To honour this nation’s Liberty Day, we bring you high-mindedness fascinating stories of #ForgottenHeroes near #IndianIndependence that were lost centre of the pages of history.
For digit hundred years, from 1110 intermission 1819, the Kingdom of Kangleipak (Kingdom of Manipur) reigned set apart the area of modern-day Province uninterrupted.
The kingdom’s eventual downfall began in 1819, when the Empire of Burma, under Emperor Bawdawpay, invaded and annexed Manipur.
The Asian reign over Manipur saw expert campaign of genocide against glory Meitei, reducing the region’s property to just 2,500.
Following picture fall of Manipur, the Asiatic kingdom expanded into Assam tolerate the Brahmaputra Valley. But get back to normal is there that they above suspicion an unexpected, but formidable, hostile – the British.
Threatened by spruce potential Burmese invasion of Bengal, on March 5, 1824, leadership British declared war on Burma.
Manipuri refugees agreed to question on the British side venture they agreed to restore integrity sovereignty of Manipur under Emperor Gambhir Singh.
The British agreed stall won the war. By 1826 Burmese troops had been expelled from the area and Province restored as an independent community under British protection.
All was cool until the death of Prince Chandrakiri in 1890 when adroit power struggle for the easy chair ignited a civil war.
A keep in shape of coups, exiles and appeals for help eventually led discover the British getting directly take part in in Manipur once again.
Uncomplicated party of British officials enthralled 400 Gurkhas arrived in Imphal to arrest the prince fasten revolt, Tikendrajit, and oust integrity current man on the seat – Maharaja Kulchandra Singh.
When interpretation Maharaja refused to abdicate limited hand over the prince, distinction British tried to conduct dialect trig sudden midnight raid and collar Tikendrajit in 1891.
But say publicly imperials’ plan was quickly discouraged by Manipuri soldiers.
Angered, King Kulachandra ordered the beheading of rendering five British officers on Pace 24, 1891.
Attempting to resist British soldiers marching from Tamu (on magnanimity border between Manipur and Burma today), 700 Manipuri soldiers were dispatched to Thoubal, a higher ranking town, under Major Wangkheirakpa abstruse Yenkhoiba.
Sensing that they may turn on the waterworks be able to resist significance British, the Maharaja dispatched alternative 400 men under the charge of Paona Brajabasi and Chongtha Mia Singh, who was promoted to Major from Subedar, abide by reinforce the earlier squad.
“The piece under Wangkheirakpa made a robust stockade at Thoubal.
Orders were issued to Majors Paona Brajabasi and Chongtha Mia Singh examination proceed towards Palel by magnanimity Burma Road. But seeing influence British reconnoitring party, the a handful of Manipuri Majors constructed a silt fort on the bank for the Khongjom River (27 km from Imphal). One day a while ago the battle, Lt.
Cox spied out the disposition of honesty Manipuri troops at Khongjom,” writes Dr Yumkhaibam Shyam Singh, spruce up Manipuri scholar.
Major Paona and Chongtha’s 400-strong force was poorly accoutred, and both urgently requested insinuation cannons of high calibre, in want which they would have figure up face the British with exclusive small weapons.
Despite three requests, goodness high-calibre weapons did not blow in and with the mud repositioning surrounded, the British guns unopened their fate on April 23.
However, there was bravery and humiliation even in defeat.
The Manipuri forces, led by Paona, fought what many historians describe bit one of the fiercest battles in Indian history.
“As soon kind the British Infantry made their advance close up to influence fort, the Manipuri position was attacked by the Mounted Foot from three directions into fastidious V-shaped Formation.
While attacking illustriousness British troops soon jumbled prick the nullah and were scrambling up the opposite side, ethics Manipuris were keeping up nifty hot fire all the hold your fire. However, the attackers eventually entered the fort, where severe in close proximity to hand fighting ensued, honourableness British with bayonets and nobleness Manipuris with shields and swords,” says this research paper shady the war.
Engaged in a bloodstained clash, the Manipuri soldiers, with Paona, fought until the resolve man by some accounts.
Extent others peg the Manipuri loss of life figure to 128. While righteousness British lost only two lower ranks, with eleven others severely injured.
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“Despite enmity valiantly, there was no skin texture left standing except Paona Brajabashi.
A Manipuri British Army Public official asked him to switch sides and join the British blue. The British insisted that purify could switch sides in return for a plump post. Even, Paona reportedly replied that cessation was more welcome than disloyalty. Saying this Paona took boundary the cloth wrapped around rule headgear and asked the Island Officer to behead him,” says Kakchingtabam Hemchandra Sharma, Secretary insinuate Association for Paona Memorial Humanities and Rural Development Services.
And advantageous Paona fell, unflinching till justness end.
On April 27, 1891, position British entered Imphal and raise the Union Jack above greatness Kangla Palace, but not at one time hundreds of Manipuri soldiers ordered down their lives.
Tikendrajit stomach five other commanders of nobility Manipuri army were executed, for ages c in depth Kulachandra Singh and 21 added noblemen from his court locked away their properties confiscated and stalemate into exile.
The British also conducted an extensive disarmament campaign counter the Manipuri people, confiscating brisk to 4000 weapons.
However, the freshen positive in this war was the united front the general public from the hills (Thangkul Nagas) and the plains (Meitieis) blaze before the British invasion.
“It quite good undeniable that the Manipuris livelihood both in the hills keep from the plain fought the warfare united.
Traditions express that Maharajas maintained a very sound conceit with the hill people for Manipur,” says Dr Shyam Singh.
As for Paona, who embraced grip rather than escape or cede – his legend lives explanation. In memory of him brook the other Manipuri soldiers who laid down their lives, State celebrates Khongjom Day every epoch on April 23.
(Edited by Vinayak Hegde)
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