Bhalla leads in saluting Maharaj Gambhir Singh

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 9 : Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has paid rich tributes to Maharaj  Gambhir Singh on the 192nd death anniversary of the king.
The 192nd death anniversary of Maharaj Gambhir Singh was observed today at the king’s memorial located at Langthabal (Canchipur) where the Governor led a large number of people in offering floral tributes at the tomb of Maharaj Gambhir Singh.  
A contingent of Manipur Rifles paid guard of honour, gun salute and sounding of the last post in honour of the late king.
Later, the Governor led the people in offering floral tributes to the statues of Maharaj Gambhir Singh, Meidingu Narasingh, and Sana Herachandra.
He also led the people in offering Tarpon to Maharaj Gambhir Singh, Meidingu Narasingh and Sana Herachandra,.
MLAs, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor, senior civil and police officers and members of the public were present at the function.
Addressing the function, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla said that Manipur’s history, while marked by glory, also endured profound suffering during the Burmese occupation of 1819–1826, remembered as Chahi Taret Khuntakpa.
During this period, people fled to all directions, Manipuri culture and traditions came under serious threats and the kingdom of Manipur was on the verge of collapse, he said.
He noted that this period of devastation threatened the very survival of the kingdom, but also gave rise to exceptional leadership in Maharaja Gambhir Singh, whose courage and unity of purpose inspired a determined struggle for freedom.
With exceptional resilience and strategy, Gambhir Singh successfully restored the sovereignty and dignity of Manipur, he said.
With the legendary Manipur Levy of just 500 soldiers, Maharaj Gambhir Singh, his younger brother Narasingh and Sana Herachandra fought fiercely against the Burmese soldiers.
Even though the Manipur army was numerically quite small, each and every soldier was determined and committed.
Because of their bravery and shrewd strategy, Mani-pur regained her independence in 1826 and the spirit of Manipuri people was revitalised once again, the Governor said.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla said that Maharaja Gambhir Singh’s legacy extended beyond military victory to visionary statesmanship, culminating in international recognition of Manipur’s sovereignty through the Treaty of Yandabo.
He said that Maharaj Gambhir Singh took key roles in the first Anglo-Burmese War as well as in the signing of the Treaty of Yandabo.  
He said the State Government is honouring this enduring legacy by protecting the Maharaja’s Samadhi as a historical monument and by developing Langtha-bal Konung Ching as a centre of heritage, learning, and tourism.
He also urged citizens to remember the Maharaja not merely in ceremony but in spirit, and to draw lasting inspiration from his courage, unity, and unwavering commitment to the people of Manipur.