Manipur

Manipur  pronunciation (help·info) (Meitei: মণিপুর maṇipur) is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states ofNagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west; it also bordersMyanmar to the east. It covers an area of 22,347 square kilometres (8,628 sq mi). Geographically, it falls under the Southeast Asia region.

The Meiteis (Meeteis), who live primarily in the state's valley region, form the primary ethnic group (60% of the total population) but occupy only 10% of the total land area. Their language, Meiteilon (Meeteilon), (also known as Manipuri), is also the lingua francain the state, and was recognized as one of the national languages of India in 1992. The Muslims (Meitei-Pangal) also live in the valley; the Kukis, Nagas, Hmars and other smaller groups form about 40% of the population but occupy the remaining 90% of the total land area of Manipur State . Manipur is considered a sensitive border state.^{[citation needed]}

Foreigners entering Manipur prior to January 1, 2011 (including foreign citizens born in Manipur) were required to possess Restricted Area Permit. As of January 1, 2011 foreign citizens are no longer required to have a Protected Areas Permit (PAP). This change will remain in effect for one year.

Mythological origins

The earliest references to 'Manipur' date back to the ancient era of Mahabharata, in which several characters, such as Chitrāngadā,Ulupi, Babruvahana, and Iravan, are Manipuri’s. Chitrāngadā (चित्रांगदा) is one of Arjuna's wives. Arjuna traveled the length and breadth ofIndia during his term of exile. His wanderings took him to ancient Manipur in the eastern Himalayas, an almost mystic kingdom renowned for its natural beauty. There, he met Chitrāngadā, the daughter of the king of Manipur, and was moved to seek her hand in marriage. Her father demurred on the plea that, according to the matrilineal customs of his people, the children born of Chitrāngadā were heir to Manipur; he could not allow his heirs to be taken away from Manipur by their father. Arjuna agreed to the stipulation that he would take away neither his wife Chitrāngadā nor any children borne by her from Manipur and wed the princess on this premise. A son, whom they named Babruvahana, was soon born to the couple. Babruvahana would succeed his grandfather as king of Manipur. Babruvahana (or Babhruvahana) is one of the sons of Arjuna, begotten through Chitrangada, the princess of Manipur, during the period of his exile at Manipur.Babruvahana was adopted as the son of his maternal grandfather, and reigned at Manipur as his successor. He dwelt there in a palace of great splendor, surrounded with wealth and signs of power. When Arjuna went to Manipur with the horse intended for theAswamedha, there was a quarrel between Arjuna and King Babhruvahana, and the latter killed his father with an arrow. Repenting of his deed, he determined to kill himself, but he obtained from his stepmother, the Naga princess Uloopi, a gem which restored Arjuna to life. He returned with his father to Hastinapura. [1]This was on account of a curse by the Vasus, on account of Arjuna's killing Bhishma (who is an incarnation of one of the Vasus) during the Mahabharata war.