By : Lt Gen L. Nishikanta Singh, VSM & BAR (Veteran)
Six British officers died on 24th March 1891 in Manipur. In 1889 the strength of Manipuri Army was about 6,200. Nearly 7000 soldiers under a Major General were involved in Anglo – Manipur War
The Anglo-Manipur War 1891 is a significant historical event in Northeast India. It is one of minor campaigns fought by the British during the Victorian era. Nearly 7000 soldiers under a Major General were involved. It was a short but significant conflict between the British Empire and the Kingdom of Manipur. Manipur was an independent kingdom in Northeast India with a long history. Although it had an alliance with the British, it maintained its autonomy. The war marked the end of Manipur’s sovereignty, and it became a princely state under tighter British control. The event is remembered in Manipur as a symbol of resistance and martyrdom. We commemorate 23 April as Khongjom day and 13 August is as Patriots’ Day in Manipur, honoring the heroes who stood against colonial rule.
The Anglo Manipur war of 1891 can be divided into 3 distinct phases. In the first and second phase Manipur won but in the third phase, which was the deciding phase, Manipur lost. I this article I will try to describe and analyse every phase of the 1891 Anglo – Manipur war, which resulted in Manipur being subdued by the British.
Even during those days there were only three roads leading to Imphal, a cart track over Naga Hills, a bridle-path connecting with Cachar; and the third connecting to Chindwin though Tamu. The third road was considered important by the Manipuris as they were in perpetual conflict with the Burmese whom they call ’Ava’.
During the 1st Burma war, the British armed the Manipuris. The ‘Manipur Levy’ of 500 was increased to about 2,000. Two British officers who were on deputation were withdrawn in 1853. However, the Manipuri army continued to grow. They assisted and helped the British forces under, Lt Col Johnstone in 1879 during local fights. The British gifted a large number of weapons and ammunition, and again the Manipuris contributed troops to the British in 1885 during the 3rd Burmese War. Anglo-Manipur relations seemed good.
According to Mark Simner, in 1889 the strength of Manipuri Army was about 6,200 including irregulars. It was purely infantry based with no cavalry. For fire support, it was believed that they had eight 3-pounder brass cannons which could fire only balls.
The Anglo Manipur war of 1891 arose due to internal succession disputes in Manipur and the British intervention in its internal affairs. After Maharaja Chandrakirti Singh died in 1886, succession disputes broke out. After the palace coup in 1890, Maharaja Surachandra fled to British territory, seeking help to reclaim his throne.
Since he had technically abdicated and considering Manipur’s contributions to the British efforts against the Burmese, they declined to help him instead chose to recognise Kula Chandra as the rightful regent. However, The British aimed to punish Vir Tikendrajit Singh, whom they viewed as the chief conspirator and a danger to their authority, restore order and establish a more compliant ruler and reassert British dominance in Northeast India. So they decided to intervene.
This was the beginning of the Manipur war which could be divided into three distinct phases.
PHASE ONE:BATTLE OF RESIDENCY. The British conducted a typical coercive diplomacy with show of force. Quinton, the Chief Commissioner of Assam, arrived at Imphal on 22 March 1891 with 400 soldiers of the 42nd and 44th Gurkhas under Lt Col Skene. A traditional warm welcome was extended. The plan was to capture Vir Tikendrajit at a durbar. However, this failed. Quinton gave an ultimatum to Kula Chandra for handing over of Vir Tekendrajit or lose the support of the British. The demand was declined.
The British tried to capture Vir Tikendrajit early in morning on 24th March. The British Gurkha soldiers who tried to enter his residence had serious fighting with the Manipuri troops. Lieutenant Lionel Wilhelm Brackenbury was mortally wounded. He is the sixth British officer who died in Imphal on the 24th March 1891. His epitaph is there in the cemetery located in Raj Bhavan Imphal. Eventually British Gurkha soldiers were pushed back. The Manipuri’s now attacked and fired upon the British forces inside the Residency. By 8 p.m., Quinton, sensing his precarious position, requested a truce. Veer Vir Tekendrajit invited Quinton for talks. As the commissioner came out of the Residency with four other officers a riot ensued. The five British officers, including Quinton, were captured and executed, which escalated the conflict.
