Meitei people in Nagaland

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Last edited March 15, 2026


Meiteis in Nagaland
(Manipuris in Nagaland)
Meitei cultural flag
Meitei King Gambhir Singh, the ruler of Manipur Kingdom, who captured Kohima of the erstwhile Naga Hills (in modern day Nagaland state)
Languages
Meitei language
(officially known as Manipuri language)
and other Indian languages
Religion
Hinduism
Sanamahism
Related ethnic groups
other Indian people

The Meitei people (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), also called Manipuri people (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), are one of the minority ethnic groups in Nagaland state. They were living in the region before the formation of the Indian state of "Nagaland".[1]

History[edit | edit source]

Main articles: History of Nagaland and History of Manipur
The Kohima Stone Inscription erected by Meitei King Gambhir Singh of Manipur Kingdom as the testimony of Meitei dominance in Nagaland[2]

After losing Meitei influence in the Naga hills for some time due to the Manipuri-Burmese military conflicts, Meitei King Raja Gambhir Singh (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), also known as Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), the ruler of Manipur Kingdom conquered the whole Naga Hills with his military power of Manipur Levy. He defeated the Angami Naga tribes of Kohima. To mark his victory over the Naga people, the historic Kohima Stone Inscription (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) was erected in 1833 CE as a mark of Meitei conquest and supremacy over the Naga Hills in 1832 CE.[3][4][5]

In 1896 CE, James Johnstone noted in his documents that the Meiteis (alias Manipuris) were highly respected and warmly welcomed as special and honoured guests by the Naga people in almost every village, during the time when Britishers couldn't go inside the Naga realm without having the risk of being killed.[6] He also noted that the Meiteis (Manipuris) used to collect tributes from the Naga villages, as a mark of rule over them. In case if a Meitei was attacked or killed by the Nagas, the particular village was immediately attacked and destroyed, besides taking huge taxes for the deed. Many Naga people knew the Meitei language (alias Manipuri language).[7] The Naga villages had both Meitei language as well as their local language names.[8]

Geographical distribution[edit | edit source]

Meiteis in Nagaland have sizeable populations in Kuda (Half Nagarjan), Burma Camp, Phom Colony, Y. Zhimo Colony, Metha Colony, West Yard Manipuri Colony, Manipuri Colony near Samaan Ghat and Ghorapatti villages in Dimapur district.[9]

Language and literature [edit | edit source]

Main articles: Meitei language and Meitei literature

Historically, most Naga villages had names in both Meitei language (alias Manipuri language) as well as their local languages.[10] Many Naga people knew the Meitei language.[11]

Nagaland's St Joseph University annually organises "Manipuri poetry day" on full-moon day of the lunar month 'Mera' according to the Meitei calendar. The event helps in the development of Meitei language poems, promoting Meitei literature, to a certain extent.[12]

Culture[edit | edit source]

Main articles: Meitei culture and Culture of Nagaland

Clothing[edit | edit source]

The Meitei people of Nagaland produced a unique "Meetei waistcoat" (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) for showing the Meitei ethnic identity, among the rest of the people of the state, in 2022. It was led by the Dimapur Meetei Council.[13]

Bad treatments[edit | edit source]

Negligence by the government[edit | edit source]

Meitei people are facing negligence by the Government of Nagaland. They have no land ownership rights. They also face difficulty in getting documents such as OBC, PRC (Permanent Residential Certificate) and domicile certificates. They cannot get state government jobs except for driver and technical posts. They have no alternative except private jobs or doing businesses for their living.[14]

Banning of Meitei owned vehicles[edit | edit source]

In 2016, there were incidents of banning transportation of vehicles owned by Meiteis (Manipuris) in Nagaland. Regarding this issue, the Manipur State Police DGP talked to the Nagaland State Police DGP to look into the matter. The latter assured that he would take care of it.[15]

Associations and organizations[edit | edit source]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
  • Dimapur Meetei Council[16]
  • Dimapur Meitei Union[17]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Manipuris settling in Nagaland state 'landless' : 17th mar22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  2. ↑ Johnstone, James (2018-05-23). My Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 30. ISBN 978-3-7326-9966-7.
  3. ↑ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. p. 77. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
  4. ↑ Sinha (Brigadier.), S. P. (2007). Lost Opportunities: 50 Years of Insurgency in the North-east and India's Response. Lancer Publishers. p. 79. ISBN 978-81-7062-162-1.
  5. ↑ Singh, Dr Th Suresh (2014-06-02). The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India. Quills Ink Publishing. p. 138. ISBN 978-93-84318-00-0.
  6. ↑ Johnstone, James (2018-05-23). My Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 30. ISBN 978-3-7326-9966-7.
  7. ↑ Johnstone, James (2018-05-23). My Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 31. ISBN 978-3-7326-9966-7.
  8. ↑ Johnstone, James (2018-05-23). My Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 30. ISBN 978-3-7326-9966-7.
  9. ↑ "Manipuris settling in Nagaland state 'landless' : 17th mar22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  10. ↑ Johnstone, James (2018-05-23). My Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 30. ISBN 978-3-7326-9966-7.
  11. ↑ Johnstone, James (2018-05-23). My Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 31. ISBN 978-3-7326-9966-7.
  12. ↑ "Nagaland varsity readies for Manipuri poetry day : 10th oct24 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  13. ↑ "Dimapur Meetei Council launches new 'Meetei waistcoat'". MorungExpress. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  14. ↑ "Manipuris settling in Nagaland state 'landless' : 17th mar22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  15. ↑ "Nagaland DGP : 25th feb16 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  16. ↑ "Dimapur Meetei Council launches new 'Meetei waistcoat'". MorungExpress. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  17. ↑ "Dimapur Meitei Union : 09th May, 2010 E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-10-19.

Other websites[edit | edit source]

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