Rajarshi Bhagyachandra, the Manipuri king who created the Raas Leela, is also known as:

Explanation

Raja Bhagyachandra, the 18th century king of Manipur who created the Manipuri Raas Leela in its classical form, is also known as Ningthou Ching-Thang Khomba. "Ningthou" means king in the Meitei language, and he is honoured with the title "Rajarshi" (royal sage) because of his deep devotion and his great contribution to culture.

Bhagyachandra ruled Manipur in the second half of the 18th century, in a period of wars with Burma. He was a devout follower of Vaishnavism and of the worship of Lord Krishna. According to tradition, Krishna appeared to him in a dream and showed him the Raas Leela, the divine dance of Krishna with Radha and the gopis. Inspired by this vision, he composed and organised the Raas Leela, with its dances, music and costumes, and it was first performed in his time. His daughter, Princess Bimbavati, is said to have danced the role of Radha. He also installed the famous image of Shri Govindaji in Imphal. He is regarded as the father of Manipuri Raas Leela and of the classical Manipuri dance.

Manipuri is the classical dance of Manipur. Its Raas Leelas, such as the Maha Raas, the Vasanta Raas and the Kunja Raas, are performed on full-moon nights at temples. The dancers move softly and gracefully, and the female dancers wear the potloi, a stiff, decorated cylindrical skirt. The older ritual festival of Lai Haraoba and the Pung Cholom (drum dance) are also part of the Manipuri tradition.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Garib Niwaz (Pamheiba) was an earlier king of Manipur, the grandfather of Bhagyachandra, who made Vaishnavism the state religion.
• ✗Gambhir Singh was a 19th century king of Manipur who freed the kingdom from Burmese occupation.
• ✗Kulachandra was a later king of Manipur at the time of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.