History of Manipuri Literature can be traced back to the eighth century. Puya Meithaba is a part of the history of Manipuri Literature. The period from the eighth century to 1074 AD is the old phase of the Manipuri Literature. The Puya Meithaba was destroyed in 1729, during the reign of Meidingu Pamheiba. Thereafter began a new era of Manipuri literature. The early literary works found in Manipuri Literature were in Poetry and Prose. Manipuri Literature has been divided into Ancient, Medieval and Modern periods.

Manipuri Literature in Ancient Period
The period till the reign of Meidingu Charairongba (1697-1709) is considered to be the Ancient Period of the Manipuri Literature. The earlier Literature consists of ritual hymn, cosmogony, history, folks in Prose and Poetry. Most of them were written in archaic Meeteilon. Few of the poetries of Ancient Manipuri Language were - Numit Kappa, Ougri, Khencho, Sana Lamoak, Ahonglon, Khoiju Lamoak, Hijin Hirao, Ningthauron

Numit Kappa can be dated to the first century AD. Ougri was known as Leiroi Ngongloi Eshei. It is believed that it was written in pre-Christian era. In prose the notable works include Panthoibi Khongul, Nongshaba Laihui, Sakok Lairamlen, Poireiton Khunthokpa, Kangla Haoba, Loyamba Shinyen, Naothingkhong Phambal Kaba, Khagemba Yumlep, Cheitharon Kumbaba .

Manipuri Literature in Medieval Period
Manipuri Literature witnessed a momentous change during the reign of Meidingu Charairongba. The period from the embracing of Vaishnavism by Meetei King till the advent of British in Meitrabak (Manipur) is the Medieval Period of Manipuri Literature.

Angom Gopi was the renowned poet and scholar who flourished during the reign of Meidingu Pamheiba. He was an expert in Sanskrit and Bengali language. He translated the Kritibas`s Ramayan and Gangadas`s Mahabharat into Manipuri Language. His other books are - Parikhit, Langka Kanda, Aranya Kanda, Kishkindiya Kanda, Sundar Kanda and Uttara Kanda. Historical accounts have been written by two authors, Laishram Aroi and Yumnam Atibar. Nungangbam Gobindaram was another scholar of Pamheiba`s court. His compositions are Pakhangba Nongaron, the translation of Astakal from Sanskrit to Manipuri and Takhel Ngamba, the invasion of Tripura. Writing novel was a major turning point in the history of Manipuri literature in 1779 as religious books were in vogue.

Manipuri Literature in Modern Period
Manipur had witnessed several historical events which had left an impact on Literature too. Literature had witnessed a renaissance. Haodijam Chaintanya made a great effort in publishing the Manipuri language with Bengali script. As he was interested in Meetei culture it led him to translate folk literature and ancient manuscripts like -Takhel Ngamba and Khahi Ngamba into Bengali script. The decade of 1920-1930 was the beginning of modern Manipuri literature. Atombapu Sharma was a creative writer. His publications are brief and repetitive. Modern Manipuri are divided into two groups - the poetry of Dr.Lamabam Kamal and his contemporaries and younger poets who represent the Zeitgeist of the contemporary world picture.