Log in Sign up
Back to Discover
🗺️

Imphal

geography Maturity 11-13

Imphal is a big city.

Imphal view.jpg
Imphal view.jpg
It is in India. It sits in a green valley. Many hills are all around it.
Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg
Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg
People make pretty things there. Do you want to see it?

37 words

Imphal is a big city in India.

Imphal view.jpg
Imphal view.jpg
It sits in a green valley. Many hills are all around it.
Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg
Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg

The city is known for making things. People weave cloth and make brass items. There is a huge market run by women.

Imphal airport.jpg
Imphal airport.jpg

Long ago, kings lived in a big palace. The palace had a moat around it. Now, people visit the old ruins.

In the winter, the air is cool. It can even get very cold at night. In the summer, it can be hot.

Many people live in this busy place. It is a very special part of the world.

107 words

Imphal is the capital city of Manipur.

Imphal view.jpg
Imphal view.jpg
It sits in a green valley in eastern India. Nine ranges of hills surround the city. The weather is mostly mild. It has cool, dry winters. The summer months can be a bit hot. In the winter, it can get very cold at night.
Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg
Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg

Imphal has a very long history. Long ago, kings ruled from the Kangla Palace. This palace had a moat around it.

City convention center.jpg
City convention center.jpg
The city was also part of a big battle in World War II. Today, people visit the Red Hills to see memorials for the soldiers.

Many people live and work in Imphal. It is a busy place for trade. The city is known for weaving and making brass items. There is a famous market called Ima Keithel. It is the largest market in Asia run only by women.

Imphal airport.jpg
Imphal airport.jpg
Many people in the city speak the Manipuri language. Imphal also has many schools and big universities. It is a very important place for the state.

176 words

Imphal is the capital city of the Indian state of Manipur.

Imphal view.jpg
Imphal view.jpg
It sits in the Imphal Valley in eastern India. Nine ranges of hills surround this valley. The name Imphal comes from two words. "Yum" means house and "Phal" means plenty or beautiful. In the old language, "yum" was sometimes spelled "im." People still say "yum-phal" every now and then.
Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg
Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg

The city has a humid subtropical climate. This means the weather is mostly moderate. Winters are cool and dry. The monsoon season can be a bit hot. In January, the average low is near 7°C. On very clear nights, it can drop to 1°C. Sometimes it even drops below freezing. You might see frost on winter mornings. June and July are the wettest months.

City convention center.jpg
City convention center.jpg

Imphal has a very long history of kings. The Ningthouja dynasty ruled the region for a long time. King Khagemba and his son Khunjaoba built the Kangla Palace. This palace was the royal seat of the Kingdom of Manipur. It sits on the banks of the Imphal River. The palace is surrounded by a moat. Later, the British destroyed the palace during a war.

Soldiers of the two wings of the 14th Army link-up at Milestone 109 during the Battle of Imphal-Kohima.jpg
Soldiers of the two wings of the 14th Army link-up at Milestone 109 during the Battle of Imphal-Kohima.jpg

World War II was a big event for the city. Between March and July 1944, the Battle of Imphal took place. Japanese forces tried to invade India through Imphal. However, they were defeated and had to retreat. This battle showed how important the city's position was. Today, people visit the Imphal War Cemetery. They also visit the India Peace Memorial at the Red Hills.

Imphal airport.jpg
Imphal airport.jpg

Many people live and work in this busy hub. It is a place for many different trades. People make beautiful weaving and brass-ware there. Imphal is home to the Ima Keithel. This is the largest all-women run market in Asia. Around 5,000 to 6,000 women work there. Most people in the city speak the Manipuri language. The city also has many big schools and universities.

Manipur University main gate.jpg
Manipur University main gate.jpg

349 words

Imphal is the capital city of the Indian state of Manipur. It serves as the primary metropolitan center for the region. The city is located in the Imphal Valley in extreme eastern India. This valley is surrounded by nine different ranges of hills.

