Martial Heritages

MARTIAL HERITAGES

MANIPUR STATE MUSEUM

The Manipur State Museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of the people of Manipur.

The Manipur State Museum has well managed sections that are dedicated to various aspects of the Manipuri culture.

Mention may be made of the following sections inside the Manipur State Museum:

The sections preserve the martial weapons; community costumes; a tour of the state’s blazing past; and many relics and other historical documents.

SAHEED MINAR

The Shaheed Minar is a tall monolithic concrete structure.

It is located at the Bir Tikendrajit Park in the middle of Imphal town.

The Saheed Minar celebrates the hallowed memory, the indomitable spirit and the supreme sacrifices of the Meitei and other tribal martyrs during the Indian war of Independence in 1891.

THE WAR CEMETERIES

The World War – II cemeteries are places of pilgrimage for the near and dear ones of the soldiers.

These war cemeteries are located within Imphal itself. Manipur plays host to two Commonwealth War Graves. These are the World War-II cemeteries. 

One is located on the eastern outskirts of Imphal City while the other is on the northern side.

The war cemeteries have been commissioned by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Both these Commonwealth War Graves Cemeteries are pilgrimage spots for the descendents and family members of the brave soldiers who ‘sacrificed their today for our tomorrow’.

The war cemeteries are located amidst a serene and evergreen backdrop. They are well maintained.

The graves are marked with the bronze and stone markers depicting the names, designations and origin of the soldiers.

THE INA MEMORIAL

The INA Memorial is located at Moirang – the place where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose unfurled the Indian tricolor for the first time on Indian soil.

The acronym ‘INA’ stands for the ’Indian national Army’ – the army raised by Netaji to fight the British.

Within the complex is the Netaji Memorial Museum. It houses various INA memorabilia including letters, badges of rank and rare photographs of the INA days. 

MOIRANG

Moirang has a glorious martial tradition. Located 45 km from Imphal town, Moirang is also the cultural epicenter of the rich Meitei culture.

Mention has already made of the INA Memorial and the Netaji Memorial Museum.

As the hub of folk and religious tradition, Moirang plays host to the colorful annual summer-time Meitei dance – Lai Haraoba. This Lai Haraoba dance is performed as an integral part of the religious festival when the presiding deity is Thangjing.

RED HILL

Red Hill is the spot where a fierce gun battle was fought between the British and the Japanese soldiers during World War-II. Now it is the spot of a war-time memorial.

The well-managed war memorial is christened ‘India Peace Memorial.

This monument commemorates the supreme sacrifices of the Japanese martyrs who laid down their lives fighting the allies particularly the British forces.

It is located lies on the Tiddim Road – approximately 16 km from Imphal town. The Red Hill India Peace Memorial is locally known as Lokpaching.

It was built by the Japanese war veterans and is deemed a sacred location.

KHONGJOM HILLOCK

The Khongjom hillock was the site of a fierce war between the invading British forces and the people of Manipur in 1891. The British army invaded Manipur from the Burma (now Myanmar side, and attacked the Manipur forces from three fronts.

It was at Khongjom that the British troops were resisted. Both the sides suffered heavy casualties.

The war memorial constructed atop the Kheba hill commemorates the valor of the martyrs of Manipur.

This hallowed spot is also hallowed because it was at the foothills of Khongjom hillock that one of the valiant sons of Manipur, Major General Paona Brajabhasi, laid down his life defending his motherland. 

The Khongjom Day is observed on April 23 every year.