Manung Kangjeibung
The Manung Kangjeibung is an old polo field located to the south west of the citadel inside the Kangla Fort in Imphal West district of Manipur. In ancient times, only royalties and nobilities were allowed to play the game of polo in this royal playground.
It is one of the two most ancient pologrounds in the world, the other one being the Mapal Kangjeibung.
Etymology
In Meitei language, "manung" means "inside" or "inner side".The Meitei term "kāngjeibung" means pologround. Morphologically, the word "kāng‑jei‑bung" can be divided into three roots, "kāng", "jei" and "bung", meaning "a round/spherical object", "stick" and "mound" respectively.
The Meitei term for stick is originally "cei".
History
According to ancient Meitei manuscripts known as the PuYas, the *Manung Kangjeibung* is considered one of the oldest polo grounds in the world. Historical sources suggest that King Ningthou Kangba played the traditional Meitei form of polo, known as, at this ground.The Manung Kangjeibung polo field was further developed during the reign of King Marjit Singh.
Serving as a helipad
On 9 May 2018, Nongthombam Biren Singh, the Chief Minister of Manipur, as a chairperson in the 27th meeting of the Kangla Fort Board, had a discussion regarding the shifting of the helipad service from the "Manung Kangjeibung" pologround of the Kangla Fort complex.The discussion meeting was participated by Th. Satyabrata Singh, MLA, J. Suresh Babu, Chief Secretary, L.M. Khaute, DHP, M. Lakshmikumar, Commissioner, Ng. Uttam, Director, Superintendent of Archaeology Department and many others.