Pangal

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 Miah Meitei (Meetei) or Manipuri Muslim.

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 Islam. They are also known as Meitei Pangal indicating the extent of acculturation and assimilation with the Meitei culture.

The Muslims of Manipur were result of two Muslim migrations in 1606 and 1724. Manipur provided shelter to Shah Shuja, the Mughal prince who fled (and was pursued) to save himself from the wrath of his brother Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. According to Henry Rule Kathe, Muslims are the result of intermixing (melting pot) of Muslims coming in different eras from different directions – Bengal, Arakan, Cachar and Manipur itself. Silk-spinning was a trade widely practised by them.