Kangla Eastern Gate
Kangla Nongpok Thong
Alternative namesNongpok Thong
EtymologyEastern Entrance Gate of the Kangla[1][2]
General information
Statusopen
TypeGate Bridge
Architectural styleMeitei architecture
ClassificationGate Bridge
LocationImphal River[3][4]
Addressfrontier between Imphal East district and Imphal West district
Town or cityImphal
Country
Named forKangla Nongpok Torban
Renovated2022-23
Demolished1891 Anglo Manipur War[5][6]
ClientKangla Fort Board (KFB)
OwnerGovernment of Manipur
AffiliationMeitei architecture
Height
ArchitecturalMeitei architecture
Design and construction
Architecture firmManipur Police Housing Corporation Limited (MPHC Ltd)
Developer
  • Imphal Smart City Limited (ISCL) (financing agent)
  • Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited (MPHC Ltd) (working agent)
Main contractorImphal Smart City Limited (ISCL)

The Kangla Nongpok Thong (Meitei for 'Kangla Eastern Gate'), shortly known as the Nongpok Thong (Meitei for 'Eastern Gate'), is the Eastern Gate Bridge[lower-alpha 1] of the Kangla Fort of Imphal, Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur').[9][10][11] With the re-opening of the modern Eastern Gate of the Kangla, the Kangla Western Gate (Meitei: Kangla Nongchup Thong) was closed forever, under the leadership of Nongthombam Biren, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, due to the traditional Meitei belief that the western gate is regarded as the gate of the dead and it is ominous to enter the Kangla through the western doorway.[12][13]

History

The antique Kangla Nongpok Thong was dismantled by the British Army after their victory in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 AD,[14] as the Assam Rifles was stationed inside the western side of the Kangla.[15][16]

Modern re-construction

During June 2019, a decision to reconstruct the old Kangla Nongpok Thong was taken in a meeting session of the Kangla Fort Board (KFB) with the Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the chair inside the premises of the Kangla Fort.[17]

The re-construction of the modern Kangla Nongpok Thong was done by the Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited (MPHC Ltd). It was financed by the Imphal Smart City Limited (ISCL).[18][19]

The timing of the reopening of the Nongpok Thong was expected to be around October of the year 2021, as planned by Chief minister Biren. But due to some reasons, it got delayed.[20]

Re-opening

On 6 January 2023, the Kangla Nongpok Thong was officially inaugurated by Amit Shah, the then Minister of Home Affairs of the Union Government of India.[21] Later, on 10 January 2023, Government of Manipur led by Chief minister Nongthombam Biren, handed the Eastern Gate over to the public of Manipur, in the presence of Leishemba Sanajaoba, after performing a religious ritual ceremony with the help of the Maibas (Meitei for 'priests') and Maibis (Meitei for 'priestesses').[22][23][24] On the occasion of inauguration, Nongthombam Biren, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, said:

"I had the honor to hand over and dedicate the Nongpok Thong on the eastern side of Kangla to the public today. The bridge to restore order, peace, harmony, and prosperity in the state has finally been opened."[25][26]
"We have a belief that there will be a feeling of oneness, peace, harmony, and prosperity in the state when we open the Nongpok-Thong (Eastern Gate) of Kangla. It will be remembered in the history of Manipur as the moment when the prophecy of Nongpok Thong Hangba was fulfilled."[27][28]
"The opening of Kangla Nongpok Thong has a very important cultural significance. This Eastern Gate of Kangla is considered to be the pathway to peace, prosperity and happiness for the people of Manipur.
As promised we have finally opened KANGLA NONGPOK THONG."[29][30][31]

— Nongthombam Biren[32]

On the same occasion, Narendra Modi, the then Prime minister of India, replied to Manipur Chief Minister's speech as:

"Congrats Manipur! May the spirit of peace, prosperity and happiness be enhanced across the state."

— Narendra Modi[33][34][35]

Development

According to the plans of Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren, the Nongpok Thong will be guarded by Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) policemen, wearing traditional Meitei uniforms, instead of modern formal ones, the Nongchup Thong (Western Kangla Gate) will be closed afterwards, vehicles will only be allowed to enter from the Northern Gate of the Kangla, the roadway from the Eastern Gate towards the office of the District collector (DC) of Imphal East district, will be made as a double lane one.[36][37][38]

Eviction

The Government of Manipur performed eviction of the illegal encroachers from the areas near the historic Kangla Nongpok Thong after its opening program. The departments concerned used heavy machinery to bring down many residential and commercial buildings built encroaching the place near the eastern-most area of the Kangla Nongpok Thong.[39]

