User:Bakasuprman/BC

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ningthou Ching-Thang Khomba (also Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra, Jai Singh Maharaja) (1748 - 1799) was a Manipuri monarch of the 18th century CE. The inventor of the Ras Lila dance, he is a legendary figure in Manipur^[1], and much of his actions as King have been mythologized. He is also credit with spreading Vaishnavism in Manipur after his grandfather Pamheiba made Hinduism the official religion and for creating a unified Manipur^[2].

1 Early Years
2 Dealings with the East India Company
- 2.1 Literary Works
3 References
4 For use

[edit] Early Years

Maharaja Bhagya Chandra ascended to the reins on 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^[3] . In 1762, Manipur was attacked by the Burmese, assisted by the Chitsai. He, along with the Rani and a few loyal attendants fled to Assam, where they lived under the protection of the Ahom ruler, King Rajeswar Singha.

[edit] Life in Assam

Bhagya Chandra’s crafty uncle wrote a letter to 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 the refugee (Bhagya Chandra). King Rajeswar Singha was somewhat persuaded by this letter and began treating Bhagyachandra with suspicion.^[4]

In Manipuri legends, the real Bhagyachandra 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, Bhagyachandra while unarmed, was to catch and tame a wild elephant.

[edit] First Epiphany

Confronted with insurmountable odds, King Bhagyachandra prayed to Lord Govinda for guidance. Krishna 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.^[4]

The dream also stated that Bhagya Chandra would be the sole king of Manipur. Upon regaining the kingdom, he should install a Krishna murti. The Deity, Govinda, should be carved from a certain old jackfruit tree growing on the slopes of Kaina hill.

After installing the Deity, the Lord said, the king should arrange for the performance of a Rasa-Lila, in which Krishna would be worshiped with song and dance. Bhagya Chandra also recieved in this vision a complete, plan on how to execute the Ras Lila (dance) . ^[4]

[edit] The Test of Power

Bhagya Chandra entered the arena, donning the garland and japa he was instructed to in the vision. In the ensuing fight, the spectators noted that the elephant seemed to recoil as if it was being struck by a ghost. King Bhagya Chandra said that he saw "Lord Krishna as the mahout"^[4].

[edit] The Retaking of Manipur

After the duel, King Rajeswar Singha and Bhagya Chandra invaded Manipur and restored Bhagya Chandra to the Kingship. They defeated Chitsai's army in battle in 1765, and rooted out the last Burmese in 1773. In 1775 he established his capital at Bishenpur and carved the Govinda murti at the hill of Kaina. On January 11, 1779 he was "re-coronated" amid many performances of his now-popular Rasa Lila.^[3]

[edit] Dealings with the East India Company

In 1762 AD., the British and Manipur signed a bilateral treaty with Gaurisiam, which spelled that the British and Manipuris will encourage trade and commerce. The British gave necessary help for protection against the Burmese and Nagas. Manipur gave up a village for an East India Company post. The name "Manipur" (assigned by the British for Ching-Thang's kingdom) for what was called "Meitrabak" came into being in 1774 C.E. in which the Governor General of India Mr. Rendel, surveyed the area westward from Ningthi to Cachar and Northward from Chittagong to the Brahmaputra and renamed it.^[3]. Under the influence of Bengali missionaries, he also started the tradition of Sankirtan in Manipur^[5]