Ajay Kumar at 19:31, 30 August 2023

2023-08-30T19:31:18Z

New page

{{See also|Manipur Zoological Garden}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox museum
|name = Manipur State Museum
|native_name = ({{lang-mni|Manipur Pukei Lankei Shanglen}})
|native_name_lang = Manipuri
|established = 23 September 1969
|location = Near [[Imphal Polo Ground]], [[Imphal]], [[Manipur]]
|type = Museum
|founder = [[Government of Manipur]]
|curator = Mrs Y Binita Devi
|owner = [[Government of Manipur]]
|image = Manipur-State-Museum.jpg
|caption = The front view of an entrance to the Manipur State Museum
|image_size = 300px
|logo = MANIPUR STATE MUSEUM.jpg
|logo_upright = 2
}}
The '''Manipur State Museum''' ({{lang-mni|Manipur Pukei Lankei Shanglen}}) is an institution displaying a collection of artistic, cultural, historical and scientific artefacts and relics in [[Imphal]], [[Manipur]], India. It has galleries housing materials of natural history, ethnology and archeology.<ref name="Lisam 2011">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6d-IyINtk4C&dq=manipur+state+museum&pg=PA585|title=Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.)|last=Lisam|first=Khomdan Singh|date=2011|isbn=978-81-7835-864-2|language=en}}</ref>

== Overview ==
The Manipur State Museum ({{lang-mni|Manipur Pukei Lankei Shanglen}}) houses ornaments, textiles, agricultural equipments of [[Ancient Kangleipak|Ancient Manipur]], Medieval Manipur and [[Manipur|Modern Manipur]].<ref name="Lisam 2011"/> The museum conveys an all encompassing picture of the history of the life of the [[Manipuri people]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wxkC9S2jYCkC&dq=manipur+state+museum+convey+comprehensive+picture+history+life+times+Manipuris&pg=PA1600|title=Encyclopaedia of North-East India|last=Prakash|first=Col Ved|date=2007|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist|isbn=978-81-269-0706-9|language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
The Manipur State Museum ({{lang-mni|Manipur Pukei Lankei Shanglen}}) was inaugurated by [[Indira Gandhi]], the then [[prime minister of India]] on 23 September 1969.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TxgcEAAAQBAJ&dq=manipur+state+museum+1969+established&pg=PA2017|title=Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences|last1=McDonald|first1=John D.|last2=Levine-Clark|first2=Michael|date=2017-03-15|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-000-03154-6|language=en}}</ref> It has been expanded to a multipurpose museum. It has many sections and subsections.<ref name="Lisam 2011"/> One prominent section is the ethnological gallery. This gallery was formally reopened by [[Ved Marwah]], the then [[Governor of Manipur]], on 20 January 2001.<ref name="Lisam 2011"/>

== Collections ==
The most famous piece on display is a [[Hiyang Hiren]], used by the royalties. It is 78 feet in length and is in an open gallery.

Other collection include [[:simple:Meitei currency|coins]], [[PuYa|manuscripts]], instruments, pottery, dresses, paintings and ornaments of [[Ancient Kangleipak|Ancient Manipur]], [[:simple:Medieval Manipur|Medieval Manipur]] and [[:simple:History of modern Manipur|Modern Manipur]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FhUHEAAAQBAJ&dq=manipur+state+museum+Coins%2C+manuscripts%2C+rare+materials%2C+instruments%2C+pottery%2C+dresses%2C+clothes%2C+paintings%2C+ornaments&pg=PA162|title=The Cultural Heritage of Manipur|last1=Meitei|first1=Sanjenbam Yaiphaba|last2=Chaudhuri|first2=Sarit K.|last3=Arunkumar|first3=M. C.|date=2020-11-25|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-000-29629-7|language=en}}</ref>

