ABSTRACT
In Manipur, though there are references to a long tradition of writing going back as far as to the time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba and beyond and some to the time of King Irengba who is described as a person very fond of reading and writing even at his old age. As we all know that there has always been a controversy over the beginning of writing in Manipur, the script used for writing and reading purposes with another bonus question on the numbers of letters used in the script. Therefore, from amongst these old stone inscriptions written in archaic Meitei script, a special reference can be made of the Konthoujam Lairemma Stone Inscription owing to some unique features contained in the writing style of this record, such as different styles of writing the letters, numbers of letters employed, language and terms used.
