Janamkatha at 18:44, 26 February 2026

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{{Infobox royalty
| name = Ananta Sai
| title = Meitei Prince
| birth_date = {{birth date|1725|08|29|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Kangleipak]]
| death_place = [[Kangleipak]]
| issue = Prince Khuching
| more = Nongthonba
| image = "Ananta Sai" in Meitei script and Bengali script, a prince and minister of Medieval Manipur in 18th century CE.jpg
| era name = [[Medieval Manipur]]
| era dates = 18th century CE
| house = [[Mantrimayum]]
| father = [[Pamheiba]]
| mother = Lairikyengbam Chanu Haripriya
| occupation = Minister of Medieval Manipur
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| regnal name = Mantri Ananta Sai
| house-type = House
| dynasty = [[Ningthouja dynasty]]
}}

'''Mantri Ananta Sai''' (alias ''Ananta Shai'' or ''Ananta Sain'') was a Meitei prince of the [[Ningthouja dynasty]] of [[Medieval Manipur]]. He was an uncle of [[Gaurisiam]] and [[Bhagya Chandra|Bhagyachandra]]. He recomposed the lost royal chronicle of Manipur in 1780.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Romanticizing monumental antiquarian past delaying change Manipur context Part 1|url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=leisure.Essays.Romanticizing_monumental_antiquarian_past_delaying_change_Manipur_context_Part_1|access-date=2025-11-16|website=e-pao.net}}</ref> He and his nephew, Bhagyachandra started the [[Heikru Hidongba]] festival after the installation of Lord Bijoy Govinda and Lord Shri Govinda.<ref>{{Cite web|title=heigru hidongba|url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Festival_of_Manipur.heigru_hidongba|access-date=2025-11-16|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

== Background ==
Ananta Sai was the seventh son of King [[Pamheiba]], born to his ninth queen, Lairikyengbam Chanu Haripriya.{{Sfnp|Somorjit Sana, The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs|2010|p=66}} Pamheiba was expelled from the [[Kangla Palace|palace]] by his third son, [[Chitsai]] in 1748 and out of Manipur in 1750 due to jealousy.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.76519|title=The Eastern Frontier Of British India, 1784-1826|last=Banerjee|first=Anil Chandra|date=1943|pages=33–34}}</ref>{{Sfnp|Parratt, The Court Chronicle: Volume 1|2005|p=168-169}}

== The Incident Regarding Bharatsai ==
After the evil [[Chitsai]]'s treachery was found out, his younger brother, the great [[Bharatsai]] expelled him out of Manipur in 1752 after a slight squabble.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dxn_zgEACAAJ|title=Manipur-Myanmar Historical Connections|last1=Singh|first1=Aheibam Koireng|last2=Hanjabam|first2=Shukhdeba Sharma|date=2022|publisher=Concept Publishing Company Pvt. Limited|isbn=978-93-5439-079-1|pages=73|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name="{{sfnref|Brara, Politics, Society, and Cosmology in India's North East|1998}}">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NkMwAQAAIAAJ|title=Politics, Society, and Cosmology in India's North East|last1=Brara|first1=N. Vijaylakshmi|date=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195643312|pages=56}}</ref> However, he also conspired against his nephews, [[Gaurisiam]] and [[Bhagyachandra]]. Sangkoi Tapa (Bharatsai) ruled so poorly that the people started to turn against him. Ananta Sai, who was also the king's younger brother and nobleman, conspired against Bharatsai on behalf of his nephews.{{Sfnp|Somorjit Sana, The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs|2010|p=139-140}}<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6HowAQAAIAAJ|title=The Beautiful India - Manipur|last1=Rahman|first1=Syed Amanur|last2=Verma|first2=Balraj|date=2006|publisher=Ess Ess Publications|isbn=978-81-8405-024-0|pages=51|language=en}}</ref>

One of Bharatsai's noblemen convinced him to get rid of his nephews. He initially refused, but after being pressed on, he made the decision to murder his nephews. After learning of this, Wayenbam Chanu Chakha Maring Loikhombi fled to the Huntung village and then the Maring village with her sons, Maramba (Gaurisiam) and Bhagyachandra. Ananta Sai could only put up with this at his own risk. On behalf of his nephews, Maramba and Bhagyachandra, Ananta Sai led his army against Bharat Sai.{{Sfnp|Somorjit Sana, The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs|2010|p=139-140}}

Ananta Sai told his men:{{Sfnp|Somorjit Sana, The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs|2010|p=140}} <blockquote>''"My elder brother Shyam Sai was a noble son of a worthy father. He was also the natural successor to the throne. As misfortune would have it, he died without ascending the throne. God will be pleased if his sons Gourshyam (Gaurisiam) and Bhagyachandra are installed to the throne. Besides, their legitimate title is unquestionable. I will place them on the throne alternatively for a period of five years''." </blockquote>Ananta Sai then dethroned Bharatsai and made Maramba the king, and Bhagyachandra the [[Crown Prince|crown prince]].{{Sfnp|Somorjit Sana, The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs|2010|p=140}} As soon as Maramba ascended the throne in October 1753, he expelled Bharatsai to [[Konbaung dynasty|Inwa (Ava)]].<ref name=":1" /> He then ruled with his younger brother, Bhagyachandra alternately for 5 years.{{Sfnp|Somorjit Sana, The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs|2010|p=141, 145}}

