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[[File:Action by Lt CJW Grant, VC, 1891.jpg|thumb|right|Lieutenant [[Charles James William Grant|CJW Grant]], during the action at [[Thoubal]], on 1 April 1891.|280px]]
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Anglo-Manipuri War
| partof =
| image =kangla3.jpg
| caption =The sculptures of two [[Kanglasha]] dragons situated in front of the [[Kangla Palace]], which were destroyed during the war.
| date =31 March – 27 April 1891<ref name=sPw/>
| place = [[Manipur (princely state)|Kingdom of Manipur]]
| casus =
| territory =
| result = British victory, [[Meidingngu Churachand]] declared as king<ref name=JiHx/>
| combatant1 = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[British Empire]]
* {{flagcountry|British Raj}}
| combatant2 = [[File:Flag of Manipur.svg|22px]] [[Manipur (princely state)|Kingdom of Manipur]]
| commander1 = {{flagicon|British Raj}} [[Queen Victoria]] {{flagicon|British Raj}} [[Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne|Lord Lansdowne]] {{flagicon|British Raj}} Major General H. Colle <ref name=sPw/>
| commander2 = [[File:Flag of Manipur.svg|22px]] Maharajah [[Kulachandra Singh]] {{POW}} [[File:Flag of Manipur.svg|22px]] Jubraj [[Tikendrajit]] {{Executed}} [[File:Flag of Manipur.svg|22px]] Major [[Paona Brajabasi]]{{KIA}}<ref name=sPw/>
| strength1 = +395 2 guns<ref name=jx/><ref name=Gazi/>
| strength2 = +3,200 2 guns<ref name=jx/><ref name=Gazi/>
| casualties1 = 4 {{KIA}} 15 {{WIA}}<ref name=jx/><ref name=Gazi/>
| casualties2 = +178 {{KIA}} 5 {{executed}}<ref name=sPw/>
| campaignbox =
}}

The '''Anglo-Manipuri War''' was an armed conflict between the [[British Empire]] and the [[Manipur (princely state)|Kingdom of Manipur]]. The war lasted between 31 March and 27 April 1891, ending in a British victory.

==Background==
In the [[First Anglo-Burmese War]], the British helped prince [[Gambhir Singh]] regain his kingdom of [[Manipur (princely state)|Manipur]], which had been heretofore occupied by the Burmese.<ref name=JiHx>{{citation |title=Self-determination movement in Manipur |last=Sharma |first=Hanjabam Shukhdeba |publisher=Tata Institute of Social Sciences/Shodhganga |year=2010 |url=http://hdl.handle.net/10603/2710 |at=[https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/jspui/bitstream/10603/2710/11/11_chapter%203.pdf Chapter 3]}}</ref> Subsequently, Manipur became a British [[protectorate]].<ref>{{citation |last=Phanjoubam |first=Pradip |title=The Northeast Question: Conflicts and frontiers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OxStCwAAQBAJ |year=2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-34004-1 |pp=3–4}}</ref> From 1835, the British stationed a [[Political officer (British Empire)|Political Agent]] in Manipur.<ref name=Grimwood>
{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=K. D. |title=Grimwood [née Moore; other married name Miller], Ethel Brabazon [pseud. Ethel St Clair Grimwood] (1867–1928), the heroine of Manipur |url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-101006 |website=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |year=2010 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/101006}}</ref>

In 1890, the reigning Maharaja was [[Surachandra Singh]]. His brother{{efn|Perhaps a half-brother.{{sfnp|Phanjoubam, Bleeding Manipur|2003|128}}}} [[Kulachandra Singh]] was the ''jubraj'' (heir apparent){{efn|From Sanskrit ''yuvarāja'', also spelt ''yubraj'' or ''jubraj'' in the northeast India.}} and another brother [[Tikendrajit Singh]] was the military commander (''senapati''). Frank Grimwood was the British Political Agent.<ref name=Quinton/>

Tikendrajit is said to have been the most able of the three brothers, and was also friendly with the Political Agent.<ref name=Quinton/> According to historian Katherine Prior, the British influence depended on the military aid they had provided to the ruling family, which had dried up in the 1880s, leading Tikendrajit to doubt the value of British alliance.<ref name=Quinton/>

Historian Jangkhomang Guite states the British [[Third Anglo-Burmese War|annexation of Upper Burma]] reduced the strategic importance of Manipur. They contemplated introducing reforms in the administration of Manipur but, according to Guite, Tikendrajit stood in their way.<ref name=Guite>{{cite journal |last1=Guite |first1=Jangkhomang |title=One Event, Two States |journal=Indian Historical Review |volume=42 |issue=2 |year=2015 |pages=226–260 |issn=0376-9836 |doi=10.1177/0376983615597381}}</ref>

== Causes ==
{{POV section|date=April 2021|talk=Background section}}
According to historian Jangkhomang Guite, on the British government part with the annexation of Upper Burma in 1855 the importance of Manipur kingdom as a " frontier kingdom " ended and it was followed by gradual decrease in military aids to Manipur.

