Manipur-Location

Manipur is a state in Northeastern India. It is bordered on the east by Myanmar, on the north by Nagaland state, on the west by Assam state, and on the south by Mizoram state. It is one of the smallest of India's states. There is only 9 districts in this state. It covers an area of 22,347 square kilometres (8,628 sq mi). The state lies between latitude 23.80º N to 25.68º N and longitude 93.03º E to 94.78º E.

The capital of Manipur is Imphal. The state is formed on January 21, 1972. Manipuri is the official language of the state. Manipur literally meaning "A jeweled land". It seems much like an exquisite work of art executed by superb hands of Nature and is indeed a state of exquisite natural beauty and splendors, the beauty of which once inspired Mrs. St. Clair Grimwood described it as " A Pretty Place more beautiful than many show places of the world" Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru paid a fitting tribute by describing it as "Jewel of India". It is surrounded by blue hills with an oval shaped valley at the centre, rich in art and tradition and surcharged with nature's pristine glory. Manipur lies on a melting pot of culture. It is birth place of Polo. This is the place where Rajashree Bhagyachandra created the famous Ras Lila, the classical dance of Manipur, out of his enchanting dream by the grace of Lord Krishna. Her folk dances reveal the mythological concept of creation of Manipur.

Manipur has a varied and proud history from the earliest times. It came under the British rule after the First Anglo Manipuri war of 1891. In this war, many great heroes of Manipur laid down their lives. Major General Paona Brajabashi died fighting the British Army in the battle of Khongjom. The British then captured Imphal and had General Thangal and Yuvraj (Prince) Tekendrajit hanged.

After India became independent on August 15, 1947; the Manipur Constitution Act, 1947 established a democratic form of Government with the Maharaja as the Executive Head and a legislature constituted by election on adult franchise. This legislative assembly functioned till it was dissolved on the integration of the state with the Dominion of India in October, 1949. Manipur achieved full statehood on January 21, 1972.

Agriculture, which provides the livelihood for 70 percent of Manipuris, and forestry dominate the economy. Rice is the principal crop, maize (corn), sugarcane, pulses. Major industrial town is Imphal.