Ningthee Agreement, 1834, Transfer of Kabaw Valley

Ningthee Agreement, 1834, Transfer of Kabaw Valley

1^st : The British Commissioners, Major Grant and Captain Pemberton under instructions from the Right Honourable, the Governor General in Council, agree to make over to the Woandauk Maha Mingyan Rajah and Tsarudanieks MyookyantHou, Commissioners appointed by the King of Ava, the Town of Tummo, Khumbab, Surjail and all other villages in the Kubo Valley, Ungoching Hills and the strip of valley running between the eastern foot and the western bank of the Ningthi Khyendwin river.

2^nd : The British Commissioners will withdraw the Munnipooree Thannas now stationed within this tract of the country, and make over immediate possession of it to the Burmese Commissioners on certain conditions.

3^rd : The conditions are that they will agree to the boundaries which may be pointed out to them by the British Commissioners, and will respect and refrain from any interference, direct or indirect, with the people residing on the Munnipooree side of those boundaries.

4^th : The boundaries are as follows. The eastern foot of the chain of mountains which rise immediately from the western side of the plain of the Kubo Valley. Within this line is included Moreh and all the country to the westward of it.

On the south, a line extending from the eastern foot of the same hills at the point where the river, called by the Burmahs Nansawing, and by the Munnipoorees Numsanlung, enters the plain, up to the sources and across the hills due west down to the Kethe-Khyaung.

On the north, the line of boundary will begin at the foot of the same hills at the northern extremity of the Kubo Valley, and pass due north up to the first range of hills, east of that upon which stand the villages of Chaotao, Noanghue, Noanghur of the tribe called by the Munnipoorees Loohooppa, and by the Burmahs Lagumsauny, now tributary to Munnipoor.

The Burmese commissioners hereby promise that they will give orders to the Burmese officers, who will remain in charge of the territory now made over to them, not in any way to interfere with the Khyens or other inhabitants living on the Munnipoor side of the lines of boundary above described, and the British Commissioners also promise that the Munnipoorees shall be ordered not in any way to interfere with the Khyens or other inhabitants of any description living on the Burmah side of the boundaries now fixed.

Sunnyachil Ghat, Ningthee, January 9, 1834

Langthabal Agreement, 1834

Compensation for Kabaw Valley

Major Grant and Captain Pemberton, under instructions from the Right Honourable the Governor General in Council having made over the Kubo Valley to the Burmese Commissioners deputed from Ava are authorized to state.

1^st : That it is the intension of the Supreme Government to grant a monthly stipend of five hundred sicca Rupees to the Rajah of Munnipoore, to commence from the ninth day of January, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Four, the date of which the transfer of Kubo took place, as shown in the Agreement mutually signed by the British Commissioners.

2^nd : It is to be distinctly understood that should and circumstances hereafter arise by which the portion of territory lately made over to Ava again reverts to Munnipore, the allowance now granted by the British Government will cease from the date of such reversion.

Sd/-

F.J. Grant, Major

Sd/-

R.B. Pemberton, Captain

Langthabal, Mannipoore

January 25, 1834

 

Anglo-Manipur Treaty, 1833

Agreement between Rajah Gumbheer Singh and Commissioner F.J. Grant.

The Governor General and Supreme Council of Hindoosthan declare as follows:-

With regard to the two ranges of Hills, the one called the Kalanaga Range, and the other called Noonjai Range, and the western bend of the Barak, we will give up all claim on the part of the Honourable Company thereunto and we will make these hills over in possession to the Rajah and give him the line of the Jeeree and the western bend of the Barak as a boundary, provided that the Rajah agrees to the whole of what in written in this paper, which is as follows:-

1^st : The Rajah will agreeably to instruction received, without delay, remove his thanna from Chandrapore and establish it on the eastern bank of the Jeeree.

2^nd : The Rajah will in no way obstruct the trade carried on between the two countries by Bengali or Munnipooree merchants. He will exact heavy duties, and he will make a monopoly of no articles of merchandise whatsoever.

3^rd : The Rajah will in no way prevent the Naga inhabiting the Kalanaga and Noon jai Ranges of Hills from selling or bartering ginger, cotton, pepper and every other article, the produce of their country in the plains of Cachar, at the Banskandee and Oodharban bazars, as has been their custom.

4^th : With regard to the road commencing from the eastern bank of Jeeree and continued via Kalanaga and Kowpoom, as far as the valley of Munnipore after this road has been finished, the Rajah will keep it in repairs so as to enable laden bullocks to pass during the cold and dry seasons. Further, at the making of the road, if British officers be sent to examine as superintend the same the Rajah will agree to everything these officers may suggest.

