"Meitei's Blunder to Cut Off the Centuries-Long Relationship with the Kukis, Which They Will Never Ever Repair — Toward a 'Give and Take' Good Neighbourship"
Dr.TS Haokip, President, WKZIC
Abstract;
This article traces the historic alliance between the Meiteis of the Imphal valley and the Kuki tribes of the surrounding hills, highlighting the Kukis' critical role in resisting Burmese invasions during the Seven Years Devastation (1819–1826) and their contribution to the restoration of the Kangleipak kingdom. It explores how this alliance deteriorated over time due to colonial policies, institutional classifications, the controversial 1949 merger with India—seen by Kukis as excluding their autonomous Hills—and recent ethnic conflict. Finally, the article proposes a pragmatic "Give and Take" policy aimed at reframing the relationship into one of cooperative "Good Neighbours," wherein Meiteis and Kukis support each other's constitutional aspirations.
Keywords;
Meitei, Kuki, Kangleipak, Kuki Hills, Seven Years Devastation, Chahi Taret Khuntakpa, Burmese invasion, Indian Union merger 1949, ethnic conflict, historical blunder, inter-ethnic relations, autonomy, Scheduled Tribe status, Union Territory proposal, give-and-take policy, good neighbourship, colonial classification, post-colonial identity politics, Manipur history.
1. *Introduction: A Historical Alliance and Its Destruction*
The term Kangleipak refers to the traditional kingdom of Manipur, whose earliest history is recorded in chronicles such as Cheitharol Kumbaba—a court chronicle tracing the rule of Manipuri kings from 33 CE through centuries of political transformations (Wikipedia, 2025).
The Meiteis, organized under a valley dynasty, had relations with neighboring hill peoples including Kukis long before colonial rule. Alliances were formed through intermarriage, shared cultural practices, and military support. During crises such as the Seven Years Devastation (Chahi Taret Khuntakpa, 1819–1826)—a brutal Burmese occupation—the Kukis played a critical role in resisting foreign domination and supporting the Meitei restoration (Wikipedia, 2025). Despite centuries of shared struggle, the Meiteis eventually severed their alliance with the Kukis—a decision that, as historical evidence suggests, can never be fully repaired.
2. *The Seven Years Devastation and Kukis' Role*
The Chahi Taret Khuntakpa was a catastrophic period when Burmese armies occupied the Meitei kingdom for seven consecutive years, dismantling social and political structures and inflicting massive casualties (Wikipedia, 2025).
Contemporary chronicles and historical studies recognize that during and after this occupation, various hill tribes—including Kuki chieftainships—provided essential refuge, combat support, and intelligence to Meitei groups resisting Burmese forces. These alliances were centuries-long, reflecting cooperation based on survival and mutual respect (Periodicos.ulbra.org, 2025).
3. *Co-Existence: Autonomous Kuki Hills and the Kanglei Kingdom*
Before colonial restructuring, the Kuki Hills comprised autonomous chieftainships, decentralized governance structures rooted in tribal customary law. These chieftainships operated alongside the centralized Meitei kingdom while maintaining socio-political independence. Alliances were negotiated and functional, enabling trade, intermarriage, and military cooperation without compromising autonomy (Manipurtimes.com, 2025).
4. *Colonial Impact: Classifications and Divisions*
British colonial administration introduced ethnic classifications that disrupted centuries-old relationships. Hill tribes including Kukis were designated Scheduled Tribes, while Meiteis were not, creating socio-political separations and fostering competition for resources and representation (Ejournal.uinsgd.ac.id, 2025).
5. *The 1949 Merger: Legal Exclusion and Resentment*
In 1949, the princely state of Manipur merged with the Indian Union when Maharaja Bodhachandra signed the Merger Agreement. This merger applied only to Kangleipak (the valley kingdom), not the autonomous Kuki Hills, which retained de facto self-rule. The Kukis opposed this integration, asserting their historical and political autonomy (LSE Research, 2025; CNSS Journal, 2025).
6. *Post-Merger Strains and Identity Politics*
After independence, competition over land, political representation, and constitutional status intensified. Meiteis sought Scheduled Tribe status to gain parity with tribal protections, while Kukis resisted moves perceived to undermine their historic land and political prerogatives (IWGIA, 2024).
7. *Recent Conflict and the Perception of Rupture*
In 2023, disputes over ST status escalated into violent clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities. The conflict caused hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and displacement of over 60,000 individuals (New Indian Express, 2024). Many Kukis now view the centuries-long relationship with the Meiteis as irreparably broken (Economic Times, 2025).
