Sunday, November 20, 2016

The Mosques in Manipur(Masjids in Manipur)





According to the Historians from Manipur there were no mosques in Manipur earlier. But it is not true. It might be few in no of Mosques in Manipur existed earlier after the Muslim arrival.
So we should ask ourselves that what is Mosque or where should it be?
If we wanted to analyze the same quarries than We have to give some rough ideas regarding the Mosque (Masjid) definition.
The word Masjid (Mosque) in Arabic comes from the verb ‘Sajda’ Which means to prostrate and a Masjid is the place in which people face downwards.
When we recalled the History of  the battlefield of Toubul where a group of Muslim were offering Salat (Muslim Prayer).The Place where the people offer Salat (Muslim Prayer) regularly is called Masjid.
The Muslim in Manipur was settled various place accordingly the will of King Khagemba’s decision.
Whoever the Muslim settled in various parts of Manipur, there the Muslims built “ Laishang”(It is widely used in Manipuri Speaking Places to denote the Masjids).There were 13 (Thirteen)  Masjids and 11(Eleven) Penjagas (where Salat offer for 5 times but not for Jumma prayer) existed till  1819 AD.
The places where the masjids were existed earlier in Manipur are as follows:-
1.MD Saani’s Lainingsang which is in the anterior Kanngla Sanathong .
2.Moirangkhom Sangoi Laisang.
3.Kangla Ukok Sangoi Laisang
4. Ningthounai Sangoi Laisang.
5. Erong Chesaba Sangoi Laisang.
6.Mayang Imphal Sangoi Laisang.
7. Sangai Yumfam Sangoi Laisang.
8. Awang Laikai Sangoi Laisang.
9.Lilong Sangoi Laisang.
10. Makha Laikai Sangoi Laisang.
11. Kairao Sangoi Laisang.
12. Kairao Sangoi Laisang.
13.Porompat Sangoi Laisang.
The 11 Panjagas(where Salat offers 5 times but not for  the Jumma prayer) were built in Manipur very earlier. They are as follows:-
1.       Fundrei Panjaga
2.        Hairok Panjaga
3.       Ukhongsang Panjaga
4.       Thoubal Moiching Panjaga
5.       Malom Khongmangbang Panjaga
6.       Uroop Panjaga
7.       Khetri Bengul Panjaga
8.       Lamsang Taokhong
9.       Khomyam Panjaga
10.   Moirang Taokhong Panjaga
11.    Pangal Tabi Panjaga etc.

Sources
Turko Afgan gi Chada naoda,
Yaad Dast kursi Nama,
© Abdul Salam

History of Meitei in Manipur




There is no proper information till now when and how did the Meitei people arrive in Manipur.According to some scholars the Meitei came from South West part of China during BC(Before Christ).Apart from that there are few groups from various parts of India who came and settle down in Manipur during 15 AD.
According to ancient Book ‘Puya’ the people came from East side of India is termed as ‘Nongpok Haram’ and the people came from West side is termed as ‘Nongchup Haram’ .
According to British Historian BH Hodgson the Meitei Originated from ‘Tai’ Family of ‘Moy’ Groups. He stated that Meitei Word came from Moy Tai=Moytai=Moitai=Meitei. According to TC Hodgson ‘Mei’ means People or Groups and ‘Tei’ means Separate.
As stated by others ‘Meitei’ word comes from Human after seeing the shadow of God. According to them Me-Shadow and Tei-Idol.So the ‘Meitei’ word means ‘Idol of God’.
During the early part of Manipur History, the ruler period among the prominent namely Meidingu Nouthingkhong(Pakhangba)’s started using of ‘Meitei’ word. There were seven ’Clan’ of Families namely Ningthouja,Moirang,Khuman,Angom,Luwang,Sarang-Laisangthem(Chenglei) and Khaba Taba etc used to control various parts of Manipur.The Family of Ningthouja’s elder Pakhangba initially defeated Khaba-Ngaba’s family elder who used to control Imphal(Kangla) in 33 AD and Pakhangba become first King of Manipur.Later Pakhangba and his inheritance defeated other clan( ancestor) -control areas and extends their family control.

