Historically, Manipur had a strong sense of nationalism, with its own constitution and representative government established in 1947. However, by 1949, tensions escalated, leading to the Maharaja of Manipur being placed under house arrest and eventually signing the merger agreement
Much of the Meitei insurgency is rooted in its history, and is replete with echoes of re-establishing the glory of the ancient Manipur kingdom. The loss of identity, and the struggle to restore it, remains at the heart of the Meitei movement, and is foundational in Manipuri society.