KHONGJOM LAN

Khongjom Lan as presently remember as Khongjom Day is recollected to remain the War that many Manipuri martyrs who sacrificed their lives fighting the Mighty British colonial expansion to protect the dignity, honor, and sovereignty of motherland Manipur. It became a part of history but we cannot and should not forget the War that was fought between the British Government and the Kingdom of Manipur. And the Khongjom Lan will be remembered till the human race exists in these Universes as the ‘Khongjom Lan of 1891’ or it may be the ‘Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891’.

The Khongjom Lan/The Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 lasted between 31^st March and 27^th April. 23^rd April is observed to pay tribute to the war heroes of the Khongjom Lan of 1891/ Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891. 

It became one of the most important events in the history of Manipur. The war was fought in the Kheba hills of Khongjom in Manipur in which the mighty warriors had fought fearlessly to defend the sovereignty. Those sacrifices of our martyrs’ warriors maintain a relationship between the living and our departed ancestors.

Why and how the Khongjom War/Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 had become.

Continuation of the Sovereign State of Manipur:

The civilization of Kangleipak/Manipur existed before and after the Christian era. The history itself is reflected by archaeological research, mythology, and written history.

A trend of constitutional monarchy reigned throughout the history of the two millennia-old political organization of the state. The State formation was completed in the early Christian era when as many as seven principalities amalgamated themselves to constitute the earliest Meitei State, which territorially fluctuated but extended beyond the present territory. The earliest settlers were the ancient Meiteis of the present valley area and the Chingmees (Hao mees) of the hill areas. From 33 A.D. till the rule of the last monarch, King Bodhachandra seventy-four kings ruled Manipur that had been documented in the Royal Chronicle known as ‘Cheitharol Kumbaba’ (33 AD to 1950 AD).

The Sovereign of Kangleipak/Manipur continues to exist since the Christian era. The nature of the Sovereign of Manipur is as follows:

The Sovereign status of Manipur had been recognized bilaterally when Manipur had a friendship treaty with the British as Indo-Manipuri Friendship Treaty in 1762 AD.

The political sovereignty and independence of Manipur had been officially recognized by both the Burmese Government and the British Government as per the provisions of the Yandaboo Treaty, 1826.

After the military defeat of Manipur by the British army in 1891, the British Government did not annex Manipur to its empire, this itself gives testimony to the unremitting independence of Manipur.

Despite the British and Indian interference in Manipur affairs, Manipur became fully independent and sovereign on 15.8.1947 vide Indian Independence Act, 1947.

Why Khongjom Lan/Anglo-Manipuri War 1891

British interference in the internal affairs of the Manipur was the key factor of the war and the lack of unity among the ruling princes.

The immediate cause of the war was the killing of five British officers including Mr. James Wallace Quinton, the chief commissioner of Assam.

After the confirmation of the execution of the five British officers, the British Indian Government constituted a Manipur field force. They sent three columns to Manipur from three sides Kohima, Silchar, and Tamu.

Taking the Tamu side seriously built three defensive places to fight against the invader; the first was at Palel, the second, was at Kakching and the third was at Khongjom.

The enemy having more troops and superior weaponry, the Manipuri bravely faced the British forces even after knowing that they would be defeated, in order to save the sovereignty of their motherland. They died heroic deaths leaving a huge inspiration for the future generation. The war ended on 27 April and Manipuris were defeated.

There is a saying that ‘the sun never sets on the British empire’ was not just a saying but a reality that “The Empire on which the sun never sets” has been used to explain the vastness of the British Empire. Between the 18th and 20th centuries, the British Empire acquired more territories making it the largest empire in history. The Empire had establishments in Africa, Asia, Europe, America, and numerous Islands across the globe. Historians established that roughly 25% of the earth’s landmass was in control of the British. The region was so extensive that at any one time there was daylight in one of the territories. By 1891, British imperialism had already been deeply rooted and no power on earth was competent enough to supersede the British power. To fight against such a majestic empire by a small kingdom like Manipur meant nothing but the defeat of Manipur. Despite the inevitable and predictable defeat, the gallant Manipuri warriors fought back against the British, the idea of giving up and surrendering was out of the question. That’s the spirit of our hero ancestors. To embody the spirit of those gallant ancestors and to pay homage to them, Manipuris observe Khongjom Lan as Khongjom Day every year on the 23^rd of April.