8. *Towards a "Give and Take" Good Neighbourship Policy*
A forward-looking approach proposes a "Give and Take" policy to transform the historical rupture into cooperative coexistence:
Union Territory (UT) for Kukis: Recognizing their historical autonomy and political identity.
Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Meiteis: Providing constitutional protections and addressing historical exclusions.
This framework promotes mutual recognition, reduced ethnic tensions, and collaborative regional development, shifting focus from historical blame to pragmatic governance.
9. *Conclusion*
The severance of Meitei-Kuki relations represents a deep historical rupture, influenced by colonial policies, post-colonial integration, and contemporary ethnic identity conflicts. While the trust built over centuries cannot be fully restored, a "Give and Take" policy offers a path toward a cooperative Good Neighbourship, securing constitutional fairness, political recognition, and shared development.
*References;*
(Books, Archives & Scholarly Sources)
*Primary Regional Chronicles*
1. Cheitharol Kumbaba (Royal Chronicle of Manipur) – archival chronicles of Kangleipak rulers.
2. Meitei, AK Dhiren. Chahi Taret Khuntakpa: Seven Years Devastation (1819–1826). Imphal: AK Monastery Publication, 2020.
3. Rajkumar, Kipgen & Haokip. The Case of Separate Administration for the Kuki/Zo People in Manipur. CNSS Journal, 2025.
4. Inter-ethnic Relations in Manipur: Pre-Colonial and Colonial Perspectives.
*Historical Analyses & Merger Studies*
5. LSE Research Online. "Manipur's Merger with the Indian Union, 1949." (eprints.lse.ac.uk)
6. Periodicos.ulbra.org.
*Reports & Contemporary Sources*
7. Wikipedia contributors.
8. IWGIA. Understanding the Complex Conflict in Manipur, 2024.
9. Reuters. "India imposes direct rule in Manipur," 2025.
10. New Indian Express. "Year after outbreak of Manipur conflict, Meiteis and Kukis offer prayers for victims," 2024.
11. Economic Times. "Kuki-INPI Manipur declares separation of Kukis and Meiteis," 2025.
_______________________
The writer is the author of the book, "Ethnicity and Insurgency in Myanmar/Burma: A Comparative Study of the Kuki-Chin and Karen Insurgencies", IBSN: 978-1-5457-2271-8, # may be contacted at wkzictshaokip@gmail.com.
Dr.TS Haokip, President, WKZIC
Abstract;
This article traces the historic alliance between the Meiteis of the Imphal valley and the Kuki tribes of the surrounding hills, highlighting the Kukis' critical role in resisting Burmese invasions during the Seven Years Devastation (1819–1826) and their contribution to the restoration of the Kangleipak kingdom. It explores how this alliance deteriorated over time due to colonial policies, institutional classifications, the controversial 1949 merger with India—seen by Kukis as excluding their autonomous Hills—and recent ethnic conflict. Finally, the article proposes a pragmatic "Give and Take" policy aimed at reframing the relationship into one of cooperative "Good Neighbours," wherein Meiteis and Kukis support each other's constitutional aspirations.
Keywords;
Meitei, Kuki, Kangleipak, Kuki Hills, Seven Years Devastation, Chahi Taret Khuntakpa, Burmese invasion, Indian Union merger 1949, ethnic conflict, historical blunder, inter-ethnic relations, autonomy, Scheduled Tribe status, Union Territory proposal, give-and-take policy, good neighbourship, colonial classification, post-colonial identity politics, Manipur history.
1. *Introduction: A Historical Alliance and Its Destruction*
The term Kangleipak refers to the traditional kingdom of Manipur, whose earliest history is recorded in chronicles such as Cheitharol Kumbaba—a court chronicle tracing the rule of Manipuri kings from 33 CE through centuries of political transformations (Wikipedia, 2025).
The Meiteis, organized under a valley dynasty, had relations with neighboring hill peoples including Kukis long before colonial rule. Alliances were formed through intermarriage, shared cultural practices, and military support. During crises such as the Seven Years Devastation (Chahi Taret Khuntakpa, 1819–1826)—a brutal Burmese occupation—the Kukis played a critical role in resisting foreign domination and supporting the Meitei restoration (Wikipedia, 2025). Despite centuries of shared struggle, the Meiteis eventually severed their alliance with the Kukis—a decision that, as historical evidence suggests, can never be fully repaired.
2. *The Seven Years Devastation and Kukis' Role*
The Chahi Taret Khuntakpa was a catastrophic period when Burmese armies occupied the Meitei kingdom for seven consecutive years, dismantling social and political structures and inflicting massive casualties (Wikipedia, 2025).
