Khunjaoba

Khunjaoba
Meitei Ningthou
Monarchy	1652 CE - 1666 CE
Coronation	1652 CE
Predecessor	Khagemba
Successor	Paikhomba
Born	Khunchaopa 1622 CE [1]
Died	1666 CE
House	Ningthouja dynasty
Father	Khagemba
Religion	Sanamahism
Occupation	Monarch of the Kangleipak kingdom

Khunjaoba was a Meitei king of the Ningthouja dynasty of Medieval Manipur. He ruled from 1652 CE to 1666 CE. ^[2] Starting from the time of his father Khagemba, there were many events of Muslim migration and settlement. It continued till his time. ^[3] He constructed canals and embankments around the Khwairamban marketplace. ^[4]

Conquests

In 1657, he defeated the leader of the Kabaw Valley. When he and his brother Tonaba confronted the Samjok king in 1652, the Kuyong tribes launched an invasion of the Meitei kingdom. Thus, Khunjaoba's queen Takhembi, along with her Thang Ta instructor Sarangcha and the wife of Khunjaoba's brother, Sanakhombi, readied themselves for battle and ultimately defeated the Kuyong tribes, driving them away. ^[5]

Khunjaoba defeated the Samjok king twice in 1653 and 1659. ^[6]

Death of two family members

At that time, the leader of the Maram tribes failed to pay the annual tribute. To address this, he dispatched his younger brother Tonaba (the father of Paikhomba) along with Paikhomba's elder brother to gather the tribute. Nevertheless, the Maram chief murdered both Tonaba and Paikhomba's elder brother as retaliation for his father's death at the hands of Khagemba. ^{[5] [7]}

Death

As a result of inaccurate accusations of conspiracy against the king, he terminated his marriage to Queen Takhembi in 1666 CE. Consequently, all five of her friends were executed. ^[1] This led to their families rising up against the king, resulting in the deaths of Khunjaoba and his kin. The kingdom was left without a ruler for approximately a month until Paikhomba, the nephew of Khunjaoba, ascended to the throne in 1666 CE. ^[5]

References

1. Parratt, Saroj Nalini (2005). The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: 33-1763 CE. Routledge. pp. 76, 86, 90–91. ISBN   978-0-415-34430-2.
2. Kabui, Gangmumei; Kamei, Gangmumei (2004). The History of the Zeliangrong Nagas: From Makhel to Rani Gaidinliu. Spectrum Publications. ISBN   978-81-87502-76-0.
3. Nag, Sajal (17 July 2023). The Mughals and the North-East: Encounter and Assimilation in Medieval India. Taylor & Francis. ISBN   978-1-000-90525-0.
4. Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (25 November 2020). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-000-29637-2.
5. Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. ISBN   978-81-7835-864-2.
6. Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. ISBN   978-81-7099-853-2.
7. "Rulers of Kangla and Ethnic Tribes of Manipur Part 4 By Naoroibam Indramani". e-pao.net. Retrieved 27 July 2025.