Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Hinduism which emerged in the 18 th century is the dominant religion of the Meiteis in the state of Manipur.It was accepted as a state religion in 1714 AD during the reign of king Garibaniwaj.There was a systematic process of induction of the religion in the minds of the earlier Non Hindu people of the state.Brahmins from the neighbhouring states were deployed in the court for every possible rites and rituals performed in state.In almost all the possible localities a Brahmin was deployed with patronization either from the king or by the locality.These Brahmins and other Manipuri scholars compiled and translated various Hindu scriptures written in Sanskrit and in Bengali into Manipuri for easy access by the mass.It is during this period that Sanskrit, Bengali and Hindi elements were systematically incorporated in culture, religion, polity and language.As a result of this 18 th century and early 19 th century Manipuri literature has marked influence of the Sanskrit and Bengali literatures.A number of religious books was translated and adapted versions of many such literature emerged in this period.Age old umanglais (the sylvan deities) of Meiteis were very tactfully equated with the Hindu Gods.The ceaseless indoctrination into a new faith and culture was made successful through the cultural projects of LairikThiba_ haiba (narration and translation of scriptures) and Waree leeba religious story telling)-mass education of Meiteis in Hindu scriptures viz. the Mahabharata and the Ramayana in the Mandapas (the community halls) and establishment of children"s dance drama the GouraLila and women"s dance drama the Rasa Lila etc.The paper will look into the systemic process of proselytisation and popularization of Hinduism through the tactful use of religious literature, without which the culture of Hinduism would never have been imbibed at all by the masses in Manipur.
Author: Dr. Ch. Sarajubala Devi
Language: English
Topic: Indian and Buddhist Studies
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3172583048