Imphal

Imphal is the capital city of the Indian state of Manipur, located in the Manipur Valley in the northeastern part of the country. It lies along the Imphal River and is surrounded by hills, forming the valley that serves as the administrative and economic center of the state. The city spans parts of Imphal East and Imphal West districts and functions as the state's principal urban hub.

Historically the seat of the Manipur Kingdom, Imphal retains sites such as Kangla Fort, the historic residence of the Meitei rulers. The city was the focal point of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 and the 1904-05 Nupi Lan movement; it also witnessed significant action during the Battle of Imphal in 1944 in World War II.

Key landmarks include Kangla Fort, the Ima Keithel (Mother's Market) run by women, the Govindajee Temple, and the Mapal Kangjeibung polo ground, regarded by many as the oldest polo ground in the world. Museums such as the Manipur State Museum preserve regional heritage.

In terms of education and administration, Imphal hosts government offices, Manipur University at nearby Canchipur, and several colleges and research institutes. The city is served by Imphal International Airport, while road networks connect it with other parts of Manipur and the northeast.

Imphal has a humid subtropical climate with a monsoon season; summers are warm and winters are mild. The population is multiethnic, with Meitei as the predominant community alongside numerous hill tribes; Manipuri (Meitei) is the official language, along with several local languages.