Biographical Overview

Maharani Dhanamanjuri was born around 1884 CE (Devi 2020, 63). She was the Maharani and consort of His Highness Maharaja Sir Churachand Singh (r. 1891–1941 CE) of Manipur and was popularly known as Ngangbi Maharani. The marriage ceremony of His Highness the Maharaja and Maharani Dhanamanjuri, daughter of Ngangbam Jugol Singh of Imphal, was solemnized at the Rajbari on the night of 17 March 1905.

She became the mother of Crown Princess Maharajkumari Tamphasana on 21 February 1909. Maharani Dhanamanjuri Devi took a keen interest in the promotion of Western education in Manipur. In 1946, she established Dhanamanjuri College, the first college in Manipur, which was named in her honour. The establishment of this institution fulfilled a long-felt aspiration of the people of Manipur to pursue higher education within the State.

She passed away on 12 August 1975 CE at Yaiskul, Imphal, and was ritually assigned the pretanāma (posthumous name) Shri Shri Krishna Chandra Dasinī. She was cremated in an exceptionally humble manner, without the use of Kairen Keijao, the traditional Meitei royal coffin, and the śrāddha rites were performed at Shri Shri Govindajee Temple (Devi 2020, 63).

Maharani Dhanamanjuri was the mother of five daughters, namely Maharajkumari Tamphasana, Maharajkumari Sanatombi, Maharajkumari Tombisana, Maharajkumari Angousana, and Maharajkumari Binodini. She also adopted a son, Maharajkumar Jaisingh, who was born to her younger sister, her husband’s other wife.

Maharani Dhanamanjuri was not only a patron of Manipuri classical dance but also the founder and makok chingbi (lead singer) of Jalakeli Mou Pala.

Reference:

• Thoidingjam Lakhmipriya Devi. Ningsinglakpada Jalakili. Imphal, 2020.

Collection Description

The collection comprises seven volumes of the Shrimad Bhagavatam by Maharshi Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa (1927 edition, in Sanskrit and Bengali) and Sri Sri Caitanya Caritamrta by Krishnadasa Kaviraja (1927 edition, in Bengali). These books were personally venerated by Maharani Dhanamanjuri and were read with the assistance of Brahmins, who chanted and expounded the scriptures for her.

The books were later passed down to her daughter, Princess Angousana. In 1934, Maharaja Churachand established a temple dedicated to Shri Shri Krishna Chandra Jiu at Nabadwip, West Bengal. In the later part of her life, Maharani Dhanamanjuri spent most of her time residing at this temple. The temple was popularly known as the “Sonai Mandir” (Golden Temple), as its dome was covered with gold sheets. The throne of the idol Shri Krishna Chandra was also adorned with gold. According to her granddaughter Lakhmipriya Devi, the books in this collection were once venerated by Maharani Dhanamanjuri at this temple.

Donor Information

The books were donated to the library by Thoidingjam Ongbi Huidrom Lakhmipriya Devi, the eldest daughter of Princess Angousana.