Khampat
Introduction '''Khampat''' (ခမ်းပါတ်မြို့) is a town in the Kabaw Valley in the Sagaing Region in western Myanmar. It is at the location where the '''Namsaweng River''' flows down from the hills and enters the Kabaw Valley. It is the site of a historical principality, which often changed hands between Manipur (now in India) and the Burmese kingdoms to the east. The town is the principal town of Khampat Subtownship, an unofficial subidvision of Tamu Township used for administrative and statistical purposes. In 2014, the town had 14,559 inhabitants while the surrounding subtownship had 24,169 people.
History Historical reports indicate that the Kale-Kabaw valley used to have three principalities based at Thaungdut (also known as Sumjok),Khampat, and Kale.Thaungdut/Sumjok and Khampat were jointly invaded by King Kiyamba of Manipur and the king of Pong in 1467 CE, and divided among themselves. Khampat was at the time under the control of "Kyangs" (Chins, called Kukis in India). Khampat appears to have been Manipur's share in the division, and references to it can be found in the Manipur court chronicle ''Cheitharol Kumbaba''.During the course of history, the Kabaw Valley came under the control of Burma, which was confirmed by the British Raj after the First Anglo-Burmese War. Also in course of history, Tamu to the north of Khampat grew to be a centre of Indo-Burmese trade and a larger town, overshadowing Khampat.Khampat is currently a sub-township within the Tamu Township.On 7 November 2023 it was reported that the town had come fully under control of the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) during the ongoing civil war.
Zou settlement Khampat in the Kabaw valley is claimed to be the first town of the Zou (Chin-Kuki-Mizo) race. Khampat in the Chin Hills was historically associated with the Zou settlement and this might possibly be taken as an early reference to a Zou chief. The settlement at Khampat is believed to have lasted for about two centuries. The dispersal from Khampat is said to be due to famine and invasion of stronger enemy, possibly the Shans.
Notes
References
Bibliography * * * * *
Further reading * David Vumlallian Zou & S. Thangboi Zou, ''A History of the Zou People'', page-108, published by United Zou Organization-India Publication. 2017
External links *  Khampat;collinsmaps.com* to Zolawkta Website