Yumjaotaba

Yumjaotaba (Meitei: ꯌꯨꯝꯖꯥꯎꯇꯥꯕ, romanized: Yum-jaao-taa-ba) was a Meitei prince of Manipur Kingdom, which was under the Burmese Empire. He played a significant role in the effort to liberate Manipur from the Burmese during the Seven Years Devastation.

Yumjaotaba was the 4th son of King Madhuchandra, the second son of King Bhagyachandra. Yumjaotaba was born to Queen Konsam Chanu. Yumjaotaba was the elder brother (cousin) of Prince Herachandra.

Yumjaotaba was assigned by his uncle, Chourjit Singh to support the guerrilla war against the Burmese. In 1820, Yumjaotaba arrived in Maklang. He was warmly welcomed by Herachandra. After conferring, the two princes made the decision to expel the foreign foe. Herachandra had 800 soldiers, 50 cavalry horses, 5 swords, and 12 muskets at the time. The sword, spear, and shield were the standard weapons used by his force. The dreaded weapon used by the cavalry against the Burmese was the Arambai. So, Yumjaotaba gave Herachandra 5 swords, 3 muskets, and 2 horses.

Yumjaotaba suggested meeting Kane Woon, the Burmese commander, pretending to ask for assistance. He approached the Commander by telling him that he was the son of King Madhuchandra (Modhuchandra) who was an ally of the Burmese, and stayed in the Burmese stockade for five days. Kane Woon revealed that a shortage of food grains was causing starvation among the Burmese. So, Yumjaotaba and 100 Burmese soldiers went to collect paddy at Sekmai.

Kane Woon was delighted by the prince's gesture. In exchange, he offered him the Manipur throne. Yumjaotaba accepted this alliance. He received 2 parasols, 2 silver-coated swords, 20 muskets, and 50 horses from Kane Woon. He then went to Herachandra with 200 Burmese soldiers, 40 cavalries and 20 rifles to Heiyen village. Then, the two princes killed all of the 200 Burmese soldiers.

The guerrillas killed Burmese soldiers at Chaobok and established positions from Uchiwa Khundon to Heiyel close to Loktak Lake.

Another group of Burmese soldiers invaded Manipur in November 1820. There were thousands of them. Pakha Woon used 10,000 soldiers to attack Kakching. Despite retreating to Thoubal Moijing, Herachandra was vanquished by the vast army. After eight months of fighting, he and Yumjaotaba fled to Cachar. Many Manipuris were captured by Kane Woon and Pakha Woon. The two commanders installed Huidrom Shubol on the Manipur throne while the two princes were away. After returning to Manipur, Herachandra vanquished Huidrom Shubol, who then submitted to him. Yumjaotaba also returned to Manipur and was greeted by Herachandra and Huidrom Shubol.

Yumjaotaba took the throne rather than returning it to his uncle, Chourjit Singh. He ruled for several months. Other Manipur princes were upset to hear this news.