The inhabitants are predominantly of Mongolic stock and speak Tibeto-Burmese languages. The majority are Hindu Methei, with Naga (25%) and Kuki (15%) tribespeople making up the remainder of the population. Long-standing animosity between Nagas and Kukis has resulted in hundreds of deaths. Nagas have declared their goal is to extend the state of Nagaland to include Manipur and the two other bordering states, as well as a portion of Myanmar.
The raja of Manipur signed (1762) a treaty of protection with the British, who provided forces against invading Burmese. The area was administered from Assam state until 1947, when it became independent as British rule ended in India. In 1949, however, the raja signed under pressure an accession agreement with India, and Manipur became a territory under the direct control of the central government of India. Manipur became a state in 1972. It is governed by a chief minister and cabinet responsible to an elected unicameral legislature and by a governor appointed by the president of India.
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- Imphal
Imphal, city (1991 pop. 202,839), capital of Manipur state, NE India, in the Manipur River valley, 2,500 ft (762 m) above sea level. Industries include weaving and the manufacture of metalware...
- Surma
Surma, river, 320 mi (515 km) long, rising in the Manipur hills, NE India, and flowing generally W through the Surma valley, where the river is dispersed into numerous streams; rejoined at the...
- Nagaland
Nagaland, state (2001 provisional pop. 1,988,686), 6,365 sq mi (16,485 sq km), NE India. It is a wild, forested, and undeveloped region bounded by Myanmar on the east and the Indian states of ...
- Mizoram
Mizoram, state (2001 provisional pop. 891,058), c.8,000 sq mi (20,720 sq km), NE India, in the Mizo Hills, bordered on the east and south by Myanmar, on the west by Bangladesh and Tripura, on ...
- Assam
Assam, state (2001 provisional pop. 26,638,407), c.30,000 sq mi (77,700 sq km), extreme NE India. Dispur is the capital. Almost completely separated from India by Bangladesh, Assam is bordered...
- Tripura
Tripura, state (2001 provisional pop. 3,191,168), 4,036 sq mi (10,453 sq km), NE India, bordered by Bangladesh on the north, west, and south, and on the east by the states of Assam and Mizoram...
- polo
Polo, indoor or outdoor ball and goal game played on horseback. Two teams of four compete on a level, rectangular grass field that measures 200 by 300 yd (182.88 by 274.32 m). Safety zones sur...
- Myanmar
Myanmar or Burma, officially Union of Myanmar, republic (2005 est. pop. 42,909,000), 261,789 sq mi (678,033 sq km), SE Asia. It is bounded on the west by Bangladesh, India, and the Bay of Beng...
- India
India, officially Republic of India, republic (2005 est pop. 1,080,264,000), 1,261,810 sq mi (3,268,090 sq km), S Asia. The second most populous country in the world, it is also sometimes call...
