Garib Niwaz: Wars and Religious Policy in 18th Century Manipur

Abstract

The reign of Garib Niwaz (1709-1748) marked the zenith of military power in Manipur and a crisis in the adoption of Hinduism as the religion of the state. Niwaz’ military exploits were mainly undertaken against the Burmese, whom he defeated in numerous campaigns between 1717 and 1739. He accepted his father’s Vaishnavism, and attempted to make it a state religion. Both ritual and legal reforms were enacted to conform to Hindu principles. He opposed the Ramanandi school, and was antagonistic to the traditional Manipuri religion. Many of the lai (traditional diety) were destroyed, and others Hinduized. It is likely that his religious policies may have been a factor in his assassination in 1751.