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Chitsai
A usurper king of Manipur in mid 18th century From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Chitsai (alias Ajit Sai)[a] was a Meitei king of the Ningthouja dynasty of Medieval Manipur from 1748 to 1752.[2][3] After he became the king, he banished his father, Pamheiba out of the royal palace.[4][5]
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Background
Chitsai was the third son of King Pamheiba born by his reigning queen, Wayenbam Chanu Gomati.[6][7] The first son born to Pamheiba, Syam Sai (Shamsai/Shyamjai), was the true heir to the throne, but instead, Chitsai was made the king by his father because the latter had promised Chitsai's mother, who was a married woman,[8] that the first son born to her will ascend the throne of Manipur.[9][10]
Wayenbam Chanu Gomati was the 4th head queen of Pamheiba who gave birth to many sons.[8] She reigned until the abdication of Pamheiba in 1748.
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Reign
Chitsai was made the king in 1748 by his father Pamheiba after the latter abdicated. However, after Chitsai became the king, he expelled his father in 1750 because of jealousy.[11][12] So Pamheiba went to Kingdom of Ava (Burma) where his niece, Sicha was a queen, and stayed there for 1 year.[13]
Murder of Pamheiba and dethronement
Pamheiba was planning for a revenge and re-enter Manipur. After a year, he and his eldest son, Shyamjai, along with 15 noblemen planned to re-enter Manipur.[12] However, when Chitsai heard this news, with the rumours of Shyamjai being placed on the throne of Manipur by his father, he sent his men to kill his father (and the others).[11] Pamheiba and his 15 noblemen were killed by his youngest son, Tolentomba, and other men sent by Chitsai.[14] It is unclear whether Shyamjai was killed by Chitsai or drowned in the Ningthi River.[9][12]
When Chitsai's treachery was finally discovered, in 1752, Chitsai was dethroned and expelled by his younger brother, Bharatsai.[11][15][16]
Conflict with Bhagyachandra
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Bhagyachandra was a nephew of Chitsai, and the second son of Shyamjai who ascended the throne in 1759 CE.[17] However, his reign became insecure because of the intrigues of Chitsai. At that time, Chitsai was expelled to Cachar and having heard about the devastation in Manipur, he took the change to ask the English help for his re-installation on the throne of Manipur.
In 1762, Maramba (Gaurisiam/Goura Shyam) ascended the throne again[11] and tried many ways to save the kingdom. Having heard about Chitsai's plans, Bhagyachandra sent his own mission, via an envoy called Haridas Gossai, to Harry Verelst, the Chief of Chittagong. He informed the English official at Chittagong of the reasons behind Chitsai's removal from the Manipur throne. After reviewing the Manipur case, the English officials rejected the case of Chitsai. The English officials made the decision to assist Bhagyachandra in regaining the Manipur throne.
Additionally, Haridas Gossai stated that Manipur offered prospects for trade with China.[18][19] On 14th September 1762, Verelst and Haridas Gossai signed a formal treaty on behalf of Bhagyachandra.[20] Later in 1763, Maramba died, allowing Bhagyachandra to ascend the throne for the 2nd time.[21] The final treaty with the English was signed on 11th September 1763 on behalf of Gourshah (Maramba).[22]
In 1764, Hsinbyushin, the king of Burma, invaded Manipur with Chitsai's assistance.[23] As a result, Bhagyachandra fled to Ahom (modern-day Assam),[24] where he was protected by Rajeshwar Singha (Suremphaa), the Ahom king. Following this, Chitsai informed the Ahom king that the person he was providing refuge to was a fraud. Bhagyachandra was given a test by the Ahom king to prove himself.[25]
After a test of faith, many expeditions were undertaken by the Ahom king to Manipur. Finally in 1773, Bhagyachandra was reinstalled as the King of Manipur.
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See also
Notes
- In the names of the sons of King Pamheiba, "Sai" also means "Shah".
References
Bibliography
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