The Meitei term "kāngjeibung" (Meitei: ꯀꯥꯡꯖꯩꯕꯨꯡ) means pologround (polo field). 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.[12]
The Meitei term for stick is originally "cei" (Meitei: ꯆꯩ).[13]
History
In accordance to the ancient manuscripts known as the PuYas, the "Manung Kangjeibung" is one of the oldest pologrounds. It is said that King Ningthou Kangba used to play the game of polo (Meitei: Sagol Kangjei) in the Manung Kangjeibung.[14][15][16] Later, the polo field was developed during the reign of King Marjit Singh (1813-1819).[17][18]
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 (Art and Culture), Ng. Uttam, Director (Art and Culture), Superintendent of Archaeology Department and many others.[19][20][21]
Polo matches
According to the "All Manipur Polo Association (AMPA)", the Chief Minister's upcoming Sagol Kangjei Championship 2022 is going to be organized at the Manung Kangjeibung inside the Kangla. It is to be a part of the annual Sangai festival events.[22][23]
^Since Meitei language uses both Meitei script as well as Bengali script, the Meitei and Bengali transliterations of the name "Manung Kangjeibung" are "ꯃꯅꯨꯡ ꯀꯥꯡꯖꯩꯕꯨꯡ" and "মনুং কাংজৈবুং" respectively. The Bengali transliteration of the Meitei word may or may not be different from the actual Bengali language's script usage styles.
^"Manipuri Pony". International Museum of the Horse. Retrieved 28 September 2022. These consist of the Manung Kangjeibung (inner polo ground), within the ramparts of the Kangla Fort, where only royalty and noblemen were allowed to play. This may be the world's oldest polo ground.
^Muthukumaraswamy, M. D.; Kaushal, Molly (2004). Folklore, Public Sphere, and Civil Society. NFSC www.indianfolklore.org. p. 73. ISBN978-81-901481-4-6. In the two large polo grounds, one inside and the other outside the fort (Manung Kangjeibung and Mapan Kangjeibung the most ancient polo sites of the world) ...
^Panorama, Eastern. "Kangla The Living Historical Symbol of Manipur". Eastern Panorama. Retrieved 28 September 2022. To the south west of the Citadel was the Kangjeibung or pologround, known as the Manung Kangjeibung or the inner polo ground. Polo's origin can be traced back from the time of King Kangba. Ancient literary sources mention Sagol Kangei or Pana Kangjei as the "Game of the Gods". Today Polo is the national sport of Manipur.
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