The earliest mention of this tiny state goes back as far as the 33 AD with the reign of the ‘Kind Pakhangba’ who unified all the seven clans of the Manipuri society. From ancient times the Meitei and the Meitei - Pangals have lived together in the valley alongside the Nagas and Kukis.

After the Second World War in 1947, a democratic form of government was formed in Manipur with the Maharaja as the head of the state.

But in the year1949, the King was made to sign the Treaty of Accession which merged this princely state with India. In 1956, it was made into a Union Territory and in 1972 given full statehood status.