In Manipur, World's Largest Women-Run Market Thrives For 500+ Years

In the heart of Imphal, Manipur, there is a market which feels like more than just a commercial space. It evokes a different kind of emotion the moment you enter - full of life, colours, and all the usual hustle and bustle. What makes it distinct is the fact that it is an all-women-run market; men are allowed, but only as customers. .Ima Keithel, which literally means “Mother’s Market,” is believed to be the largest women-run market in the world.

Women run the world

Thousands of women sit shoulder-to-shoulder here each day, selling vegetables, fruits, fish, spices, and handmade goods. Some are elderly with years of experience, others are younger. Many of them inherited their stalls from their mothers or relatives.

Only married women can be found here selling the goods, and once they retire, they nominate another female candidate, who can be from their own family or kin.

This market gives a wonderful introduction to the term 'female power', and is probably the only market in the world which is run only by women. For the vendors here, this is not just business. It is how they feed their families, educate their children, and stay independent.

Origin of the Market 

The market is believed to be 500 years old, starting in the 16th century. In ancient times, men from the Meitei ethnicity were sent as bonded labourers to work in farms or fight wars, and women had to eventually take care of their families. They began selling vegetables, fish, handwoven cloth, and local produce in small open spaces. 

What started as a practical need slowly grew into a structured marketplace. Over time, this gathering of women traders became organised. 

In 1891, British colonial authorities introduced economic and political reforms that disrupted the market’s functioning. Large-scale export of food crops, without considering local needs, led to shortages and hardship, especially during periods of famine.

Women vendors strongly protested these measures. When the British attempted to sell the market’s property to outsiders, it sparked the historic Nupi Lan (Women’s War), a major women-led movement in Manipur. This community has now established itself as a place for discussions on social issues.

After India’s independence, the market regained its importance as both a commercial hub and a space for social and political dialogue. In 2010, it was relocated to the newly built Khwairamband Bazaar complex by the Municipal Corporation of Imphal. 

More Than a Market

Today, Ima Keithel is not just a historic marketplace; it is a living example of Manipur women's resilience and entrepreneurship that has survived political instabilities and economic changes. 

The market operates through strong community bondsshowing how collective strength keeps it functioning smoothly. It reflects financial independence, tradition, and resilience.