Manipuris observe Patriots Day in Delhi

Manipuris from all walks of life living in Delhi observed Patriots` Day in New Delhi on Monday

The celebration was held at the Manipur Tikendrajit House, in Delhi’s Chanakyapuri area.

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 VIPs and public while paying tribute to the great patriots.

A two-minute 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 RKAnand and former Ministers V.Hangkhalian and Vivek Raj Wangkhem were among those dignitaries who paid tribute to the martyrs.

August 13th is a red-letter day in the history of Manipur, as on this fateful day in 1891, 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 for defending the freedom of Manipur.

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 British Crown.

Death sentences were passed on Regent Kulachandra and Angousana, but the Governor General 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.