Christianity in Manipur

Christianity is the fastest growing and second most followed religion in Manipur, a state in Northeast India, according to 2011 census data of India.

Christianity in Manipur can traced back to an Anglican named William Pettigrew,^[2] who lived in India when Surchandra Singh was the maharaja of Manipur. Pettigrew, who was born in Edinburgh and educated in London, applied to work with the Arthington Aborigines Mission in India and travelled to Bengal in 1890. He worked for two years in Dhaka and Silchar. In 1891, Pettigrew applied for permission to work in Manipur, but this was not granted until 1894. He worked for a time as a teacher in Imphal, teaching the children of government civil servants and soon afterwards opened a school for boys in Manipuri and established a permanent mission station there.^[3]

The first Meitei to convert to Christianity is debated. It is traditionally believed that Angom Porom Singh of Phayeng was the first to be converted in around 1896, but another tradition says that Ningol Kaboklei met a Christian missionary in Sylhet (presently in Bangladesh) and converted to Christianity in around 1893, a few years earlier than the arrival of William Pettigrew. Those claiming that Porom Singh was the first Christian convert, have intentionally ignored the other tradition about Kaboklei. It may well be true that Kaboklei became a Christian before Porom Singh, not in Manipur but in Sylhet.^[4][5]

Some theological scholars believe that Porom Singh was baptized on 3 January 1896. However, given the fact that Rev. William Pettigrew was ordained on December 23, 1895 at Sibsagar Baptist Church in Assam and also given the fact that it took approximately 20 days to reach Imphal from Sibsagar, it is practically impossible to authenticate that Porom Singh's baptism on January 3, 1896 unless it was by some unknown sect of Christianity. Nevertheless, it is important to note Porom Singh's role in the formation of Christianity in its early days. In December 1912, he became the headmaster of a school at Ukhrul, where his teaching responsibilities included preaching the gospel. He was one of only seven Christians who stood by Pettigrew. At the outbreak of the First World War, he helped Pettigrew to raise a labour corps, later becoming a corps leader and an interpreter. He received excellent testimonials when he served in France and on his return to India, was exempted from house tax.^[6]

Protestants (mostly Baptist) outnumber Catholics in Manipur.^[7] A Manipur Baptist Convention exists. The Reformed Presbyterian Church North-East India Synod has its seat in Manipur.^[8] The Presbyterian Church in India and the Church of Christ are present in the state, too.^[9][10] The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Imphal has its seat in the state. The Manipur Section of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has about forty congregations.^[11] The All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) exists.^[12]

Percentage of Christians in Manipur by decades^[15]

The Christian population in the state have increased from 0.02% in 1901 to 41.3% in 2011. Christians formed an overwhelming majority in the autonomous hilly regions of Manipur (which is 90% of the total land area) of the state respectively.^[16] According to 2011 Census, there are total 9 districts in Manipur, of which 5 districts are Christian-majority.^[17]

Percentage of Christians in the Scheduled Tribes^[18]

Non-ST Christians in Manipur are mainly Meiteis numbering between 1-3 lakh in the state.^[19][20][21]

Sources^{[22] [23][24][25]}

• List of Christian denominations in North East India
• Christian Revival Church