One hundred and thirty three years ago, 23 heroes of Manipur including Maharaj Kulachandra Singh were exiled to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in connection with the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891. Recently, a team of journalists from Manipur embarked on a historic journey to Mount Manipur formerly known as Mount Harriet in the Andaman Islands to pay their tribute to the legacy and sacrifices of the unsung heroes. Led by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) President, the team of 28 members, including 18 women journalists and two officials from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Manipur, embarked on a voyage spanning over 1,500 km to trace the footsteps of their ancestors.
A beautiful tourist spot, the “Manipur Parvat National Park” is aesthetically maintained at the lush green mountain which bears close resemblance to the vegetation found in Manipur but sadly, this tourist spot is devoid of any symbolic representation of the unsung heroes edged in memorial statue, photos etc.
The team’s journey commenced on March 16 from Imphal, and after reaching Kolkata, they boarded the MV Nalanda, a 500 pax passenger-cum-150 MT Cargo vessel built indigenously for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Arriving at Port Blair on March 21, the journalists on the first day evening immersed themselves in a series of events aimed at paying homage to the historical significance of Mount Manipur. They also witnessed Light and sound show at the Cellular Jail of Andaman, based on the freedom fighters of India who were imprisoned at Kalapani by the colonial rulers.
The following day, the team woke up to beautiful morning. Around 7 am, they embarked on a trek to Mount Manipur, the third-highest peak in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, now adorned as “Mount Manipur National Park.” Led by AMWJU President Bijoy Kakchingtabam, the journalists planted indigenous saplings from Manipur, symbolizing a connection between their homeland and the historical significance of Mount Manipur.
During their exploration, the team came across remnants of quarters believed to have housed Maharaj Kulachandra Singh and the 22 other unsung heroes who were exiled alongside him. The site of the quarters was earlier discovered in a collaborative research of AMWJU, history enthusiasts and the Art & Culture Department, Government of Manipur. This discovery, made in collaboration with history enthusiasts and the Art & Culture Department of the Government of Manipur, reinforced the historical ties between Manipur and the Andaman Islands.
Reflecting on the journey, Bijoy Kakchingtabam recalled AMWJU’s first visit to the Andaman Islands in 2003, where they traced the deported heroes’ legacy. After this discovery in 2003, with further research in collaboration with history enthusiasts and Art & Culture Department, Government of Manipur and subsequent visits by media and expert teams, Union Government of India decided to rename Mount Harriet. On October 17, 2021, Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially renamed Mount Harriet as Mount Manipur in recognition of the contribution of those freedom fighters from Manipur.
“In 2003, a team of AMWJU members including myself travelled to Andaman to trace the records of 23 deported heroes from Manipur but we couldn’t find their names at the Cellular Jail. We then learnt from the locals that they were housed nearby a British Residency at the Mount Harriet, now renamed as Mount Manipur. After the discovery, before leaving Andaman Islands we had submitted a written request to Lieutenant Governor of A&N islands seeking permission for building a memorial for the political prisoners and we got a positive response within two months. Subsequently, the then Chief Minister of Manipur Late Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh instructed to form an expert team and that is how the GoM initiated, and recently in 2021 Union Home Minister officially renamed Mt. Harriet as Mt. Manipur for which we are indeed grateful”, said AMWJU President Bijoy Kakchingtabam recounting AMWJU team’s first visit to the Andaman Islands 21 years ago.
“We found local herb “Maroi Nakuppi”(indigenous Chives of Manipur), a favorite ingredient for many Manipuri cuisines as well as Tulsi plants at the Mount Manipur during our first visit. I was General Secretary of AMWJU then. I wish we could construct a proper memorial site or archive documents related to the heroes to enlighten visitors at Mount Manipur”, Kh. Bijoy added.
According to historical accounts, the 23 political prisoners from Manipur were not treated like prisoners. They were supplied dry ration to cook food for themselves since they didn’t touch the food cooked by others. Their expenses were sent from Manipur annually as recorded in the Administration Reports of Manipur. It is also said that the SP of Andaman Jail frequently wrote to the Govt. of India for releasing the Manipuri Heroes but the Political Agent in Manipur was against this suggestion. Thus, they were released late. However, many of them were not given permission to return to their native place Manipur so they breathed their last in foreign lands.
