The colonial experience and the history of Manipur

The period between the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 to the dissolution of British India in 1947 marks a very important and significant phase in the history and historiography of Manipur.  In that fifty six years or so, Manipur underwent such incredible changes in terms of social organization, culture, education, health and government etc. Manipur saw two great World Wars, the Kuki rebellion, two Nupi Lan besides many political and social reformist movements. Essentially, the period, more then any, shaped Manipur for the following fifty years and will continue to do so. It has not only shaped the way 'modern' Manipur has come to be but also the way we think about ourselves, our past and the 'other'. Most prominent historians on Manipur mark the contact with the English as the beginning of 'modern' Manipur. And any systematic study of Manipuri history is deemed insufficient without consulting the colonial writings. The works of TC Hudson, Alexander Mackenzie and Pemberton are oft quoted and considered indispensable in the historiography of Manipur. However, most of these writers were associated with the British administration in some capacity or the other. For an exception TC Hudson was a member of the Royal Anthropological Institute. However, he was informed by certain schools of thought, particularly by the works of E.B. Tylor. Besides the popular British scholars, there are thousands of written records in the form of dairies, notes, government records, besides photographs and sketches on the life and times of Colonial Manipur. Another important source could be the American Baptist Church Missionary, which had been very active in Colonial Manipur. It is time to visit and revisit the colonial writings for a critical understanding of the history and historiography of Manipur. Here is an attempt to bring together all the colonial sources, known and unkown, on Manipur, in one place. This, I believe, will facilitate, any serious student or researcher on Manipur in particular and the North East India in general.