My Three Years in Manipur

Memoirs and private diarie of spouses of important leaders, statesmen, diplomats and civil servants have a significance of their own in the history of mankind. The account of Ethel St. Clair Grimwood, wife of Frank Grimwood, the ill fated Political Agent of Manipur during the close of the lase century, is the one that writes with imagination and records certain facts and observations that go a long way in promoting a clear understanding of the area covered. Ethel’s book is not merely a few hundred pages of light reading material on the pleasantness of the landscape, but also as first rate literature on anthropology and the history of Manipur.

Manipur, lying between Cachar, the Kubo Valley and Nagaland is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Starting with a readable account of the Grimwoods’ arrival in Manipur and their impressions of the place, the book goes on to describe Cachar and the hill tribes : Maos, Tongkhuls, Kukis, etc.

The Grimwood couple naturally came in close contact with the ruling royal family and watched their sports, customs and illusive ways of life; the music, dance and other inseparables of the Meitheis and other tribal groups––come in for vivid eyewitness descriptions as a corollary.