Manipur is a state of north eastern region and Imphal is its capital. Imphal is a plain land situated at the center of Manipur. The Senapati district is on the north, Imphal East and Thoubal districts on the east, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts on the south, and Senapati and Bishnupur districts on the west.
Imphal occupies an important place in the history of India’s struggle for freedom. The Indian National Army (INA), under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, fought against British in this place along with Japanese army.
Like other cities of north eastern India, Imphal has a temperate weather, fertile land with abundant vegetation and rivers. There are several small rivers: the Imphal, Iril, Sekmai, Thoubal and Khuga. Nambul is the major river of Imphal west.
Imphal offers a wide range of flora and fauna. Trees include: bamboo, Pepals, Kaubila, Eucalyptus, Amla, Parkai roxburgil (Yongchak), Arundo donax (yendhou), Carica papaya (papaya), Citrus grandia (Pamelo), Mangifera indica (Mango) etc. Wild animals include: fox, deer, wild pig, jungle cat, monkeys and leopards. Because of the cleaning of forest the numbers of animals are decreasing.
There are not any heavy manufacturing industries in this region. Agriculture and small cottage industries are the major sources of livelihood. Aside from these, other small scale industries like: wooden furniture, saw mill, rice and flour mill, iron and steel works, etc can be found here.
Imphal is a city with forests, hills and rivers. The city also has many interesting sites:
- Shree Shree Govindajee Temple: Situated near the Royal palace of Manipur’s former kings, it is a beautiful temple.
- Women's market or Ima keithel: A market where 3000 women run the stalls.
- War Cemeteries: Built in the memories of British and Indian soldiers who fought and died in the Second World War.
- Manipur Zoological Garden: Located near the polo ground, this museum contains various artifacts and pictures of the rulers of Manipur.
- Shaheed Minar: Built in memories of the tribal Martyrs, who died fighting against the British in 1891. This tall minar is situated at Bir Tikendtrajit Park at the center of the city.
- Nupi-lal Memorial: Nupi-lal means “women’s war”. Like the Shaheed minar, this memorial is located at the city center. It is built in honor of those Manipuri women, who fought against British and on 12th December, 1939.
- Polo ground: The polo ground located in Imphal is one of the oldest polo grounds of the world.
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