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Fortified Palace in Manipur, India
Photo: Haoreima, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kangla (Meitei: ꯀꯪꯂꯥ, /kang-lā/) is an ancient seat of monarchical government of the Meitei rulers of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur) in present-day India. It was a fortified grand royal residence as well as a religious site of the Meitei language speaking people and the Sanamahism following people of South Asia. Nearly 360 important Meitei shrines are present inside the Kangla.
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The Archaeological Museum houses the replicas including that of the memorial stone of Meitei king Chandrakirti Singh found in Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Tipaimukh and areas of Imphal Valley. Besides, it also houses the stone tools belonging to the Stone Age found in the Tharon Cave and the Kangkhui Cave of Manipur. It preserves the hardened pots and inscriptions. Various antique coins are also on display in this museum. Ancient artefacts collected from the excavations of Sekta, Khangabok and the Kangla are also on display.
Chingkhei Ikon, Chingkhei Pukhri
Literally meaning "Northeastern Pond" in Classical Meitei, this water body is sacred to the Meiteis, and is situated to the northeast of the royal residence (citadel).
It is a historical British officer's residence building.
Kangla Boatyard
This boatyard building houses 4 traditional Meitei watercrafts, including 2 "Hiyang Hiren"s (race boats of Meitei royalties) and 2 "Tanna Hi"s (race boats of Meitei commoners). The "Hiyang Hiren" boats are made of Uningthou woods (Classical Meitei for Phoebe hainesiana) while the "Tanna Hi" boats of Tairen woods (Classical Meitei for Cedrela toona).
Pakhangba Laishang
This ancient temple dedicated to God Pakhangba was restored between 2008 and 2019. It features a sacred altar and the 7-coloured flag designed roof, symbolising the 7 Meitei clans.
Herbal Garden, Kangla
This garden houses multiple species of medicinal plants. It lies to the North of the "Manung Thangapat" (Classical Meitei for "inner moat"). It should not be confused with the State Herbal Garden, which is also situated inside the Kangla.
The Kangla Museum showcases the lifestyles of the Meitei royalties, ancient Meitei artistic and cultural heritage and the maps of Ancient Kangleipak.
Uttra Sanglen
This building is a religious office dedicated to Meitei religion (Sanamahism). Designs of traditional Meitei architecture are distinctly featured with the holy "chirong"s (literally "horns" in Classical Meitei), which are the V-shaped structures adorned on the roofs of the building. The building is easily recognisable as two giant statues of dragon lions stood at its western front.
"Luphou Nung" is a historical gravestone of a Chinese invader, kept inside the Kangla fort in Imphal. A Chinese invader named "Moidana" (or "Mayadana") was defeated and slain by Meitei king Mungyamba of Kangleipak (Manipur) kingdom in 1576 AD. The invader was crushed and buried under the "Luphou Nung" stone. It lies to the southern side of the Kangla Uttra Shanglen and to the northern side of the Manung Kangjeibung (Inner Pologround).
This rectangular shaped elongated water body is a sacred pond of the Meitei people, located on the northern side of the tombs of Meitei kings, Nara Singh and Bodhachandra Singh.
Kangla Information Centre and Gift Shop
This museum cum information center cum shop houses large collection of mementoes, related to ancient, medieval and modern Meitei culture.
Nungjeng Eekon, Nungjeng Ikon, Nungjeng Pukhri
This rectangular shaped sacred water body is located in the northern side of the white coloured Pakhangba Temple. "Nung" (/noong/) means "inner" (referring to "inner body") and "seng" means "purification" or "cleansing" in Classical Meitei.
Nungjeng Apicha
Literally meaning "smaller Nungseng / Nungjeng" in Classical Meitei, this small square pond is a sacred water body, at the southwestern corner of the Nungjeng Eekon.
Biodiversity Park
Literally meaning "Women’s garden of fruits" in Meitei language, in this fruit orchard, 700 indigenous fruit-bearing tree saplings were planted in the year 2019.
This garden is easily recognisable with the circular passage ways adoring its entirety. It lies to the south of the Nura Heikol (Biodiversity Park) and to the west of the Kangla Museum.
This garden consists of 4 square areas, each consisting of 4 square flower beds. On its adjacent western side, the Kangla Cafeteria is situated.
This holy shrine dedicated to Meitei water God Wangpulen (Wangbren) displays various sculptures and idols of many deities, mythological creatures and several cultural artefacts.
Royal Residence / Citadel
This old fortified palace compound is partially in demolished state. Its eastern and southern walls are still standing today. It covers a square shaped area of 600 x 600 feet enclosed by brick walls of 14 to 20 feet in heights.
It is a Heritage Park dedicated to the Meitei people and is also known as Meitei Heritage Park. It is located at the southern side of the Pakhangba Temple and the Hijagang (Boatyard), inside the Kangla.
This garden also houses several medicinal plants. It should not be confused with the Kangla Herbal Garden, which is also situated inside the Kangla.
Manglen of Ningthou Bodhchandra
It is the place where the mortal remains of Meitei King Bodhchandra (Bodhachandra), the last ruler of sovereign state of Manipur Kingdom, were consumed with flames on the 9th December, 1955.
of Ningthou Nara Singh
It is the place where the mortal remains of Meitei King Nara Singh were consumed with flames.
International and indigenous Meitei foods and drinks are available here.
Kangla Information Centre and Gift Shop
This museum cum information center cum shop houses large collection of mementoes, related to ancient, medieval and modern Meitei culture. As the name suggests, besides providing its visitors the information about the Kangla, it also sells many items, especially artefacts, related to the Kangla primarily and related to the overall Meitei culture secondarily.
To get into the Kangla, there are three major gateways available, the Western Gate, the Southern Gate and the Northern Gate. Historically, the Eastern Gate was also functional.
Read in the guideTo get around the Kangla, visitors can walk by feet or can hire either a bicycle or a three/four wheeler vehicle.
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Imphal · International · IMF
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