The Union Government has recently renamed Mount Harriet in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is now known as Mount Manipur, a tribute to several freedom fighters of the Anglo-Manipuri War who were hanged or deported to this island peak. This change underscores the history and significance of the war and Manipur’s ongoing struggle for independence.
Mount Manipur: A Tribute to Heroes
Formerly known as Mount Harriet, the third-highest island peak in Andaman and Nicobar Islands served as a prison for Maharaja Kulchandra Singh of Manipur and 22 other freedom fighters during the Anglo-Manipuri War in 1891. The renaming signifies a tribute to these brave hearts. Every year, on 23rd April, Manipur celebrates Khongjom Day to remember and honor the heroes of this war.
Anglo-Manipuri War: A Background Overview
Back in 1886, Surchandra Singh inherited his father Chandrakirti Singh’s throne, leading a Manipur kingdom that was not under British rule but had established treaties with the crown. His ascension, however, was controversial, leading to a revolt by his younger brothers Kulachandra and Tikendrajit. In a twist of events in 1890, Surchandra was overthrown, and Kulachandra was declared the king.
Surchandra then fled to Calcutta and sought British help to regain his throne.
The Role of the British
Following Surchandra’s request, the British sent James Quinton, Chief Commissioner of Assam, along with an army to Manipur. Their goal was to acknowledge Kulachandra as the new king, provided they be allowed to arrest Crown Prince Tikendrajit, the leader of the coup, and eject him from Manipur.
The King rejected this forceful imposition of British law on a sovereign state, thereby triggering the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.
The Culmination of War
The war comprised two phases. In the initial phase, the British had to surrender, and their officers, including Quinton, were publicly executed. The second phase witnessed a British attack on Manipur from three directions, resulting in the capture of Kangla Fort in Imphal.
Prince Tikendrajit and four others were hanged by the British; Kulachandra and 22 others were deported to the Andaman Islands. Although the British emerged victorious, the war resulted in the death of five crucial officers.
In India, this war was seen as part of the larger rebellion against British rule that followed the Revolt of 1857. Ultimately, Manipur became a princely state indirectly governed by the British crown.
As we explore these historical events, the renaming of Mount Harriet to Mount Manipur serves as a stark reminder of Manipur’s turbulent past and its continuous struggle for freedom.