Manipur Without the Seven Years’ Devastation is a bold work of alternate history that reimagines the fate of Manipur had the catastrophic Burmese invasion of 1819–1826 never taken place. Instead of famine, exile, and cultural rupture, this narrative envisions a kingdom that defended its sovereignty, preserved its traditions, and emerged as a thriving bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Through twelve richly imagined chapters, the book traces Manipur’s alternate journey:
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A valley unbroken in the 1820s, with flourishing agriculture and culture.
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A sovereign partner at the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826.
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Diplomatic survival in the 19th century, avoiding annexation in 1891.
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A modernizing constitutional monarchy in the early 20th century.
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A respected ally in both World Wars.
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A federal partner with India in 1948, preserving autonomy and identity.
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A prosperous, peaceful society in the 21st century, acting as a gateway to ASEAN.
Blending history, imagination, and cultural pride, this book is not a denial of the past but an exploration of what might have been—and what lessons the present can draw from that vision.
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