New Delhi:The revised edition of the seminal work, “Cheitharol Kumbaba: The Royal Chronicle of Manipur” by Nepram Bihariwas successfully released on Wednesday, 27th August 2025 at India International Centre, New Delhi.The author, now 95 years old and bedridden, worked tirelessly on the book for over 17 years. This monumental work will stand as a beacon of light for generations to come in Manipur and around the world, helping them understand the richness of our indigenous history, culture, science, arts, and diplomacy.
CheitharolKumbaba, often referred to as the official royal chronicle of Manipur, is one of the most significant and rare historical Indigenous texts, tracing the lineage, governance, and events of the Manipur’sKings from 33 A.D onwards. This new updated edition brings fresh insights, rare annotations, and previously unpublished materials that shed new light on Manipur’s ancient legacy and cultural resilience. The effort to reprint this was undertaken by the author’s daughter, BinalakshmiNepramin an attempt to give easy access to many in Manipur, India and around the world of this immense monumental work that has defined Manipur for centuries.
This event marks a celebration not only of the book but also of Manipur’s enduring diplomatic, scientific, medicine, astronomy, cultural, sports, literary and historical traditions. By reading the book, it will help people in Manipur and around the world understand who we are, and it will inspire us to know which way to go.
Scholars, cultural leaders, historians, and well-wishers joined this significant moment in the preservation and dissemination of Indigenous knowledge of Manipur. This is a must read for everyone who truly cares for building a better, stronger, peacefulManipur. Speaking at the launch, Professor Priyanka Thakur of Delhi University stated, “Manipur’s history should have been given a place in history. India has a writing tradition and Manipur’s CheitharolKumbaba is one of the most important chronicles which can help enrich the already known traditions.” Professor Thakur urged the Government of India to understand this and make the needed changes for including history of Manipur. Professor Zuchamo Yanthan of IGNOU stated, “Though the Bezbaruah Committee Report formed in 2014 recommended inclusion of history of Northeast India in syllabus, till today it remains just as a supplementary reading. NCERT barely covers history of Northeast Region,” and he called for rectifying this. Professor Amarjeet, Director of Centre for Northeast Studies, Jamia Milia Islamia spoke about the need for incorporating some aspects of CheitharolKumbaba in the syllabus as an effort to let country be aware of rich history of Manipur and Northeast Region.
This important event honored the life and work of Nepram Bihari, whose contribution to Manipur’s historiography has ensured that generations can access and understand the foundational narratives of the land and its beautiful and unique Indigenous Peoples.
To read CheitharolKumbaba is to understand Manipur and in the process understand ourselves, trace our roots and know who we are as Indigenous Peoples. CheitharolKumbaba mentions that it is not just in geo-politics, Manipur also was known for its medicines, surgery was performed in old times and astronomy, environmental preservation, scientific ways of knowing, living and working. The book also teaches us the strides we have made diplomatically internationally, locally and regionally. It also helps us trace our war making, peace-making and negotiation skills to help build the diverse, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious Manipur that we know of today.
About the Author
Nepram Bihari, 95 years old,also known as Nungkangba Khuman is a renowned Manipuri bureaucrat, intellectual and author whose recent groundbreaking work made the ancient court chronicles of Manipur accessible to scholars and readers across country and the world. His translation of CheitharolKumbaba stands as a cornerstone in the study of not just Manipur and Northeast history but of Indigenous history globally. Nepramwas born on January 6, 1932, in the Manipur at NepraMenjorLeikai, Imphal, Manipur.
He grew up in the turmoil of the Second World War of Japanese bombing at Imphal in 1942. His father Nepram Gokul Singh was deputed to France by the then British Government as Guide cum Administrator for the Labor Corps of Manipur during the first World War of 1914-18 and for his services he received reward of King George Medal after his return. Nepram is the great grandson of legendary Manipuri Warrior, Nepram Major (NepramTumbra Singh) who was part of the Manipur Levy under Manipur’s Gambhir Singh Maharaj. Nepram Major was imprisoned for eight years by the then British Colonial government. Current locality of NepraMenjorleikai is named after his memory. A statue of his stands now in Sagolband near the pond which also bears his name.
His mother Rajkumari Kabokleisana Devi’s elder brother, Raj Kumar Bhubonsana was the first Revenue Minister of Manipur State from 1947 to August 1948 Interim Council of Manipur led by Maharaj Kumar Priyobarta Singh as the then Chief Minister of Manipur formed after Manipur Constitution Act, 1947.
Nepram joined Tera Boys School, Sagolband, Imphal West district at the primary level and passed matriculation exam in 1951 under the Gauhati University and continued further study at Dhanamanjuri College Imphal in Science Stream and passed the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in 1955 in Royal Science (Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics). He served as a teacher for some time at HaobamMarak High School, Imphal.
Nepram joined Manipur Government Service in December 1956 as Extension Officer in Industries Department and posted at Mao Maram Development Block in Tadubi, Senapati District, Manipur. He entered marital life on 20 March 1959 with YensembamIbemhal of Heirangoithong. Nepramretired as a Additional Director of Industries Department in 1993 and after his retirement, with support from his youngest daughter, BinalakshmiNepram worked tirelessly for 17 long years to complete the monumental work of translating “CheitharolKumbaba: The Royal Chronicle of Manipur” from original text. The first edition of the book was lauched in 2012 in New Delhi by Padma Bhibhusan awardee, late Dr Kapila Vastsyayan, a leading scholar of Indian classical dance, art, architecture, and art history along with Tripura’s Titular King, PradyotManikya.
For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact:
Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network
Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace
Reena Mutum
Email :Reenamutum@gmail.com
Phone :9774357042