SSC Stenographer 2026 PYQ — Question 38

Solution: The correct answer is Predominantly wooden construction with raised platforms and open-air sanctuaries dedicated to nature deities.
Explanation:
☛ Meitei traditional architecture in Manipur is deeply rooted in Sanamahism, the indigenous animistic and ancestor-worshipping religion of the Meitei people.
☛ Traditional structures were primarily built using locally available organic materials such as wood, bamboo, reeds, and thatch.
☛ Buildings frequently featured raised wooden or bamboo platforms (known as Shang or stilts) designed to protect living spaces from damp ground, floods, and pests.
☛ Places of worship, particularly shrines dedicated to Umang Lai (forest/nature deities), were traditionally designed as simple, open-air or semi-open pavilions to maintain harmony with nature.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Sanamahi Religion: Centered around the worship of Lainingthou Sanamahi (household deity) and Pakhangba (ancestral dragon-god).
☛ Yumjao: The traditional Meitei dwelling house, usually elongated and built facing eastward, constructed using bamboo, mud plaster, and thatched roofs.
☛ Kangla Fort: The ancient seat of Meitei rulers in Imphal, which houses sacred sites such as Kangla Sha and traditional coronation halls.
☛ Lai Haraoba: A major ritualistic festival of the Meitei community celebrated to please the Umang Lai deities through traditional dance, music, and enactments.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ What is the traditional elongated dwelling house of the Meitei community called? → Yumjao
☛ Which sacred dragon-deity is considered the ancestral protector in Meitei mythology? → Pakhangba
☛ What was the ancient political and religious seat of the Manipur Kingdom? → Kangla Fort
☛ Which festival is celebrated in Manipur to please the forest deities (Umang Lai)? → Lai Haraoba
☛ In which corner of a traditional Meitei house is the deity Sanamahi worshipped? → South-West corner (Sanamahi Kachin)