Anglo-manipur War

The Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 was a brief yet decisive conflict fought between the British Empire and the Kingdom of Manipur, a small princely state in the north-eastern frontier of British India. The war marked a significant turning point in Manipur’s history, resulting in the annexation of the kingdom under British control and the end of its centuries-old independence.

Historical Background

Manipur, a strategically located hill state bordered by Burma (now Myanmar) to the east and Assam to the west, had long maintained a delicate relationship with neighbouring powers. Under the reign of Maharaja Gambhir Singh (1825–1834), Manipur had assisted the British East India Company during the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826), for which it was rewarded with territorial recognition and a formal alliance under the Treaty of Yandabo (1826).
Despite this alliance, tensions between the Manipuri royal family and the British authorities grew during the late nineteenth century. Internal power struggles within the Manipur royal house created instability, while the British sought to consolidate their influence over the north-eastern frontier, viewing Manipur as a critical buffer against Burma.
The immediate cause of the war lay in a succession dispute that erupted following the death of Maharaja Chandrakirti Singh in 1886. His son Surachandra Singh ascended the throne with British support, but his rule faced challenges from rival princes, notably Tikendrajit Singh, the Senapati (commander-in-chief) and younger brother of the king.

The Crisis and Outbreak of War

In September 1890, internal rebellion led by Tikendrajit Singh forced Maharaja Surachandra Singh to flee to the British Residency in Imphal and then to Calcutta, seeking British intervention to restore him to power. The British Government of India, however, decided not to reinstall Surachandra, instead recognising his younger brother Kulachandra Singh as the new ruler, on condition that the rebellious prince Tikendrajit be arrested and removed from Manipur.
In March 1891, a British political agent, Mr. J.W. Quinton, the Chief Commissioner of Assam, led a mission to Imphal accompanied by military escort to enforce Tikendrajit’s arrest. This mission, however, was met with strong resistance from the Manipuri forces. A confrontation ensued at the royal palace, leading to the capture and execution of Quinton and several British officers by the Manipuri rebels.
This event, viewed by the British as an act of rebellion and treachery, provoked an immediate and forceful military response. The British Government declared war on Manipur, launching a full-scale punitive expedition.

Course of the War

The Anglo-Manipur War was fought from March to April 1891, with operations conducted from three fronts:

• Kohima column under Major General H. Collett, advancing from the Naga Hills.
• Silchar column under Colonel R.H.F. Rennick, advancing from Cachar.
• Tamu column under Lieutenant-Colonel C.R. Leslie, advancing from Burma (Myanmar).

The Manipuri forces, though valiant and familiar with the terrain, were poorly armed compared to the British troops equipped with modern rifles and artillery. Major engagements occurred at Thoubal, Khongjom, and Imphal.
The Battle of Khongjom (April 1891) was the final and most significant encounter, where the Manipuri army, under the command of Paona Brajabashi, fought heroically but was ultimately overpowered by superior British firepower. Despite their defeat, the Manipuri soldiers’ bravery and resistance became legendary in the region’s history.
By April 27, 1891, British forces captured Imphal, bringing the war to an end. The kingdom was occupied, and leading figures of the rebellion were arrested and tried by a military tribunal.

Aftermath and British Annexation

Following the British victory, the leaders of the rebellion faced severe punishment. Senapati Tikendrajit Singh and Thangal General (Yubaraj Thangal) were publicly executed by hanging on 13 August 1891 at Polo Ground in Imphal. Koireng Singh (Prince Zillan Singh) and several others were either executed or exiled.
The reigning monarch, Maharaja Kulachandra Singh, was deposed and deported to the Andaman Islands. The British abolished Manipur’s independent monarchy, placing it under direct British rule for several years before restoring a minor prince, Churachand Singh, as a puppet ruler in 1907 under the supervision of a British political agent.
The annexation marked the loss of Manipur’s sovereignty and its formal integration into the British Indian Empire. The war also led to the reorganisation of Manipur’s administration along colonial lines, with the establishment of political residency and tighter control over local affairs.

Significance and Legacy

The Anglo-Manipur War, though brief, had far-reaching consequences for the political and cultural identity of the Manipuri people. It symbolised the end of indigenous independence in North-East India and the expansion of British imperial control into the region.
The conflict also highlighted the British policy of intervention in internal princely disputes as a means of consolidating power. Manipur, once an autonomous buffer state, was transformed into a princely state under British suzerainty, losing its capacity for independent diplomacy and defence.
From a socio-political perspective, the war inspired a legacy of resistance and nationalism in Manipur. The executions of Tikendrajit and Thangal General became powerful symbols of patriotism. The date 13 August is now observed as Patriots’ Day in Manipur, commemorating the heroes who fought and sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty of their homeland.

Historical Assessment

Historians regard the Anglo-Manipur War as a case study in colonial expansion through political manipulation. The British justified their invasion as a “punitive expedition” to avenge the death of their officials, yet it also reflected their long-term goal of consolidating control over the volatile North-Eastern frontier.
The Manipuri resistance, though militarily outmatched, demonstrated exceptional courage and tactical skill. Figures such as Senapati Tikendrajit Singh, Paona Brajabashi, and Thangal General are celebrated for their defiance against imperial domination.