The Sana Konung (Meitei: ꯁꯅꯥ ꯀꯣꯅꯨꯡ, romanized: sa-naa ko-noong, lit. '"Golden Palace" or "Royal Palace"') is the royal palace of the rulers of Manipur and their present-day descendants. After the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War, the British took over the Kangla Palace, and Sana Konung was built as the new royal residence, first occupied by Maharaja Churachand Singh in 1908.[1][2]
Construction
editThe palace was commissioned in 1904–05, and the building materials are said to have costed Rs. 12,853. The structure occupied 56 by 31.3 metres area. The palace was designed on a mixed pattern of Mongol, Hindu and English architectures. It was completed in 1908.[2]
The neighbouring Shree Govindajee Temple was also constructed at the same time and was considered as being part of the palace complex.[2]
History
editAfter Churachand Singh, the Konung palace became the official residence of his successors Bodhchandra Singh, Okendrajit Singh and Leishemba Sanajaoba. The abolition of privy purses by the Government of India in 1971 caused loss of income to the-then titular king Okendrajit Singh, and led him to sell off much of the land surrounding the palace. The Government of Manipur argued that high-rise buildings had gotten constructed in the area, causing it to lose its traditional character. In 2013, the government proposed to take over the palace and turn it into a museum. However, protests in Imphal and Ukhrul led it to backtrack.[1][3][2][4]
Present status
editAt present, under titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba, Manipur's "independence day" on 14 August is celebrated by hoisting the red flag decorated with the image of Pakhangba (the legendary ancestor and a Meitei deity).[5] The palace serves as the centre of celebrations of traditional Meitei festival Mera Hou Chongba.[6] It is also a hub of activity for protests against the merger of Manipur into India. During the 2015 protests, the Coalition for Indigenous Rights Campaign (CIRCA) held its main function at the palace and hoisted the indigenous flag half mast.[7] The titular king as well gave speeches demanding the "pre-merger status" for Manipur and claimed that the demand was not "against the nation".[8] In recent years, the oath-taking ceremonies for Arambai Tenggol cadres have been held at the palace.[9][10] In January 2024, the Union Home Ministry officials came to meet the Arambai Tenggol activists, for a meeting held at the palace near the "base of the royal flag".[11] The office of Meitei Leepun is also listed as Sana Konung.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b Andrew Buncombe, Modern India takes on the King of Manipur over his royal palace, Independent, 25 June 2013.
- ^ a b c d R. K. Lakhi Kant (21 March 2020), "The Sana Konung – An Emotional Connect with Manipur's Past", Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
- ^ "Manipur king fasts against palace eviction move". BBC News. 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ Esha Roy, Rajya Sabha nominations: Manipur BJP candidate has early links with RSS, The Indian Express, 12 March 2020. ProQuest 2376034239
- ^ Manipur's Independence Day celebrated Leishemba Sanajaoba demands pre-merger status for Manipur, Imphal Times, 14 August 2018.
- ^ Manipuris still celebrate ascension of its 33 AD King, The Hindustan Times, 4 November 2025. ProQuest 471165302
- ^ Bandh against merger deal paralyzes Imphal, The Times of India, 23 September 2015. ProQuest 1714395078
- ^ Manipur's Independence Day celebrated Leishemba Sanajaoba demands pre-merger status for Manipur, Imphal Times, 14 August 2018.
- ^ Deeptiman Tiwary, Decode Politics: Who are Arambai Tenggol, the group at whose beckoning Manipur Meitei MLAs came rushing, The Indian Express, 27 January 2024.
- ^ ARAMBAI TENGGOL, THE MILITIA BEHIND THE VIOLENCE IN MANIPUR, 16 May 2023. via Facebook account of Sinlung Suok-Hmar, 27 May 2023.
- ^ MHA team meets Arambai Tenggol chief, Imphal Free Press, 24 January 2024.
- ^ Court orders non-bailable arrest warrant to Meitei Leepun chief Pramot, directs Churachandpur SP for timely execution of order, The Hills Journal, 13 October 2023.
External links
edit- Arambam Noni (27 August 2013). "Breach of Faith with the Princes From 1949 to Sana Konung Take over". The Sangai Express – via e-pao.net.
- https://www.thenortheasttoday.com/amp/story/current-affairs/states/manipur/manipur-govt-to-build-guesthouse-to-accommodate-tribal-chiefs-on-their-visit-to-imphal[permanent dead link]
- https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2020/6/17/RNCM-and-others-visit-Sana-Konung-offer-blessing-to-titular-king-.html