
The early political relations between
Burmese Kingdom of historical
Myanmar
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...
(
Burma
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and ha ...
) and
Meitei Kingdom of erstwhile
Manipur
Manipur () is a state in northeastern India with Imphal as its capital. It borders the Indian states of Assam to the west, Mizoram to the south, and Nagaland to the north and shares the international border with Myanmar, specifically t ...
(
Kangleipak
Kangleipak was an ancient, lesser known civilisation, consisting of the modern day Manipur, India which is still known to some residents as Kangleipak, and other neighbouring regions.
The Kangla served as the foremost capital city of this real ...
) were marked by both diplomatic interactions and periods of conflict.
Meitei people in Myanmar
The Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people (; ), are a minority ethnic group in Myanmar. They are better known as the ''Kathe'', ''Cassay'', or ''Ponna'' in Myanmar.
They number around 25,000 and reside mainly in the eastern states of ...
are known as "Kathe" or "Cassay" or "Cassey" or "Ponna".
Burmese people
Burmese people or the Myanmar people () are citizens from Myanmar (Burma), irrespective of their ethnic or religious background. Myanmar is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual country. The Burmese government officially recognises ...
(of
Bamar ethnicity or
Burman ethnic group) are known as "Awa" or "Ava", named after one of their historical places, by the
Meitei people
The Meitei people, also known as Meetei people,P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal." are a Ti ...
.
Around 500 Meitei horsemen helped the Burmese King
Alaungpaya
Alaungpaya (, ; also spelled Alaunghpaya or Alaung-Phra; 11 May 1760) was the founder and first emperor of the Konbaung dynasty of Burma. By the time of his death from illness during his Burmese–Siamese War (1759–60), campaign in Siam, this ...
in his invasion of
Siam
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
(
Thailand
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
).
Linguistic relationship
Both
Burmese language
Burmese (; ) is a Tibeto-Burman languages, Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Myanmar, where it is the official language, lingua franca, and the native language of the Bamar people, Bamar, the country's largest ethnic group. Burmese dialects are a ...
(officially called
Myanmar language
Burmese (; ) is a Tibeto-Burman languages, Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Myanmar, where it is the official language, lingua franca, and the native language of the Bamar people, Bamar, the country's largest ethnic group. Burmese dialects are a ...
) and
Meitei language
Meitei (; ) also known as Manipuri ), is a Tibeto-Burman language of northeast India. It is the official language and the lingua franca of Manipur and an additional official language in four districts of Assam. It is one of the scheduled ...
(officially called
Manipuri language
Meitei (; ) also known as Manipuri ), is a Tibeto-Burman language of northeast India. It is the official language and the lingua franca of Manipur and an additional official language in four districts of Assam. It is one of the scheduled ...
) belong to the same family,
Tibeto-Burman
The Tibeto-Burman languages are the non- Sinitic members of the Sino-Tibetan language family, over 400 of which are spoken throughout the Southeast Asian Massif ("Zomia") as well as parts of East Asia and South Asia. Around 60 million people speak ...
, which is a branch of the
Sino-Tibetan
Sino-Tibetan (also referred to as Trans-Himalayan) is a family of more than 400 languages, second only to Indo-European in number of native speakers. Around 1.4 billion people speak a Sino-Tibetan language. The vast majority of these are the 1.3 ...
linguistic family.
Relations during 15th century
Relations were notably improved during the reign of Meitei King Kyamba (1467–1508 CE), who established a matrimonial alliance with Kikhomba, the king of Pong, a historical kingdom in modern-day
Myanmar
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...
, around 1470 CE. This alliance facilitated a joint military campaign against the Kyang-a Shan kingdom of Kabo Valley (1470–71 CE), resulting in the collection of significant spoils of war, which were divided between the two rulers. Some Shan captives taken during this campaign were later assimilated into Meitei society.
Relations during 16th & 17th centuries
During the reign of Meitei King Khagemba (1592–1652 CE), Manipur's territorial expansion extended southward, covering the Ango Hills and the Ningthee River. This expansion was accompanied by the capture of numerous individuals as war captives, influencing the region's demographic and cultural composition.
In 1692, Meitei King Paikhomba (1667–1697) led an expedition as far as Samjok in Burma. The campaign faced resistance when the Kabos rose against him and invaded Manipur. Although he managed to repel the invaders to the Chindwin River, the conflict resulted in significant losses for his forces. Subsequent military campaigns against Mashem Lamthol and Sangang were unsuccessful.
Following Meitei King Paikhomba's death in 1697, his successor King Charairongba strengthened bilateral relations between Manipur and Burma through trade and cultural exchanges.
Relations during 18th century
In 1702, Meitei King Paikhomba arranged the marriage of his sister, princess
Chakpa Makhao Ngambi
Chakpa Makhao Ngambi was the Burmese queen of Toungoo dynasty of Kingdom of Ava (modern day Upper Burma) and the Meitei princess of Ningthouja dynasty of Kangleipak (Manipur Kingdom). She was the Queen consort of King Taninganway () of Myan ...
