Nara Singh

Nara Singh
King of Manipur
Portrait by RKCS.
King of Manipur
Reign	8 February 1844 – 11 April 1850
Coronation	22 November 1844
Predecessor	Chandra Kirti
Successor	Maharaja Devendra Singh
Regent	9 January 1834- 8 February 1844
Born	1792 Sagolband Maputhou Mantri Leikai, Imphal
Died	(1850-04-11)April 11, 1850 Kangla Palace, Imphal
Consort	Maharani Daseshori, Wahengbam Chanu Rashmi, Haikrujam Malika, Achom Khemeshori, Nongmaithem Chandrabala, Maibam Dhanapati, Wangambam Neleshori and others
Issue	Bogendra, grandfather of Maharaja Sir Churchand Singh, Natendra, Angou Senapati, Haochao, Sana Barachaoba, Panganton, Puskar, Sana Uriba, Sana Megajing,ThebaIrendra, Ningtek Sana,Princess Yumshangbi, Princess Chaonu, Princess nongthonbi, Princess Thokchom Ongbi, Princess Konusana, Princess Wangol sana, Princess Chaobiton, Princess Chaobiton and others
Full name Meetingu Lairen Nonglen Sendreng Manik Khomba
House	Ningthouja
Father	Maharaja Badra Singh
Mother	Queen Loitongbam Chanu Premlata

Nara Singh, (1792 - April 11, 1850) also known as Chingthanglen Pamheiba and Meetingu Lairen Nonglen Sendreng Manik Khomba, was a ruler of the Kingdom of Manipur. He ruled first as regent from 1834 to 1844 and then as king for a period of six years from 1844 to 1850. His subjects called him ‘Eningthou Nungsiba’ or ‘our beloved king.’

Nara Singh was a son of King Badra Singh ( r.April 1825 –June 1825 ) and Queen Loitongbam Chanu Premlata and the great grandson of Emperor Pamheiba, popularly known as Garibniwaz ( r.1709-1748 ). He was born at Sangolbal Moirang Leirak, Imphal, Manipur. According to the Cheitharol Kumbaba his father Badra Singh was holding several posts including that of Yaiskul Lakpa (minister) during the reign of Bhagyachandra (r.1763-1799 ). For his involvement in a conspiracy against the king Badra Singh was exiled to Cachar in 1796 . In 1819, Manipur was occupied by the Burmese forces. During this period all the princes of Manipur took shelter in the kingdom of Cachar. Many princes like Herachandra and Yumjaotaba tried to liberate Manipur; some obliging princes were appointing the king of Manipur under Burmese sovereignty. Badra Singh’s son Jadu Singh (r.1823), Jadu Singh’s son Raghov Singh ( r.1823-24) and Badra Singh himself ( r.1825) were puppet rulers of Burmese occupied Manipur. Though his father, his elder brother and his nephew became puppet rulers, Nara Singh was not involved in the scramble for the throne of Manipur. He was taking shelter in Cachar. And he supported the cause of his second cousin Gambhir Singh in negotiating with the British for the liberation of Cachar and Manipur.

Nara Singh appeared in the History of Manipur as the commanding Officer of the Gambhir Singh levy, popularly known as Manipur Levy, which was the most effective force to defeat the Burmese in Cachar and Manipur.Nara Singh got an allowance of Rs. 100 per month from the Government of British India during the First Anglo-Burmese War ( 1824–1826). He showed his military skill and courage in the war of liberation. The Manipur Levy liberated Manipur in June 1825. The last battle of the war of independence was fought at Tamu in December and January 1826. Nara Singh played a vital role in saving the Meitei by inflicting a crushing defeat on the Burmese armies and driving them beyond the historic Ningthi river. The article no. 2 of the Treaty of Yandaboo, which concluded the First Anglo-Burmese War, declared Gambhir Singh as the independent ruler of Manipur.