As far as back in 1855, the Chief Commissioner of Assam asked the government of British India for its opinion for reforms in Manipur administration. He stated the Political agent of British Government in Manipur exercised very little interference in internal matters of Manipur and he wanted to change this. He particularly recommended the abolition of slavery system prevailed in Manipur, reform in trade system , a system of passes and the administration of jails and law courts with immediate effect. The Viceroy replied <blockquote>
The GoI in general, felt that it would not be justified to carry out any sweeping reforms in the 'Native States in India' but set the 'exceptional' case for Manipur. It recommended that the reform being advocated 'may be possible and expedient' as Manipur was 'not a State in India' .<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Guite|first=Jangkhomang|date=2015-12-01|title=One Event, Two States: Commemorating the Deaths of 1891 in Manipur|url=https://doi.org/10.1177/0376983615597381|journal=Indian Historical Review|language=en|volume=42|issue=2|page=232|doi=10.1177/0376983615597381|issn=0376-9836}}</ref> </blockquote>

And cautioned not to proceed too fast and advised considering opinion of local officers and then submitting an official representation so that the attentive consideration of [[British India|Government of India]] could be taken up.

The previous free supply of arms, ammunition and other aids to Manipur had been gradually removed. This led to reduction of Manipuri troops and a report against the state of administration increased.The political agents escorts had been increased double fold. Since 1855 an Indian regiment was stationed at Langthabal which were responsible for suppressing internal rebellion in Manipur, this was later minimized to two companies only. Maharajah Surchandra influenced declined making him unpopular among his subjects. It was in this time Senapati Tikendrajit emerged as a promising leader in Manipur.While being so popular among the people of Manipur, Tikendrajit did everything to stop British influence in Manipur's affairs.

This displeased the British so much which made him seen as a threat to British influence in Manipur. Every possible means was taken up by British to remove him from Manipur. He was initially accused of taking the administration of Manipur State in his own hands making the king a mere puppet, this was considered in a way as a war against Queen Empress of India under colonial law. Next he was accused of brutally torturing Manipur people. The Viceroy even remarked Tikendrajit as 'notorious'. In 1888, Maharajah Sur Chandra was advised to remove Tikendrajit from Manipur, which was declined though and no one can know for sure what prompted the Maharajah to go to British Residency and what exactly was conspired between the political agent and him. In September he signed an abdication letter and immediately went to British territory to collude with the British for restoration of his power (king's power).<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Guite|first=Jangkhomang|date=2015-12-01|title=One Event, Two States: Commemorating the Deaths of 1891 in Manipur|url=https://doi.org/10.1177/0376983615597381|journal=Indian Historical Review|language=en|volume=42|issue=2|pages=226–260|doi=10.1177/0376983615597381|issn=0376-9836}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Dena|first=Lal|url=https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar.bib?q=info:WCWVovX4T0EJ:scholar.google.com/&output=citation&scisdr=CgXmKpcBEN_l0Ai4AfU:AAGBfm0AAAAAYIy-GfUzLmSRLtzuadKyQJHpPIZ6enK5&scisig=AAGBfm0AAAAAYIy-GbmmBRNZxs4Rju7WIfUP6WzIcDYZ&scisf=4&ct=citation&cd=-1&hl=en|title=History of Modern Manipur, 1826-1949|date=1991|publisher=Orbit Publishers-Distributors}} {{dead link|date=May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=L Joychandra|url=https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar.bib?q=info:n_HhneZIc6sJ:scholar.google.com/&output=citation&scisdr=CgXmKpcBEN_l0Ai46kU:AAGBfm0AAAAAYIy-8kUZA2wfX2DjH090_22J7P-jeImI&scisig=AAGBfm0AAAAAYIy-8vtyJwc2hZc5uneDL2g3w2IjUuNz&scisf=4&ct=citation&cd=-1&hl=en|title=The lost kingdom: Royal chronicle of Manipur|date=1995|publisher=Prajatantra Publishing House}} {{dead link|date=May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Singh|first=N Lokendra|date=1998|title=The Unquiet Valley: Society|url=https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar.bib?q=info:rFtoP_unGigJ:scholar.google.com/&output=citation&scisdr=CgXmKpcBEN_l0Ai5sa0:AAGBfm0AAAAAYIy_qa0k6Eq7AsL5H6q12ep87b7QVJes&scisig=AAGBfm0AAAAAYIy_qcLBzuE2iuXMn32UjLKMCyRM4BxH&scisf=4&ct=citation&cd=-1&hl=en|journal=Economy and Politics in Manipur (1891-1930)(New Delhi, 1998)|pages=226}} {{dead link|date=May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ruddin|first=MD|last2=Sanajaoba|first2=N|date=1988|title=Anglo-Manipur War, 1891|url=https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar.bib?q=info:VDFnqeaUFCYJ:scholar.google.com/&output=citation&scisdr=CgXmKpcBEN_l0AjGHgs:AAGBfm0AAAAAYIzABgsOFH6jm7q4SkF_Jb8GgGXIEQSH&scisig=AAGBfm0AAAAAYIzABhmCTBfzNf8FdqSIjMeU0yukwT2w&scisf=4&ct=citation&cd=-1&hl=en|journal=Manipur: Past and Present|volume=1|pages=113–34}} {{dead link|date=May 2021}}</ref>

