Manipuri

Manipuri (and sometimes, the 19th century British term, Meithei, which is the name of the people, not of the language), is the predominant language and lingua-franca in the Southeastern Himalayan state of Manipur, in northeastern India. It is the official language in government offices. Meitei-lon is also spoken in the Indian states of Assam and Tripura, and in Bangladesh and Burma.

Meitei-lon has proven to be a large integrating factor among all ethnic groups in Manipur who use it to communicate among themselves.

Meitei-lon has been recognized, as "Manipuri", by the Indian Union and has been included in the list of scheduled languages (included in the 8th schedule by the 71st amendment of the constitution in 1992). Meitei-lon is taught as a subject up to the Post-graduate level (Ph.D.) in Universities of India, apart from being a medium of instruction up to the undergraduate level in Manipur.

Although Meitei-lon is also called Manipuri, it should not be confused with the Indo-Aryan language known as Bishnupriya Manipuri also currently spoken in the state of Manipur.

Meitei-lon had its own script named Meitei-mayek, which was in use until the 18th century. Its earliest use is dated between the 11th and 12th centuries C.E. Subsequently, and particularly with the advent of British Rule in 1891, the Eastern Nagari script better known as the Bengali script, was adopted and is being used today. However, efforts are being made to revive the Meitei Mayek script. There are some texts from the Maring and Limbu tribes of Manipur which were also written using Meitei Mayek.

Languages of India

Indian Languages

Manipuri

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