Manung Kangjeibung

The Manung Kangjeibung (Manung Kangcheipung) is an old polo field located to the south west of the citadel inside the Kangla Fort in Imphal West district of Manipur. In ancient times, only royalties and nobilities were allowed to play the game of polo (Sagol Kangjei) in this royal playground. It is one of the two most ancient pologrounds in the world, the other one being the Mapal Kangjeibung (Imphal Polo Ground).

Etymology


In Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language), "manung" (ꯃꯅꯨꯡ) means "inside" or "inner side".

The Meitei term "kāngjeibung" (ꯀꯥꯡꯖꯩꯕꯨꯡ) means pologround (polo field). Morphologically, the word "kāng‑jei‑bung" can be divided into three roots, "kāng", "jei" and "bung", meaning "a round/spherical object", "stick" and "mound" respectively. The Meitei term for stick is originally "cei" (ꯆꯩ).

History
In accordance to the ancient manuscripts known as the PuYas, the "Manung Kangjeibung" is one of the oldest pologrounds. It is said that King Ningthou Kangba used to play the game of polo (Sagol Kangjei) in the Manung Kangjeibung. Later, the polo field was developed during the reign of King Marjit Singh (1813-1819).

Serving as a helipad
On 9 May 2018, Nongthombam Biren Singh, the Chief Minister of Manipur, as a chairperson in the 27th meeting of the Kangla Fort Board, had a discussion regarding the shifting of the helipad service from the "Manung Kangjeibung" pologround of the Kangla Fort complex. The discussion meeting was participated by Th. Satyabrata Singh, MLA, J. Suresh Babu, Chief Secretary, L.M. Khaute, DHP, M. Lakshmikumar, Commissioner (Art and Culture), Ng. Uttam, Director (Art and Culture), Superintendent of Archaeology Department and many others.

Polo matches
According to the "All Manipur Polo Association (AMPA)", the Chief Minister's upcoming Sagol Kangjei Championship 2022 is going to be organized at the Manung Kangjeibung inside the Kangla. It is to be a part of the annual Sangai festival events.