Prof. Gangmumei Kamei (October 21, 1939 – January 5, 2017) was a distinguished Indian historian, scholar, and politician who left an indelible mark on the historiography of Northeast India, particularly Manipur. Belonging to the Zeliangrong Naga community, he is celebrated for his authoritative research on the region's pre-colonial and modern history, ethnic relations, and the cultural landscape of the Zeliangrong Nagas.[1][2]
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Academic Career and Historical Scholarship
Born in Imphal, Manipur, Kamei dedicated his life to education and historical research. He served as a Professor of History at Manipur University, where he mentored generations of scholars and was regarded as the foremost expert on the state's history. He also served as the Coordinator of the Centre for Manipuri Studies and Tribal Research at the university.[1]
Kamei was deeply involved in shaping regional historical narratives. He was elected President of the Northeast India History Association (NEIHA) in its 1986 Kohima session and served as the President of the Manipur History Society.[1] At the national level, he contributed as a member of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), the Advisory Committee of the Anthropological Survey of India (1984–1987), and the ICSSR panel on Tribal Studies.[1] In recognition of his vast contributions to history and tribal culture, he was awarded the Platinum Jubilee Samman by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad in 2010. Furthermore, he was awarded a prestigious National Fellowship by the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) in Shimla from 2010 to 2012.[1]
Political Career and Public Service
Beyond academia, Kamei was a committed political leader who sought to address the socio-economic and political challenges of Manipur. He founded the Federal Party of Manipur, a regional political party aimed at advocating for the state's autonomy, regional development, and the rights of its diverse ethnic groups. He had a successful electoral career, eventually serving as a cabinet minister in the Government of Manipur, where he held crucial portfolios including Forest, Environment, and Higher Education.[2][3]
In his later years, Kamei joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2012 and contested the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency. Although he did not win the seat, he played a key role in developing the party's policy framework for the state. He was also nominated as a member of the Regional Planning Body of the North Eastern Council (NEC), contributing to the broader developmental strategies of Northeast India.[1][3]
Major Books Authored
Prof. Kamei's books are considered foundational texts for anyone studying the history and sociology of Manipur. His major publications include:
Anal, A Trans-Border Tribe of Manipur (1985)[1]
A History of Manipur: Pre-colonial Period (1991) – Widely considered his magnum opus and a staple text on early Manipuri history.[1][4]
Ethnicity and Social Change: An Anthology of Essays (2002)[1]
History of Zeliangrong Nagas: From Makhel to Rani Gaidinliu (2004) – An authoritative text tracing the migration, culture, and political movements of the Zeliangrong people.[1]
Essays on Primordial Religion (2006)[1]
On History and Historiography of Manipur (2006)[1]
From Tribalism to Feudalism: Evolution of the Meitei State in the Pre-colonial Period (2010)[1]
Lectures on History of Manipur (2012)[1]
The Rise of Middle Classes in Manipur (2012)[1]
A History of Modern Manipur 1826-2000 (2015) – A comprehensive account of the state's modern history from the Treaty of Yandabo to the new millennium.[1][2]
Selected Research Papers and Articles
In addition to his books, Kamei published extensively in academic journals and presented papers at national and regional historical conferences. Some of his notable contributions include:
The Zeliangrong in Precolonial Manipur: Detailing the historical presence, migration, and socio-political structure of the Zemei, Liangmei, and Rongmei tribes.
Colonial Policy and Practice in Manipur: A historical analysis examining the administrative strategies, economic policies, and political control employed by the British Empire in the princely state of Manipur.
NEIHA Presidential Addresses and Papers: Various research papers presented at the Northeast India History Association, focusing on ethnic relations, traditional land-holding systems, and indigenous political institutions across the Northeastern states.
Prof. Gangmumei Kamei's legacy continues to influence scholars, students, and policymakers. His meticulous documentation of oral histories, archival materials, and indigenous traditions ensures that the historical narratives of Manipur and the Zeliangrong people remain preserved and respected.
Footnotes
[1] Wikipedia Contributors, "Gangmumei Kamei," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, accessed October 5, 2026,
[2] Mathiupuang Gonmei, "Prof Gangmumei Kamei : The legendary hero lives on," E-Pao, January 8, 2018,
[3] Samudra Gupta Kashyap, "Manipur based historian Gangmumei Kamei dies at 77," The Indian Express, January 5, 2017.
[4] Gangmumei Kamei, History of Manipur: Pre-colonial Period (New Delhi: Akansha Publishing House, 2015). (Note: Originally published 1991, reprinted and revised in subsequent editions including 2015).
Bibliography
Gonmei, Mathiupuang. "Prof Gangmumei Kamei : The legendary hero lives on." E-Pao, January 8, 2018.
Kamei, Gangmumei. History of Manipur: Pre-colonial Period. New Delhi: Akansha Publishing House, 2015.
Kashyap, Samudra Gupta. "Manipur based historian Gangmumei Kamei dies at 77." The Indian Express, January 5, 2017.
Wikipedia Contributors. "Gangmumei Kamei." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed October 5, 2026.