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Draft:House of Karta

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Paphal of Ningthouja Pakhangba dragon from the Pakhangba Lambuba, the dragon deity symbol associated with the Ningthouja dynasty and Meitei kingship.

The House of Karta is a royal house of the Ningthouja dynasty in Manipur, India. It traces its lineage to Maharaja Bhagyachandra (Ching-Thang Khomba), who ruled from 1759 to 1762 and from 1763 to 1798.[1] Members of the House have been linked with religious, cultural, and administrative developments in the region.[2][3]

Origins and ancestry

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Historical Map of Manipur in 18th-19th century

People from the House of Karta of the extended royal family of Manipur (Ningthemchas) are descendants of King Bhagyachandra, a Meitei monarch known for his contributions to Manipuri culture and the spreading of Vaishnavism in the region.[4] During Bhagyachandra's reign, significant developments occurred in Manipuri arts, religion, and administration.[5][6] His descendants, associated with the House of Karta, have remained part of the region's extended royal lineage and cultural continuity.[7]

Historical significance

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Cultural contributions

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During the reign of Bhagyachandra, the Ras Leela dance was organized as a court tradition. It included themes from Vaishnavism and was later recognized as a classical form of Manipuri dance.[8] When Bhagyachandra adopted Vaishnavism, he also built temples and instituted devotional rituals, many of which are still practiced in modern-day Manipur.[9]

Political influence

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Meitei women in traditional attire, showcasing Manipuri cultural heritage.

Members of the House of Karta have been involved in Manipur's political events. Bhagyachandra's youngest son, Gambhir Singh, spearheaded attempts to re-establish the kingdom after the early 19th-century Burmese invasions.[10][11]

Prominent members

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  • Maharaja Bhagyachandra (Ching-Thang Khomba): Ancestor of the House of Karta, known for his cultural and religious reforms.[12][8]
  • Maharaja Gambhir Singh: The youngest son of Bhagyachandra who helped Manipur regain independence from the Burmese.[10]
  • Maharaja Madhuchandra Singh: Fought for power during the dynastic squabbles in Manipur after the death of Bhagya Chandra.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kings of Manipur". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  2. ^ T.c. Hodson (1908). The Meitheis.
  3. ^ Parratt, Saroj Nalini (1980). The Religion of Manipur: Beliefs, Rituals, and Historical Development. Firma KLM. ISBN 978-0-8364-0594-1.
  4. ^ "Manipur". culturalpursuits.com. Archived from the original on 2009-08-10. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  5. ^ Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020-11-25). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-29629-7.
  6. ^ Kulasrestha, Mahendra (2006). Culture India. Lotus Press. ISBN 978-81-8382-013-4.
  7. ^ Sebastian, Rodney (2021-11-24). "Refashioning Kingship in Manipur in the 18th Century: The Politico-Religious Projects of Garibniwaz and Bhāgyacandra". Religions. 12 (12): 1041. doi:10.3390/rel12121041. ISSN 2077-1444.
  8. ^ a b "Manipuri Dance: Origin, Costume, Features & Famous Dancers (UPSC Notes)". Testbook. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  9. ^ "Vaishnavism and Raas Leela's history in Manipur". VarnikaDesigns. 2022-08-19. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  10. ^ a b Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.
  11. ^ Singh, N. Khelchandra (1967). History of Manipur. Imphal.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. ^ Parratt, Saroj Nalini (1980). Religion and Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-0-8364-0594-1.
  13. ^ "Indian Princely States K-Z". www.worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
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