Kangla Fort

Once the seat of Manipur's imperial power, the Kangla Fort, located in the state capital of Imphal, stands today as an embodiment of Manipur's rich history and culture. The word
'Kangla' literally translates to 'dry land' in Meitei, the Tibeto-Burman language predominant in Manipur.
The origins of the Kangla Fort is enshrouded in intriguing mythology. The present-day structure of the fort is approximately dated back to 33 AD, when Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, the mythical God-King of Manipur, first ascended the throne.
Over the course of time, the fort was frequently renovated and expanded by subsequent Manipuri rulers. King Khagemba commissioned the construction of a brick wall on the western gate of the palace. Later, extensive attempts were made by King Khunjaoba and his son to embellish the fort.
A moat on the western edge of the
palace is often credited to him. In 1891, control over the Kangla Fort fell into British hands in the aftermath of the Anglo-Manipur War. Thereafter, the fort fell into the authority of the Assam Rifles with whom it remained until 2004. On 20th November 2004, the Kangla Fort was finally handed over by the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the state government of Manipur.

The architecture of the Kangla Fort is often heralded as being a true symbol of rich culture, history and tradition of the Manipuri people. Today, the fort attracts tourists from all over the world and is considered to be of special interest to history buffs and art lovers for its immense historical, religious and archaeological importance.