• Dr. O. Rudrababu Singh
• Dr. H. Nilkant Singh

The administration of justice is the foundation of a civilized society. Universally, the standard of administration can be judged from the smooth and systematic dispensation of justice. It is one of the essential functions of the state. It is only through the administration of justice that citizens are made to realize the existence and the importance of the state. In Manipur, since the early part of the Christian era, the administration of justice was entrusted to a separate organ of the state by setting up different kinds of regular courts. Most of these courts exercised different jurisdictions both in civil and criminal matters with a well-defined hierarchy. The system of appeal in the higher court also existed in Manipur for a long time. This unique traditional judicial system continued unabated for many centuries together. It was only after the defeat of Manipur in the Anglo- Manipuri War of 1891 that the colonial judicial system was implanted into Manipur 2 thereby destroying traditional values with a vengeance. During her long history of judicial systems, Manipur experienced different types of courts. Later it could attain such maturity that it was able to assure every citizen of getting justice to a great extent. Such a great judicial development could be achieved under the Cheirap, the civilian court. This was perhaps the first non-royal court which was functioned independently of royal interference and administered by common people to give justice to the common people, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, and sex. It heard the appeal from other courts as well. Of course, it was the highest civilian court. Even the British honoured the Cheirap and retained it during colonial rule with reduced power, jurisdiction, and strength.

"CHEIRAP - A medieval court in Manipur", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 3, page no.715-719, March-2017, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1703121.pdf

"CHEIRAP - A medieval court in Manipur", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 3, page no. pp715-719, March-2017, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1703121.pdf