5^th : With reference to the intercourse already existing between the territories of the British Government and those of the Rajah, if the intercourse be further extended, it will be well in every respect and it will be highly advantageous to both the Rajah and his country. In order, therefore that this may speedily take place, the Rajah, at the requisition of the British Government, will furnish a quota of Nagas to assist at the construction of the road.

6^th: In the event of war with the Burmese, if troops be sent to Munnipore either to protect that country as to advance beyond the Ningthee, the Rajah, at the requisition of the British Government, will provide Hill porters to assist in transporting the ammunition and baggage of such troops.

7th: The Rajah will be answerable for all the ammunition he receives from the British Government, and will, for the information of the British Government, give in every month a statement of expenditure to the British Officer attached to the Levy.

I, Shree Joot Gumbheer Singh of Munnipore, agree to all that is written above in this paper sent by the Supreme Council.

Sd/-

Geo. Gordon, Lieut.       

Adjutant, Gumbheer Singh’s Levy           

Sd/-

Shree Joot Rajah

Gumbheer Singh

Sd/-

F.J. Grant

Commissioner

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The Yandaboo Treaty, February 24, 1826

The Yandaboo Treaty, February 24, 1826

Treaty of Peace between East India Company and the King of Ava, settled by Major General Sir Archibald Campbells and Senior Commissioner in Pegu and Ava.

Article No. 1
There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the Honourable Company on the one part and His Majesty the King of Ava on the other.

Article No. 2
His Majesty the King of Ava renounces all claims upon and will abstain from all future interference with the principality of Assam and its dependencies, and also with the contiguous petty states of Cachar and Jyntea. With regard to Manipur, it is stipulated that should Gumbheer Singh desire to return that country, he shall be recognized by the King of Ava as Rajah thereof.

Sd/-

Largeen Meonja              

(Woong bee)

Sd/-

Archibald Campbell

Sd/-

Swagum Woon

Atawoon            

Sd/-

 (T.C. Robertson)

Captain Royal Navy

Sd/-

(Hy. D. Chads)

Captain Royal Navy

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Proclamation of Maharaj Bodhachandra Singh on the First State Assembly on October 18, 1948

Proclamation of Maharaj Bodhachandra Singh about Historical Background on the eve of Inauguration of First Manipur State Assembly on October 18, 1948.

Historical Background

“To begin with, I feel a sudden emotion in my heart-I mean the sweet reminiscences of the past history of Manipur. Let the patriots fight for today. I will see that yesterday shines once more before the people, ignorant of the beauty yesterday. I am sure, a look back to the history of our land will at once inspire your mind towards greater and noble deeds to prove your worth as worthy sons of worthy fathers”.

Read her political history from 24 A.D. She had her dominion over a wide area extending as far as the southern portion of China in the north, the gold mines in the Sibasagar valley, the river Chindwin in the east and south, and Chandrapore (Cachar) in the west. Her present area is 8.650 square miles plus 7,000 square miles of the Kabaw valley, including 7,900 square miles of the hills. Read the war operations of Maharajah Garibaniwaza in 171 l, which shows how far the spirit of heroism and independence ran rampant in the veins of our forefather. Read the Treaty of Maharaja Gourashyam and Mr. Verelst of the East India Company at Chittagong on the 14th September, 1762, which shows the vast wealth and economic status of Manipur. Read the Treaty of Yandaboo, dated the 9th January, 1834 ratified between Maharaja Gambhir Singh and the Company. This treaty left for us a good heritage, namely the Kabaw Valley of 7,000 square miles for which we now get from Burma Rs. 6,270 as annual tribute which according to the spirit of the terms of the Agreement, will cease when the area is reverted to our State. Maharaja Gambhir Singh died of disappointment for this loss of territory under duress. Sreejut Nara Singh’s role in redeeming Manipur from Burma, when she was devastated and dismembered for 7 years was very great. Manipur was thus, by reason of her vast territories and economic resources, self-supporting as a self-contained unit. Her sphere of influence and mercantile activities was very wide. During the British rule, foreign goods have a dulling effect to the indigenous products by dumping operations. Now is the best time to revive all these vanquished industries. Attempts are now being made to recover the losses of territories as in Cachar under duress.

Unity of Hill And Valley

All these times when Manipur was in the height of her power, Hill and Valley were one; and this oneness defended Manipur against all invasions and thus, she could maintain her independence upto 1891, when the rest of India had already been conquered by the British. British conquest of this land resulted from the slackened unity between the Valley and Hills. Now, since the withdrawal of British paramountcy after 56 years’ rule, we have reinforced the union of Hill and Valley; and best opportunities have reached us in order to work hand-in-hand towards achieving the common object of progress and national prosperity. The relation has become one of complete understanding and active sympathy and it must be so, for Manipur is one and the hopes and aspirations of Hill and Valley are identical.

