Imphal (Meitei: [im.pʰal];[2] English: UK/ˈɪmfəl/,[3] US/ˈɪmpˌhʌl/)[4] is the capital city of the Indian state of Manipur. It is the third largest city in northeast India after Guwahati and Agartala.[5][6] The metropolitan centre of the city contains the ruins of Kangla Palace (officially known as Kangla Fort), the royal seat of the former Kingdom of Manipur, surrounded by a moat. Spread over parts of the districts of Imphal West and Imphal East, the former contains the majority of the city's area and population.[7] Imphal is part of the Smart Cities Mission under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.[8] Being a mega commercial hub, Imphal is known for its weaving, brass-ware, bronze-ware, and other cottage industries. Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri language) is the most widely spoken language in the city.[9] INS Imphal, the third ship of the Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy, was named in recognition of the Indian soldiers who fought in Battle of Imphal during World War II,[10] and is the first Indian Navy Ship (INS) named after a city in Northeast India.[11] According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Imphal is the only city of Manipur.[12]
360 image
Imphal is a small, scenic city in the center of the Manipur valley, surrounded by plains and hills