Imphal is the capital of Manipur — located in Imphal West district at 24.8170°N, 93.9368°E, in a valley surrounded by the Naga and Chin Hills at 786 m elevation. Home to Imphal Airport (IMF), Kangla Fort (ancient royal capital), Ima Keithel (world's largest women-run market), and the site of the decisive 1944 WWII Battle of Imphal — where Allied Forces stopped the Japanese advance into India — Imphal is the cultural, commercial, and historical heart of Northeast India.
Imphal
Where Polo Was Born, Wars Were Won & Women Rule the Marketplace
History of Imphal
Ancient Meitei Kingdom Capital
Imphal has been the seat of the Meitei kingdom for over 2,000 years — the Ningthouja dynasty established their capital at Kangla (within modern Imphal) as far back as 33 CE according to Meitei chronicles. The Imphal Plain (Manipur valley) at 786 m elevation was surrounded by protective hill ranges, making it a naturally defensible capital. Polo — now a global sport — originated in the Imphal valley, where the Meitei played Sagol Kangjei (horse polo) at least 1,500 years ago.
British Residency & Merge with India (1891–1949)
The Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 ended with British victory and the Maharaja's execution — Manipur became a British protectorate with a Residency in Imphal. During WWII, Imphal was the Allied Forces' Northeast India command center and the Japanese siege of Imphal (March–July 1944) — known as the Battle of Imphal — was one of WWII's most decisive engagements, resulting in a total Japanese defeat and 55,000 Japanese casualties. Manipur merged with India in 1949 and Imphal became the state capital in 1972.
Polo's Global Birthplace
Imphal is recognised as the birthplace of modern polo — the sport originated as Sagol Kangjei (meaning "horse hockey" in Meitei) in the Imphal valley. British officers stationed in Imphal in the 1850s learned the game from the Meitei and codified its rules, spreading it globally. The Manipur Polo International tournament is held annually at the Mapal Kangjeibung ground in Imphal — the world's oldest polo ground in continuous use, operational since the 1st millennium CE.
Cultural & Historical Significance
Imphal holds two WWII cemeteries: the Imphal War Cemetery (1,622 Commonwealth graves) and the Japanese War Memorial — rare places where India honors both Allied and Axis forces. The city's Khwairamband Bazaar houses Ima Keithel — a 500-year-old market run exclusively by married Meitei women (Imas), the only such market in the world. Imphal is also a global center for Manipuri classical dance (Ras Lila) and the Thang-Ta martial art — both performed at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy.
Festivals & Events
Manipur Sangai Festival (November 21–30)
Manipur's largest annual tourism festival, headquartered in Imphal at Hapta Kangjeibung ground — 10 days of Manipuri classical dance, Thang-Ta martial arts, polo matches, handloom exhibitions, and food fest. The festival showcases all 33 scheduled tribes of Manipur simultaneously. International media coverage and 50,000+ visitors make it Imphal's biggest tourism event — book accommodation 2 months ahead during this period.
Yaoshang (Manipuri Holi — March)
Yaoshang is Manipur's 5-day version of Holi (March) — Imphal celebrates it uniquely with Thabal Chongba, a traditional folk dance where young men and women form circles and dance together holding hands under moonlight for 5 consecutive nights. It is the only Holi tradition in India replacing colour-throwing with folk dance as the primary celebration mode — an event specific to Imphal valley's Meitei culture and unlike anything celebrated elsewhere in India.
Did You Know?
Imphal's Khwairamband Ima Keithel employs 3,000+ women vendors — all married Meitei women (Imas) — who have traded here for 500+ years. The market functions under an ancient customary law that prohibits men from owning stalls. During the British era, the Imas used this market as a resistance network — the 1939 "Nupi Lan" (Women's War) was organized from Ima Keithel stalls, where Meitei women mobilised against British colonial policies. The market is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage candidate.
Travel Guide to Imphal
How to Reach
By Air: Imphal Airport (IMF) — within city (5 km from centre). Direct daily flights: Delhi (IndiGo, Air India — 2.5 hrs), Kolkata (1 hr), Guwahati (45 min), Bangalore (2.5 hrs).
By Train: No railway to Imphal — nearest station Jiribam (~220 km, 4 hrs by road). New railway line under construction (target 2026–27). Guwahati is the main rail gateway to Northeast.
By Road: Imphal is connected via NH-2 (Imphal–Jiribam), NH-37 (Imphal–Bishnupur–Jiribam), NH-102 (Imphal–Kohima–Dimapur). Kolkata to Imphal by road: ~1,600 km. Dimapur (Nagaland) to Imphal: 215 km, ~6 hrs.
Best Time to Visit
October to March for ideal weather (15–25°C), clear skies, and all major festivals. November: Sangai Festival — Imphal's best week. December–February: cold evenings but dry and clear. Yaoshang (March): unique Manipuri cultural experience. Monsoon (June–September): Imphal valley floods occasionally; road connections (especially NH-37) prone to landslides. Summer (April–June): pre-monsoon is hot but manageable at 786 m elevation (max 32°C). Avoid travel during bandhs (shutdowns) — check local news before road travel.
Local Attractions Nearby
Kangla Fort: 2 km — ancient Meitei royal fort, now open museum.
Ima Keithel: 1 km — world's only all-women run market, 3000+ stalls.
Imphal War Cemetery: 4 km — 1,622 WWII graves of Commonwealth soldiers.
Loktak Lake: 53 km — floating phumdi lake with Sangai deer; day trip.
Tips for Visitors
ILP mandatory for all non-Manipuri visitors. Apply at manipurilp.in (₹20 fee, instant approval) or at Imphal Airport ILP counter. Valid for 15 days; extendable at DC office, Imphal.
Auto-rickshaws are the cheapest city transport (₹30–100 for short trips). App cabs not available in Imphal. Pre-book taxi through your hotel for Loktak/Kangla day trips (₹800–1,500/day).
Try Eromba (fermented fish curry), Singju (Manipuri salad), and Chamthong at Imphal's local restaurants. Khwairamband Bazaar food stalls sell fresh Manipuri thali (₹60–80) — eat before 2 PM.
Carry cash — ATMs available at Imphal centre but outages occur. State Bank of India and Axis Bank ATMs on MG Avenue are most reliable. Card acceptance limited outside major hotels.