DIPR
Imphal, Jan. 6
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh assessed the work progress of the ongoing construction of the statues of Meidningu Narasingh and Sana Heerachandra at the Samadhi complex of Maharaja Gambhir Singh at Langthabal in Imphal West District yesterday.
The two statues would be unveiled by the Chief Minister at the 185th Death Anniversary observation of Maharaja Gambhir Singh in the presence of Art and Culture Minister L. Jayantakumar and CAF & PD Minister Karam Shyam on January 9.
It may be mentioned that N. Biren Singh while speaking at the 184th Death Anniversary observation of Mahararaj Gambhir Singh last year announced that statues of Narasingh and Heerachandra, who took pivotal roles in reclaiming Manipur from the hands of Burmese invaders during the time of Chahi Taret Khuntakpa (Seven Years Devastation, 1819-1826), would be erected at the Samadhi complex.
Meidingu Nara Singh was the great grandson of Meidingu Pamheiba, and he is regarded as the epitome of courage, patriotism, generosity and sacrifice. He assisted his cousin Meidingu Gambhir Singh in throwing out the Burmese from Manipur in 1826, ending the Seven Years Devastation. After the death of Gambhir Singh, he acted as the regent for two-year-old Chandrakirti from 1834 to 1844. After an abortive attempt to assassinate him leading to the escape of Queen Kumudini with her son to Cachar, he became the King of Manipur in 1844.
Heerachandra, the son of King Labyanachandra was a dedicated personality of Seven Years Devastation, who tried vehemently to save the lives of common people from the clutches of the Burmese Army in Manipur by using guerrilla warfare. He was a great nationalist who tried to protect the nationalistic spirit of Manipuri people, a symbol of sacrifice for the cause of motherland and a great contributor to the process for the reconstruction of a new Manipur.