| Loitongba | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruler of Kangleipak Kingdom (Ningthouja dynasty) | |||||||||
| Monarchy | 1122 CE – 1150 CE (2220 MF – 2248 MF) | ||||||||
| Coronation | 1122 CE (2220 MF) | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Loiyumba | ||||||||
| Successor | Atom Yoiremba | ||||||||
| Born | Loitongba | ||||||||
| Spouse | Not recorded | ||||||||
| Issue | Atom Yoiremba, Hemtou Iwanthaba | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| House | Ningthouja dynasty (Mangang dynasty) | ||||||||
| Father | Loiyumba | ||||||||
| Mother | Sum-Leima | ||||||||
| Religion | Meiteism of Sanamahism | ||||||||
| Occupation | Ruler of Kangleipak Kingdom (Ningthouja dynasty) | ||||||||
Meidingu Loitongba was a king of the Ningthouja dynasty who ruled the kingdom of Kangleipak (present-day Manipur, India) from 1122 to 1150 CE. He was the son and successor of Loiyumba, a monarch renowned for enacting the first written constitution of Manipur, the Loiyumpa Silyel . [1]
The name Loitongba is linked to the circumstances of his birth. His mother, Sum-Leima, was pregnant when Loiyumba took the throne. The name means "one who ascended the throne together with his parents," referencing this royal coincidence. [1]
King Loitongba is considered as a patron of the traditional games and religion. He is usually called an ardent lover of the Meitei game Kang Sannaba. Other sources state that he is the one who invented the game and others argue that he was a talented player who contributed to popularizing the game at that period. [2] [3]
Another outstanding incident of diplomacy was observed in the year 1127 CE. The King of Moirang did not make Loitongba aware of the impending Thangching Lai Haraoba which was a very important annual religious festival. The royal protocol was breached in a serious way due to this omission. Loitongba replied by waging war against Moirang against the king, Chingkhu Telheiba and his brother, Chingkhu Akhuba.. [4]
After Loitongba's death in 1150 CE, his son Atom Yoiremba took the throne. However, in 1162 CE, Atom Yoiremba was exiled by his brother, Hemtou Iwanthaba for trying to introduce primogeniture, who ascended the throne. [1]