Meitei nationalism[1][2] (Meitei: ꯂꯩꯄꯥꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯕ) refers to nationalism among the Meitei people.[3][4][failed verification] In the Meitei context this includes various movements throughout history to sustain Meitei cultural identity, political boundary, ethnicity and history to regain sovereign state status of Kangleipak (presently known as Manipur).[5]
Historically, the kingdom of Meitei also known as Meitei Leipak[6] remained sovereign for at least 1951 years,[7] although there were matrimonial alliance as well as wars with the neighbouring country or kingdom of Burma.[8][9] Meitei kingdom (Meitei Leipak) lost its sovereignty in 1891 as a result of Anglo Manipur War and regained its sovereign status in 1947 but it was short lived due to the controversial Manipur Merger Agreement of 1949.[10][11][citation needed]
In the 19th century Hijam Irabot was the pioneer of nationalism in Manipur[12][need quotation to verify] who firstly revolted against monarchy rule demanding a democratic government for the people.[13] Various demands ranging from self determination to liberation of Manipur all took its root from not accepting the instrument of Merger act with the Indian Union.[citation needed] Scholar Paula Banerjee states that Merger agreement was seen by Manipuris as an "illegal and illegitimate annexation".[14] Meitei and Pangal nationalists[15] began claiming Manipur was a sovereign state in 1949 with democratic rule under 'Manipur State Constitution Act 1947' and Maharaja of Manipur Bodhchandra Singh was in no position to sign the merger agreement.[16][need quotation to verify]