Khongjom Day

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Khongjom Day

After the execution of Chief Commissioner and his party, The Manipuris attacked the residency. Mrs. Grimwood, Lt. Gordan with a group of people left Manipur or Cachar. The British Govt. declared war against Manipur on 31st of March 1891.

By the first week of April, three columns of troops march towards Imphal from three different direction i.e. Kohima, Silchar and Tamu. Kohima column was commanded by Brigadier General Graham C.B. General Collet was given the overall command of the whole operation. In Manipur, due preparation was made to meet British troops. The Maharaja sent 800 soldiers under Khwairakpa, Laisramba Jambhuban Major, Heigrujam Poila and Maileya Tamra Singh Subedar towards the north to defend against the British column coming from Kohima. One thousand Soldiers were sent to the west under the command of Rajkumar Kala Singh, Sagol Hanjabe, Sana NganbaLourang Purel Yenkhoiba Poila, and Longjamba Poila to oppose the British column from Cachar.

Seven Hundred Sepoys were sent under Maipak Sana alias Lokendra Birjit Singh, Wankheirakpa and Rudra Singh Yenkhoiba Major to meet the British column from Tamu (Burma). The Maharaja appointed Subedar Paona Brajabasi and Chongtha Mia Singh to the post of majors and 400 soldiers under two majors were re-enforced to resist the British troops from Burma. The Manipuri force under Wankheirakpa and Yenkhioba Major made stocked at Thoubal. The Maharaja ordered Wankheirakpa Meiraba Poila with a party of Manipuri Soldiers to proceed to Pallel Via Kakching and Major Paona and Chongtha Mia to proceed to Pallel through Burma road. On 20th April 1891, Manipuri Troops led by Paona and Chongtha Mia reached Thoubal and made their camp on the Western Side of the Khongjom River. On 22nd they were fully encamped taking position in Trenches. By this time, the British troops from Tamu occupied Pallel, Kakching and Langathel. The British armies were camping at Langathel hill under Brigadier General Graham C.B. early in the morning of 23rd April 1891,the British armies fired guns from the top of the hill camp towards the Manipuri camps. The British Soldiers had marched up to the camp side and serious fighting between British and Manipuri soldiers took place. British won the Battle. The British beheaded General Paona. Khongjom Day is observed every year in Manipur on 23rd of April in memories of Paona and other martyrs who died in Khongjom for the defense of their Motherland.

The conditions of Manipuri forces in all three fronts were deteriorated. The three British columns marched towards Imphal. The first column to reach Imphal was the Silchar column. On the morning of 27th April (Monday) Col.Rennick's force occupied the capital at 7 a.m. and hoisted the Union Jack over the Capital. Thus, Manipur fell into the hands of British. This defeat of Manipuris led to the loss of independence and marked the integration of Manipur with British India.

Courtesy:www.e-pao.net