== Coup and rebellion ==
[[File:AssamProvince1936 Map.png|thumb|right|300px|The Assam province (1931) together with the princely state of Manipur]]
On 21 September 1890, Tikendrajit Singh led a palace coup, ousting Maharaja Surachandra Singh and installing Kulachandra Singh as the ruler. He also pronounced himself as the new ''jubraj''.<ref name=Grimwood/><ref name=Quinton/>{{efn|It is reported that Kulachandra Singh was absent at the time of the coup. So his role in the affair is not clear.<ref name="Lee-Warner">
{{citation |last=Lee-Warner |first=Sir William |title=The Protected Princes of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GciCSpe1OOMC&pg=PA171 |year=1894 |publisher=Macmillan and Company |pp=171–172}}
</ref>}} Surachandra Singh took refuge in British residency, where Grimwood assisted him to flee the state.<ref name=Grimwood/> The Maharaja had given the impression that he was abdicating the throne but, after reaching the British territory in the neighbouring [[Assam Province]], he recanted and wanted return to the state. Both the Political Agent and the Chief Commissioner of Assam, [[James Wallace Quinton]], dissuaded from returning.{{sfnp|Temple, The Manipur Bue-Book|1891|p=918}}

Surachandra Singh reached [[Calcutta]] and appealed to the Government of India, reminding the British of the services he had rendered.<ref name=Quinton/>{{sfnp|Temple, The Manipur Bue-Book|1891|p=918}} On 24 January 1891, the Governor-General instructed the Chief Commissioner of Assam to settle the matter by going to Manipur:
{{quote|The Governor-General in Council thinks that you should visit Manipur, for the avowed purpose of making, and, if necessary, enforcing, a decision on the merits of the case. You should probably have with you a sufficient force to overcome the conspirators. It is probable that a very small body of troops would be enough, and that sufficient numbers could be taken from Cachar or Kohima.{{sfnp|Temple, The Manipur Bue-Book|1891|pp=918–919}}}}
The Chief Commissioner Quinton persuaded the Government in Calcutta that there would be no use trying to reinstate the Maharaja. This was agreed, but the Government wanted the Senapati Tikendrajit Singh disciplined.<ref>{{harvp|Temple, The Manipur Bue-Book|1891|p=919}}: "The Regent Juberaj is to understand that if he is recognised as Maharaja this recognition is to be owing to the will of the British Government, and not to the successful rebellion of his brother the Senapati—in other words, he is to reign as the vassal of the British Paramount, and not as the puppet of his strong-minded brother the Senapati."</ref>

Quinton arrived in Manipur on 22 March 1891, with an escort of 400 [[Gurkha]]s under the command of Colonel Skene. The plan was to hold a Darbar in the residency with the erstwhile ''jubraj'' Kulachandra Singh (now regarded as the Regent) attending along with all the nobles, where a demand would be made to surrender the ''senapati''. The Regent came to attend the Darbar, but the ''senapati'' did not. Another attempt was made the next day which was also unsuccessful.<ref>{{harvp|Temple, The Manipur Bue-Book|1891|pp=919–920}} (Government of India's report to the Secretary of State in London)</ref> Quinton ordered the arrest of ''senapati'' in his own fort, which was evidently repulsed and the residency itself was besieged. Finally Quinton went on to negotiate with Tikendrajit, accompanied by Grimwood, Skene and other British officers. The talks failed and while returning, the British party was attacked by an "angry crowd". Grimwood was speared to death. The others escaped to the fort. But during the night the crowd led them out and executed them, Quinton included.<ref name=Quinton>{{Cite web |last=Prior |first=Katherine |title=Quinton, James Wallace (1834–1891), administrator in India |url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-22968 |website=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/22968}}</ref>{{efn |According to the Manipur State Archives, they were executed upon the orders of Tikenajit Singh.<ref name=sPw/>}}

