Historical significance of Anglo-Manipur War of 1891

Vividraj Achom *

Khongjom Day Observation of the historic Battle of Khongjom 1891 at Khebaching :: 23rd April 2014 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

The war which broke out in 1891 (popularly known as Anglo-Manipur War) was a short but important struggle between Manipur, a tiny hilly Asiatic country and Great Britian, the world's mightiest empire. In fact, it was a contest between unequal powers. The war marked the ending of an era and the introducing of a new one in the history of Manipur. Manipur lost her sovereign and independent status and new rule of the British was established in this little kingdom.

The process of integration of Manipur with India, which had started in the eighteen century at the religious level with the conversion of many Manipuris into Hinduism, reached a new watermark on its way to complete political integration half a century later though this war.

This war also marked the complete occupation of Indian sub-continent by the British. During whole of nineteen century, Manipur was an independent kingdom. In fact, Manipur was never occupied; she was not a 'Sanad' state like other Indian states before 1891. She, of course, had established diplomatic level contact with British India by signing treaties every now and then.

The first treaty signed in 1762 was essentially a defence alliance; it was an alliance between two separate powers. As agreed upon, they helped each other during the first Anglo-Burmese war in 1824-26.

After the war, the treaty of Yandaboo was concluded by which British India and Burma recognized the independence of Manipur. It is true that the attitude of the British was friendly but they utilized this friendship for the expansion and consolidation of their hold over eastern India including Burma.

Here, it may be pointed out that since the treaty of Yandaboo, the intent of the British towards Manipur was to use this small country occupied by a martial race as a pawn in the Asian chessboard of the British imperialism. After the third Anglo-Burma was of 1885, the friendly relation between Manipur and British had undergone certain changes.

Maharaja Surachandra, K.C.S.I. (Knight Commander Star of India) died in 1886 and the political agency of Manipur after the departure of Sir James Johnstone, who was Cinderella among political agencies, did not magnetize any proficient political agent who was able to maintain the "fine traditions of the British frontier officers".

The fall of Khongjom was turning point in the history of Manipur. On 27 April, the British entered Imphal and occupied the palace, sounding the death knell of whatever sovereign power Manipur had enjoyed. On that day itself the Union Jack flag was hoisted over the palace of Manipur. As a mark of victory, the British soldiers blew up the masonry dragon which stood at the entrances of the Durbar Hall at Kangla.

Tikendrajit and Thangl General were arrested by 23 May, 1891. Then they were put to a farcical trial and charged with waging war against the British Crown and murder of white officers. Thus, Tikendrajit Singh and Thangla General were hanged at Imphal on 13 August, 1891 at 5 p.m. in presence of about eight thousand Manipuris while Kulachandra and Angousana were transported for life.