The Kangla with diacritic Kanglā,[1] officially known as the Kangla Fort,[2] is an old fortifiedpalace at Imphal, in the Manipurstate of India.[3][4][5] It was formerly situated on both sides (western and eastern) of the bank of the Imphal River, now remaining only on the western side in ruined conditions. Kangla means "the prominent part of the dry land" in old Meetei.[6] It was the traditional seat of the past Meetei rulers of Manipur.[7][8]
Guide map of the Kangla displayed to the public
Kangla (Imphal) was the ancient capital of pre-modern Manipur.[9]
The Kangla is a revered spot for the people of Manipur, reminding them of the days of their independence. It is a sacred place to the Meiteis.[10]
"One of the outstanding figures in the history of architecture in ancient Manipur was Naophangba (428-518 CE), who aside [sic] the foundation stone of the Kangla, the "Namthak Sarongpung", the holiest place of the Manipuries."
A tree of Koubilla (Grevillea robusta) species growing inside the Kangla
The Kangla possesses a sobriquet, "Lungs of Imphal" as it is heavily forested, providing oxygen at a massive level in the heart of the metropolis of Manipur.[15][16][17]
Unfortunately, due to some developmental construction activities in the last few years, some minor but significant deforestation occurred inside the Kangla.
During the month of June in 2019, around 700 indigenous fruit-bearing tree saplings were planted inside the Nura Heikol (Meitei for 'Women's fruit garden' / 'Ladies' orchard'), formerly known as "Biodiversity Park" of the Kangla) of the Kangla by the Government of Manipur, under the initiative of Green Manipur Mission.[20][21][22]
During the month of September in 2019, around 120 trees, including mayokfa, agar, uningthou, teak, chahui and samba, were planted inside the Kangla by the editorial board and the management team of "The Sangai Express" (TSE), a newspaper daily of Manipur, on its 20th foundation day.[23][24]
There's another garden named "Engellei Leikol" (formerly known as "Rock Garden" of the Kangla) located in the southern part of the Kangla.[25][26][27]
During the month of May in 2022, around 50 fruit-bearing plants were planted inside the Kangla by the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD).[28][29][30]
A museum that showcases the lifestyle of Meitei rulers of the Ningthouja dynasty as well as the ancient Meitei artistic and cultural heritage and maps of Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur'))
Kangla Uttra Shanglen (Meitei: ꯀꯪꯂꯥ ꯎꯠꯇ꯭ꯔꯥ ꯁꯪꯂꯦꯟ, lit. 'Royal Office Building of the Kangla')
A religious office building of Sanamahism (traditional Meitei religion), built in the traditional Meitei architectural style. The most significant and the holiest element is the chirong (literally, "horns"), which is the V-shaped design adorned on the roof of the building.
The tomb of King Bodhchandra (Meitei: ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯕꯣꯙꯆꯟꯗ꯭ꯔꯒꯤ ꯃꯪꯂꯦꯟ, romanized: ningthou bodhchandragi manglen)
The site where the mortal remains of Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh (Manglen of Ningthou Bodhchandra or Samadhi of Maharaja Bodhchandra), the last ruler of sovereign state of Manipur Kingdom, was consigned to flames in 9 December 1955.
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