There was no Naga or Kuki in Manipur (erstwhile Kangleipak). Tangkhul, Kabui, Maring, and Kom tribes are the offsprings of Meetei tribe.
These tribes are the progenies of Seven Clans. Meetei who migrated to the Koubru (North west) direction came to be known as Meetei Kabui which further migrated to Thibomei (Kohima) and settled there as Aomei, (Ao), Lothamei (Lotha), Liangmei (Liang) of present day Nagaland.
Those meetei ancestors who migrated to the Moirang (south west) direction are called as Meetei Kom which later sub divided into Koireng, Anal, Chiru, Chothe, Purum, Kharam, Koirao, Lamkang, Moyon, Monsang and Tarao.
Meetei Maring migrated towards Meiram (south east direction) are known as Meetei Maring.
And those Meetei who migrated towards Chingkhei (Northeast) are known as Meetei Tangkhul. Earlier Tangkhul used to be called as Tamkhul or Distant village by the Meetei.
Before 1944, most of Meetei Tangkhul in Ukhrul worshipped animism and followed the ancestrals rituals. However, after Second World War, Christiany became powerful and identity of Meetei Tangkhul was replaced by Naga Identity.
When Maharaj Churachand allowed to revive Meetei culture and religion, those tribes from the Hills who wanted to convert themselves into Hinduism fold were taxed 80 rupees and 8 Pai (One sheer) which is a huge amount for the hill people to afford, So Christianity was more favourable in the Hills. This has led to the growing distant among the Valley (Hindu) and Hill (Christian).
----- Excerpt from the forthcoming book "TANGKHULS ARE MEETEI TRIBE"