, to the king of Samjok. In 1707, he successfully defeated the Tusug people, and later in his reign, he further reinforced diplomatic ties through the marriage of one of his daughters to the chief of Kabo.
In 1714, Taningawe (1714–1733), the ruler of Burma, expressed his desire to marry Princess Satyamala, the daughter of Garibnawaz (1709–1748). In response, the Burmese were informed that Satyamala would be presented to him three days after the spring festival, Basanta Panchami. Taningawe then sent 300 nobles to receive the princess and escort her to the royal palace. However, upon reaching the designated location on the Yu River, they found no princess present. Instead, Garibnawaz, with his cavalry, captured the Burmese delegation and brought them to Manipur as prisoners.
Following this incident, Garibnawaz initiated military campaigns to expand his territory southward. His forces, under the command of proactive generals, invaded the territories of Canda and later advanced into the Shwebo district in 1735, where they seized cattle and slaves. In 1737, they established a camp near Sagain.
Garibnawaz continued his campaign towards the Burmese capital, Yewa, and succeeded in driving out the Talai king. His dominion extended from Manipur to the Irrawadi River, covering regions where his forces destroyed houses and monasteries. The campaign eventually reached Ava, the former capital of Burma.
On his return journey via Samsok, Garibnawaz appointed Eu-Aujaya, a Burmese noble, as the ruler of 46 divisions of Burma conquered during his campaign. Eu-Aujaya was given the title of Aaumeiyajee, with Yewa as the capital.
During Garibnawaz's absence, a Tripuri king invaded Manipur from the west and advanced as far as Moirang in 1739. Faced with the challenge of managing two fronts, Garibnawaz negotiated peace with the Burmese king by offering his daughter, Satyamala, in marriage. He then returned to Manipur to address the situation.
Historian W.S. Desai notes that during this period, raiding neighboring states was often regarded as a legitimate political strategy, generating significant economic benefits. Such practices were common, and counter-raids were considered an expected outcome of these incursions.
Burmese Aggression in Manipur

Burmese aggression against Manipur was a prolonged and recurrent phenomenon, with major raids and counter-raids documented from the 15th to the 18th century. Following the death of Garibnawaz, Manipur's political stability weakened, leading to a decline in its power and prestige. The region experienced continuous Burmese invasions, internal disputes, and succession conflicts, characterized by political intrigue, rebellion, and shifting allegiances.
From 1758 to 1824, the Burmese army conducted multiple invasions, resulting in the plundering of Manipur over a span of 66 years. These invasions forced many Meiteis to flee political persecution, seeking refuge in neighboring regions such as
Cachar
Cachar district is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. After independence, the pre-existing undivided Cachar district was split into four districts: Dima Hasao (formerly North Cachar Hills), Hailakandi, Karimganj, and the ...
,
Tripura
Tripura () is a States and union territories of India, state in northeastern India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, third-smallest state in the country, it covers ; and the seventh-least populous state with a populat ...
,
East Bengal
East Bengal (; ''Purbô Bangla/Purbôbongo'') was the eastern province of the Dominion of Pakistan, which covered the territory of modern-day Bangladesh. It consisted of the eastern portion of the Bengal region, and existed from 1947 until 195 ...
(
Bangladesh
Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, eighth-most populous country in the world and among the List of countries and dependencies by ...
), and
Assam
Assam (, , ) is a state in Northeast India, northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra Valley, Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of . It is the second largest state in Northeast India, nor ...
.
Key Burmese Invasions
These invasions had a profound impact on Manipur, resulting in significant loss of life, economic disruption, and political instability. The repeated invasions also led to cultural exchanges and the forced migration of Meitei populations to other regions.
1755
During the reign of Meitei King Moramba Gourashyam (1753–1759), Alaungpaya (also known as Alempara), the founder of the Burmese dynasty, initiated a raiding expedition against Manipur. The aim was to subdue the Meiteis, referred to as "Cassayers." The Burmese forces, equipped with firearms—unfamiliar to the Meiteis—caused widespread panic. The Meitei troops, unprepared for such tactics, fled, leaving the Manipur valley largely deserted. This event is known in Manipur's history as "Khuntak Ahaanba" (the First Great Devastation).
1758
After the conclusion of a treaty with Meitei King Gourashyam, which involved the surrender of hostages from the Meitei royal family, Alaungpaya grew dissatisfied with the Manipuris. He led another expedition in 1758, advancing as far as the Ningthee River with a fleet of boats. The Burmese defeated the Meitei forces at Pallel, subsequently marching through the Aimol Pass into Imphal. The Burmese remained in Imphal for two weeks, looting the kingdom and massacring thousands of Meitei people as captives. On their return journey, they carried away thousands of Meiteis, including artisans such as Bamons, silk workers, and silversmiths.
