Yumjaotaba
| Yumjaotaba Pitamber | |
|---|---|
| King of Manipur | |
| Reign | 1820-1821 |
| Coronation | 1820 |
| Predecessor | Herachandra |
| Successor | Gambhir Singh |
| Born | 1790 Manipur |
| Died | 1834 Manipur |
| Issue | Ripujit |
| House | House of Karta |
| Dynasty | Ningthouja dynasty |
| Father | Madhuchandra |
| Religion | Hinduism |
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| Part of History of Manipur. Ruled by Ningthouja dynasty. The Kingdom started in 1100 AD. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yumjaotaba, also known as Keiphasana, Nawol Singh, Pitamber was the son of Meitei King Madhuchandra, the second son of King Bhagyachandra.[1]
Reign
Yumjaotaba ascended to the throne of Manipur in 1820 during the period known as the Chahi Taret Khuntakpa.[2] It is believed that he was sent by his uncle, Chourjit Singh, during the Burmese annexation of Manipur, with the intention of assassinating his other uncles, Gambhir Singh and Nara Singh[3][4]
The Complex Political Environment
The internal struggles among the princes, compounded by the Burmese invasion, created a complex political environment in which Yumjaotaba's loyalty and actions remain debated in historical narratives.[4][5]
Attempt to Liberate Manipur
While the main resistance to the Burmese invasion was led by Gambhir Singh and the Manipur Levy with British support during the First Anglo-Burmese War, Yumjaotaba’s brief reign reflects the internal divisions and unstable leadership that marked Manipur’s struggle for independence.[6][7]
War tactics
Yumjaotaba, along with 800 guerrillas, 50 horses, and 12 guns, collaborated with his cousin Herachandra in a strategy to trap the Burmese general Kanewoon. As part of their plan, Yumjaotaba gathered rice for the Burmese forces stationed at Sekmai. In a case of mistaken belief, the Burmese authorities, thinking Yumjaotaba had defeated Herachandra, rewarded him with 40 horses, 20 guns, and two gilded swords. However, Yumjaotaba and his guerrillas had already successfully eliminated 200 Burmese soldiers at Heiyen. They positioned themselves strategically, spanning from Uchiwa Khundon to Heiyel near Loktak Lake, where they continued to eliminate Burmese forces at Chaobok.[8][9]
Symbolism of Yumjaotaba's Ascension
Yumjaotaba's role during the Burmese annexation is often eclipsed by the military and political leadership of his uncles, but his accession to the throne represents a sliver of the kingdom's attempt to keep an indigenous identity through foreign occupation.[5][4][7]
Death
Yumjaotaba's death is unknown but, some sources claim that he died in 1834[4]
References
- ^ Parratt (historienne).), Saroj Nalini (2005). The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: The Cheitharon Kumpapa : Original Text, Translation and Notes. Jain Book Shop Publication. ISBN 978-81-939548-5-0.
- ^ Sharma, Gourachandra. Gambhir Singh Chahi Taret Khuntakpa.
- ^ cbkwgl (2023-04-30). "Manipur". cbkwgl’s Newsletter. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ a b c d T.c. Hodson (1908). The Meitheis.
- ^ a b "History of Manipur | PDF". Scribd. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ Sharma, Gourachandra. Gambhir Singh Chahi Taret Khuntakpa.
- ^ a b "Seven Years Devastation 1819 1826 Book Review By James Oinam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
- ^ Sana, Raj Kumar Somorjit (2010). The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs: From 1666 CE to 1850 CE. Waikhom Ananda Meetei. ISBN 978-81-8465-210-9.