|50.1
|-
|[[File:Moilang Dynasty Sword.jpg|thumb]]
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯌꯦꯟꯕꯥ ꯃꯇꯣꯛ ꯁꯥꯕ}}
|Yenbaa Matok Saaba
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)}}
|[[Moirang]] ([[Moilang]])
|7.2
|54.2
|-
|[[File:Kha Nganpa Dynasty Sword.jpg|thumb]]
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯂꯥꯏꯊꯥꯡ ꯆꯤꯅꯥꯏꯕ}}
|Laithaang Chinaaiba
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ}}
|[[Kha Nganpa]]
|5.9
|58.6
|-
|[[File:Salang Leishangthem Dynasty Sword.jpg|thumb]]
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯈꯨꯟꯊꯣꯡ ꯊꯥꯡ}}
|Khunthong Thaang
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)}}
|[[Sarang Leishangthem]] (Salang / [[Salai Leishangthem]] / [[Chenglei]])
|5.9
|59.1
|}

== Weapons of deities ==
{|class="wikitable"
|+
!Names of the weapons
!Romanisation
!Associated deities
!Purposes (if any)
!Note(s)
|-
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯆꯩꯁꯨ ꯊꯥꯡ}}
|Cheisu Thang
|[[Marjing]]
|walking stick/sword
| rowspan="6" |<ref name=":antrocom.net_swords" />
|-
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯊꯥꯡ ꯀꯣꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕ}}
|Thang Koiremba
|[[Koupalu]] ([[Koubru]])
|sword
|-
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯊꯥꯡ ꯀꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕ}}
|(a) Thang-Kairemba
| rowspan="2" |[[Sanamahi]] (Asheeba)
| rowspan="2" |swords
|-
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯂꯨꯀꯞ ꯊꯥꯡ}}
|(b) Lukap-Thang
|-
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯆꯞ ꯊꯥꯡ}}
|ChapThang
|[[Atingkok]] (Atiya)
|sword
|-
|{{Script|Mtei|ꯈꯥꯡꯁꯨ ꯇꯥ}}
|Khangsu-Ta
|[[Poireiton]]
|spear
|}

== Weapons used in Thang Ta ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Illustration(s)<ref name="Awangcha Mangang">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465478/page/n35/mode/thumb|title=Thang Tagee Liklam Lichat|last=Awangcha Mangang|first=Saikhom|date=2005-02-12|publisher=Internet Archive; Digital Library of India|location=India|language=mni}}</ref>
! Names of the weapon(s)/performance(s) in [[Thang Ta]]<ref name="Awangcha Mangang"/>
! Note(s)
|-
| [[File:Chaina Ta + Khousalol (Khousarol) + Lan Thang of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Chaina Ta + Khousalol (Khousarol) + Lan Thang
| rowspan="16" | <ref name="Awangcha Mangang"/>
|-
| [[File:Chaina Ta + Leiteng Thang of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Chaina Ta + Leiteng Thang
|-
| [[File:Chaina Ta of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Chaina Ta
|-
| [[File:Khousalol (AKA Khousarol) + Chaina Ta of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Khousalol (AKA Khousarol) + Chaina Ta
|-
| [[File:Khousalol (AKA Khousarol) + Thang Leiteng of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Khousalol (AKA Khousarol) + Thang Leiteng
|-
| [[File:Khousalol (Khousarol) + Lan Thang + Leiteng Thang of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Khousalol (Khousarol) + Lan Thang + Leiteng Thang
|-
| [[File:Khousalol (Khousarol) + Thengkoulol (Thengkourol) of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Khousalol (Khousarol) + Thengkoulol (Thengkourol)
|-
| [[File:Khousalol + Chaina Ta + Lan Thang + Leiteng Thang of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Khousalol + Chaina Ta + Lan Thang + Leiteng Thang
|-
| [[File:Lan Thang & Thang Leiteng of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Lan Thang & Thang Leiteng
|-
| [[File:Lan Thang + Leiteng Thang (Fig. 1) & Lan Thang + Chaina Ta (Fig. 2) of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Lan Thang + Leiteng Thang (Fig. 1) & Lan Thang + Chaina Ta (Fig. 2)
|-
| [[File:Ta Khousaba (Ta Khoushaba) of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Ta Khousaba (Ta Khoushaba)
|-
| [[File:Ta Khousalol (Ta Khousarol) + Chaina Ta + Leiteng Thang of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Ta Khousalol (Ta Khousarol) + Chaina Ta + Leiteng Thang
|-
| [[File:Thengkoulol (Thengkourol) + Khousalol (Khousarol) + Leiteng Thang of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Thengkoulol (Thengkourol) + Khousalol (Khousarol) + Leiteng Thang
|-
| [[File:Thengkoulol (Thengkourol) + Ta Khousalol (Ta Khousarol) + Lan Thang of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Thengkoulol (Thengkourol) + Ta Khousalol (Ta Khousarol) + Lan Thang
|-
| [[File:Thengkoulol + Khousalol + Chaina Ta + Lan Thang of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Thengkoulol + Khousalol + Chaina Ta + Lan Thang
|-
| [[File:Thengkoulol + Khousalol + Lan Thang + Leiteng Thang of Thang Ta - Ancient Meitei classical martial art - Intangible cultural heritage of Kangleipak civilisation.jpg|thumb]]
| Thengkoulol + Khousalol + Lan Thang + Leiteng Thang
|}

== See also ==
* [[Lai Haraoba]]

== Bibliography ==
* Chanam, Hemchandra, ed. Lambu Tagi Hourakpham Amasung Kege Kangleirol. Imphal, 2004.
* Chanam, Hemchandra. Ningthourol Lambuba. Imphal: Uripok Naoremthong.
* Chanam, Hemchandra. Kangleirol. Imphal: Uripok Naoremthong.
* Khulem, Chandrashekhar Singh, ed. Loiyumba Shiyen. Imphal.
* Singh, M. Ibotombi. 1975.
* Lairenmayum, Ibungohal, and N. Khelchandra Singh, eds. Cheitharol Kumbaba. Imphal: [[Manipuri Sahitya Parishad]], 1989.
* Ningthoukhongjam, Deven Singh. Thanglon Thangchat. Imphal: Uripok Ningthoukhongjam Leikai.
* [[Ningthoukhongjam, Khelchandra Singh]], ed. Chainarol. Imphal, 1968.
* Naoroibam, Indramani. Pukhangba Phambal. Imphal: Tera Lukram Leirak, Imphal-1.
* Naoroibam, Indramani. Ningthourolgi Thang. Imphal: Tera Lukram Leirak, Imphal-1.
* Naoroibam, Indramani. Khagemba Langjei. Imphal: Tera Lukram Leirak, Imphal-1.
== References ==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Asian swords]]
[[Category:Spears]]
[[Category:War]]

Meitei traditional weapons - Revision history

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