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Kangla Fort

Kangla Fort

heritage site · Manipur

Kangla Fort is a historic fortified palace complex on the banks of the Imphal River in Imphal, Manipur.

State
Manipur
Type
Heritage Site

Kangla Fort is a historic fortified palace complex on the banks of the Imphal River in Imphal, Manipur. It served as the seat of power of Manipur's rulers until 1891 and survives largely in ruins on the western bank of the river, densely forested and nicknamed "the Lungs of Imphal."

Kangla Fort is known for

ancient Meitei capitalsacred Manipuri heritage sitePakhangba Temple and moatsseat of power until 1891"Lungs of Imphal" greenery

A short history

The name "Kangla" means "the prominent part of the dry land" in the Meetei language. Traditional accounts place the founding of Meitei kingship at Kangla in King Pakhangba's reign, around 33 CE, with the site serving as the administrative seat of Meitei rulers of the Ningthouja dynasty from that period. Separate sourcing credits Naophangba (traditionally dated 428-518 CE) with laying the foundation stone of the fort structure itself. Kangla remained the royal seat of Meitei rulers until 1891, when it fell to British and Assam Rifles forces during the Anglo-Manipur War, ending Manipur's independent sovereignty at the site. In recent decades Kangla has been the focus of ecological restoration, including a Kangla Herbal Garden established in 2009 and further tree-planting initiatives through 2022. [Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangla_fort; Source: incredibleindia.gov.in/en/manipur/imphal/kangla-fort]

Why Kangla Fort matters

Kangla is revered as the ancient capital of pre-modern Manipur and a sacred site for the Meitei people, symbolising centuries of Manipuri sovereignty and cultural identity within India.

When to go

October to March

How to reach

Nearest airport is Bir Tikendrajit International Airport (Imphal), about 7.4 km from Kangla Fort; nearest railway station is Imphal Railway Station.

Kangla Fort guide & itineraries

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