== Tenure ==
Ananta Sai was the Prime Minister of his nephew, [[Bhagya Chandra|Bhagyachandra]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ikluAAAAMAAJ|title=A Socio Economic History of South Assam|last=Chatterjee|first=Suhas|date=2000|publisher=Printwell Publishers Distributors|isbn=978-81-7044-518-0|pages=72|language=en}}</ref> Before [[Maramba]] died, he sent Ananta Sai and Jagannath Das to meet Harry Verelst in [[Chittagong]] in September 1763. They went to finalize the treaty terms of the Anglo-Manipuri pact in 1762.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FsUJ0E3BXkMC|title=Bleeding Manipur|last=Tarapot|first=Phanjoubam|date=2003|publisher=Har-Anand Publications|isbn=978-81-241-0902-1|pages=117|language=en}}</ref> The treaty then was confirmed on behalf of Maramba.{{Sfnp|Somorjit Sana, The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs|2010|p=149}}{{Sfnp|Gosvāmī, Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra|2002|p=25}}{{Sfnp|Parratt, The Court Chronicle: Volume 1|2005|p=174}}

== Contributions to religious aspects ==
In 1779, when [[Bhagyachandra]] started the [[Manipuri dance|Ras Leela]] dance, Ananta Sai and few others specialised it with unique compositions.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GBGcEAAAQBAJ|title=Bravehearts of Bharat: Vignettes from Indian History|last=Sampath|first=Vikram|date=2022-10-26|publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited|isbn=978-93-5492-828-4|pages=314–315|language=en}}</ref>

In November 1783, Ananta Sai, who was the ''Nongthonba'' (revenue collector), inaugurated a pond, which came to be known as Mantri Pukhri ({{Literal translation|Minister's Pond}}).{{Sfnp|Gosvāmī, Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra|2002|p=42}}{{Sfnp|Somorjit Sana, The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs|2010|p=175}}<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466438|title=A Short History Of Manipur|last=Singh|first=R. k Jhaljit|pages=202}}</ref>

In December 1788, [[Bhagya Chandra|Bhagyachandra]] established the idols of Shri Bijoy Govindajee. The idol was then worshipped by Ananta Sai who honored it with a brick temple.{{Sfnp|Somorjit Sana, The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs|2010|p=194}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Devi |first=Dr Yumlembam Gopi |url= |title=Glimpses of Manipuri Culture |date=2019-06-16 |publisher= |pages=164 |language=en}}</ref> The Shri Govindajee temple was under the care of Bhagyachandra, while the Shri Bijoy Govindajee was under the care of Ananta Sai.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SMtjEQAAQBAJ|title=Vaisnavism in Manipur: Volume 1: Experiences on Life, Culture & Belief|last1=Sharma|first1=Laimayum Bishwanath|last2=Hanjabam|first2=Shukhdeba Sharma|last3=Singh|first3=Aheibam Koireng|last4=Sharma|first4=Kakchingtabam Ruhinikumar|date=2021-01-01|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-93-5439-016-6|pages=183|language=en}}</ref>

== Later descendants ==
Prince Ananta Sai is the patriarch of the Mantrimayum (House of Minister) family of the extended royal family of Manipur.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Being a Rajkumari by Tanya Sana |url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=leisure.Essays.Being_a_Rajkumari_by_Tanya_Sana |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref> His descendants are responsible for Shri Bijoy Govinda worship and the annual [[Heikru Hidongba]] festival.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6d-IyINtk4C|title=Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.)|last=Lisam|first=Khomdan Singh|date=2011|publisher=Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7835-864-2|pages=670|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qPYvAQAAIAAJ|title=Encyclopaedia Indica: Princely States in colonial India|date=1996|publisher=Anmol Publications|isbn=978-81-7041-859-7|pages=55|language=en}}</ref> The temple of Shri Bijoy Govinda is now managed by the descendants of Prince Ananta Sai.<ref name=":2" />

== See also ==

* [[Haricharan Sai]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OlxuAAAAMAAJ |title=Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra |last=Gosvāmī |first=Dvijendranārāẏaṇa |date=2002 |publisher=Akkhar Publications |isbn=978-81-86802-43-4 |language=en |ref={{sfnref|Gosvāmī, Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra|2002}}}}

* {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eybpM1KZjVoC |title=The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs: From 1666 CE to 1850 CE |last=Somorjit Sana |first=Raj Kumar |date=2010 |publisher=Waikhom Ananda Meetei |isbn=978-81-8465-210-9 |language=en |ref={{sfnref|Somorjit Sana, The Chronology of Meetei Monarchs|2010}}}}
* {{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/cheitharol-kumbaba|title=The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: Volume 1|last=Saroj Nalini Arambam Parratt|date=2005|publisher=Routledge |ref={{Sfnref|Parratt, The Court Chronicle: Volume 1|2005}}|via=Archive.com}}

{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Ningthouja dynasty]]
[[Category:1725 births]]

Ananta Sai - Revision history

Janamkatha at 18:44, 26 February 2026