Imphal view.jpg
Imphal view.jpg
The name Imphal likely comes from two words. "Yum" means house and "Phal" means plenty or beautiful. In the old Manipuri language, "yum" was often spelled as "im." Some people still use the pronunciation "yum-phal" today.

The climate in Imphal is described as humid subtropical. This classification, known as Köppen Cwa, means the weather is generally moderate. The hills and high altitude help keep the temperature from becoming too extreme. Winters are typically cool and dry. The monsoon season brings slightly hotter weather. In January, the average low temperature is near 7°C. On very clear nights, it can drop to 1°C. Sometimes temperatures even fall below the freezing point.

City convention center.jpg
City convention center.jpg
Rainfall is most common during June and July. The city also experiences about 42.2 days of thunder and 46.1 days of fog annually. Fog usually appears on dry winter mornings and clears by noon.

Imphal has a deep history of royal rule. The Ningthouja dynasty began ruling after the ascension of King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba. This clan expanded its power through politics and war. King Khagemba and his son Khunjaoba built the Kangla Palace. This palace was the royal seat of the former Kingdom of Manipur. It sits on the banks of the Imphal River and is surrounded by a moat.

Soldiers of the two wings of the 14th Army link-up at Milestone 109 during the Battle of Imphal-Kohima.jpg
Soldiers of the two wings of the 14th Army link-up at Milestone 109 during the Battle of Imphal-Kohima.jpg
The British later destroyed the palace during the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. This war followed internal royal disputes and the execution of Senapati Tikendrajit.

World War II brought significant changes to the area. Between March and July 1944, the Battle of Imphal occurred. Japanese forces invaded to destroy Allied forces and enter India. However, the Japanese were defeated and forced to retreat. This battle proved the strategic military importance of Imphal.

Imphal airport.jpg
Imphal airport.jpg
Today, the area holds several memorials. The India Peace Memorial at the Red Hills marks the site of combat. The Imphal War Cemetery is also managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Even the Indian Navy named the destroyer INS Imphal to honor the soldiers of this battle.

The city is a major commercial hub for the region. It is well known for cottage industries like weaving and brass-ware. One of its most famous sites is the Ima Keithel. This is the largest all-women run market in Asia. It was established in the 16th century. Currently, between 5,000 and 6,000 women vendors work there.

Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg
Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg
The population is diverse, with Hinduism being the majority religion. Sanamahism is the second-largest group, and Christianity is the third-largest. Many people also practice Islam, Buddhism, or Jainism.

Imphal is also a center for education and sports. The city hosts several major institutions, such as Manipur University.

Manipur University main gate.jpg
Manipur University main gate.jpg
It is also home to the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. This stadium holds 30,000 people and hosts football and athletics. Interestingly, the game of polo has its origins in Manipur. A traditional version called Sagol Kangjei was played here centuries ago. British officers later adapted this game into the modern version played worldwide.

Governance in the city has evolved significantly over time. The British established the Town Fund Board in 1915. After India gained independence in 1949, the board continued to function. In 1956, the Imphal Municipal Board was formed under the Assam Municipal Act. The board grew from 12 members to 28 members by 1972. In 2014, the council was upgraded to a Municipal Corporation. It now consists of 27 wards, each with an elected councillor. This organized system helps manage the city's growing urban population.

644 words
🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Soldiers of the two wings of the 14th Army link-up at Milestone 109 during the Battle of Imphal-Kohima.jpg
Soldiers of the two wings of the 14th...
File:Imphal view.jpg
Imphal view.jpg
File:City convention center.jpg
City convention center.jpg
File:Imphal airport.jpg
Imphal airport.jpg
File:Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg
Imphal, Manipur (55).jpeg
File:Manipur University main gate.jpg
Manipur University main gate.jpg
Up Next
🗺️
Manipur
Geography
More to explore

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.