Chandrakirti Singh

After the death of Raja Gambhir Singh, Chandrakirti Singh ascended the throne of Manipur at the young age of 2 years old with the title of Ningthempisak which meant "young king" or "little king". During his early years, Nara Singh served as the regent of Manipur from 1832 to 1844. Following this period, Nara Singh ruled the kingdom himself from 1844 to 1850, while Chandrakirti Singh and his mother, Queen Dowager Maharani Kumudini Devi, took refuge in Assam. After Nara Singh’s death in 1850, Chandrakirti Singh returned to Manipur and reclaimed the throne after dethroning Debindro Singh.

From 1850 to 1886, Maharaja Chandrakirti Singh ruled Manipur for thirty-five years, a time generally marked by stability and progress. He received strong support from several British Political Agents, including McCulloch, Dr. R. Brown, and James Johnstone. With British assistance—particularly through the supply of firearms—he was able to maintain order among the Naga tribes and help define the boundaries between Manipur and the Naga Hills.

Prior to his reign, Kuki settlers were established in villages along Manipur’s southern frontier. Many Kukis were enlisted in the state’s army, forming a contingent known as the Kuki Irregulars. The British administration helped suppress rival claimants to the Manipuri throne, strengthening Chandrakirti’s authority. Under his leadership, trade, crafts, and local industries flourished.

During the British Lushai Expedition, Chandrakirti Singh was asked to send troops to Tseklapai on the southern frontier of Manipur, to keep watch on Kamhau-Suktes. The troops instead moved ahead to Chivu salt springs, encroaching into then-ungoverned tribal territory, and planted a victory stone at that location. Even though the British frowned on this exercise, later in 1890, they set Manipur's border near the Chivu salt springs.

Manipur prestó ayuda a los británicos en la Revuelta Naga de 1879-1880 , enviando a unos 2000 soldados manipuríes e irregulares kuki al mando del príncipe heredero Surachandra Singh , con la asistencia del príncipe Tikendrajit y el general Thangal, para sofocar los levantamientos en Khonoma y Kohima . Posteriormente, Manipur también apoyó a las fuerzas británicas en la Tercera Guerra Anglo-Birmana (1885) , contribuyendo a la conquista de la región del Alto Chindwin en Birmania . El maharajá Chandrakirti Singh mantuvo una relación cordial con los británicos, especialmente con Sir James Johnstone , el agente político en Manipur. En reconocimiento a su cooperación, fue condecorado con el título de ( Caballero Comendador de la Estrella de la India ) en 1874.