Contemporary chronicles and historical studies recognize that during and after this occupation, various hill tribes—including Kuki chieftainships—provided essential refuge, combat support, and intelligence to Meitei groups resisting Burmese forces. These alliances were centuries-long, reflecting cooperation based on survival and mutual respect (Periodicos.ulbra.org, 2025).
3. *Co-Existence: Autonomous Kuki Hills and the Kanglei Kingdom*
Before colonial restructuring, the Kuki Hills comprised autonomous chieftainships, decentralized governance structures rooted in tribal customary law. These chieftainships operated alongside the centralized Meitei kingdom while maintaining socio-political independence. Alliances were negotiated and functional, enabling trade, intermarriage, and military cooperation without compromising autonomy (Manipurtimes.com, 2025).
4. *Colonial Impact: Classifications and Divisions*
British colonial administration introduced ethnic classifications that disrupted centuries-old relationships. Hill tribes including Kukis were designated Scheduled Tribes, while Meiteis were not, creating socio-political separations and fostering competition for resources and representation (Ejournal.uinsgd.ac.id, 2025).
5. *The 1949 Merger: Legal Exclusion and Resentment*
In 1949, the princely state of Manipur merged with the Indian Union when Maharaja Bodhachandra signed the Merger Agreement. This merger applied only to Kangleipak (the valley kingdom), not the autonomous Kuki Hills, which retained de facto self-rule. The Kukis opposed this integration, asserting their historical and political autonomy (LSE Research, 2025; CNSS Journal, 2025).
6. *Post-Merger Strains and Identity Politics*
After independence, competition over land, political representation, and constitutional status intensified. Meiteis sought Scheduled Tribe status to gain parity with tribal protections, while Kukis resisted moves perceived to undermine their historic land and political prerogatives (IWGIA, 2024).
7. *Recent Conflict and the Perception of Rupture*
In 2023, disputes over ST status escalated into violent clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities. The conflict caused hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and displacement of over 60,000 individuals (New Indian Express, 2024). Many Kukis now view the centuries-long relationship with the Meiteis as irreparably broken (Economic Times, 2025).
8. *Towards a "Give and Take" Good Neighbourship Policy*
A forward-looking approach proposes a "Give and Take" policy to transform the historical rupture into cooperative coexistence:
Union Territory (UT) for Kukis: Recognizing their historical autonomy and political identity.
Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Meiteis: Providing constitutional protections and addressing historical exclusions.
This framework promotes mutual recognition, reduced ethnic tensions, and collaborative regional development, shifting focus from historical blame to pragmatic governance.
9. *Conclusion*
The severance of Meitei-Kuki relations represents a deep historical rupture, influenced by colonial policies, post-colonial integration, and contemporary ethnic identity conflicts. While the trust built over centuries cannot be fully restored, a "Give and Take" policy offers a path toward a cooperative Good Neighbourship, securing constitutional fairness, political recognition, and shared development.
*References;*
(Books, Archives & Scholarly Sources)
*Primary Regional Chronicles*
1. Cheitharol Kumbaba (Royal Chronicle of Manipur) – archival chronicles of Kangleipak rulers.
2. Meitei, AK Dhiren. Chahi Taret Khuntakpa: Seven Years Devastation (1819–1826). Imphal: AK Monastery Publication, 2020.
3. Rajkumar, Kipgen & Haokip. The Case of Separate Administration for the Kuki/Zo People in Manipur. CNSS Journal, 2025.
4. Inter-ethnic Relations in Manipur: Pre-Colonial and Colonial Perspectives.
*Historical Analyses & Merger Studies*
5. LSE Research Online. "Manipur's Merger with the Indian Union, 1949." (eprints.lse.ac.uk)
6. Periodicos.ulbra.org.
*Reports & Contemporary Sources*
7. Wikipedia contributors.
8. IWGIA. Understanding the Complex Conflict in Manipur, 2024.
9. Reuters. "India imposes direct rule in Manipur," 2025.
10. New Indian Express. "Year after outbreak of Manipur conflict, Meiteis and Kukis offer prayers for victims," 2024.
11. Economic Times. "Kuki-INPI Manipur declares separation of Kukis and Meiteis," 2025.
_______________________
The writer is the author of the book, "Ethnicity and Insurgency in Myanmar/Burma: A Comparative Study of the Kuki-Chin and Karen Insurgencies", IBSN: 978-1-5457-2271-8, # may be contacted at wkzictshaokip@gmail.com.
Courtesy: WKZIC
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