Kangla Fort, the historic seat of Manipur’s former royal capital in the heart of Imphal, continues to draw visitors and hold deep symbolic significance for Meitei residents, serving as a touchstone of cultural identity through a period of sustained hardship for the community.

Historians note that Kangla’s layered history, as a royal palace, a colonial-era garrison, and now a heritage site, mirrors Manipur’s broader story of resilience through successive upheavals. Local visitors said the site offers a sense of continuity and grounding, particularly for displaced families who no longer have easy access to their own home villages.

Heritage officials said preservation work at the site has continued despite broader disruptions elsewhere in the state, describing Kangla as a rare constant that has remained accessible and meaningful throughout the conflict years.