Kangla Nongpok Thong

The , shortly known as the , is the Eastern Gate Bridge of the Kangla Fort of Imphal, .
With the re-opening of the modern Eastern Gate of the Kangla, the Kangla Western Gate () was closed forever, under the leadership of Nongthombam Biren, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, due to the traditional Meitei belief that the western gate is regarded as the gate of the dead and it is ominous to enter the Kangla through the western doorway.

History

The antique Kangla Nongpok Thong was dismantled by the British Army after their victory in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 AD, as the Assam Rifles was stationed inside the western side of the Kangla.

Modern re-construction

During June 2019, a decision to reconstruct the old Kangla Nongpok Thong was taken in a meeting session of the Kangla Fort Board (KFB) with the Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the chair inside the premises of the Kangla Fort.

The re-construction of the modern Kangla Nongpok Thong was done by the Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited (MPHC Ltd). It was financed by the Imphal Smart City Limited (ISCL).

The timing of the reopening of the Nongpok Thong was expected to be around October of the year 2021, as planned by Chief minister Biren. But due to some reasons, it got delayed.

Re-opening

On 6 January 2023, the Kangla Nongpok Thong was officially inaugurated by Amit Shah, the then Minister of Home Affairs of the Union Government of India. Later, on 10 January 2023, Government of Manipur led by Chief minister Nongthombam Biren, handed the Eastern Gate over to the public of Manipur, in the presence of Leishemba Sanajaoba, after performing a religious ritual ceremony with the help of the and .
On the occasion of inauguration, Nongthombam Biren, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, said:

On the same occasion, Narendra Modi, the then Prime minister of India, replied to Manipur Chief Minister's speech as:

Development

According to the plans of Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren, the Nongpok Thong will be guarded by Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) policemen, wearing traditional Meitei uniforms, instead of modern formal ones, the Nongchup Thong ( Western Kangla Gate) will be closed afterwards, vehicles will only be allowed to enter from the Northern Gate of the Kangla, the roadway from the Eastern Gate towards the office of the District collector (DC) of Imphal East district, will be made as a double lane one.

Eviction

The Government of Manipur performed eviction of the illegal encroachers from the areas near the historic Kangla Nongpok Thong after its opening program.
The departments concerned used heavy machinery to bring down many residential and commercial buildings built encroaching the place near the eastern-most area of the Kangla Nongpok Thong.

Interpretation of the event

The incident of the reopening of the ''"Nongpok Thong"'' was mentioned in the old Meitei chronicles. In modern times, it is interpreted in many ways by many scholars. Among the various interpretations, one is that the reopening of the Nongpok Thong refers to the overturning colonial disruptions in . Another interpretation is that it refers to the opening of trade relations with Myanmar and other Southeast Asian nations.

See also

* Hijagang
* Iputhou Pakhangba Laishang
* Kangla Sha
* Manung Kangjeibung
* Sanggai Yumpham

Notes

References

External links

Kangla Nongpok Thong
at

Kangla Nongpok Thong
at
{{Authority control

Meitei architecture
Monuments and memorials in Imphal
Monuments and memorials to Meitei royalty
Public art in India
Tourist attractions in Manipur