Senbi Kiyamba (Old Manipuri: Senpi Kiyampa) (1467–1508) was a Meitei monarch and a ruler of Kangleipak kingdom (Manipur kingdom). He was the son of Medingu Ningthou Khomba and his warrior queen Leima Linthoingambi. Born Thangwai Ningthouba, he succeeded his father at the age of 24.[1] He took the name Kiyamba meaning "Conqueror of Kyang", after conquering the Shan kingdom in the Kabaw Valley in alliance with King Choupha Khe Khomba of Pong in 1470.[2][3]

Senbi Kiyamba
(Old Manipuri: Senpi Kiyampa)
Ningthou, Meidingu of Kangleipak (Manipur)
"Senpi Kiyampa" (Ancient Meitei name) and "Senbi Kiyamba" (Modern Meitei name) of the Meitei king, the ruler of Kangleipak kingdom (Manipur kingdom)
Coronation1467
PredecessorNingthou Khomba
SuccessorKoirengba
BornThangwai Ningthouba
1443
Died1508
Names
Meidingu Lairel Senbi Kiyamba
HouseNingthouja dynasty
FatherNingthou Khomba
MotherLeima Linthoingambi
ReligionMeitei religion (Sanamahism)

Pheiya

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In celebration of their victory over Kyang, the King of Pong presented Kiyamba with a golden box containing a stone known as Pheiya (Almighty).[4] Kiyamba built a brick temple in the capital Lamangdong, 27 kilometres (17 miles) south of Imphal, in 1475 for the sacred stone. During this period, Bramins migrated to Manipur.[5] Legend states that a Brahmin identified Pheiya as Vishnu and said that good fortune would come to the king and kingdom if rice boiled in cow's milk was offered to the deity.[6] Lamangdong was subsequently named Bishnupur (Abode of Vishnu) in honour of the temple.

Edicts and inscriptions

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The royal chronicle Cheitharol Kumbaba dates from this time and is one of the primary texts in the Meitei script. Kiyamba's royal edicts have been found in the script in a stone inscription at Khoibu in Tengnoupal district.[7]

Cheithaba

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In 1485, Kiyamba introduced a system for counting years called Cheithaba, by which each year is named for a person who would take responsibility for the suffering of the kingdom during that year.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Rajkumar Jhalajit Singh (1965). A Short History of Manipur. Imphal: O.K. Store.
  2. ^ Phanjoubam Tarapot (2007). Bleeding Manipur. New Delhi: Har Anand Publications. p. 100. ISBN 9788124109021.
  3. ^ G.G. Mirchandani (1973). Reporting India. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. p. 170. ISBN 9780883865910.
  4. ^ Keerti Chand Tensuba (1993). Genesis of Indian Tribes: An Approach to the History of Meiteis and Thais. New Delhi: Inter-India Publications. ISBN 9788121003087.
  5. ^ Takhellambam Debachand Singh (April 2014). "Phonological System of Medieval Manipuri". Language in India. 14 (4): 58.
  6. ^ P. Lalit. "A Brief History (Puwari) of the Meiteis of Manipur". The Resource Centre for Indian Language Technology Solutions.
  7. ^ Michael Everson (20 September 2006). "Preliminary Proposal for Encoding the Meithei Mayek Script in the BMP of the UCS" (PDF). Unicode.
  8. ^ Wahengbem Ibohal Singh (1986). The History of Manipur: An Early Period. Imphal: Manipur Commercial Co. p. 34.
Preceded by Meidingu of Manipur
1467-1508
Succeeded by