The lallup-kaba was a forced labour system in Manipur Kingdom which required male members of the Meitei ethnicity to work in distant lands or to serve in the army.

As a consequence of the system, women had to support their households by cultivating their fields or weaving textiles and then selling the products on improvised markets.

In 1891, the British colonial administration attempted to impose economic and political reform in Manipur Kingdom, which disrupted the functioning of the market.

[11] The reforms involved large scale seizure and export of food corps from Manipur without consideration for local requirements which caused starvation at times of Mautam.

This, among other causes, resulted in the Nupi Lan or the women's war, which eventually seized with the Japanese invasion of India.

It is located west of Kangla Fort and on the Bir Tikendrajit Road in the Thangal Bazar locality.

Phouoibi Ima Keithel, or the New Market, mainly sells handloom items, especially Meitei traditional clothes, that includes various phaneks, sarees, and inaphi, is located to the south of the road.

There is also a section of stalls under a large tin and tarp arrangement market to the east of the main buildings.

[18] In order to set up stalls in the main buildings of the market, an annual municipal fees is levied.