Colonial policy and practice in Manipur
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Gangmumei Kamei
Contd from previous issue
Raja Churachand Singh was a child of destiny. After his selection as the Raja, the Political Agent provided enough funds for the maintenance of the Raja and his family of two mothers and eight children. The maternal grand father of Churachand Singh, Moirangthem Ramananda Singh was appointed as the Moirang Ningthou, Chief of Moirang by the Political Agent. The investiture of Churachand as the Raja of Manipur was performed on 29th April, 1892 in a grand function at the Polo Ground of the capital where the Political Agent Major Maxwell read out Sanad of the Government of India appointing him as the Raja of Manipur. During his minority, the Government of India appointed Major Maxwell as the Superintendent of the State of Manipur.
The British Government of India made arrangement for the education of Raja Churachand Singh and his half brother Rajkumar Digendra Singh in Mayo College, Ajmer. This college was meant only for the royal princes of the princely States of India. The British intention was to train up Raja Churachand Singh as a ruler loyal to the British. Raja Churachand Singh was educated in Mayo College for 6 years (1885-1901). He was tolerably good in studies and was interested in sports; polo, hockey, football and cricket. While in Ajmer Churachand Singh came to know of other Rajput princes of the time. He received the medals awarded by several rulers of Rajputana.
After the completion of his education at Mayo College, Captain JR Nuttall of 44th Gurkha Rifles was appointed tutor to the Raja for 5 years till he came of age. In 1901 the Government of India established the Imperial Cadet Corps (ICC) at Dehra Dun to give military training to the princes of native States. Churachand Singh also joined the corps. He got training in warfare.
Churachand Singh came out to Manipur in 1907. During his education days he used to have consultations with the Political Agents on the administration of Manipur.
Lord Curzon and Churachand Singh (1901)
In 1901 Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy visited Manipur. Churachand Singh as a minor did not participate in the administration. In a special Durbar, the British Political Agent introduced Raja Churachand Singh to Lord Curzon who gave a public reception to the young Raja.
Manipur was under the direct British rule for 16 years (1891-1906). It was the period of minority of Raja Churachand. At the age of 22, Raja Churachand Singh was handed over the administration of the State of Manipur by Sir Lancelot Haire, the Lieutenant Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam on 15th May 1907. However, the administration of the hill areas was not entrusted to him. The Political Agent controlled the hills. A new Rule for the Management of Manipur State was announced. According to this law the Manipur State Durbar was created.
The Raja as the President of the Manipur State Durbar Raja Churachand Singh was the President of the Manipur State Durbar. The Vice President was the Assistant Political Agent who belonged to the Indian Civil Service. There were other six members divided in to two categories; ordinary member and additional member. The Manipur State Durbar was a Council of ministers appointed by the British Government on the recommendation of the Raja and the Political Agent. Five members were appointed as the members of the first Durbar.
The Raja was responsible for the administration of the valley of Manipur. He was assisted by the Durbar. The decisions of the Durbar were to be approved by the Raja with the copies submitted to the Political Agent. The members of the Durbar acted de facto as ministers of the Raja. The Durbar also acted as a highest original and appellate court both civil and criminal. It could pass sentences including death, subject to confirmation by the Raja in the case of
During the World War I the Kukis of Manipur revolted against the British and the King. It took one and half years of intensive military operation by the joint forces of Burma Military Police and Assam Rifles to suppress the Kuki rebellion (1917-1919). Raja Churachand Singh again extended the help to the British. The king himself participated in the operation against Dampi Kuki village for which he was given title of ‘Dampi Ngamba’ (conqueror of Dampi). The British were satisfied and announced the following relief for Manipur. They reduced the amount of tribute; three hill sub divisions were created; the Imphal-Mao road was to be constructed by the British; and Raja Churachand Singh was given the title of Maharaja instead of Raja and C.B.E awarded to him. The other anti colonial movements before the outbreak of the Kuki Rebellion were a series of agitations for the abolition of pothang (force) labour and other obnoxious practices introduced by the Manipur State Durbar in the valley. After the Kuki Rebellion, there was the Naga Raj Movement led by Jadonang and Gaidinliu in the western hills of Manipur. Jadonang was executed and Gaidinliu was imprisoned for life by the British. The movement continued for several years in western hills of Manipur, southern Naga Hills and north Cachar hills.
