Everything about Ching-thang Khomba totally explained
Ningthou Ching-Thang Khomba (also
Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra,
Jai Singh Maharaja) (1748–1799) was a
Manipuri monarch of the 18th century CE. The inventor of the
Ras Lila dance, he's a
legendary figure in
Manipur, and much of his actions as King had been
mythologized. He is also credited with spreading
Vaishnavism in
Manipur after his grandfather
Pamheiba made
Hinduism the official religion and for creating a unified
Manipur.
Early years
Maharaja Bhagya Chandra ascended to the throne of
Manipur in 1759, a few years after the death of his grandfather
Pamheiba and his father Samjai Khurai-Lakpa at the hands of his uncle
Chitsai. In 1762,
Manipur was attacked by the
Burmese, assisted by the
Chitsai. He, along with the
Rani and a few loyal attendants fled to
Assam, where they lived under the protection of the
Ahom ruler, King Rajeshvara.
Life in Assam
Bhagya Chandra’s crafty uncle wrote a letter to King Rajeshvara saying that the person taking refuge at his court wasn't the true Bhagya Chandra. The uncle advised Rajeshvara to get rid of the refugee (Bhagya Chandra). King Rajeshvara was somewhat persuaded by this letter and began treating Bhagyachandra with suspicion.
In
Manipuri
legends, the real Bhagyachandra was said to have supernatural powers. To see whether the usurper was correct, King Rajeshvara designed a test at the behest of his court. In a public arena, Bhagyachandra while unarmed, was to catch and tame a wild
elephant.
First Epiphany
Confronted with insurmountable odds, King Bhagyachandra prayed to Lord
Govinda for guidance.
Krishna appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to enter the arena donning a garland while holding
japa beads. At the end of the instructions,
Govinda assured him of victory.
Dealings with the East India Company
In 1762, the British and Manipur signed a bilateral treaty with
Gaurisiam, which spelled that the British and
Manipuris will encourage trade and commerce. The British gave necessary help for protection against the
Burmese and
Nagas. Manipur gave up a village for an
East India Company post. The name "
Manipur" (assigned by the British for Ching-Thang's kingdom) for what was called "Meitrabak" came into being in 1774 when the
Governor General of India Mr. Rendel, surveyed the area westward from
Ningthi to
Cachar and Northward from
Chittagong to the
Brahmaputra and renamed it. Under the influence of
Bengali missionaries, he also started the tradition of
Sankirtan in Manipur
Literary Works
- Govinda Sangita Lila Vilasa - A treatise on dance
- Laithok Laikha Jogi
Further Information
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