Khuman Puremba

Khuman Puremba , also known as Khuman Purenba , was a warrior, royal official, and minister of the Ancient Moirang kingdom. He was known for his bravery, strength, and important role in both political and mythical traditions of Moirang society. Born in the ancestral Khuman royal bloodline, originated from the Khuman kingdom, but serving as a minister of the Moirang kingdom, Khuman Puremba fathered Khuman Khamba, the protagonist of the Khamba Thoibi classical Meitei epic, whose stylised poetic version, the Khamba Thoibi Sheireng, became the national epic of the Manipuris.

Khuman Puremba began his service in Moirang Kangla, the royal court of the Moirang kingdom as Leiroi Hanjaba, the royal official in charge of flowers. Through the favor of King Chingkhu Telheiba, he later received higher positions. After his death, when his son Khuman Khamba came of age, the king appointed him to the same post in honor of late Puremba, following the advice of Chaoba Nongthon.

Khuman Puremba married Ngangkha Leima. He had two children, Khamnu, a daughter who was biologically the daughter of Moirang King Chingkhu Telheiba, and Khuman Khamba, his biological son.

During the hunt, all warriors fled except Khuman Puremba. Puremba captured three tigers and was rewarded. Three more tigers attacked the king, and Khuman Puremba killed them. He was rewarded again. The last three tigers attacked the king, and he subdued them. As the king had no further rewards, he gave Khuman Puremba his favorite concubine, Ngangkha Leima, who was already pregnant.

Marriage and children

With King Chingkhu Telheiba's permission, the already pregnant Ngangkha Leima was married to Khuman Puremba. At Puremba's house, she gave birth to Khamnu, the king's biological daughter. Some years later, she gave birth to Khuman Khamba, Puremba's biological son, at midnight.

Midnight drum incident

Overcome with happiness, Khuman Puremba mistakenly beat the national battle warning drum at the Moirang Kangla. This drum was meant only for national security or emergencies in sudden enemy attacks. The act caused alarm throughout the kingdom. Soldiers and officials gathered but found no danger.

Curse and death

Minister Thonglen, a friend of Khuman Puremba, used dark magic at the sacred Nunggoibi site at the Moirang Kangla, to pull out the soul of the unknown offender.

The next day, Khuman Puremba admitted his mistake publicly. He was not punished due to his status, but Thonglen later realized that the magic had affected his close friend. Khuman Puremba weakened day by day. Kabui Salang Maiba attempted to restore his soul using his own magic, but failed. He advised Puremba to apologize to Thonglen for the sake of his children. Khuman Puremba refused, stating that although his act was wrong, it did not deserve an apology. He accepted death as natural.

Prior to his death, Khuman Puremba entered into an agreement with his close friend, Chaoba Nongthon, stipulating that Puremba’s young daughter, Khamnu, would marry Chaoba Nongthon’s son, Pheiroijamba, once both children reached adulthood. Several years after Puremba’s death, when Khamnu and Pheiroijamba had grown into adults, Chaoba Nongthon honored this agreement by formally arranging their marriage.

Before dying, he entrusted two wooden chests of family treasures to Thonglen, one for Khuman Khamba, and another one for Khamnu. He also asked Thonglen, Chaoba Nongthon, and Kabui Salang Maiba to care for his children. Khuman Puremba later died.

Departure of Arai Leima

Puremba's wife died soon after his death. In Moirang Kangleirol tradition of Meitei mythology and folklore, after his death, goddess Arai Leima, alias human Ngangkha Leima, was required by divine order to return to heaven. Although she wished to stay with her children, she had no choice and left the earthly realm.

Legacy

Khuman Puremba's legacy as a strong, fearless, and courageous warrior was continued by his son Khuman Khamba, who later surpassed his father in fame and strength. In Meitei society, strong men in body, behavior, or mindset are often compared to Khuman Puremba, Khuman Khamba, or both, even in modern times.