Some of the many names that Manipur was known as are:
- Sanna Leipak
- Tilli Koktong
- Poirei Lam
- Mitei Lipak
- Meitrabak
Manipur came under the British rule in 1891 when they defeated the Burmese. Manipur has witnessed many battles during the World War II. The Indian National Army led by the great Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose marched towards Imphal before they were defeated by allied forces.
Once an independent kingdom, Manipur was declared free once more in 1947. However, the then king of Manipur - Budhachandra signed an agreement under which the state became a part of the Indian Dominion. In the year 1972, it became the state we know today.
Battle of Imphal
The battle of Imphal was a failed attempt of Japan to invade India during the World War II. The fierce battle continued from March 6, 1944 and continued till June 22, 1944. One of the greatest failures of Japan in world history, the huge Japanese army comprising of around 120,000 men tried to remove the British and Indian troops out of Imphal, the capital of Manipur and invade India. An intense battle was fought and the Japanese force was driven out incurring heavy losses on them. The supremacy and the command of the British and Indian combined forces in air and artillery during the battle of Imphal brought the biggest success in Manipur history.
The battle of Imphal is important from the perspective of Indian War of Independence against the Britishers. The battle actually included the Indian National Army led by Subhash Chandra Bose on the Japanese side. This was because they planned to drive out the colonizing Britishers from India and thereby attain freedom but the plan failed.
Kings of Manipur
The kings of Manipur played important roles in framing Manipur history. The kingdom of Manipur has been known by various names like Tilli-Koktong, Sanna-Leipak, Poirei-Lam, Mitei-Leipak, Meitrabak and the present day Manipur during the reign of a total of 109 rulers. From as early as 33 AD, Lord Pakhangba and his dynasty continued to rule the kingdom directly in chronological order and it was Pakhangba himself who introduced Kangla in Manipur. Their rule lasted till 1949 AD when the merger of Manipur with the Indian Union came into effect.
The kingdom of Manipur lost its sovereignty in the year 1891 AD after the Britishers defeated Manipur in the Anglo-Manipuri war in Khongjom. The Britishers ruled Manipur till the Indian independence in 1947, followed by the annexation of the state in the Indian Territory. Famous Manipuri kings, Khagemba (Sana Hihonhan) in the 16th century and Pamheiba (Garib Niwaz) during 17th century further extended the kingdom of Manipur by storming deep into the neighboring kingdom of Burma.
Merger of Manipur
The merger of Manipur with India was made on 21st September 1949 between the then Governor General of India and his Highness, the Maharajah of Manipur. An agreement was made as Manipur was one of the most uncertain native states due to some delicate issues and problems. The agreement stated that in the interest of both the state of Manipur and the Indian governance, Manipur would be under the administration and jurisdiction of the Dominion Government of India. This agreement made between the newly formed Congress-led government of India and Maharajah Bodhchandra Singh came into effect from 15th October 1949.