According to later accounts, Quinton had proposed to Kulachandra Singh a cessation of all hostilities and his return to [[Kohima]] (in Naga Hills to the north of Manipur). Kulachandra and Tikendrajit regarded the proposals as deception.<ref name=sPw>{{cite web |url=http://archivesmanipur.nic.in/whoswho.htm |title=The Anglo Manipur War 1891 and its Consequences |work=Manipur State Archives |date=19 January 2012 |access-date=8 June 2015}}</ref><ref name=Grimwood/>

The surviving British troops besieged in the residency were led out by two junior officers in the dead of night, along with Frank Grimwood's wife [[Ethel Grimwood]]. It was a disorganised retreat. But they were met in the forests by a relief party arriving from [[Cachar]] and were rescued. The Residency was set on fire soon after their departure.<ref name=Grimwood/>{{sfnp|Temple, The Manipur Bue-Book|1891|p=921}}{{sfnp|Phanjoubam, Bleeding Manipur|2003|p=133}}

On 27 March 1891, news of the executions reached the British. Colonel [[Charles James William Grant]] took the initiative organising a punitive expedition consisting of 50 soldiers of the 12th (Burma) Madras Infantry and 35 members of the 43rd Gurkha Regiment, Grant's column left [[Tamu, Burma]] the following day.<ref name=Gazi>{{London Gazette |issue=26192 |page=4370 |date=14 August 1891}}</ref>

The only woman in the retreat from the residency was Ethel Grimwood, who was later lionised as a heroine of the "Manipur Disaster" when she returned to Britain. She received a medal, £1,000, a civil list pension and she wrote her biography. It is unclear now as to her contribution, but a hero was required and Ethel became that hero.<ref name=Grimwood/>

==War==
[[File:Action by Lt CJW Grant, VC, 1891.jpg|thumb|right|Lieutenant [[Charles James William Grant|CJW Grant]], during the action at [[Thoubal]], on 1 April 1891.|280px]]
On 31 March 1891, British India declared war on Kangleipak, expeditionary forces were assembled in [[Kohima]] and [[Silchar]]. On the same day, the Tamu column seized the village of [[Thoubal]] after ousting an 800-man Manipuri garrison. On 1 April, 2,000 Manipuri soldiers accompanied by two guns laid siege to the village, Grant's troops repelled numerous attacks during the course of nine days. On 9 April, the Tamu column retreated from Thoubal in order to join the other columns, after being reinforced by 100 rifles of the 12th (Burma) Madras Infantry. Manipur forces suffered heavy casualties during the engagement{{Which|date=April 2021}} while the British lost one soldier dead and four wounded.<ref name=jx>{{London Gazette |issue=26192 |page=4372 |date=14 August 1891}}</ref><ref name="Ahmad 2006, pp. 62–65">Ahmad 2006, pp. 62–65.</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=April 2021}}

The Kohima column was launched on 20 April, encountering no resistance apart from coming under rifle fire four days later. On 21 April, the Silchar column reached Thoubal, the next day the Tamu column clashed with Manipur troops outside [[Palel]], after the latter pursued the British troops, the Meitei were once more pushed back.On 23 April, Meitei troops led by Poila Meiraba met the British troops at Kakching where Meiraba was killed in action along with 20 soldiers.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Siṃha|first1=Niṃthaukhoṃjama Khelacandra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LYgeAAAAMAAJ&q=Wangkhei+Meiraba+poila&hl=en|title=The Battle of Khongjom|date=1983|publisher=N. Khelchandra Singh|language=en}}</ref>

On 25 April, British scouts encountered 400 Manipuri soldiers on the Khongjom hillock in the vicinity of Palel.This battle is popularly known as '''Khongjom Battle''' being the last battle of Anglo Manipur War.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Dena|first1=Lal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vVluAAAAMAAJ&q=khongjom+battle&hl=en|title=History of Modern Manipur, 1826-1949|date=1991|publisher=Orbit Publishers-Distributors|page=65|language=en}}</ref> 350 infantrymen, 44 cavalry and 2 guns mounted an assault on the remainder of the Manipur army.<ref name=jx/><ref name=Gazi/><ref name=Ja/> Hand-to-hand fighting ensued, 2 British soldiers were killed and 11 were severely injured, while the Manipuri lost over 128 men including the death of high ranking officials such as Major [[Paona Brajabasi]], [[Heirang Kongja]] and [[Chinglen Sana|Chinglensana]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Datta|first=Amaresh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ObFCT5_taSgC&q=death+of+Paona+brajabashi+on+khongjom+battle&hl=en|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A-Devo|date=1987|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-260-1803-1|page=349|language=en}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=April 2021}}

