Dr. Abul Khair Choudhury
Volume-XV, Issue-I, October 2026
Volume-XV, Issue-I, October 2026 | ||
Received: 14.10. 2026 | Accepted: 27.10.2026 | |||
Published Online: 31.10.2026 | Page No: 82-88 | |||
DOI: 10.64031/pratidhwanitheecho.vol.15.issue.01W.137 | ||||
The
Historical Evolution of Manipuri Literature: A Critical Study of Literary
Periodization, Cultural Transformation and Modernity
Dr.
Abul Khair Choudhury, Asst. Professor &
Head, Dept. of Manipuri, Satya Ranjan College, Kalain, Assam, India | |
The paper carries out a thorough
historiographical and thematic examination of Manipuri literature, showing how
it has developed over three clearly defined phases: the ancient period (up to
the eighteenth century), the Medieval period (from the eighteenth to the early
twentieth century), and the Modern period (from the twentieth century to the
present day). According to the timeline, the literary tradition has not stayed
the same but has instead kept adapting to major socio-political, religious, and
linguistic changes. In the Ancient period, which was firmly based on indigenous
cosmology, folklore/folk culture, and oral customs, the early classical
manuscripts known as the Puyas prevailed. These texts, written in the native
Meetei Mayek script, served at the same time as religious scriptures, guides
for statecraft, and historical records. The Medieval period is marked by a
significant and frequently traumatic cultural change brought about by the
monarchy’s adoption of Vaishnavism in the eighteenth century. During this time
the ancient manuscripts (Puya Mei Thaba) were destroyed and there followed a
literary synthesis in which indigenous stories were actively combined with the
classical Hindu epics. At the same time the state carefully preserved its royal
chronicle, the Cheitharol Kumbaba, thus maintaining a unique historiographical
identity. The move into the Modern era is defined by the breaking down of the
monopoly that the court had over literature, and this was replaced by
contemporary realism, nationalism, and individual consciousness. Leading
literary figures brought in modern prose, the psychological novel, and
free-verse poetry, illustrating the complex conditions of modern society.
Importantly, the modern period also shows the geographic spread of Manipuri
literature, with writers from the Barak Valley in Assam making major
contributions to cultural revival and the representation of minorities. This
study, by examining the structural, geographical and thematic changes,
demonstrates the resilience of Manipuri literature and sets its rich heritage
and ongoing evolution within the broader context of South Asian literary
traditions.
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