, native_name_lang = omp , logo = , logo_size = , logo_alt = , logo_caption = , image = , image_size = , image_alt = , image_caption = , map_type = , map_alt = , map_dot_mark = , map_dot_label = , relief = , map_caption = , map_size = , coordinates = , former_names = * omp, Sangkai Empham * omp, Sangkai Impham * omp, Sangkai Yumpham * omp, Shangkai Eempham * omp, Shangkai Empham * omp, Shangkai Impham * omp, Shangkai Yumpham , alternate_names = * mni, Shanggai Yumpham * mni, Shangai Yumpham * mni, Sangai Yumpham , etymology = see here , status = partially demolished , cancelled = , topped_out = , building_type = , architectural_style = Meitei architecture , classification = , location = inside the Kangla Fort , address = , location_city =

Imphal Imphal ( Meitei pronunciation: /im.pʰal/; English pronunciation: ) is the capital city of the Indian state of Manipur. The metropolitan centre of the city contains the ruins of Kangla Palace (also known as Kangla Fort), the royal seat of the ...

, location_country =

Manipur Kingdom The Manipur Kingdom was an ancient independent kingdom at the India–Burma frontier that was in subsidiary alliance with British India from 1824, and became a princely state in 1891. It bordered Assam Province in the west and Britis ...

(historical), India (present) , grid_name = , grid_position = , altitude = , current_tenants = , namesake = see here , groundbreaking_date = , start_date = 1611 A.D. , stop_date = , topped_out_date = , completion_date = , opened_date = , inauguration_date = , relocated_date = , renovation_date = , closing_date = , demolition_date = * 1st demolition – during the Chahi Taret Khuntakpa () (1819-1826) * 2nd demolition – during the

Anglo Manipur War The Anglo-Manipur War was an armed conflict between the British Empire and the Kingdom of Manipur. The war lasted between 31 March and 27 April 1891 and ended in a British victory. Background In the First Anglo-Burmese War, the British helpe ...

on 27 April 1891 , cost = , ren_cost = , client =

Ningthouja dynasty The Ningthouja dynasty, also known as Mangang dynasty, comprises the descendants of the kings of Manipur. Ningthouja literally means progeny of King (''Ningthou'' means king and ''cha'' or ''macha'' means progeny in which ''ja'' is a corrupted ...

, owner = Government of Manipur , governing_body = Kangla Fort Board , affiliation = , height = 14 to 20 feet high , architectural = , tip = , antenna_spire = , roof = , top_floor = , observatory = , diameter = , circumference = , weight = , structural_system = , material = Burned bricks , size = 600 x 600 feet , architect = , architecture_firm = , developer = , engineer = , structural_engineer = , services_engineer = , civil_engineer = , other_designers = , quantity_surveyor = , main_contractor = , awards = , designations = , known_for = being ancient

royal residence A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence, or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome which ...

(

citadel A citadel is the core fortified area of a town or city. It may be a castle, fortress, or fortified center. The term is a diminutive of "city", meaning "little city", because it is a smaller part of the city of which it is the defensive core. In ...

) , ren_architect = , ren_firm = , ren_engineer = , ren_str_engineer = , ren_serv_engineer = , ren_civ_engineer = , ren_oth_designers = , ren_qty_surveyor = , ren_contractor = , ren_awards = , parking = no , public_transit = , website = , embed = , embedded = , references = , footnotes = The Sanggai Yumpham ( omp, Sangkai Eempham) was a

fortified A fortification is a military construction or building designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is also used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Latin ''fortis'' ("strong") and ''face ...

(

) of the Meitei royalties inside the Kangla Fort in

. It is presently preserved as an archaeological site as well as one of the tourist attractions in the

Kangla The Kangla Palace ( mni, /kəŋ.la/), popularly as well as officially known as the Kangla Fort, is an old fortified palace at Imphal in the Manipur state of India. It was formerly situated on both sides (western and eastern) of the bank of the ...

Etymology

In Meitei language, "sanggāi" ( mni, ꯁꯡꯒꯥꯏ, /səŋ.gai/) means residence or

home A home, or domicile, is a space used as a permanent or semi-permanent residence for one or many humans, and sometimes various companion animals. It is a fully or semi sheltered space and can have both interior and exterior aspects to it ...

