Many smaller princely states of Manipur paid tribute to a larger power. This larger power was often:

The Ahom Kingdom
Mughal Empire
The Burmese Kingdoms
The British East India Company

The correct answer is: c) The Burmese Kingdoms.

The Burmese Kingdoms were a series of kingdoms that ruled over what is now Myanmar from the 9th century to the 19th century. They were often at war with the smaller princely states of Manipur, and many of these states paid tribute to the Burmese in order to avoid being conquered.

The Ahom Kingdom was a kingdom that ruled over what is now Assam from the 13th century to the 19th century. It was a powerful kingdom that often fought with the Burmese, but it never conquered Manipur.

The Mughal Empire was an empire that ruled over much of India from the 16th to the 18th century. It was a powerful empire, but it never conquered Manipur.

The British East India Company was a trading company that was founded in 1600. It became a powerful force in India in the 18th century, and it eventually conquered Manipur in 1891.

The Burmese Kingdoms were the most powerful force in the region, and they were often at war with the smaller princely states of Manipur. Many of these states paid tribute to the Burmese in order to avoid being conquered.