Gharib Niwaz (Manipur)

Gharib Niwaz (born Pamheiba, 1690–1751, Meitei: /pāmheiba/,[2] Sanskrit: Gopal Singh[3]) was the ruler of the Manipur Kingdom,[4] ruling from c. 1709 until his death in 1751.

[8] In the early years of his rule (1710–1717 CE), Garib Niwaz focused on consolidating his empire and engaging in military expeditions, including a notable victory in 1714 when his forces, disguised as a marriage party, defeated Burmese troops at the confluence of Chindwin and Ru Rivers.

His legacy, marked by tales of triumph over Burmese forces, showcases Garib Niwaz's strategic brilliance and the enduring impact of his military successes.

Under his rule, the Manipuri empire reached unprecedented heights, solidifying its dominance in South-East Asia and leaving an indelible mark on the region's history.

According to historian Gangmumei, during the reign of Garib Niwaz, the Manipuri empire achieved the peak of its power and consolidation in the contemporary South-East Asian region.

However, historical accounts diverge on his parentage, with British writers suggesting he was the son of a Naga, while local anecdotes hint at royal lineage.

The tensions escalated when a delegation from Burma, accompanied by Samsok emissaries, arrived in Manipur seeking a Meitei princess's hand in marriage.

Despite King Garibaniwaz's courteous reception, the presence of the Samsok people further fueled his anger, setting the stage for further hostilities between the two kingdoms.

[13] Instead of a princess, the King of Burma was met by cavalry, led by Pamheiba that massacred the Burmese army, and brought many prisoners of war to Imphal.

[15] Again in 1738, Manipuris went and camped in Thalunbyu west of Sagaing, burnt every house and monastery up to the walls of Ava, stormed the stockade built to protect the Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, slaughtering the Burmese troops like cattle in a pen and killing the commandant, a minister of the Hluttaw Council; the old door-leaves of the pagoda's eastern gateway show a gash made by the sword of Maharaj Pamheiba when he was forcing an entrance.

Satrajit Narayan's invasion saw initial success, capturing seven posts and defeating the Manipuri army led by Pamon Hanchpa and Naharup Sanglen Rakpa.

King Gharib Niwaz responded by sending reinforcements under Akong Haopamcha, eventually repelling the Tripuris and forcing them out of Manipur by June 1723.

King Gharib Niwaz launched a retaliatory invasion against Tripura, led by his son Khamlang Pamsapa and Guru Santa Das Gosai.