(To be contd)
Contd from previous issue
Raja Churachand Singh was a child of destiny. After his selection as the Raja, the Political Agent provided enough funds for the maintenance of the Raja and his family of two mothers and eight children. The maternal grand father of Churachand Singh, Moirangthem Ramananda Singh was appointed as the Moirang Ningthou, Chief of Moirang by the Political Agent. The investiture of Churachand as the Raja of Manipur was performed on 29th April, 1892 in a grand function at the Polo Ground of the capital where the Political Agent Major Maxwell read out Sanad of the Government of India appointing him as the Raja of Manipur. During his minority, the Government of India appointed Major Maxwell as the Superintendent of the State of Manipur.
The British Government of India made arrangement for the education of Raja Churachand Singh and his half brother Rajkumar Digendra Singh in Mayo College, Ajmer. This college was meant only for the royal princes of the princely States of India. The British intention was to train up Raja Churachand Singh as a ruler loyal to the British. Raja Churachand Singh was educated in Mayo College for 6 years (1885-1901). He was tolerably good in studies and was interested in sports; polo, hockey, football and cricket. While in Ajmer Churachand Singh came to know of other Rajput princes of the time. He received the medals awarded by several rulers of Rajputana.
After the completion of his education at Mayo College, Captain JR Nuttall of 44th Gurkha Rifles was appointed tutor to the Raja for 5 years till he came of age. In 1901 the Government of India established the Imperial Cadet Corps (ICC) at Dehra Dun to give military training to the princes of native States. Churachand Singh also joined the corps. He got training in warfare.
Churachand Singh came out to Manipur in 1907. During his education days he used to have consultations with the Political Agents on the administration of Manipur.
Lord Curzon and Churachand Singh (1901)
In 1901 Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy visited Manipur. Churachand Singh as a minor did not participate in the administration. In a special Durbar, the British Political Agent introduced Raja Churachand Singh to Lord Curzon who gave a public reception to the young Raja.
Manipur was under the direct British rule for 16 years (1891-1906). It was the period of minority of Raja Churachand. At the age of 22, Raja Churachand Singh was handed over the administration of the State of Manipur by Sir Lancelot Haire, the Lieutenant Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam on 15th May 1907. However, the administration of the hill areas was not entrusted to him. The Political Agent controlled the hills. A new Rule for the Management of Manipur State was announced. According to this law the Manipur State Durbar was created.
The Raja as the President of the Manipur State Durbar Raja Churachand Singh was the President of the Manipur State Durbar. The Vice President was the Assistant Political Agent who belonged to the Indian Civil Service. There were other six members divided in to two categories; ordinary member and additional member. The Manipur State Durbar was a Council of ministers appointed by the British Government on the recommendation of the Raja and the Political Agent. Five members were appointed as the members of the first Durbar.
The Raja was responsible for the administration of the valley of Manipur. He was assisted by the Durbar. The decisions of the Durbar were to be approved by the Raja with the copies submitted to the Political Agent. The members of the Durbar acted de facto as ministers of the Raja. The Durbar also acted as a highest original and appellate court both civil and criminal. It could pass sentences including death, subject to confirmation by the Raja in the case of
During the World War I the Kukis of Manipur revolted against the British and the King. It took one and half years of intensive military operation by the joint forces of Burma Military Police and Assam Rifles to suppress the Kuki rebellion (1917-1919). Raja Churachand Singh again extended the help to the British. The king himself participated in the operation against Dampi Kuki village for which he was given title of ‘Dampi Ngamba’ (conqueror of Dampi). The British were satisfied and announced the following relief for Manipur. They reduced the amount of tribute; three hill sub divisions were created; the Imphal-Mao road was to be constructed by the British; and Raja Churachand Singh was given the title of Maharaja instead of Raja and C.B.E awarded to him. The other anti colonial movements before the outbreak of the Kuki Rebellion were a series of agitations for the abolition of pothang (force) labour and other obnoxious practices introduced by the Manipur State Durbar in the valley. After the Kuki Rebellion, there was the Naga Raj Movement led by Jadonang and Gaidinliu in the western hills of Manipur. Jadonang was executed and Gaidinliu was imprisoned for life by the British. The movement continued for several years in western hills of Manipur, southern Naga Hills and north Cachar hills.
(To be contd)