Evolution of Meitei Society

Evolution of Meitei Society

Author Name : Jayshree Singha

ABSTRACT A subgroup of the Meitei ethnic group is native to mainland Manipur, one of India's northeastern states. The Meitei as ethnic group was not limited only in Manipur they settle in different parts of the country or the neighboring country such as Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh etc. The area was given the name Manipur, which means "the land of the Gems," after Meitei was converted to Hinduism through the use of Sanskrit. According to the R. Brown the country was known as “Maithi Laipak” Maithi is equal to the Meitei and Leipak means Country which means the country of Meitei. It was during the reign of the king Pamheiba in the 18th century the state came to be known as Manipur. The confederacy was formed by the union of seven clans viz; Ningthouja, Angom, Khuman, Luwang, Kha-nganba, Moirang and Sarang-Leishanthem. The drastic changes or evolution in Meitei society can be seen after the sanskritization of Meitei into Hinduisim during the reign of Garib Nawaz, the king of Manipur brought the major turning point in the social norms of Meitei. The Patriarchal system became very rigid. Polygamy system of marriage was prevalent among the ruling family. But the majority common people were monogamous. The Meiteis, residing in and outside of Manipur, adhere to same marital traditions and laws. The assimilation of vaishnavism in Meitei society led the further changes in the social norms of Meitei. The castism also becomes very prominent in the society.