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The Manipur Merger Agreement

The Manipur Merger Agreement

Agreement made this twenty first day of September 1949 between the Governor General of India and His Highness the Maharaja of Manipur. Whereas in the best interests of the State of Manipur as well as of the Dominion of India it is desirable to provide for the administration of the said State by or under the authority of the Dominion Government:

It is hereby agreed as follows:-

Article I

His Highness the Maharaja of Manipur hereby cedes to the Dominion Government full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for and in relation to the governance of the State and agrees to transfer the administration of the State to the Dominion Government on the fifteenth day of October 1949 (hereinafter referred to as “the said day”). As from the said day the Dominion Government will be competent to exercise the said powers, authority and jurisdiction in such manner and through such agency as it may think fit.

Article II

His Highness the Maharaja shall continue to enjoy the same personal rights, privileges, dignities, titles, authority over religious observances, customs, usages, rites and ceremonies and institutions in charge of the same in the State, which he would have enjoyed had this agreement not been made.

Article III

His Highness the Maharaja shall with effect from the said day be entitled to receive for his life-time from the revenues of the State annually for his Privy Purse the sum of Rupees three lakhs free of all taxes. This amount is intended to cover all the expenses of the Ruler and his family, including expenses on account of his personal staff and armed guards, maintenance of his residences, marriages and other ceremonies etc. and the allowances to the Ruler’s relations who on the date of execution of this agreement were in receipt of such allowances from the revenues of the State, and will neither be increased nor reduced for any reason whatsoever.

The Government of India undertake that the said sum of Rupees three lakhs shall be paid to His Highness the Maharaja in four equal installments in advance at the beginning of each quarter from the State treasury or at such other treasury as may be specified by the Government of India.

Article IV

His Highness the Maharaja shall be entitled to the full ownership, use and enjoyment of all private properties (as distinct from State properties) belonging to him on the date of this agreement.

His Highness the Maharaja will furnish to the Dominion Government before the first January 1950 an inventory of all the immovable property, securities and cash balance held by him as such private property.

If any dispute arises as to whether any item of property is the private property of His Highness the Maharaja or State property, it shall be referred to a judicial officer qualified to be appointed as a High Court Judge, and the decision of the officer shall be final and binding on both parties:

Provided that His Highness the Maharaja’s right to the use of the residences known as “Redlands” and “Less Chatalettes” in Shillong, and the property in the town of Gauhati known as “Manipuri Basti” shall not be questioned.

Article V

All the members of His Highness’s family shall be entitled to all the personal rights, privileges, dignities and titles enjoyed by them whether within or outside the territories of the State, immediately before the 15th August, 1947.

Article VI

The Dominion Government guarantees the succession, according to law and custom, to the gaddi of the State and to His Highness, the Maharaja’s personal rights, privileges, dignities, titles, authority over religious observances, customs, usages, rites and ceremonies and institutions in charge of the same in the State.

Article VII

No enquiry shall be made by or under the authority of the Government of India, and no proceedings shall lie in any Court in Manipur, against His Highness the Maharaja whether in a personal capacity or otherwise in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him or under his authority during the period of his administration of that State.

Article VIII

(1) The Government of India hereby guarantees either the continuance in service of the permanent members of the Public Services of Manipur on conditions which will be not less advantageous than those on which they were serving before the date on which the administration of Manipur is made over to the Government of India or the payment of reasonable compensation.

(2) The Government of India further guarantees the continuance of pensions and leave salaries sanctioned by His Highness the Maharaja to servants of the State who have retired or proceeded on leave preparatory to retirement, before the date on which the administration of Manipur is made over to the Government of India.

(3) The Government of India also undertake to make suitable provisions for the employment of Manipuris in the various branches of Public Services, and in every way encourage Manipuris to join them. They also undertake to preserve various laws, customs and conventions prevailing in the State pertaining to the social, economic and religious life of the people.

Article IX

Except with the previous sanction of the Government of India no proceedings, civil or criminal, shall be instituted against any person in respect of any act done or purporting to be done in the execution of his duties as a servant of the State before the day on which the administration is made over to the Government of India.

In confirmation whereof Mr. Vapal Pangunni Menon, Adviser to the Govemment of India in the Ministry of States, has appended his signature on behalf and with the authority of the Governor General of India and His Highness Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh, Maharaja of Manipur has appended his signature on behalf of himself, his heirs and successors.

Bodhachandra Singh                                                                          September 21, 1949.

Maharaja of Manipur

V.P. Menon

Advisor to the Government of India

Ministry of State

Sri Prakas

Governor of Assam, Shillong