Modernity and Politics: A Study of Cultural Identity in Manipur

Abstract

Cultural identity resonates with the categories of 'personal' and 'social' identity vis-à-vis the ideas of politics and culture. The emergence and evolution of the idea of social identity in any society's political, social, and cultural context are determined by imperialism. This imperialism may come in various forms in the vicinity, even overthrowing one language and culture over dominance. It is evident in the context of Indian history, partly and evidently. However, beyond the proximity of nationhood, few important insights, eras and events that took place in North-East India are so far neglected, especially in Manipur. Concerning this, we explored the role of imperialism in resolving a parcel of conflict on the cultural identity, language as one of the tools, and religion as the basis for cultural divides. In this review, we observed that language had shaped the foundation of historic and cultural identity in Manipur. Secondly, the tussle in religious practices, which, in turn, becomes a political tool for cultural identity and divides. Thirdly, the rise in the ethnic discontentment of various ethnicities and minorities settling in the State is due to the above two reasons.