By- Dr. Mangangcha Thoudam Laiba
The history of trade and commerce in Kangleipak is quite interesting. The international trade had reached Kangleipak from the 1st century AD. But, the actual form of international trade was started by the British after 1758, previously, the bulk of trade was not heavy due to its remoteness.Only land routes with difficult terrain were used to operate the trade with other countries.
The trade relation between Manipur (Kangleipak) and British India, was started by the British with their policies of colonization and trade extension towards Burma and China. The trade relation between Manipur and British India existed since 1891, before Manipur was conquered by British Government and continued even after Anglo -Manipuri War of 1891 , up to the year about 1940 before Independence.
As the British Government not only tried to colonize the state but also tried to expand their trade and commerce, has ‘dual policy ‘. Thus, the opening of trade relation with British India, had resulted a serious socio-economic problem in Manipur. Heavy out flow of resources from Manipur were also generated along the opening of trade and commerce. Moreover, the unique geographical position and its Cultural superiority of Manipur has always attracted traders, preachers, invaders and scholars.
Some kings of Manipur have established the trade and matrimonial relationship with the neighbouring states. Many historians have also recorded its trade relations with the countries like Burma, Assam, Shan State, China, India, Arab and Greek World. According to Greek historian (Author of Periplus of the Erythrean Sea), “Gold, Silk and Tejpat Mana (malaba thrum) were exported from Kangleipak (Manipur) to the Greek world in the first Century AD. The trade and commerce between Kangleipak and other countries of the world like Greek in the first century AD was found in some books like “Manipur past and present (Vol. 1)” edited by Dr. Naorem Sanajaoba, published by K,M, Mittal, Mital publications, Delhi -110035 (India) 1988.
The Travel and Trade in the Indian Ocean of a Greek Merchant (AD 80) had referred to the trade activities of the ancient Manipur along with other parts of North Eastern India. Thus, the 1837-44, was in a bad shape and peddles. Horses, Bullock Carts etc, were used as a means of Transportation. But this road was existed before 1700, AD , in a worst condition. Recently, this road was improved to some extent and regarded as second life line “ of the State. Here, one point should be noted that the hill and mountain at the south -western parts of Kangleipak are smaller than that of North-eastern parts of Kangleipak, but the difficult terrains are found in the south -western parts of Kangleipak.
So, formerly Kangleipak had some good link with Burma, Shan, South-Eastern China etc, than that of Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh etc. Some of the narrow passages through mountain of north -eastern region like Mishmi pass, Paktai pass, Tuzugap etc, are worth mentioning. Out of this, Tuzugap, which connected the plain of Chindwin river in Upper Burma (Myanmar) with the Manipur Valley is more remarkable. Not only KWAI (GWAI) ) (Barak /Surma) river but also other east flowing rivers like “Yu -River “, which flow through Kabow valley etc, are also playing an important role in transport and communications system of Kangleipak. Moreover, the slopes of the eastern hills and mountains of Manipur are not steep. At an earlier period, the Lohitya (Brahmaputra) of Assam was flowing through the Cachar hills in to the present Surma Vallley but warping across its Channel forced it to flow round the Garo hills and captured the course of the Jamuna, the Ganga joined it near Goalundo in the Bangladesh. Here, mentioned can be made of Nathula pass, the Silk route of Sikkim.
……to be continue.