On 27 April 1891, the Silchar, Tamu and Kohima columns united, capturing [[Imphal]] after finding it deserted. The [[Union Jack]] was hoisted above the Kangla Palace, 62 native loyalists were freed by the British troops. On 23 May 1891, Tikendrajit Singh was detained by British authorities On 13 August 1891, five Manipuri commanders including Tikendrajit were hanged for waging war against the [[British Empire]], [[Kulachandra Singh]] along with 21 Manipuri noblemen, who received sentences of property forfeiture and [[Transportation (punishment)|transportation]] for life. Manipur underwent a disarmament campaign, 4,000 firearms were confiscated from the local population.<ref name=sPw/><ref name=jx/><ref name=Gazi/><ref name=Do/>

On 22 September 1891, the British placed the young boy [[Meidingngu Churachand]] on the throne.<ref name="Ahmad 2006, pp. 62–65"/>

==Legacy==

Ethel Grimwood was given £1,000, a pension and the [[Royal Red Cross]] (despite having no links to nursing).<ref name=Grimwood/> British participants of the Manipuri expedition received the North East Frontier clasp for the [[India General Service Medal (1854)|India General Service Medal]]. Colonel [[Charles James William Grant]] also received the [[Victoria Cross]], for his actions during the battle of Thoubal.<ref name="Ahmad 2006, pp. 62–65"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/coins/collection/watson/page382.html?sf_function=print |title=India General Service Medal (1854–1895), with bar for N. E. Frontier 1891, awarded to Subadar Jangbir Rana, 1892 |work=Fitzwilliam Museum |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611015018/http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/coins/collection/watson/page382.html?sf_function=print |archive-date=11 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Victoria Cross|medal]] received by Colonel [[Charles James William Grant]] was auctioned on 24 June 2021 along with other collections of historical importance for an estimated sum of £420,000.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-06-23|title=Victoria Cross soldier's medals sell for £420k|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-57581600|access-date=2021-06-27}}</ref>

13 August is commemorated yearly as "Patriots Day" by the Manipuri population, with remarks to honour the Kangeilpak soldiers that lost their lives during the war. Tikendrajit Singh's portrait is included in the National Portrait Gallery inside the House of the People in New Delhi. 23 April is also observed as the "Khongjom Day", marking the occasion of the battle of Khongjom.<ref name=Ja>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080609/jsp/guwahati/story_9384736.jsp |title=Tourism discovers Khongjom – Ibobi wants war cemetery developed into tourist spot |work=Calcutta Telegraph |date=13 August 2014 |access-date=8 June 2015}}</ref><ref name=Do>{{cite web |url=http://manipuronline.com/features/august-13-patriots-day-freedom-they-lost-but-love-of-freedom-they-retained/2014/08/13 |title=August 13: Patriots’ Day "Freedom They Lost, But Love Of Freedom They Retained" |work=Manipur Online |date=13 August 2014 |access-date=8 June 2015}}</ref>

== Related pages ==
* [[Khongjom War Memorial Complex]]
*[[Insurgency in Manipur]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* Ahmad, Maj Rifat Nadeem, and Ahmed, Maj Gen Rafiuddin. (2006). ''Unfaded Glory: The 8th Punjab Regiment 1798–1956''. Abbottabad: The Baloch Regimental Centre.
* {{citation |last=Tarapot |first=Phanjoubam |title=Bleeding Manipur |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FsUJ0E3BXkMC |year=2003 |publisher=Har-Anand Publications |isbn=978-81-241-0902-1 |ref={{sfnref|Phanjoubam, Bleeding Manipur|2003}}}}
* {{citation |last=Temple |first=Richard |title=The Manipur Blue-Book |journal=The Contemporary Review, 1866–1900 |volume=59 |date=June 1891 |pp=917–924 |url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/6553061 |via=ProQuest |ref={{sfnref|Temple, The Manipur Bue-Book|1891}}}}

{{British colonial campaigns}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anglo-Manipur War}}
[[Category:Conflicts in 1891]]
[[Category:19th-century conflicts]]
[[Category:Military history of British India]]
[[Category:History of Manipur]]
[[Category:Wars involving Great Britain]]
[[Category:19th century in India]]
{{en-Wikipedia}}

Anglo-Manipuri War - Revision history

CleanupBot at 09:08, 25 February 2022