Thus six British officers died on that fateful day 24th March 1891,
This perhaps was one of the very important moments in the history of Manipur. What could have happened to Manipur if the British were not killed? Would Manipur remain a front-line country for the British?
PHASE 2: BATTLE OF ATHOKPAM. The death of British officers was unknown to the soldiers inside the residency, but there were unconfirmed reports and indicators that the Chief Commissioner was unlikely to return. Because of heavy pressure from Manipuri troops, the British decided to withdraw towards Cachar. On 26th, they were linked up Captain Cowley and 200 men of the 43rd Gurkhas from Cachar.
Reports on events in Imphal reached Tamu on 27 March, but the British were not aware of the death. Lieutenant Grant volunteered to rescue. He started 28 March1891 with thirty soldiers of the 43rd Gurkhas and fifty of the 12th Madras Infantry.
On 31 March, they encountered many Manipuri soldiers at Athokpam, Thoubal. The Manipuris brought down heavy fire upon them but the British managed to cross the river. The Manipuris were reinforced and brought two cannons. They relentlessly attacked the British force over a period of ten days till 9th April. Grant withdrew as Captain Presgrave with seventy-five men relived him. As Grant withdrew, he was closely pursued by the Manipuris.
Lieutenant Grant was awarded the ‘Victoria Cross’, the British highest gallantry award equivalent of our ‘Param Vir Chakra’ for his actions in Manipur.
PHASE 3: FULL-SCALE MILITARY RESPONSE. The British, shocked by the killing of their officers, ordered a full military expedition. They applied modern warfare theory called ‘Moltke’s theory on operational art’, that is advance on different routes but simultaneously attack together at the same time on the target. Thus, a divisional size force of three brigade group forces were to advance into Manipur on three different roads starting on different dates. They were to meet on 27 April at Imphal. A column of 1,200under Maj Gen Collett, which was the overall HQ, advanced through Kohima on the 20th April. Silchar Column of 1,900 under Col Rennick started early on 15 April from Cachar. Tamu Column from Burma, of 1,800 under Brig Gen Graham started on 23 April.
The Kohima Column faced its toughest resistance on 21st April at Khilokongat Mao. Captain Macintyre and 200 soldiers overcame the Manipuri resistance. This short but sharp clash effectively opened the road from Kohima to Imphal. There was hardly any resistance till Imphal. Another minor action was also fought by Colonel Browne and 300 soldiers during the advance from Cachar at a point halfway to Imphal.
BATTLE OF KHONGJOM
However, the task force under Brig Granham from Tamu was very bitterly contested by the Manipuris. The Manipuris had constructed an oval shaped fortification of trenches, ditches, snager (parapet) along a stream full of water in and around Khongjom. Initially, Captain Rundall, with 250 soldiers of the 2/4th Gurkhas, 50of the 12th Madras Infantry and another 43 mounted infantrymen; a total of nearly 350 soldiers and four canons lead the assault. The British first fired canons on Manipuri position, followed by concentrated aimed rifle fire. When the British infantry attacked, they were surprised by the ferocity of the Manipuri resistance who fought very stubbornly. Even after some parts of their fortification were captured by the British, the Manipuris did not give up instead continued to put up a very stiff resistance. This resulted in hand-to-hand combat. However, due to superior weapons and better training, the British eventually defeated the Manipuris.
The task force, reached Imphal on 27th. By then all Manipuri resistance had ended and the Union Jack was raised above the Kangla Fort. The British effectively disarmed the Manipuris, seizing an estimated 4,000 firearms.
After the defeat, several brave Manipuri warriors were deported to Kalapani. They were kept on an island called Mount Harriet. The name of this island was recently changed to Mount Manipur by the Govt of India on 17 Oct 2021 in honour of Manipuris who were imprisoned there by the Britishers.
LESSONS LEARNT
The Manipuris literally had no allies; even now we need to cultivate allies. Preparations for such an eventual showdown are a long tedious and continuous process and have to be anticipated, visualized, more detailed and elaborate.
Political instability due to squabbling and lack of unity amongst Manipuri leaders was there even those days. This provided opportunity for intervention.
On 24th Mar, if the mob had been restrained, then the spiraling of the events out control could have been avoided and also perhaps history might have been different.
Manipuris won the first two phases including the battles of Residency and Thoubal but eventually lost the war, as we did not utilize these tactical victories.
