Gambhir Singh statue coming up at Kamranga, Assam
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 30 2019:
A statue of Maharaja Gambhir Singh is coming up at Kamranga in Assamsoon.
The statue will be installed at the historicAwapalli memorial site, said Awapalli Khubam Ningshing Lup secretary Thokchom Premjit.
Speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club today, Premjit said that Awapalli was a stronghold of the Manipur King and her armies who were taking shelters at Cachar during the Seven Years Devastation.
According to elders, when news of Maharaja Gambhir Singh and Manipuris taking shelters at Cachar reached the Awa armies (present day Myanmar), they sent large troops to capture or kill the King and all Manipuris.
As they marched towards Cachar, Maharaja Gambhir Singh and Narsingh gathered the Manipuris and prepared for their last stand against the aggressive Awa armies at Awapalli, Premjit said adding that about 500 Manipuri armies were raised to face the eminent battle.
However, the anticipated battle didn't took place as the Awa armies retreated when they got wind of the Manipuris preparing for battle, he added.
The memorial site at Awapalli will be developed and statue of Maharaja Gambhir Singh will be installed to commemorate the brave Manipuris during the Seven Years Devastation, Premjit said.
There were constant efforts to develop a memorial site at Awapalli but couldn't proceed as there were land related issues, he said adding that they (Awapalli Ningshing Lup) now have the land donated by the owner with the much needed assistance and support of the Kamranga youth and locals.
The Lup now needs the assistance and support of the people of Manipur, State Government and civil society organisations to develop the memorial site and instal the statue of Maharaja Gambhir Singh to commemorate the historic incident, said Premjit.