The Crisis in Manipur: A lesson from the past, unheeded by the present

In his seminal work “The Art of War”, the ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu articulated a timeless principle: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” Written over 2,500 years ago, this wisdom remains astonishingly relevant in today’s world, where understanding one’s adversaries and oneself is crucial for overcoming conflicts. However, in the current crisis enveloping Manipur, this principle seems to have been forgotten by those at the helm of leadership.
Roughly 250 years ago, Manipur’s King Rajarshi Bhagyachandra faced a fractured kingdom, beset by internal strife and external threats. Through his deep understanding of politics, war, religion, and culture, he managed to unify the erstwhile nation, bringing the various kingdoms under his administration. His strategy was not merely one of military conquest but also one of cultural and religious consolidation. He used religion as a powerful tool to bring together the diverse people of Manipur, reinventing and accumulating art forms that would later define Manipuri culture. His leadership was characterized by a vision that transcended his era—a vision that, even today, stands 200 years ahead of the current leadership in Manipur.
Rajarshi Bhagyachandra’s wisdom was rooted in his ability to understand the complexities of his time. He knew the strengths and weaknesses of his people, as well as the challenges posed by his adversaries. By unifying Manipur under a common cultural and religious identity, he fortified the kingdom against external threats and internal divisions. His success was not just in the battles he won but in the lasting unity he forged—a unity that today’s leaders in Manipur seem unable to replicate.
The ongoing crisis in Manipur, marked by the prolonged conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities, is a tragic reflection of leadership that has failed to learn from history. The ethnic violence and deep-seated mistrust that have torn the state apart are symptoms of a larger problem: a lack of understanding and a failure to address the underlying issues that fuel this conflict. Today’s leaders neither seem to grasp the strategic wisdom of Sun Tzu nor the unifying vision of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra.
In the face of this crisis, the absence of a coherent strategy to foster unity and peace is glaring. The leaders of today, unlike Bhagyachandra, have not leveraged the cultural and religious ties that could bind the communities together. Instead, they have allowed divisions to fester, leading to repeated cycles of violence and retaliation. Sun Tzu warned that knowing neither oneself nor one’s enemy leads to defeat in every battle. Unfortunately, this seems to be the path Manipur is currently on.
The failure to understand and address the root causes of the Kuki-Meitei conflict has led to a situation where every victory for one side is met with a corresponding loss for the other, perpetuating a vicious cycle of violence. The political leadership has been reactive rather than proactive, addressing symptoms rather than causes. This approach not only undermines the possibility of a lasting peace but also erodes the social fabric of the state.
What Manipur needs today is a leadership that embodies the wisdom of the past while navigating the complexities of the present. Rajarshi Bhagyachandra’s legacy is a reminder that true leadership is not just about winning battles but about building a sustainable and unified society. It requires a deep understanding of the people, their needs, and the historical and cultural ties that bind them together.
To break the cycle of violence, Manipur’s leaders must rise above narrow political interests and adopt a more holistic approach to governance. This means engaging in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders, addressing the socio-economic disparities that fuel discontent, and fostering a sense of shared identity and purpose among the people. It also means drawing lessons from the past—both from Sun Tzu’s strategic insights and Bhagyachandra’s visionary leadership.
As Manipur stands at a crossroads, the path forward lies not in continued conflict but in the difficult work of reconciliation and unity. The wisdom of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra and Sun Tzu offers a blueprint for overcoming the current crisis, but it is up to today’s leaders to heed these lessons. Without a deeper understanding of both the enemy and oneself, the prolonged crisis in Manipur will continue to claim lives, destroy communities, and weaken the state from within. The time to act is now, before the opportunity for peace is lost forever.