My Three Years in Manipur

Memoirs and private diaries of spouses of important leaders, statesmen, diplomats and civil servants have a significange 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 last century, is the one that writes with imagination and records certain fact and observationa that go a long way in promoting a clear understanding of the area covered. Ethel’s book is not mearlya 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, Tonghuls, Kukis, etc. the gramwood couple naturally came in close contact with the rulling royal family and watched their sport, customs and illusive ways of life; the music, dance and other inseparables of the Meigheis and other tribal groups-come in for vivid eyewitness description as a corollary.