Context: External Affairs minister has tweeted pictures of his visit to Manipur’s Ima market, calling it a “great example of nari shakti (women’s power) powering economic growth”.

About Manipur’s Ima market

• Ima Keithel or Mothers Market is an all-women market in Manipur. It is said to be the largest such shopping complex in Asia.

• In this market, 3,000 “Imas” or mothers run the stalls. The market is split [into] two sections on either side of the road.

• Vegetables, fruits, fish and household groceries are sold on one side and exquisite handlooms and household tools on the other.

• Male vendors and shopkeepers are barred here. In 2018, the Manipur government announced that legal action would be taken under the Manipur Municipalities Act, 2004 if any male vendor was found selling goods at the market.

What is the historical significance of Manipur’s Ima market?

• The Ima Market is centuries-old, and has its origins in Lallup Kaba, an ancient bonded labour system.

• Under the system, Meitei men had to compulsorily serve some time working in the military and on other civil projects, keeping them away from home.

• The women, thus, were left to manage on their own, and they developed a market system which is today the Ima Keithel.

• While the system is centuries-old, it had continued till the time of the British. Policies of the British government had interfered with the functioning of the Ima market too, but were met with stiff resistance from the women.