"The Meiteis constituted majority of Manipuri people. They were comparatively prosperous, possessing as they did the fertile valley. Consequently, it was only natural for some of them to consider themselves superior and civilised compared to their hardy and indigent tribal neighbours of the surrounding hills. Due to a variety of reasons, mainly difficult terrain and consequent sequestered existence of the tribesmen of the hills, there were not too many social and cultural contacts between the two over the centuries. The Meiteis were exposed to outside world and its progressive ideas, hence they are better off compared to hill tribesmen."