Diasporas of Gods, Forgotten Histories, and Cultural Identity: Religion, Power, and Resistance in Postcolonial Manipur

Abstract

This paper explores how religion, history, and power have shaped cultural identity in Manipur within a postcolonial context. It examines the spread of Hinduism and Christianity and shows how these religious influences reconfigured indigenous traditions and produced tensions over belonging and historical memory. By engaging with the political merger of Manipur with India and the workings of secular governance, the study highlights how dominant national narratives marginalised local voices. The paper also foregrounds the role of women, vernacular politics, and indigenous languages in sustaining resistance. Figures such as Rani Gaidinliu and Hijam Irabot illustrate how subaltern histories continue to challenge official accounts of the nation.