Imphal

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Imphal City
—  capital  —
Kangla Gate, Imphal
Imphal is located in Manipur
Imphal City
Coordinates: 24°49′N 93°57′E / 24.82°N 93.95°E / 24.82; 93.95Coordinates: 24°49′N 93°57′E / 24.82°N 93.95°E / 24.82; 93.95
Country  India
State Manipur
District Imphal West, Imphal East
Elevation 786 m (2,579 ft)
Population (2011 census)
 • Total 264,986
Languages
 • Official Meiteilon (Manipuri)
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 795xxx
Telephone code 3852
Website www.imphalwest.nic.in

Imphal City (/ˈɪmpəl/, About this sound Imphal.ogg ) is the capital of the Indian state of Manipur.

The ruins of the old Palace of Kangla are located in the heart of the town, surrounded by a moat. Kangla Fort used to be the home of the paramilitary force, the Assam Rifles, until November 2004 when it was handed over to the state of Manipur by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The Polo Ground, which is the oldest remaining polo ground in the world, is another notable feature of the town.[citation needed] Near the Polo Ground is the Manipur State Museum, which has a collection of old artifacts and pictures depicting the history of Manipur. 'Ima Keithel' at Khwairamband Bazar is the only market in the world where, as the name suggests(Ima-Mother, Keithel-Market), all the stalls are run by women.[citation needed]

In 1944, during World War II, the Battle of Imphal and the Battle of Kohima were the turning points in the Burma Campaign. For the first time in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II, the Japanese lost the initiative to the Allies who retained it until the end of the war.[citation needed]

On 18 June 1997, the Imphal district was split into Imphal East and Imphal West.

Contents

History [edit]

Early History [edit]

Originally ruled by King Khaba, the throne of Imphal was later ceded by the Pakhangba leaders. It was here that the powerful clan of Ningthouja tribe originated. With time, the Ningthouja tribe expanded their dominion over the land and emerged as one of the most influential groups in the field of politics and warfare. The Kangla palace, which is the pride of Manipur, was built by King Khagemba and his son Khunjaoba but was later destroyed by the British during the Anglo-Manipuri War. During the reign of Maharaja Bhagyachandra, the region witnessed several Burmese invasions. However, with the help of Maharaj Gambhir Singh and the forces of Manipur, Kangla was liberated from the incursion of the Burmese army.

British Rule [edit]

The region remained peaceful until the intrusion of the British officials in 1891. Due to the internal differences between the members of the royal family, the British decided to intervene and sort out the problem by sending Mr. J.W. Quinton to negotiate the matter. However, matters grew worse, and Senapati Tikendrajit had to be banished from the capital. This in turn led to the first Anglo-Manipur war in 1891. The undeclared autocratic rule over the Manipur by the British angered the local people. In the following year, the Anglo-Manipur war broke out between the British and the Manipuri commander in chief. The English forces attacked the palace and gunned down the walls of the Kangal fort. After the capture of the state in 1891, Manipur remained as a part of the British rule until Indian Independence.

Geography and climate [edit]

Imphal
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
12
 
25
1
 
 
31
 
27
3
 
 
92
 
31
6
 
 
133
 
32
12
 
 
159
 
33
15
 
 
225
 
33
19
 
 
223
 
32
20
 
 
195
 
32
20
 
 
147
 
32
18
 
 
112
 
31
12
 
 
46
 
29
6
 
 
15
 
25
2
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: IMD

Imphal is the capital of Manipur, located at 24°49′N 93°57′E / 24.82°N 93.95°E / 24.82; 93.95.[1] It has an average elevation of 786 metres (2578 feet). It is located in the extreme east of India.

Imphal has a humid subtropical climate, with cool, dry winters, a warm summer and a moderate monsoon season. July is the hottest month with temperatures averaging around 32 °C (90 °F), while January is the coldest with average lows near 4 °C (40 °F). The city gets about 1320 mm (52 inches) of rain, with June being the wettest month.

Climate data for Imphal
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 24.8
(76.6)
27.0
(80.6)
30.8
(87.4)
32.1
(89.8)
32.8
(91)
32.5
(90.5)
31.8
(89.2)
31.9
(89.4)
32.1
(89.8)
31.1
(88)
28.5
(83.3)
24.8
(76.6)
33.5
(92.3)
Average low °C (°F) 0.6
(33.1)
2.8
(37)
6.4
(43.5)
11.7
(53.1)
14.6
(58.3)
18.5
(65.3)
19.8
(67.6)
19.5
(67.1)
17.7
(63.9)
11.7
(53.1)
6.0
(42.8)
1.8
(35.2)
0.8
(33.4)
Precipitation mm (inches) 11.7
(0.461)
30.8
(1.213)
91.6
(3.606)
132.7
(5.224)
158.6
(6.244)
224.9
(8.854)
222.8
(8.772)
194.8
(7.669)
147.3
(5.799)
111.5
(4.39)
46.0
(1.811)
15.1
(0.594)
1,387.7
(54.634)
Source: IMD

Landmarks of Imphal [edit]

Shree Govindajee Temple [edit]

This place was considered to be the highest place for any cultural activity during the times of the Maharajas. Located at a place near the Royal palace of past Maharajas, it has two domes and a raised congregation hall to keep the sacred deities in their place, aloof and high.

War Cemeteries [edit]

The cemeteries are the seats of remembrance for the British and Indian soldiers who fought and died in the Second World War.

Women's market or Ima Keithel in Imphal

Women's Market or Ima Keithel [edit]

The market stalls are all run by women, and it is reported as being the only such market in the world.[2]

Transport [edit]

Air [edit]

Imphal Airport is located 8km south of the city.[3]

Railways [edit]

In October 2012, India's Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure approved the extension of the Jiribam-Silchar railway link up to Imphal. The extended railway link is expected to reach Imphal by March 2016.[4]

Demographics [edit]

As of 2001,[5] Imphal West had a population of 439,532. Population is split up evenly between men and women, each constituting 50% of the population. Imphal has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84% and female literacy is 74%. In Imphal, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Imphal
  2. ^ "Ima Keithel – A market by women". She. msn. Retrieved 25 November 2012. 
  3. ^ "Imphal". Airports Authority of India. Retrieved 25 November 2012. 
  4. ^ "Govt approves rail link to Imphal". The Indian Express. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012. 
  5. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 

External links [edit]