Pangal
Encyclopedia
The Pangals, also pronounced as Pangans are the minority ethnic group of people reside in Northeast India (Manipur
, Assam
, Tripura
and Nagaland
) and also found in Bangladesh. Pangals are also known as Meitei (Meetei)-Pangal or Manipuri Muslim
.
. They are also known as Meitei Pangal indicating the extent of acculturation and assimilation with the Meitei culture.
, Hojai in Assam
, Komolpur in Tripura
and Bangladesh
. It is believed that the ancestors of the pangals settled in this region are migrated from Manipur during the seven years devastation also known as Chahi taret khuntakpa, the black period in the history of Manipur when Burmese captured Manipur around 1815 AD.
s and pajamas, and for women is Fanek and Shalwar. Both also wear western attire. They are proud and very conscious of their Islamic identity.
, Mughal
(Chaghtai
Turks) and Pathan
(Afghans
) which have been further subdivided into 77 sub-clans or family titles.
Manipur
Manipur is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west; it also borders Burma to the east. It covers an area of...
, Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
, Tripura
Tripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
and Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
) and also found in Bangladesh. Pangals are also known as Meitei (Meetei)-Pangal or Manipuri Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
.
History
Manipur is an ancient kingdom; its first historical king was Nongda Lairen Pakhangba of 33-154 AD. Muslims of Manipur are historically called Pangal or Meitei-Pangal which derives from "Pang" which was a Tai cognate tribe, although it may derive from "Bangal", from where they came in the early seventh century.1 The word “Bangal” (“Bengal”) itself was coined from “Bang” by adding the suffix ‘al’, but the terms “Pang” and “Pangal” existed in Manipur (formerly Poirei or Meitrabak or Mekhli/Mughlai or Kathe) since the seventh century. “Pangal” simply means “Manipuri Muslims”, as they follow IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. They are also known as Meitei Pangal indicating the extent of acculturation and assimilation with the Meitei culture.
Population
Their present population is 190,939, making up 8.32% of the state (Manipur) population as per 2001 census. The Pangal are mainly concentrated in and around Imphal, the capital of Manipur. There is large number of pangals live in Cachar in AssamAssam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
, Hojai in Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
, Komolpur in Tripura
Tripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
and Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. It is believed that the ancestors of the pangals settled in this region are migrated from Manipur during the seven years devastation also known as Chahi taret khuntakpa, the black period in the history of Manipur when Burmese captured Manipur around 1815 AD.
Family titles
Today there are up to 77 Muslim family title names (Shaqzi). They are an indigenous and peace-loving community. Traditional dress for men is LungiLungi
The Lungi , also known as a sarong , is a traditional garment worn around the waist in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Horn of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula...
s and pajamas, and for women is Fanek and Shalwar. Both also wear western attire. They are proud and very conscious of their Islamic identity.
Stratification
According to British writers, Manipuri Muslims (Pangals) were divided into four groups or clans- Shaikh, SyedSyed
Syed is a masculine given name derived from the title Sayyid, it is not to be confused with the similar looking name Sayid...
, Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
(Chaghtai
Chagatai people
The Chagatai are one of the Tajik peoples of Uzbekistan. The Chagatai live in the Surxondaryo Province in south-east Uzbekistan and in southern Tajikistan. They numbered 63,500 in 1924-25. Together with the Kharduri, the Chagatai are one of the ethnographic groups of Tajiks who maintain a...
Turks) and Pathan
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
(Afghans
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
) which have been further subdivided into 77 sub-clans or family titles.
See also
- Hui Legends of The Companions of The Prophet, China Heritage,20 Sep 2010, www.chinaheritagenewsletter.org/article.
- For early Meitei-Arab, Meitei-Mughal connection, see Thang Ta: A journey (Through the history of Kangleipak) from an ancient combat art to a popular modern sport- Part 4 by By Dr.HanjabamCha Barun (http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?rc=leisure. Sports.Martial_ Arts.Thang_Ta_A_ journey_4).
- For Muslim settlement since 7th century see History Of Migration In the Valley Of Manipur by Dr. Oinam Ranjit Singh (www.dbcmaram.org/seminar/Dr.%20O.%20Ranjit%20Singh.pdf).
- e-pao.net (Manipuri_Muslims_Socially_Speaking...manipur)
- www.e-pao.net › manipur (Evolution of Clan System Among Manipuri Muslims)
- Manipur, Wikipedia
- Muslims of ManipurMuslims of ManipurThe Manipuri Muslims locally known as Pangal are a cultural group and religious minority who have been living peacfully with the majority community- the Meitei who are co-valley dwellers and with hill inhabitants- Naga and Kuki who are Christians. Muslims have been living in Manipur, North East...
, Wikipedia - Manipuri Muslims: Socially Speaking