Source: 1. Itihash Gi Mityengda Manipur Page No.128-130 By L Birmangal
               2. Turko Afgan Gi Chad Naoda Page No.55-58 by Kheiruddin Khullakpam

Friday, May 27, 2016

Manipuri Muslim on theManipur king Maidingu Paikhomba’s Period on 1667-1697AD

                       During the king Maidingu Paikhomba’s Period on 1667-1697AD in Manipur Kingdom  there were three men belonging to Royal Families from Shylhet (Presently Bangladesh) arrived in Manipur Kingdom on 1679AD namely Lakhiyaful,Sunarful and Maas Ano. They also accompanied 37(thirty seven) peoples so called servants, personal guards were among them.The few persons were namely Jinnatul Sheik,Lei Thou,Sheik Jalali,Najra(Kaji Mohd Saani’s Son), Kakching Taba,Poinam Chand,Muhammad Shah,Akun Sheik, Isman Khan, Pratabhan,Hamun, Keinou Taba Ukhe Doulat,Haiwan Sheik, Uran Khan respectively.
The said person namely Shaik Jalali and Najra(Kaji Muhammad Saani’s Son) were given properties by Lairik Yengbam Dhananjai at Lamsang Tao Khong.
Najra(Kaji Mohd Saani’s Son) married with Yumnam Chanu Yangbiba and he was the first Muslim who built a house at Lamsang Tao Khong so the Manipur King Maidingu  Khagemba given his surname(Yumnak) as “Tao Khong Taba Mayum”.
Shaik Jalali gave birth to two sons namely Pratap and Baniya.
During the same period of Maidingu Paikhomba there were few men from Gujarat (Presently Indian State) namely Putun Khan ,Selim Khan, Minar Khan,Lukman Khan,Dulur Khan associated with thirteen people  were reached in Manipur Kingdom.When they reached there the Kaji Muhammad Saani well communicated in Urdu,Bangla and Arabic asked them about the reason behind to visit in the Kingdom.
Putun Khan and Selim Khan told them that they came to settled the heaven like place i,e Manipur kingdom.When Maidingu Paikhomba heard about this from them regarding the praised of  Manipur Kingdom he was much happy.So the King Maidingu Paikhomba was given two Manipuri Ladies to Putun Khan and Selim Khan as life partners and allowed to settled at Kuchu Thonglang Mei of South Side near to Sanglangmei.

Reference:
1.Yaad Dast Kursi Nama page No-22 by Rifayattullah
2.Turko Afgan gi Chad nao Da Page No-38-39 by Khairuddin Khullakpam



Sunday, May 25, 2014

The History of Muslim in Manipur Kingdom after 1606 AD.



When Saafar Muhammad accompanied Kausar Muhammad and his sister Bibi Jainab to Manipur Kingdom he brought from Sylhet like the seed of beans and Mangoes along with some fruits.The Muslims cultivated the Mango seeds and after three years when it got ripen and gifted to the King Khagemba.The King Khagemba along with Manipuri Public tasted the Mangoes.The King satisfied of the Mango taste and ordered to Muslims namely Punom Sheik,Kausar Muhammad and Saafar Muhammad to Cultivate for fruits,vegitables etc in a corn field given by the KIngdom. #(Page26-Turko Afghangi Chada Naoda by Kheirudding Khullakpam)
The ancestor of Turko Afghan settled in Manipur has got three years over.During 1609 AD there are three Mirs(Muslim Commandant) namely Syed Ambiya,Syed Abdullah and Syed Khulka from Shylhet reached Manipur for preparing war against the Kingdom.After reaching in the Manipur Kingdom,The Manipur King Khagemba asked to Kaaji Nawab Muhammad Saani about their origin,reason to visit etc.Kaaji Saani replied that they came from Shyllet and they are grand childs of Nawab Naajiri (which was Shyllet’s ruler),they wanted to see the Kingdom.The King Khagemba told to Nawab Saani to be sincere to the visitors and for them it must provide for separate staying house,food,Servants etc .
After the discussion with Nawab Saani the three Mirs told him that they came to Manipur Kingdom for search any chance to attack the Kingdom.Nawab Saani replied that he become Nawab and he was head for Shariah Law (the code of law of Islam) to all the Muslims settled in Manipur Kingdom.Even though Nawab Saani was ready for another war against Manipur Kingdom.
The three Mirs eager to know Nawab whether Pasha Muslim would lived in peace and stability in Manipur and whether the Muslims get any problem facing in the Kingdom, but now the Muslim got Kaaji title and Shariah law implemented in the Kingdom.Regarding the war against Manipur Kingdom the three Mirs decided to consult with Nawab Naajri along with Nawab Maajkoor Saad malik based in Shyllet.So the three Mirs told to King Khagemba that they forgot to carry Holy Quran book from Shyllet and need to go back.The three Mirs returned to Shyllet in Pratabhgarh(Which was Shyllet’s Capital).

