The fall-outs of the Anglo-Manipur war in 1891 are manifold. While the victory of the British in the war led to Manipur losing its independent sovereign status, it also saw Kangla, the seat of political power and administration being occupied by the British administration. In later footnotes of history, Kangla would be a war room of sorts for another significant battle, the Battle of Imphal that has recently been adjudged the most critically important for the period of the Second World War. It would be in the confines of the Kangla that Field Marshall Sir William Slim chalked out his successful military maneuvers against the Japanese Imperial Army and its ally, the Indian National Army. The casualties of war in terms of lives lost and difficulties faced also happened with the Anglo-Manipur war but on the cultural front, this war led to the emergence of the Khongjom Parva, ballads extolling the valor and chivalry of the people who fought against the might of the British Army. As is known, the war was brought upon due to dissent within the royal family. After the death of Maharaj Chandrakriti Singh, his eldest son Surchandra succeeded to the throne in 1886 but was opposed by Kullachandra who was supported by Yubaraj Tikendrajit, Angousana and Zillangamba. When in 1890, Surchandra was ousted, he along with his three brothers fled to Calcutta to appeal to the British government for help. The subsequent turn of events led to the war and the martyrdom of Tikendrajit and Thangal General by public hanging besides Niranjan Subedar, Pukrambam Kajao and Chirai Naga were hanged inside the prison. Twenty two active conspirators were also transported from Manipur to serve life sentences for waging war against the British Empire. While the spirit of the fight against the might of the British forces is to be imbibed, it is significant too that the Anglo Manipur War that played a turning point in the history of Manipur was based on one undeniable truth: the quest for power. While the Royal family fought amongst itself, the British got the one opportunity to over-run the state, which was strategically important for its trade and movement to Myanmar.
The turn of events in the course of time since 1891 in the state, has taken on such a note that the patriotic spirit of August 13 is beginning to take a jingoistic tone. There are now stringent declarations and diktats that the day be observed in certain modes, which is a matter of great irony as the day is meant to commemorate not only the patriotic spirit of those who laid down their lives but also learn and imbibe the example of daring. There is but a thin line between patriotism and jingoism and in Manipur, the line is getting more blurred by the day. Everywhere else, there are new lenses being applied in terms of looking at historic portrayals of people who are deemed as heroes or an ideal leader. But in Manipur, the day is yet very far when the Patriot’s day can be looked upon through the larger prism of whether the events were really all about being patriotic or only the fallout of a power struggle gone wrong. This is not to suggest that those who sacrificed their lives did so in vain, for there are major learnings that we can all take: that the wrong kind of alliances can get costly in the long run as happened when one section of the Royals took to asking help from the British for settling the matter of who would be King for Manipur.
There is also another lesson that is universal in nature: that unity is often the best strategy to outwit even the most formidable enemy. If the Royal princes had not fought amongst each other for the throne but worked alongside each other for the greater good of the people at large, the history and polity of Manipur would have been radically different. But it is not too late to learn from what has happened in the past. Taking a cue from what might have been, and imbibing a strong spirit for the greater good of the common people can well be the best tribute that we can all pay to our ancestors who shaped the destiny of Manipur. Taking the path to jingoistic overtures by way of rousing speeches and flowery poetry is the easier path but following the real patriotic path would be the more suitable option.