NEW DELHI, August 13 (MIC): Manipur government observed the Patriots` Day celebration at the Manipur Tikendrajit House, Bir Tikendrajit Marg, Chanakyapuri here this morning.
Three photographs of Paona Brajabasi, Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were decorated at the base of the statue of Bir Tikendrajit where a large number of Manipuris from the National Capital Region paid their homage to the great patriots of Manipur who fought against the mighty Britishers and sacrificed their lives for the cause of their motherland.
The Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh led the VVIPs and public while paying floral tributes to the great patriots.
Two minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed souls.
Sitting Lok Sabha members Dr Thokchom Meinya and Thangso Baite, Rajya Sabha member Rishang Keishing, Manipur Legislative Assembly member from Naoria Pakhanglakpa constituency RK Anand and former Ministers V Hangkhalian and Vivek Raj Wangkhem were among those dignitaries who paid floral tributes to the martyrs.
August 13 is a red-letter day in the history of Manipur as on this fateful day in 1891, the two great patriots, namely Bir Tikendrajit, the prince of Manipur and General Thangal were hanged in broad daylight by the British in the presence of thousands of men and women at Pheidapung, Imphal Outer Pologround, as these heroes had defended the freedom of Manipur against the British.
Subedar Niranjan, Kajao Singh Jamadar alias Pukhramba Phingang and Charai Thangal of Mayangkhang were also hanged till death on June 8, May 25 and October 15 in the same year inside the Imphal jail on similar charge of waging war against the Empress on India, the British Crown.
The death sentences passed on to the Regent Kulachandra and Angousana, but the Governor General, however, commuted the death sentence passed on the Maharaja and the Prince Angousana who were sent in exile for life to Kalapani (Andaman) along with 20 martyrs for waging war against the British Empress.
The British action in Manipur culminating in the occupation of the kingdom and the execution of 35-year old Tikendrajit and 80-year old General Thangal created a great sensation in Bengal . Barrister Monomohon Ghosh fought like a lion in the case against Tikendrajit and Kulachandra. The people of Bengal in particular had great sympathy for the unfortunate princes of Manipur who were the victims of British conspiracy.
The stand taken by Tikendrajit and his martyrdom continued to be a source of inspiration to the revolutionaries of India`s freedom movement. Years later, the government of free India , as suggested by Arun Chandra Guha, included the portrait of Bir Tikendrajit in the National Portrait Gallery inside the House of the People in New Delhi .
Born on December 29, 1856, the Prince Bir Tikendrajit Singh sone of Maharaj Chandrakirtee and Chongtham Chanu Kousheswari Devi was brought up in the classical Asian traditions of an Independent State. Tikendrajit exhibited sound qualities of leadership was notable for his love for Manipur`s freedom and dignity. He raised banner of resistance against imperialism when the British Empire attempted to aggressively incorporate independent states in the Eastern Himalayan Region. He was tried for waging war against the Queen Empress and was hanged along with Thangal General on August 13, 1891.
Bir Tikendrajit Marg in Chanakyapuri here which was named after Bir Tikendrajit Singh, the great patriot of Manipur passed through where several State Guest houses namely Tamil Nadu House, Andaman Nicober House, Rajasthan, State Guest House, Arunachal House, Goa Niwas, Bihar Sadan and Manipur Tikendrajit House, and became a remarkable lane in the National capital.