The three Mirs namely Syed Ambiya,Syed Abdullah and Syed Khulka were discussed with details of Manipur’s condition with Muhammad Majkoor Saad Malick Syed KHulka Hussain of Shyllet.Later they discussed of the Manipur situation with Nawab Muhammad Naajiri.
Later Nawab Muhammad Naajiri told them that if the Muslim got “ Kaaji” title given by Manipur Kingdom than the Muslims won’t be any problem in the future so no need for another war against the Kingdom.
Nawab Muhammad Naajiri also told them that the legal issue of the Muslims settled in Manipur would be based on Shariah law and the dispute among the Muslim would be justified by Kaaji,so there would be a written agreement between King Khagemba and Muhammad Saani.
There were three commitment which would be an agreement between King Khagemba and Muhammad Saani are:

1.The Pasha Muslims were settled in Manipur would be accepted as citizen of the Kingdom.
2.There would be no obstacle for Islam religion and it would be freely practice across the Kingdom and the legal issues of Muslims would be settled through Shariah Law.
3.The Muslims would not be forced to move out from the Manipur Kingdom. If there would so than the offspring of Meitei Women whom called themselves as “Pangal’’ would get their shares. #(Page28-Turko Afghangi Chada Naoda by Kheirudding Khullakpam)
The said three commitment to be followed by the Manipur kingdom else it would be again 2nd war against the kingdom and if the written agreement would be done by Muslims and King Khagemba than there would be no war. In 1609 AD Syed Khulka Hussain brought the Quran books from Shyllet to the Kingdom.

After discussed details of the same commitment by Syed Ambiya,Syed Abdullah, Syed Khulka and Kaaji Muhammad Saani they decided to approach with King Khagemba for the agreement.Later Kaaji aproached the same to the King Khagemba.The King Khgemba told to Kaaji Muhammad Saani that what he said earlier about giving commitment to the Muslims would be same and it won’t be changed but if Muhaamad Saani did not please than he was ready to made agreement.The three commintment were signed by King Khagemba and Muhammad Saani in 1609 AD. . #(Page29-Turko Afghangi Chada Naoda by Kheiruddin Khullakpam)
Later the King allowed to settled the Kingdom the three Mirs namely Syed Ambiya,Syed Abdullah, Syed Khulka to marry each of Manipuri woman i,e Syed Ambiya for Nongthombam Chanu Hemavathi,Syed Abdullah for Yumnam Lembi,Syed Khulka for Moirang Chanu Kunjubu etc.The three Mirs got surname of “Merai Mayum’’. . #(Page29-Turko Afghangi Chada Naoda by Kheiruddin Khullakpam).

Friday, April 4, 2014

Relation between Manipur Kingdom and Sylhet (Presently Bangladesh) during and after 1606 AD




   After Muslims settled down in various parts of Manipur Kingdom , the Muslim leader Muhammad Saani wanted to keep strong relation with Sylhet.Therefore Muhammad Saani wanted to send his relative Saafar Muhammad as messenger to Sylhet.Saafar Muhammed requested  to Manipur King Khagemba that in Sylhet his younger brother Kausar Muhammad and sister  Jainab were there and they did not have any relative to look after so Saafar Muhammad wanted to bring in Manipur so that he could care them.
The King Khagemba replied to Saafar Muhammad that after reaching Sylhet if he did not come back than it would be lost for the Kingdom.So the king insisted to Saafar Muhammad to come back to Manipur Kingdom.
    Saafar Muhammad promised the King that he will return to the Kingdom. The King satisfied by Saafar Muhammad’s willing to return the Kingdom and the king has sent three Manipuri namely Waikhomcha Gangaram,Mayang Saaliya,Haobam Lamthok to accompanied to Sylhet.
After reaching  to Sylhet, Saafar Muhammad gave details to Muhammad Majkoor Nawab of Manipur Kingdom’s  Muslims condition .After listening from Saafar Muhammad the Sylhet Nawab Majkoor has decided to send more Muslim armies to protect Manipur Kingdom from neighbors. As per Saafar Muhammad’s intention to visit Sylhet he accompanied younger brother Kausar Muhammad and sister Jainab to Manipur and he gave details of Sylhet to Muhammad Saani .The development and luxurious life in Sylhet has told to King Khagemba by Saafar Muhammad.The Manipur King Khagemba got pleased the  of what relation between Sylhet and his Kingdom.
   Later the Sylhet has decided to protect Manipur Kingdom and the North side of side of Sylhet was rule  by king name as Ali Muhammad  , North East side was Muhaammad Majkoor(Malik Pratab) as commander,west side was Muhibullah as commander.Muahammad Naajiri alias Bayajid Afghani become the ruler of the whole Shylet.Muhammad Majkoor become the Nawab in leu of Muhammad Saani (Because Muhammad Saani  moved permanently to Manipur).The areas Nawab Majkoor  extended areas near to  North side of Amoshi (Attached to Kushiyara Surma),West side near to  Surkhai and Silchar(Presently in Assam,India)  as East side and South areas near to Lusai Hills (Presently Known as Mizoram state in India).The same areas which used to known as Pratabhgarh.
    The Pratabgarh area made Elhaial as capital.
    When Saafar  Muhammad accompanied Kausar Muhammad and sister Bibi Jainab to Manipur Kingdom he brought from Sylhet as the seed of beans and Mangoes along with some fruits.The Muslims cultivate the Mango  seeds and after three years  it got ripen and gifted to the King Khagemba.The King Khagemba along with Manipuri Public tasted the Mangoes.The King got satisfied of the Mango Taste and ordered to Muslims namely Punom Sheik,Kausar Muhammad and Saafar Muhammad to Cultivate for  fruits,vegitables etc in a corn field.


Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Nawab Muhammad Saani's "Kaaji" tittle



       After the  agreement between Nawab Muhammad Saani and Manipur King Khagemba in 1606 AD the Muslims were allowed to settled permanently in Manipur as I mentioned in earlier article.
       Nawab Muhammad Saani was a Pasha Leader of  Mughal emperior.Being as leader he was offered to marry two Manipuri Women name as Nongthombam Chanu Maitek Sana and Chakpram Malei.Nongthombam Chanu Maitek Sana got a son called Ahong but Chakpram Malei did not have any offspring.Nawab Muhammad Saani’s residence was Moirangthem Jonmosthan Mongbahanba’s Paka leikai.Nawab was known as ‘Borosena’ by Meitei (Manipuri) people.He was awarded as Kaji a respectful title by Meitei for the Muslim Community.Kaji is an Arabic word means Protector to the community,decision maker.He was responsible for the 1007 Muslims who were married 1007 Meitei Women  and settled in Manipur.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

The Places were Muslims settled permanently in Manipur



The war in Bishnupur (Toubul) that fought between Meitei army backed by Muslim and Tribes has ended.Accordingly there was agreement between Nawab Muhammad Saani and Manipur King Khagemba that Muslims should not return to Shyllet and settled in Manipur permanently. During 1606 AD on mid June,Friday the Muslims were started settle in Manipur .The places were Muslims  settle down in Manipur accordingly by the order of  King Khagemba to King Gambir Singh’s era were:

1.Moirangkhom
2.Singjammei
3.Bamon Leikai
4.Langthabal Keibung
5.Makalong
6.Lamsang Taokhong
7.Patsoi
8.Pangal Tabi
9.Khongjom Ngathiyam Lawai
10.Wanjing Turel Wangma
11.Heirok
12.Malom
13.Changamdabi Kangla Ukok
14.Fundrei
15.Bishnupur Maning Khoubam Chingjin
16.Malom Khomyal
17.Keinou
18.Moirang Toukhol
19.Yairipok Ningthounai
20.Kamgai Laishangkhong
21.Uchiwa
22.Sugnu
23.Kajipat
24.Solai
25.Nongjai
26.Kameng
27.Haingang
28.Kairong Khumidok Heinou Khongnembi
29.Mapal Engkhol
30.Sanbi Kandong
31.Maibam Lokpa
32.Wangban
33.Singjamei Chingagi Awang
34.Bamon Kampu
35.Mayang Imphal
36.Kontha etc.

The Muslims were not settled on the said places as lasting indefinitely. There were some  expand the settlement also.Among the said places the last Muslim populated place was Kaji Pat during the King Gambir Singh.

The places were first Muslim settled in Manipur were

 1.Yairipok Ningthounai 2.Changamdabi Kangla Ukok 3.Fundrai 4.Mayang Imphal 5.Uchiwa 6.Kairong Khumidong Hainou Khongnembi etc.

The Muslim settled in Manipur in the said places were ancestors of Turks and Afghan etc.During that time there was famous Iraqi Shia Leader Mir Shamsuddin (who spread Shia the branch of Islam in India) had not reached Manipur and hence between the Muslim groups namely Shia and Sunni,the Manipuri Muslim are Sunni group and Hanafi Madhab.