Imphal

The name Imphal (Meitei: ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜ) is derived from two words: ꯌꯨꯝ yum, meaning 'house', and ꯐꯥꯜ phāl, meaning 'plenty' or 'beautiful'. In old Manipuri language, yum was also spelt as im. Even today, Imphal is occasionally pronounced as Yum-phal.

Previously ruled by the kings of the Khaba clan, the Ningthouja dynasty started to rule the kingdom after the ascension of King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba. The Ningthouja clan quickly expanded and dominated the region in politics and war. Kangla Palace was built by King Khagemba and his son Khunjaoba. The palace was later destroyed by the British during the Anglo-Manipur War. During the reign of Maharaja Bhagyachandra, there were a number of Burmese invasions. However, the kingdom survived with the help of Maharaj Gambhir Singh. Imphal remained peaceful until 1891, when there were internal differences in the royal family. The British sent J.W. Quinton to help but the situation only grew worse and Senapati Tikendrajit was hanged. The autocratic British behaviour made people angry. This resulted in the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War, which the British won. …

Imphal lies on the Imphal Valley surrounded by nine ranges of hills at 24.8074°N 93.9384°E / 24.8074; 93.9384 in extreme eastern India, with an average elevation of 786 metres (2,579 ft). It has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa) with cool, dry winters and a slightly hot monsoon season. Imphal enjoys a moderate climate tempered by its moderately high altitude and the surrounding hills. Maximum temperatures in the hottest months average about 29 °C (84 °F); January is the coldest month, with average lows near 4 °C (39 °F), often drops to around 1 °C in the coldest nights and in some clear nights drops below freezing point. Frost is observable in the winter mornings few days of the year. The city receives about 1,381 mm (54.4 in) of rain, with June and July being the wettest months. Imphal observes 42.2 days with thunder and 46.1 days with fog, annually. …

Imphal offers sites of religious and historical importance within and around the city. Kangla Palace (also known as Kangla Fort) is on the banks of the Imphal River. Kangla means "dry land" in the Meitei language. It was the palace of King Pakhangba, and has religious significance with multiple temples present within the complex. It is also significant in Manipur's history with the British. Bihu Loukon is an ancient star-shaped fort made of mud situated in Maklang, Imphal West District. It was discovered in 2013. Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple is religious site important to both the local religion, Sanamahism, and to Hinduism. The temple is noted for its annual Durga Puja festival. India Peace Memorial at the Red Hills is located 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Imphal. …

Tulihal International Airport is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of the city and has direct flights to major Indian cities. Imphal is connected by the National Highway to major cities like Guwahati, Kohima, Agartala, Shillong, Dimapur, Aizawl, and Silchar. In October 2012, India's Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure approved an extension of the Jiribam–Silchar railway to Imphal. The extension was expected to reach the city by 2019. The total length of the railway line is 110.62 km. The revised estimated cost of construction for the railway line sits at Rs 9658 crore, with Rs 4927.54 crore being spent as of 2019.

At the time of the 2011 census, Imphal Municipal Council had a population of 277,196, of which 135,059 were males and 142,137 females. Imphal had a sex ratio of 1052 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 90.8%: 95.1% for males and 86.77% for females. 29,216 (10.54%) were under 6 years of age, 14,997 being males and 14,219 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 1,274 (0.46%) and 29,778 (10.74%) of the population respectively. Hinduism is the majority religion in Imphal. Sanamahi followers are the second-largest group, and Imphal in particular contains a famous Pakhangba temple in Kangla Fort. Christianity is the third-largest religion, practised mainly by the hill tribes in Imphal. Islam is a minority religion practised by the Pangals, while Buddhism is practised by the Gorkhas and Jainism by migrants from the mainland. At the time of the 2011 census, 82. …