General Suldham's planned invasion of Manipur abandoned
- Part 3 -

Prof Gangmumei Kamei *

By October, 1824, all the Burmese were cleared of Cachar and they were concentrated in Manipur valley and Kabaw valley. Therefore, the British Government decided to send a large military force in Jan 1825 under Brigadier-General Suldham, Commanding Eastern Frontier to Manipur and upper Burma. It consisted of 6000 soldiers, cavalry and infantry.

Supplies were to be carried on camels, bullocks and elephants. 1000 large and 4000 bullocks were employed for the purpose. A road from Badarpur to Baskandi was constructed. General Suldham moved from Sylhet to Dudpati with artillery. Gambhir Singh was engaged to give cover to the pioneers constructing a pathway from Baskandi to Jiri.

The country from Baskandi to Manipur a continuous range of thickly wooded hills; the soil was soft and it was muddy. In carrying supplies to the pioneers and advanced guard, several hundred bullocks, camels and elephants perished. General Suldham spent a month in moving his force from Dudpati to Baskandi through the rains and bad roads.

On reaching Baskandi, General Suldham realised the impracticability of penetrating to Ava through Manipur. The plan was abandoned and the force broken up and the headquarters removed to Dacca. The native infantry, Sylhet Local Corps and Gambhir Singh Levy were left in Cachar.

Manipur Levy's liberation of Manipur

After the withdrawal of General Suldham's army, Gambhir Singh proposed to liberate Manipur with the help of his own levy. Permission was granted to Gambhir Singh to march to Manipur. Lt RB Pemberton volunteered to accompany the Levy in this plan with additional objective of obtaining accurate information regarding the different cases, its resources and the strength of the Burmese forces.

The Levy left Sylhet on 17 May, 1825, reached Baskandi on 23rd May. The force proceeded through the Western hills of Manipur, perhaps through the Akhui route which was described by RB Pemberton in his Report of 1835. The force advanced through constant rain and suffered all sorts of privations without the slightest dissatisfaction.

They were patriotic soldiers determined to liberate their motherland. On 10 June, 1825, the force appeared on the Western edge of Manipur valley; they encountered the Burmese pickets, 12 miles west of Imphal, the Capital ofManipur, a large number of Burmese were killed.

The Royal Chronicle records, "In the month of Kalen (1825), Maharaj Gambhir Singh arrived at Maklang with a European officer (pemberton). The Burmese troops of Manipur Palace opposed Gambhir Singh's advancement. After a hard battle Gambhir Singh gained victory, the Burmese fled. Gambhir Singh managed to capture 74 men of the Burmese."

On June 11, it was learnt that the Burmese had evacuated the Capital which was occupied ny Gambhir Singh and Pemberton. The Burmese halted at Andro, 11 miles distant to the eastern side. Gambhir Singh proceeded to Andro but on the way it was learnt that the Burmese had deserted the place and left Manipur.

Gambhir Singh and Lt Pemberton returned to Sylhet leaving behind 300 infantry and 20 cavalry in Manipur under the command of Nara Singh. Before leaving Manipur he ascended the throne of ancient Kingdom of Manipur. 700 Manipuris also joined the military contingent. Thus there was a force of 1020 men in Manipur.

When Gambhir Singh and Pemberton reached Sylhet the British government was happy at the achievement of Manipur Levy, a feat which could not be accomplished by a regular army of General Suldham. Gambhir Singh was given assistance of 1500 muskets with ammunition. He raised the requisite number of men.

The Levy was formally named the Manipur Levy commanded by Captain FJ Grant and Lt RB Pemberton. The force returned to Manipur. It was learnt that the Burmese army had deserted Kabaw valley but the 700 local Shan forces at Tamu Maharaja Gambhir Singh, Captain Grant and Nara Singh proceeded to Tamu where the stocked was destroyed after a five days fighting.

Gambhir Singh distinguished himself in this battle. Grant reported, “The activity, judgement and skill he (Gambhir Singh) displayed on this occasion has proved the justice of the opinion previously entertained of his merits”.

To be continued ...

o Browse picture gallery on Manipur Levy March on 5 Jan 2009 from Silchar to Imphal here.