Economic, Social and Demographic Impact of Burmese Invasion of Manipur

Abstract

Adversarial relationship best describes the history between the Kingdom of Manipur and Burma. As expected between neighbours, there had been frequent wars, alliance formation through intermarriages, trade ties, and cultural exchanges. The watershed in the bilateral relationships was the Burmese occupation during 1819-1826; a period described as the ‘Seven Years Devastation’. It was the last and the most destructive in the series of invasions that befalls the Kingdom of Manipur. Considered the darkest phase, the seven years left an indelible mark in the mindset of the Manipuris. The trail of destruction and devastation that the invading Burmese armies left in the psyche of the Manipuris are still retold in the popular folklore, ballads, and enacted in plays. It had left a penetrating impact on the social, economic, demographic, cultural, and even foreign relations of Manipur. Submitted: 28 May 2020; Revised: 02 December, 2020; Accepted: 26 February 2021