“Manipur and Andaman have long history and connection. Now we feel more and more connected with the people of Manipur. I request people from Manipur to visit Andaman more frequently and people of Andaman should also visit Manipur”, said Rohit Lal, Captain of MV Nalanda, whose own great grandfather was among the first batch of war prisoners who were deported to the Andaman Islands in 1858 and later settled there.
The captain revealed the same while interacting with the journalists team from Manipur who had boarded the ship. Captain Rohit Lal and all his crew members extended warm hospitality to the media team. They bonded over a cup of tea and recreation events dedicated to the media persons from Manipur. The vessel was sailing for the first time carrying passengers since covid pandemic and most of the Manipur media passengers were also journeying for the first time via sea route.
“The predominantly women journalists tour of AMWJU under the aegis of DIPR Manipur was organised as a part of series of events in connection with golden jubilee celebrations of AMWJU. This is the first time that a team of women journalists from Manipur has visited Andaman Islands where our forefathers were exiled for fighting against the mighty British. This is indeed a historic journey for us and I am proud of the women journalists team”, said Joint Secretary of AMWJU Soniya Sorensangbam who is a senior reporter of a renowned Manipuri daily “Poknapham” on the sidelines of the commemoration event held at Mount Manipur. “Such exposure to places which are historically significant to Manipur as well as connecting with Manipuri diasporas in other parts of the world will bring togetherness through cultural bonding”, said Soniya.
APO (Admin) of DIPR Manipur Ph. Satyamala who represented DIPR Manipur along with Photographer of DIPR Oken Sanasam as officials in the tour said, “This tour of women journalists which was flagged off by Chief Minister N. Biren on March 16 is a historical tour. DIPR had earlier organised such exposure trip for male journalists to trace the records of the brave souls from Manipur who were deported to Kalapani after they suffered defeat in the hands of the mighty British in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 but this was the first time that such trip was organised exclusively for the women journalists. I am proud of the team especially the women journalists who have come all the way from Manipur to pay their tribute to our forefathers”.
Following the Anglo-Manipuri War, 1891, altogether 23 political prisoners from Manipur were deported to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They were transported in two batches. The first batch carrying 15 political prisoners were transported by a ship named S. S. Sahajahan which reached Port Blair on 23th November 1891.
Those transported in the first batch were:
1. Kulchandra Singh, Maharaja 2. Angousana Singh, Senapati 3. Lokendra Birjit Singh, Wangkheirakpa 4. Chongtham Nilamani Singh, Ayapurel Major 5. Maisnam Samu Singh, Luwang Ningthou 6. Chongtha Miya, Major 7. Yengkhom Abungjao, Lallupchingba (died in Andaman in Feb. 1892) 8. Usham Aru Singh, Lallaupchingba 9. Laishram Khamba Singh, Machahal 10. Khomdram Ghana Singh, Lallupchingba 11. Hidam Chaoba, Machahal (died in Andaman due to jaundice) 12. Mayengba Dhojo Singh, Machahal 13. Nepram Noni Singh, Machahal 14. Nongthonbam Trilok Singh, Shanglingba 15. Sagolsem Dhono Singh, Shanglingba.
Those transported in second batch were:
1. Ingudum Ghana Singh, Jemadar 2. Chingsuba Ningthouba, Jemadar 3. Phanjoubam Thouba Singh, Jemadar 4. Mangsatabam Tonjao Singh, Jemadar 5. Heigrujam Chaobaton Singh, Subedar 6. Ashangbam Paradhumba, Kut/Havildar 7. Ghowkami (a villager of Mayangkhang) 8. Gowho (a villager of Mayangkhang)
List compiled by Chongtham Tomba Singh, a history enthusiast.
The Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 was a significant event in the history of Manipur. Those exiled in connection with the war to far off land never to return again to their homeland will be revered forever. The journalists team came back safely to Manipur on March 24 feeling contended and connected with their ancestors.
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