The victory of the Allied forces over the Japanese at Imphal and Kohima in 1944 being voted as ‘Britain’s Greatest Battle’ reported in the UK based The Telegraph newspaper is a prime example of most of us not recognizing the significance of our own role in the turn of events in global history. The battles of Imphal and Kohima were reportedly on a shortlist of five battles and got half of all votes polled with the D-Day and Normandy battles getting second spot and the Battle of Waterloo in the third spot. Dr Robert Lyman, an author and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society made the pitch for the twin battles at Imphal and Kohima as the deserving winner since they made its effects felt on the political, cultural and social level even as they left a significant military impact: that of showing that the Japanese forces were not invincible and could be beaten ‘and beaten well’. As mentioned in The Telegraph news report, the victories in this side of the world were overlooked as the invasion of Europe took place.
Even as the event of world events conspired in a way of sorts to steal the limelight from the battles of Imphal and Kohima, the irony is that current history textbooks have left out notable mentions of the said battles. Ironically, the two battles are mere footnotes in school textbooks in the state and the country while the D- Day and Normandy battles and of course, the Battle of Waterloo are more known and discussed about.
Apart from history textbooks giving the two battles short change, the total lack of documentation of the Battle of Imphal and the failure of keeping the spotlight on the historical sites where the battle wad fought in the state is a sore point. This, despite the presence of a Department for Art and Culture under whom the Manipur State Archeology is attached on one hand and the tall promises being given on the potential of tourism in the state by the Tourism Department. The Second world war memorial sites and memorials in the state have rather come about mostly because of the interest shown by those who fought in an alien land and have not come about by the dint of any initiative taken up by the State government. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission in fact set up the Imphal War cemetery at Deulaland, as also the cemetery at Kohima. But while the one in Kohima is well maintained and is the destination point for tourists and people interested in history, the cemetery in Imphal as was reported in a recent IFP story has become a popular hang out place for young people and is hardly maintained well, except of course when delegations of war veterans or family members are set to arrive on official visits. There is no war museum to mark the historical event and Manipur’s place in the Second World War.
Lieutenant-General William Slim, a major player in the two battles against the Japanese and who was the overall command leading the British who had his quarters inside the Kangla fort would have spent his time planning for his army. But the Kangla fort is still pegged as a mere cultural and religious attraction spot rather than also putting in the historical significance of the Slims Cottage. Another historical site that has totally escaped the attention of the State government and its various departments that should step in to maintain and upkeep historical places is that of Nungshigum which is said to have been the last one frontier that could have well changed the course of history. War records also describe the stand off between the allied forces and the Japanese forces as the most decisive. The Japanese had encircled Imphal from the north and its 60th Regiment captured a British supply dump at Kanglatongbi, which had earlier been emptied of food and ammunition.
The Nungshigum ridge was vital because it overlooked the main airstrip at Koirengei and when it was taken over by Japanese forces, the Allied forces counter-attacked, supported by air strikes, massed artillery and M3 Lee tanks, which had never been tried before given the steep incline. The Nungshigum ridge is said to have seen a to and fro fight for control between the two forces with the Allies at last holding sway, thus leading to the eventual turn of world events. Unfortunately, the significance of Nunghsigum to the people of the state and its Government is totally lost in the corridors of apathy and the lack of any concerted efforts to trace its role and historical significance. It would bode well to realize that history is not just about written records but also tracing alternative narratives. This can still be done for the generation of people who did see world events happening around them could still be called upon to give their testimonies. For all the claims on developing tourist spots in the state, the battle sites in the state are real areas with ample scope for generating interest amongst tourists and giving sustainable employment as guides etc.