The city of Imphal is the capital of the Indian state of Manipur. The ruins of the Palace
of Kangla, the royal seat of the erstwhile Kingdom of Manipur, are in the city centre,
surrounded by a moat. Kangla Fort was home to the paramilitary Assam Rifles until November
2004, when it was transferred to the state of Manipur by Former Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh. The city's Polo Ground is the world's oldest surviving polo ground in the world.
Near the Polo Ground is the Manipur State Museum, with a collection of artifacts and
pictures depicting the city's history. Ima Keithel at Khwairamband Bazar is the only
market in the world with all its stalls run by women.
In 1944, the battles of Imphal and Kohima were the turning points of the Burma Campaign.
For the first time in the southeast Asian theatre, the Japanese lost the initiative
to the Allies,. On 18 June 1997, the Imphal District was divided into Imphal East and
Imphal West.
History Early history
Originally ruled by King Khaba, the throne of Imphal was later ceded by the Pakhangba
leaders. It was here that the Ningthouja dynasty originated. The Ningthouja people expanded
their influence in politics and warfare. The Kangla Palace, built by King Khagemba and
his son Khunjaoba, was destroyed by the British during the Anglo-Manipuri War. During the
reign of Maharaja Bhagyachandra, the region experienced several Burmese invasions; however,
with the help of Gambhir Singh and the Manipur army, Kangla was liberated from the Burmese
forces. British rule
The region remained peaceful until British officials arrived in 1891. Taking advantage
of internal differences among the royal family, the British sent J. W. Quinton to negotiate.
The situation worsened; Senapati Tikendrajit was banished from the capital, which led to
the first Anglo-Manipur war. Britain's undeclared rule over Manipur angered the local population.
In 1892, the second Anglo-Manipur war broke out between the British and forces led by
the Manipuri commander-in-chief. The British attacked the palace, and gunned down the walls
of Kangal Fort. After its capture, Manipur remained a part of British India until independence
in 1947. Geography and climate
Imphal is located at 24.82°N 93.95°E﻿ / 24.82; 93.95 in extreme eastern India, with
an average elevation of 786 metres. It has a humid subtropical climate with mild, dry
winters and a hot monsoon season. July temperatures average about 29 °C; January is the coldest
month, with average lows near 4 °C. The city receives about 1,320 mm of rain, with
June the wettest month. The highest recorded temperature was 35.6 °C, most recently in
May 22, 2009, and the lowest average temperature was −2.7 °C in January 10, 1970.
Landmarks of Imphal Kangla
Kangla Fort is on the banks of the Imphal River, and is also known as the Palace of
Kangla. Kangla means "dry land" in the Meitei language. The fort was the palace of King
Pakhangba, and also has religious significance. In the fort are a number of temples, and it
is surrounded on three sides by a lake. Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple Complex
A religious site and a tourist attraction, the temple complex is noted for its annual
Durga Puja festival in September or October. Jama Masjid
A holy place for Muslims in Imphal, it is the only mosque in the Imphal market. Other
major mosques in Imphal are the Porompat Mosque, the Hatta Jama Masjid, the Golapati Masjid
and the Babupura Masjid. Shree Govindajee Temple
The temple was considered the apex of cultural activity during the reign of the Maharajas.
Near the palace, it has two domes and a raised congregation hall.
Imphal War Cemetery
This cemetery remembers British and Indian soldiers who fought and died in the Second
World War. Women's Market
The market stalls are all run by women, and it is reportedly the only such market in the
world.
ISKCON Temple The ISKCON Temple is near the road from Imphal
Airport to the city. ANDRO
Andro village is located about 25 km east of Imphal. The drive is picturesque, the road
winding through mountains, fields and pineapple orchards
Transport Road
Imphal is connected by road to Silchar via National Highway 37, to Aizwal via National
Highway 150 and to Dimapur and Tumu in Myanmar via National Highway AH-1. Other main roads
in Imphal are the Uripok-Kangchup road, the RIMS road, the Nagamapal-Thangmeiband road,
the Mayai-lambi road, Palace Compound road, Dingku Road and the JNIMS Hospital road. Private
taxis and city buses are in regular service as urban transport.
Air
Imphal International Airport is 8 kilometres south of the city. It is the third-largest
airport in northeast India, with postal air-cargo service six days a week. A new terminal building
with cold-storage facilities is planned. Air India, IndiGo, Jet Airways, Air India Regional,
JetKonnect and North East Shuttle offer service to major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata and
Guwahati and regional airports such as Agartala, Silcher, Aizawl and Jorhat. Connections with
Rangoon and Mandalay, Myanmar and Bangkok, Thailand are planned. The airport accesses
the city centre via the Imphal Churachandpur State Highway.
Rail In October 2012, India's Cabinet Committee
on Infrastructure approved an extension of the Jiribam-Silchar railway to Imphal. The
extension is expected to reach the city by March 2016. The Manipur government will provide
security to the project during construction. Demographics
According to the 2011 Indian census, Imphal's population was 264,986. The population of
the metropolitan area was 414,288. The number of literate people in the city was 219,261.
Imphal's literacy rate averaged 91.70 percent. The city's sex ratio was 1,055 women for every
1,000 men. The sex ratio for children was 939 girls to 1,000 boys. There was a total
of 25,877 children from birth to age six in Imphal, 9.77 percent of the city's total population.
The Imphal metropolitan area is made up of Bijoy Govinda, Chingangbam Leikai, Imphal,
Khongman, Khurai Sajor Leikai, Kiyamgei, Kongkham Leikai, Laipham Siphai, Lairikyengbam Leikai,
Lamjaotongba, Lamshang, Langjing, Langthabal Kunja, Langthabal Mantrikhong, Lilong, Lilong,
Naorem Leikai, Naoria Pakhanglakpa, Oinam Thingel, Porompat, Porompat Plan Area, Sagolband,
Takyel Mapal, Thongju and Torban. Education
Universities Manipur Central University
Central Agricultural University Colleges
D.M. College G.P. Women's College
Imphal College Technical colleges
Manipur Institute of Technology National Institute of Technology, Manipur
Medical colleges Regional Institute of Medical Sciences
Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Science Conference halls
GM Hall BOAT Imphal
City Convention Centre MFDC Hall
References
External links Imphal West
Imphal East