The Museum has a publication for more than 500 species of rare orchids, out of which only 472 orchids have been identified. Several experts opined that no one comes across anywhere in India with such a variety of orchid species as in [[Manipur]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kbu_AwAAQBAJ&dq=Manipur+State+Museum+mentioned+more+than+500+species+of+rare+orchids+of+which+472+have+been+identified.+Various+experts+are+of+the+opinion+that+one+does+come+across+nowhere+in+India+such+varied+species+of+orchids+as+in+Manipur.&pg=PA5|title=The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India|last=Singh|first=Dr Th Suresh|date=2014-06-02|publisher=Quills Ink Publishing|isbn=978-93-84318-00-0|language=en}}</ref>

The royal [[Howdah]] ({{lang-mni|Shamu Taipot}}), presently on display in the Manipur State Museum, was personally used by Sir [[Meidingngu Churachand]] Singh KCSI (1891-1941 AD), CBE, the King of Manipur.<ref name="Devi">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gxqeDwAAQBAJ&dq=The+beautifully+decorated+Howdah+%28ShamuTaipot%29+presently+on+display+in+Manipur+State+Museum+was+for+personal+use+of+the+Maharaja+of+Manipur+Sir+Churachand+Singh+KCSI%2C+CBE+%281891-1941+AD%29.+&pg=PA110|title=Glimpses of Manipuri Culture|last=Devi|first=Dr Yumlembam Gopi|isbn=978-0-359-72919-7|language=en}}</ref>

== Exhibits ==
The Museum exhibits mainly cultural themes and awareness programs. Some of the exhibits include tribal ornaments, Meitei ornaments, headgears, agricultural implements, domestic implements, hunting tools, smoking pipes and lighters, terracotta pottery, gold and silver utensils, polo saddlery, traditional water pipe, Meitei textiles, Meitei time measuring device, ancient gold mask, caskets, riderless horse statues, arms and armory, basketry, tribal costumes, etc.<ref name="Lisam 2011"/><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DnhTDwAAQBAJ&dq=manipur+state+museum+gold+burial+mask&pg=PP9|title=Manipur: The Forgotten Nation of Southeast Asia|last=Somorjit|first=Wangam|date=2016-03-01|publisher=Waba Publications & Advanced Research Consortium|isbn=978-81-926687-2-7|language=en}}</ref>

The time measuring implements like the "Tanyei Pung" and the "Tanyei Chei" testify the knowledge of the ancient Meiteis in [[Ancient Kangleipak|Ancient Manipur civilization]].<ref name="Lisam 2011"/>

The costumes exhibited are important to study the social structure of [[Manipur]].<ref name="Lisam 2011"/>

The royal Howdah ({{lang-omp|Shamu Taipot}}) of [[Meidingngu Churachand|Sir Churachand Singh KCSI]] (1891-1941 AD), CBE, the then King of Manipur, is also displayed in the Manipur State Museum.<ref name="Devi"/>

The Manipur State Museum also organises workshops for traditional Manipuri [[sculptor]]s-[[souvenir]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wLzDLsEYZGQC&dq=manipur+state+museum+45+Days+Workshop+of+Traditional+Manipuri+Sculptors+Souvenir&pg=PA130|title=Cultural History of Manipur: Sija Laioibi and the Maharas|last=Devi|first=Jamini|date=2010|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-8324-342-1|language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Imphal Peace Museum]]
* [[INA War Museum]]
* [[Kakching Garden]]
* [[Keibul Lamjao National Park]] - world's only floating national park in Manipur, India
* [[Khonghampat Orchidarium]]
* [[Loktak Folklore Museum]]
* [[Manipur Zoological Garden]]
* [[Phumdi]] - Floating biomasses in Manipur, India
* [[Sekta Archaeological Living Museum]]
* [[Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* [https://artnculturemanipur.gov.in/en/manipur-state-museum/ Manipur State Museum artnculturemanipur.gov.in]
* [https://www.museumsofindia.org/museum/416/manipur-state-museum Manipur State Museum www.museumsofindia.org]

{{coord|24.8049|93.9371|type:landmark_region:IN|display=title}}

[[Category:Meitei architecture]]
[[Category:Cultural heritage of India]]
[[Category:Landmarks in India]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in India]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Imphal]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Manipur]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials to Meitei people]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials to Meitei royalties]]
[[Category:Museums in Manipur]]
[[Category:Public art in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in India]]

Manipur State Museum - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 19:31, 30 August 2023