, used in formal context. The Meitei term "yumpham" ( mni, ꯌꯨꯝꯐꯝ, /yúm.pʰəm/) literally means ''"the place where a house is built"''. Morphologically, "yum‑pham" can be divided into two root words, ''"yum"'' ( mni, ꯌꯨꯝ, /yúm/) and ''"pham"'' ( mni, ꯐꯝ, /pʰəm/), meaning ''"

house A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air ...

"'' and ''"place"'' respectively.

History

The construction of the Citadel of the Kangla Fort in

started in the year 1611 A.D. during the era of Meitei king

Khagemba King Khagemba (Conqueror of the Chinese; 1597–1654), was a monarch from the Kingdom of Kangleipak. He also introduced a new form of polo and new apparel styles. Under his regime he focused on a new form of Manipur and built many markets in d ...

( omp, Khākī Ngampa). This fact is recorded in the

Cheitharol Kumbaba ''Cheitharol Kumbaba'', also spelled ''Cheithalon Kumpapa'', is the court chronicle of the kings of Manipur. The oldest extant version was copied in the early 19th century, under Jai Singh, the puppet king installed after the Burmese invasion, ...

( omp, Cheithalol Kumpapa), the Royal chronicle of the Meitei royalties of

Kangleipak Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of M ...

(). The Kangla Fort was destroyed and abandoned multiple times during Burmese invasion, especially during the Chahi Taret Khuntakpa () (1819-1826). Later, the citadel was re-constructed during the reign of Meitei king

Chandrakirti Singh Maharaja Chandrakirti Singh (1850 – May 1886) was a Meitei monarch and the Maharaja of Manipur Kingdom. He was the son of Maharaja Gambhir Singh. Biography He was born in Imphal, and resided there till the end of his Regime in 1886. Befor ...

in 1873. As a result of the

of 1891, on 27 April 1891, General Maxwell annexed the

and the citadel was demolished simultaneously.

Features

The citadel is situated inside the enclosed area of the inner brick wall. Its area is around 600 x 600 feet. Its walls are 14 to 20 feet high. There are 4 guarding posts (pillars) in the 4 corners of 4 directions. The southern passageway door leads to the Govindajee Temple of the

. It is constructed by using well-burnt bricks. It houses many holy sites, including the coronation site of

Pakhangba Pakhangba ( mni, , omp, ) is a primordial deity, often represented in the form of a dragon, in Meitei mythology and religion. He is depicted in the heraldry of Manipur kingdom, which originated in ''paphal'' ( mni, ), the mythical illus ...

. It has three main entrance gates. Two entrance gates are on the western side and one entrance gate is on the southern side. The entrance gate situated on the left end of the western face lies directly opposite to the Royal Coronation Hall. The entrance gate situated at the right end of the same wall lies facing the Court Room (Darbar Hall). The southern entrance gate is well connected with a passageway leading to the Shree Govindajee Temple of the

. It is surrounded by five walls of the Kangla Fort. The innermost wall is the only one that is standing still today. There is one octagonal

watchtower A watchtower or watch tower is a type of fortification used in many parts of the world. It differs from a regular tower in that its primary use is military and from a turret in that it is usually a freestanding structure. Its main purpose is t ...

at every corner of the wall, serving as sentry posts. Its entire perimeter has military installations ( emplacements) of around 500 defender soldiers. There was an old bridge built over the

Imphal River The Imphal River ( mni, Imphal Turel), also known as the Turel Achouba, is a major river in Manipur state, northeastern India which originates in Kangpokpi district to the north of Kangpokpi district headquarters Kangpokpi. It is a tributary o ...

from the passageway between the Sanggai Yumpham and the Govindajee Temple inside the

. Later, it got deteriorated in 1891. During the 28th meeting of the Kangla Fort Board, on 15 December 2018,

Nongthombam Biren Singh Nongthombam Biren Singh ( Meitei pronunciation: /nōng-thōm-bam bī-ren sīng/; born 1 January 1961) is an Indian politician, former footballer and journalist, who is currently serving as the Chief Minister of Manipur for the second term sin ...

, the

Chief Minister of Manipur The chief minister of Manipur is the chief executive of the Indian state of Manipur. As per the Constitution of India, the governor is a state's '' de jure'' head, but '' de facto'' executive authority rests with the chief minister. Follo ...

, took a decision that a new bridge will be constructed similar to the features of the old bridge.

Notes

References

External links