This book comprises a study and analysis of the causes for rejection of Christianity
among the Meiteis in Manipur valley. The upshot of the research is that there are three
causes for this rejection, i.e., Sanskritisation; Revival of traditional religion and
British colonialism in Manipur, and goes on to examine these in detail. Christianity was
brought to the Meiteis in 1894. Yet out of approximately 1.3 million Meiteis in Manipur
valley alone, there are today not many Christians even after more than a century of
missionary endeavor. This fact has made the author raise questions about the resistance of
Christianity among the Meiteis in general, and to make a study of this problem. The book
then goes on to argue that the study of the causes for rejection of Christianity is
crucial at this point of time as the rejection of Christianity in this community is
increasingly obvious, and in fact minority Meitei Christians are now faced with
persecution.
Contents
Acknowledgement
Foreword
Glossary
Introduction
1. Statement of the Problem
2. Elaboration of the Problem
3. Importance of the Study
4. Scope and Limitation
5. Previous Research
6. Structure of the Study
1. Manipur : An Overview
1. Geographical Background
2. Anthropological Background
2. Christianity in Manipur (1894-1943)
1. North-East India before the Coming of
Christianity
2. The Early Missional Activity in Northeastern
Region
3. Christianity in Manipur
4. The Genesis and Endeavour of Meitei Baptist
Association (1982-2008)
5. An Appraisal
3. Sanskritization of Meiteis : The Principal Cause for Rejection of Christianity
1. Beginning of Hinduism in Manipur Valley
2. Immigration of Brahmins
3. The Rise of Vaishnavism as the State Religion
4. Neo-Vaishnavism in Manipur
5. Religious Syncretism
6. The Success of Vaishnavism in Manipur
7. Impact of Sanskritization
8. Concluding Remarks
4. Revivification of Traditional Religion : A Major Cause for Rejection of Christianity
1. Traditional Values and Beliefs
2. Revivification Movement
5. British Colonialism in Manipur : Minor Cause for Rejection of Christianity
1. Early Connection with British
2. Beginning of Direct British Rule
3. Outbreak of Opposition to Economic
Control--`Nupi Lan'
Retrospection and Conclusion
Appendices
Bibliography
Dr. L. Bimol Meitei has been serving the Lord for the last 14 years in
various capacities. He holds several theology degrees, including Doctor of Theology
(2014), all from SATHRI/Senate of Serampore. His ministerial service includes chaplainship
at Manipur Theological College, Manipur; Program Coordinator for OM Northeast India and
Vice Principal of Association for Theological Education in Nepal, Kathmandu. He is married
to Dr. Nyimang and they are blessed with a son, Manna. Currently, he is the Head of the
Department of History-Mission cluster at UBS, Pune.
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