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Irengba

{{Infobox royalty

| name = Irengba

| title = King of Ancient Manipur

| reign = 984 CE – 1074 CE (2381 MF – 2471 MF)

| predecessor = Yanglonu Keiphaba

| successor = Loiyumba

| death_date = 1074 CE (2471 MF)

| house = Ningthouja dynasty (Mangang dynasty)

| father = Yanglonu Keiphaba

| mother = [Unknown]

| occupation = Monarch of Kangleipak (Ancient Manipur)

| religion = Meiteism (Sanamahism)

}}

Meidingu Irengba (Old Manipuri: ꯏꯔꯦꯡꯄ, romanized: Irengpa), also known as Kainou Irengba was a monarch of the Ningthouja dynasty who ruled the kingdom of Kangleipak (present-day Manipur) from 984 CE to 1074 CE.{{Cite book |last=Parratt |first=Saroj Nalini |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2EUUngEACAAJ |title=The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: 33-1763 CE |date=2005 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-34430-2 |language=en}} He was the father and predecessor of Meidingu Loiyumba, under whom significant constitutional reforms took place.{{Cite book |last=Manikchand Singh |first=konsam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466474 |title=Loiyumpa Silyel The Ancient Constitution Of Manipur |date=2012}}

Reign and Governance

Although detailed records of Kainou Irengba's reign are limited, he is noted for maintaining the stability and continuity of the Ningthouja dynasty’s rule in Manipur during the late 10th and early 11th centuries CE. His reign is generally seen as the last phase of the Ancient Manipur era before the beginning of Medieval Manipur under his son’s rule.{{cite web |title=Rulers of Kangla and Ethnic Tribes of Manipur Part 4 |url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Rulers_of_Kangla_and_Ethnic_Tribes_of_Manipur_Part_4_By_Naoroibam_Indramani |access-date=20 May 2025}}

Cultural Contributions

Kainou Irengba is traditionally credited with originating the Heikru Hidongba festival, a significant cultural and religious event celebrated annually by the Meitei people. The festival involves a sacred boat race and is held to ensure prosperity and harmony.{{cite web |title=The tradition of Heikru Hidongba dates back to the reign of Maharaj Irengba |website=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/ManipurTimes/posts/the-tradition-of-heikru-hidongba-dates-back-to-the-reign-of-maharaj-irengba-in-9/3204945632963574/ |access-date=20 May 2025}}

Legacy

Kainou Irengba’s reign is often regarded as a preparatory phase for the administrative and constitutional developments that would flourish under his son, Meidingu Loiyumba. His efforts ensured the continuity of dynastic rule and helped preserve cultural traditions that remain important in Manipur today.

References

See also

Category:Ningthouja dynasty