The panel discussion was moderated by Shri Dachhbanta Samom, Director (Interpretation) of Lok Sabha. Dr. Ibomcha Sharma Aribam, Chief of Media and Communication, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, participated as a panelist and critically reviewed the book, highlighting its academic significance and contemporary relevance.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ranjan said the World Book Fair symbolises the free exchange of knowledge, dialogue among cultures, and the power of books to build bridges of understanding. He noted that these values resonate deeply with Manipur’s historical experience as a small but strategically important kingdom that thrived through diplomacy, cultural exchange, and engagement with neighbouring powers.

Dr. Ranjan emphasised that Manipur was never merely a landlocked princely state but a sophisticated political entity that maintained complex relations with Burma (Myanmar), Ahom (Assam), Takhel (Tripura), tribal communities, and later the British Raj. Its geographical position at the crossroads of South and Southeast Asia, he said, made Manipur both vulnerable and invaluable, shaping centuries of diplomatic manoeuvring, conflict, and cultural interaction.

The author explained that the book explores key dimensions of Manipur’s geopolitical past, including the nuanced statecraft of Manipuri rulers, the devastating seven-year Burmese invasions and their long-term impact, and the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, which altered the kingdom’s historical trajectory. Based on extensive archival research in Imphal, Kolkata, New Delhi and London, as well as field visits and oral histories, the work seeks to bring Manipur’s overlooked history into mainstream historical discourse.

Dr. Ranjan observed that the questions Manipur faced in the past of preserving identity while engaging powerful neighbours and balancing geography with sovereignty remain relevant today. He expressed hope that the book would place Manipur’s story in a broader global conversation and inspire further research.

He thanked the National Book Trust of India, its editorial team, fellow panelists, archivists, and local communities for their support. Concluding, Dr. Ranjan dedicated the book to the people of Manipur, calling it their story of resilience, diplomacy, and historical significance.