Ching-Thang Khomba | |
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King of Manipur | |
King of Manipur | |
Reign | 1759-1762, 1763 - 1798 |
Coronation | 7th Sajibu, 1759 |
Predecessor | Maramba |
Successor | Labeinya Chandra |
Born | 13th Poinu 1748 Janmasthan Moirangkhom, Imphal |
Died | 1798 Murshidabad, West Bengal |
Spouse | Akham Chanu Bhanumati |
Issue |
Labeinya Chandra Madhuchandra Tulsijit Chaurajit Marjit Daoji Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba |
House | House of Karta |
Dynasty | Mangang dynasty |
Father | Shyamjai Khurailakpa |
Mother | Wahengbam Chanu Chakha Loikhombi |
Kingdom of Manipur | |
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Part of History of Manipur | |
Kings of Manipur | |
Pamheiba | 1720-1751 |
Gaurisiam | 1752-1754 |
Chitsai | 1754-1756 |
Ching-Thang Khomba | 1769-1798 |
Rohinchandra | 1798-1801 |
Maduchandra Singh | 1801-1806 |
Chourjit Singh | 1806-1812 |
Marjit Singh | 1812-1819 |
Gambhir Singh | 1825-1834 |
Raja Nara Singh | 1844-1850 |
Debindro Singh | 1850 |
Chandrakirti Singh | 1850-1886 |
Raja Surchandra | 1886-1890 |
Kulachandra Singh | 1890-1891 |
Churachandra Singh | 1891-1941 |
Bodhchandra Singh | 1941-1949 |
Manipur monarchy data | |
Ningthouja dynasty (Royal family) | |
Pakhangba (Symbol of the kingdom) | |
Cheitharol Kumbaba (Royal chronicle) | |
Imphal (Capital of the kingdom) | |
Kangla Palace (Royal residence) | |
Ningthou Ching-Thang Khomba (also Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra, Jai Singh Maharaja) (1748–1799) was a Meitei monarch of the 18th century CE. The inventor of the Ras Lila dance, he is a legendary figure in Manipur, and much of his actions as King had been mythologized. He is also credited with spreading Vaishnavism in Manipur State after his grandfather Pamheiba made Hinduism the official religion and for creating a unified Manipur.
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 Ahom (modern-day Assam), where they lived under the protection of the Ahom ruler, Rajeswar Singha.
Bhagya Chandra’s crafty uncle wrote a letter to the Ahom king Rajeswar Singha saying that the person taking refuge at his court was not the true Bhagya Chandra. The uncle advised Rajeswar Singha to get rid of him. King Rajeswar Singha was somewhat persuaded by this letter and began treating Bhagya Chandra with suspicion.
In Meitei legends, the real Bhagya Chandra was said to have supernatural powers. To see whether the usurper was correct, King Rajeswar Singha designed a test at the behest of his court. In a public arena, Bhagya Chandra, while unarmed, was to catch and tame a wild elephant.
Confronted with insurmountable odds, King Bhagyachandra prayed to Lord Govinda (Krishna) for guidance. Govinda 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.