1764–1793
During the reign of Meitei King Bheigyachandra (1762–1793), the Burmese, under King Hsibyushin (1763–1776), defeated the Meiteis at Kakching in 1764. Between 1764 and 1793, Bheigyachandra lost and regained the throne at least three times, reflecting the region's ongoing political instability. In 1782, he was driven from power, and he, along with his relatives and supporters, sought asylum in neighboring principalities.
Meitei cultural influence on Burmese
Games and sports
The Meiteis introduced
polo
Polo is a stick and ball game that is played on horseback as a traditional field sport. It is one of the world's oldest known team sports, having been adopted in the Western world from the game of Chovgan (), which originated in ancient ...
and
foot hockey in the Burmese court.
Astrology
Meitei people introduced the science of
astrology
Astrology is a range of Divination, divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that propose that information about human affairs and terrestrial events may be discerned by studying the apparent positions ...
to the Burmese and the rest of the
South East Asia
Southeast Asia is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, southeastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of China, east of the Indian subcontinent, and northwest of the Mainland Au ...
ns.
Meitei scholars worked as
astrologer
Astrology is a range of Divination, divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that propose that information about human affairs and terrestrial events may be discerned by studying the apparent positions ...
s and
priest
A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deity, deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in parti ...
s for the Burmese royalties.
Clothing
See also
*
Ming–Tibet relations
The Ming dynasty considered Tibet to be part of the Western Regions. While the Ming dynasty at its height had some degree of influence in Tibet, the exact nature of their relations is under dispute by modern scholars. Analysis of the relationship ...
*
Song–Tibet relations
The history of the relationship between the Song dynasty (960–1279) of China and Tibetan regimes during the Era of Fragmentation is a diplomatic history between imperial China and Tibet. Unlike the preceding Tang–Tibet relations in which bot ...
*
Tang–Tibet relations
During Tang dynasty rule in China (618–907), a complex relationship between imperial China and Tibet regime was developed. During this period Chinese and Tibetan forces had many battles since both parties were military powers, but there were al ...
*
Chahi-Taret Khuntakpa
*
Herachandra
Herachandra was a Meitei prince. He was the son of Maharajah Labanyachandra of Manipur kingdom. He earned secret support and admiration from the people of Manipur. E.W. Dun wrote that he defeated numerous groups of the Burmese army. A.C. Bann ...
*
Manipur Levy
The Manipur Levy was the first standing army established in Manipur Kingdom. It was formed during the Manipur national war, national struggle against Burmese rule, which occurred during the period known as the Chahi-Taret Khuntakpa (1819–1826 ...
*
Meitei people in Assam
The Meitei people (), also called Manipuri people (), is one of the Demographics of Assam, minority ethnic groups in Assam. They are referred to as ''Mekhlee'', ''Mekhelee'', ''Meckley'', ''Monipuri'', ''Monipuriya'', ''Magalu'', ''Mogolu'', ''Mo ...
*
Meitei people in Bangladesh
Meitei people (), also known as Manipuri people (), is one of the minority ethnic groups of Bangladesh. They live mostly in the Sylhet division of the country. The Meitei of Bangladesh's population reached 15,000 in 2020
History
Meiteis moved ...
*
Meitei people in Meghalaya
The Meitei people (), also called Manipuri people (), is one of the minority ethnic groups in Meghalaya.
History
In 1829, Meitei King Gambhir Singh () of Manipur kingdom, had victory over the Khasi people, which became one of the three larges ...
*
Meitei people in Nagaland
The Meitei people (), also called Manipuri people (), 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".
History
After losing Meitei influence in ...
*
Meitei people in Tripura
The Meitei people (), also called Manipuri people (), is one of the minority ethnic groups in Tripura. Meiteis call the land of Tripura as "Takhel" () or "Takhen" () in their language. In September 2020, their population was estimated to be app ...
*
Meitei martial arts
Meitei martial arts are traditional combat practices originating from the cultural heritage of the Meitei ethnicity, predominantly in the state of Manipur, as well as in Assam and Tripura, in northeastern India, besides Bangladesh and Myanmar. T ...
*
Meitei traditional weapons
The Meitei people of Manipur as well as of Assam Meiteis, Assam and Tripura Meiteis, Tripura, in northeastern India, besides those of Bangladesh Meiteis, Bangladesh and Myanmar Meiteis, Myanmar, use different traditional weapons for hunting, de ...
*
Meitei clothing in Bangladesh
The traditional dresses worn by the Bangladeshi Meitei people (also known as Manipuris), reflect their culture and traditions, adapted to fit the local life in Bangladesh. The clothing includes special fabrics, designs, and accessories that ar ...
*
Meitei monuments in Bangladesh
The Meitei people, during their settlement in Bangladesh, constructed numerous brick buildings and temples, particularly during the period of the Seven Years' Devastation (1819-1826).Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civi ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burmese-Meitei relations
Meitei culture
Culture of Myanmar
Bamar people
Meitei people
Culture of Manipur
History of Myanmar
History of Manipur
Middle Ages
India–Myanmar relations