Churachandpur District, Manipur

History Origin of Lamka (Churachandpur) on the bank of Tuitha (Khuga)

Lamka (Churachandpur), is the District Headquarters of Southern Manipur (Churachandpur District). It is located in the south western corner of Manipur and covers an area of 4570 km² and is the largest district within the state of Manipur. The terrain of the district is mainly hilly, with narrow valleys that support wet rice cultivation. Churachandpur town is the district headquarters. Originally the name, as called by the original settlers, is LAMKA. However the name Churachandpur is imposed from the name of Manipur Raja Churachand Singh by the Meiteis. It is the second-largest town of Manipur, after the state capital, Imphal. Lamka is called the "second town" of Manipur and remains the fastest growing town in the state.

The town's population is made up of a number of Chin-Kuki-Mizo/Zomi communities including the Paite, Simte, Gangte, Zou, Hmar, Thadou, Vaiphei, and Lusei. These communities mainly belong to the Tibeto-Burman family. A significant number of Meitei and other plain communities also live in the town. Though each and every tribe can understand the different dialects, Paite of the Zomi group is the most popular language in the district (MS. Prabharaka: "Ferment In Manipur" Frontline, January 7-20, 1989,