Professor Gangmumei Kamei and the Legacy of Manipur Historical Society
Written by Dr. Syed Ahmed (Associate Professor, Department of History,Dhanamanjuri University,Imphal)
I met Oja Gangmumei Kamei for the first time at the JNU campus, New Delhi, while I was doing my research there. He had come to buy books at the popular Jawahar Book Shop, which used to be at the back of the Centre for Historical Studies. A few friends and I met him and had a short conversation. With a smiling face, he inquired about the academic environment of JNU and our research work. He bought several books and left in a white Ambassador car. At that time, he was a legislator in the Manipur State Assembly. His eldest son, Som Kamei, was then studying at JNU. His younger brother, Ram Kamei, a medical student, was also staying on campus for some time before joining RML Hospital, Delhi. We became friends. Som Kamei studied Sociology and later cleared the Indian Postal Service exam. He is now on deputation to NEC as a Planning Advisor. Ram Kamei is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at JNIMS, Imphal.
Years later, I met Oja Gangmumei again at a seminar organized by the Manipur State Archives at its office complex in Imphal. There, I also met several other eminent historians of the state, including R.K. Jhalajit Singh.
A few days ago, I visited Oja Gangmumei’s residence at Major Khul to meet Ram Kamei. We had a long conversation about Oja Gangmumei and his works. He also gifted me a souvenir and other booklets published in his father’s honor. The family has been organizing memorial lectures in his name. A few years ago, I attended a memorial lecture delivered by Professor Tiplut Nongbri from the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, JNU, at J.N. Dance Academy, Imphal. Oja Gangmumei’s student, Professor N. Joykumar Singh, also published a book in 2018 titled Rediscovering Gangmumei Kamei, which reviews and examines his academic works, ideas, and contributions. In the book, Professor Joykumar describes his teacher as:
“A celebrated historian, a mentor, a guide through the journey of my life, the pathfinder of a New Manipur, a great dreamer for the welfare of society, an important torchbearer of cultural integration for the establishment of a healthy social life among various ethnic groups, a dedicated social worker for the reassertion of the historical character of social harmony, a great exponent of the preservation of primordial religion, and an academician of the highest level. He was the only one among the outstanding personalities in the country who introduced Manipur to the national and international historical forums through his tireless intellectual and academic efforts, standing on his versatile platform of nationalism.”
Oja Gangmumei authored several books and papers during his lifetime. One of his most popular books, History of Manipur: Pre-Colonial Period, is a fundamental history book recommended for undergraduate and postgraduate students to understand pre-colonial Manipur. Other notable works include History and Historiography of Manipur, Lectures in History, and Jadonang, a Mystic Naga Rebel. However, his most commendable contribution to the historiography of Manipur is the three-volume A History of Modern Manipur, 1826-2000.
Besides being a historian, Oja Gangmumei also worked to promote historical studies and preserve historical sites and monuments in the state by establishing the Manipur Historical Society. The society’s journey began in 1978, with Oja Gangmumei as General Secretary and Pandit N. Khelchandra as President. The society had several eminent scholars as its members. The first office bearers included:
- President: Pandit N. Khelchandra Singh (Padma Shri)
- Vice President: R.K. Sanahal Singh
- General Secretary: Professor Gangmumei Kamei
- Joint Secretaries: Professor N. Joykumar Singh and Khaikhotinthang Kipgen (Athang)
- Treasurer:Md. Riazuddin Choudhury
In its early years, the society worked to promote historical research by organizing annual seminars, regular lectures, and publishing proceedings. It also played a key role in conserving heritage structures, including Kangla, from ruin.
N. Joykumar narrates the formation of the Manipur Historical Society, its activities, and its contributions in its early days in a souvenir released during the 14th Session of the Society in 2023. (My colleague, Dr. Samom Tejbanta Singh, and I edited the souvenir.) He writes:
“The idea for the formation of a platform for historians and history enthusiasts in this area was conceived by Professor (late) Gangmumei Kamei, a celebrated historian and great academician. He was assisted by his students: N. Joykumar Singh and Khaikhotinthang Kipgen (Athang). A small campaign was carried out among historians, and the idea was highly welcomed by everyone passionate about history. Consequently, a formal meeting was convened on 27th September 1978 at 2 PM at the premises of the Manipur State Museum. Th. Subol Singh, then Curator of the Manipur State Museum, took responsibility for ensuring the meeting’s success. The meeting was successfully conducted under the chairmanship of the late N. Khelchandra Singh, a Padma Shri awardee and a renowned scholar of the state. For students of history and history enthusiasts, this day was truly remarkable, as it laid the foundation for promoting the history of this region and discovering Manipur’s past through scientific study, interdisciplinary approaches, and reinterpretation. The meeting was attended by about 50 delegates, most of whom were already established and respected in their respective fields. The members discussed the need to rediscover Manipur’s history through scientific study and expressed their strong desire to promote historical research for the entire Northeastern region, particularly Manipur. After thorough and fruitful discussions, the members unanimously agreed to form a platform for all historians under the banner of the Manipur Historical Society…”
One of the society’s most significant contributions was its strong involvement in the movement to protect and preserve Kangla Fort, an important historical site in Manipur. The society took the matter to the highest level of the Government of India, urging the state government to halt excavation activities that could damage the fort. It also pushed for Kangla’s recognition as a national heritage site. A series of protest notes and letters were sent to the concerned authorities, including the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which eventually intervened.
The society also played a major role in public awareness, organizing lectures with eminent scholars from both within and outside the state. These efforts produced remarkable results in educating the younger generation on the significance of history. The society adopted a policy of holding annual conferences at various academic institutions, allowing historians to interact directly with college and university students. These conferences featured research paper presentations and extensive discussions on different historical topics.
Oja Gangmumei was born on 21st October 1939 to Chahaphul Kamei, the khullakpa (village chief) of Majorkhul, and Attona Kamei. He earned his postgraduate degree in History from Gauhati University and was awarded the prestigious S.K. Bhuyan Gold Medal in 1961 for topping his class. He began his teaching career in 1962 as a faculty member at D.M. College, Imphal. In 1972, he became a founding faculty member of the History Department at JNU Centre for PG Studies, Canchipur.
During his lifetime, he authored more than 15 books and numerous research papers. He served as a Member of the Advisory Committee of the Anthropological Survey of India (1984-87) and was a panel member on Tribal Studies at the Indian Council of Social Science Research. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Platinum Jubilee Samman from the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad for his historical writings. He was also awarded the National Fellowship by the prestigious Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla (2010-12), and was a Member of the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi, until his last breath.
He entered active politics by founding the Federal Party and served as its first President. He was elected to the Manipur State Assembly from Nungba Constituency in 1995 and 2000, later becoming a Cabinet Minister, holding portfolios such as Higher Education, Law, Forest, and Science & Technology. He later joined the BJP and contested the Outer Parliamentary Constituency in 2014. In 2016, he was appointed as a Member of the NEC under the Ministry of DoNER. Oja Gangmumei passed away on January 5, 2017.