Seminar on 'Anglo-Manipur War 1891' held
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 14 2023: Manipur University Central Museum in collaboration with the Department of History, MU organised a one-day seminar on Anglo Manipur War, 1891 at the Central Museum on Monday.

The seminar was attended by MU VC Prof N Lokendra Singh as chief guest, School of Social Sciences dean Prof Th Purnima as guest of honour, and Depart -ment of History head Prof H Sudhirkumar Singh as president.

Inaugurating the seminar, VC Prof N Lokendra said that the Anglo Manipur war occurred halfway between the medieval and modern eras.

During the war, which was fought in the 19th century, the brave hearts of Manipur, despite lacking the best strategy and latest weapons of the time, defended against the British.

With the defeat in the war, the Union Jack Flag was hoisted at Kangla and Manipur subsequently came under a new political system.

The young Churachand Maharaj was sent off to a school in Ajmer to learn the art of governance, in addition to political and economic administration.

Although he was appointed as the president of the Durbar, he did not have the power to make political or financial decisions.

The decisions were made by a political agent instead.

The VC continued the British administration then began exploring for resources in Manipur.

In 1920, the district system was introduced.

However, at that time, due to lack of communication and proper training on the craft of modem administration, it took the opportunity of overseeing the administration in the hills.

Later, the activities of the king included promoting sports, education, literature and culture, to bring about a new Manipur.

The time of Churachand Maharaj could be considered as the first time elites were formed in modern Manipur.

The elites went on to research and promote the various aspects of the state, all of which are now being studied by the present generation.

The education person(s) then went to the hills and the valley, thereby ushering in a new Manipur.

After Manipur was merged to India in 1949, it underwent tremendous changes in politics and other different struggles because of the contributions of the elites during the two decades before it attained statehood.

This led many young people to go outside the state for pursuing education or for other reasons.

Upon their return to the state, they formed the Manipur society as we known it today.

The present socio political change has been brought on by middle class influences, he added.

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