Districts of Manipur hold the history and culture of India. The state of Manipur is popular for Manipur classical dance and is also the founder of polo in India. The name Manipur literally meaning `A jewelled land` nestled deep within a lush green corner of North East India. Surrounded by blue hills with an oval shaped valley at the centre this state of north east India is rich in art and tradition. This is the place where Rajashree Bhagyachandra created the famous Ras Lila, the classical dance of Manipur. The folk dances of Manipur reveal the mythological concept of creation of this region.
Manipur came under the British Rule as a Princely State after the defeat in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891. After the independence of country, this state was merged in the Indian Union on October 15, 1949 and it became a full-fledged state of India on 21st January, 1972. The State is represented in the Lok Sabha by two members and by one member in the Rajya Sabha.
There are nine administrative districts of Manipur and these are -
* Bishnupur
* Churachandpur
* Chandel
* Imphal East
* Imphal West
* Senapati
* Tamenglong
* Thoubal
* Ukhrul
Bishnupur District: Bishnupur district is the smallest administrative district of Manipur. The name of this district is derived from a Vishnu Temple that is situated at Lamangdong. Major towns of Bishnupur District are Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, and Kumbi.
Churachandpur District: Churachandpur District, an administrative district of Manipur has its headquarters located at Lamka. This town of Churachandpur District is considered as a broad-based cosmopolitan hill town of the state.
Chandel District: Chandel District of Manipur has its administrative headquarters located at Chandel. Moreh is an important town of this district of Manipur that is also a significant trade hub between Manipur and Myanmar.
Imphal East District: Imphal East District is an administrative district of Manipur. It is situated in the eastern region of the state and its headquarters are at Porompat. Imphal East District came into being on 18th of June, 1997.
Imphal West District: Imphal West District of Manipur has its headquarters situated at Lamphelpat. The district is bounded by the plains of other districts of the state.
Senapati District: Senapati District is an administrative district of Manipur. It is surrounded by Imphal District in its south, by Ukhrul District in its east, by Tamenglong District in its west and by Nagaland in its north.
Tamenglong District: Tamenglong District of Manipur has its administrative headquarters at Tamenglong Town. It is surrounded by Nagaland in its north, by Senapati District of Manipur in its north and east, by Churachandpur District in its south and by Imphal West District and Assam in its west.
Thoubal District: Thoubal District is one of the nine administrative districts of Manipur. Thoubal District is surrounded by Senapati District in its north, Ukhrul and Chandel districts in its east, Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts in its south and Imphal West and Imphal East districts of Manipur in its west.
Ukhrul District: Ukhrul District of Manipur is situated at about 84 km to the east of Imphal. Ukhrul District is considered as the land of Tangkhul Tribe.