Interpretation of the event

The incident of the reopening of the "Nongpok Thong" was mentioned in the old Meitei chronicles. In modern times, it is interpreted in many ways by many scholars. Among the various interpretations, one is that the reopening of the Nongpok Thong refers to the overturning colonial disruptions in Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur'). Another interpretation is that it refers to the opening of trade relations with Myanmar and other Southeast Asian nations.[40][41]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ In Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language), "Thong" (Meitei: ꯊꯣꯡ) may refer to door[7] or bridge.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Biren Singh hands over historic Kangla Nongpok Thong to people of Manipur - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  2. ↑ Correspondent (10 January 2023). "Manipur CM hands over eastern gate of historic Kangla Fort in Imphal". assamtribune.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  3. ↑ "Biren Singh hands over historic Kangla Nongpok Thong to people of Manipur - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  4. ↑ Correspondent (10 January 2023). "Manipur CM hands over eastern gate of historic Kangla Fort in Imphal". assamtribune.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  5. ↑ Editorial, Signpost (11 January 2023). "After Nongpok Thong of Kangla, next Eastern Gate of Kangla". Signpost News. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  6. ↑ "Nongpok Thong and Nongpokthong". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 13 January 2023. The references with regard to reopening of 'Nongpokthong' in our ancient chronicles has been interpreted in many ways in modern times among which opening of trade relations with Myanmar and Southeast Asia is one.
  7. ↑ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary ("thong" - door)". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  8. ↑ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary ("thong" - bridge)". dsal.uchicago.edu. University of Chicago. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  9. ↑ "Kangla Nongpok Thong opens to public". Pothashang News. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  10. ↑ "Manipur's Kangla Nongpok Thong reopens to public, Western gate to remain closed". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  11. ↑ S, Vangamla Salle K. (10 January 2023). "Manipur: Kangla Nongpok Thong in Imphal opens to public". EastMojo. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  12. ↑ "CM dedicates Kangla Nongpok Thong to public: 11th jan23 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 14 January 2023. While dedicating the Kangla Nongpok Thong to the public, the chief minister also informed that the Kangla Nongchup Thong (western gate) will be closed henceforth. He explained that according to Meetei's beliefs, the western gate is regarded as the gate of the dead and it is an omen to enter through the western gate or door. Considering the welfare of the Manipuri society, the state government in consultation with various experts and scholars of Manipur initiated the construction of the Kangla eastern gate and to close the Kangla Western gate forever. "Therefore, from today onwards, since the eastern gate has been opened for the public, the Western Gate will remain closed for all time".
  13. ↑ "CM dedicates Kangla Nongpok Thong to public: 11th jan23 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 14 January 2023. Speaking at the inaugural function which was organised by the State Archeology Department, the Chief Minister stated that the back door or western door is generally associated with death and misery as per Meitei worldview and beliefs. As such, many senior citizens and experts are of the opinion that it would not bode well for the public if the western gate of Kangla is used as the entrance and exit gate.
  14. ↑ K. Sarojkumar Sharma (9 January 2023). "Manipur Evicts Encroachers From Kangla Nongpok Thong". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  15. ↑ "After Nongpok Thong of Kangla, next Eastern Gate of Kangla". Signpost News. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  16. ↑ "Nongpok Thong and Nongpokthong". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 13 January 2023. The references with regard to reopening of 'Nongpokthong' in our ancient chronicles has been interpreted in many ways in modern times among which opening of trade relations with Myanmar and Southeast Asia is one.
  17. ↑ Samom, Sobhapati (9 June 2019). "Manipur government to reconstruct eastern bridge of Kangla Fort". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  18. ↑ S, Vangamla Salle K. (10 January 2023). "Manipur: Kangla Nongpok Thong in Imphal opens to public". EastMojo. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  19. ↑ "Kangla Nongpok Thong opens to public". Pothashang News. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  20. ↑ Usham, Joyshree. "NONGPOK-THONG IS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED BY OCT, 2021: CM BIREN - Impact TV - The Official Website". impacttv.in. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  21. ↑ "CM dedicates Kangla Nongpok Thong to public: 11th jan23 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 14 January 2023. Speaking at the inaugural function which was organised by the State Archeology Department, the Chief Minister stated that the back door or western door is generally associated with death and misery as per Meitei worldview and beliefs. As such, many senior citizens and experts are of the opinion that it would not bode well for the public if the western gate of Kangla is used as the entrance and exit gate.
  22. ↑ "Manipur's Kangla Nongpok Thong reopens to public, Western gate to remain closed". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  23. ↑ "Biren Singh hands over historic Kangla Nongpok Thong to people of Manipur - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  24. ↑ Correspondent (10 January 2023). "Manipur CM hands over eastern gate of historic Kangla Fort in Imphal". assamtribune.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  25. ↑ "Biren Singh hands over historic Kangla Nongpok Thong to people of Manipur - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  26. ↑ Correspondent (10 January 2023). "Manipur CM hands over eastern gate of historic Kangla Fort in Imphal". assamtribune.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  27. ↑ "Biren Singh hands over historic Kangla Nongpok Thong to people of Manipur - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  28. ↑ Correspondent (10 January 2023). "Manipur CM hands over eastern gate of historic Kangla Fort in Imphal". assamtribune.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  29. ↑ "PM congratulates people of Manipur on opening of Kangla Nongpok Thong". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  30. ↑ Service, Statesman News (7 January 2023). "PM congratulates people of Manipur on opening of Kangla Nongpok bridge". The Statesman. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  31. ↑ "PM congratulates people of Manipur on the opening of Kangla Nongpok Thong". INDToday. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  32. ↑ "PM congratulates people of Manipur on opening of Kangla Nongpok Thong". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  33. ↑ "PM congratulates people of Manipur on opening of Kangla Nongpok Thong". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  34. ↑ Service, Statesman News (7 January 2023). "PM congratulates people of Manipur on opening of Kangla Nongpok bridge". The Statesman. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  35. ↑ "PM congratulates people of Manipur on the opening of Kangla Nongpok Thong". INDToday. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  36. ↑ "Manipur's Kangla Nongpok Thong reopens to public, Western gate to remain closed". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  37. ↑ "Kangla Nongpok Thong opens to public". Pothashang News. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  38. ↑ S, Vangamla Salle K. (10 January 2023). "Manipur: Kangla Nongpok Thong in Imphal opens to public". EastMojo. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  39. ↑ K. Sarojkumar Sharma (9 January 2023). "Manipur Evicts Encroachers From Kangla Nongpok Thong". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  40. ↑ "Nongpok Thong and Nongpokthong". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 13 January 2023. The references with regard to reopening of 'Nongpokthong' in our ancient chronicles has been interpreted in many ways in modern times among which opening of trade relations with Myanmar and Southeast Asia is one.
  41. ↑ "Nongpok Thong Hangba The Revelation of Puya". e-pao.net. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
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