The first bullet of the war was fired by the British on the 24th March, 1891, without any provocation from the Manipuris. In the days fighting at the capital of Manipur, about 50 Manipuris including Pukhramba Tanka, Khumbong Subedar, Leisang Jamadar and Athokpa Dewan sacrificed their lives. Two Tangkhuls were also among those killed in hand to hand fight. Lt. Brackenbary and some sepoys of the British Army lost their lives on the side of the British. In the aftermath of the palace attack, owing to the demand of the Manipuri masses, seven unguarded British Officers were killed.
But surprisingly, on the 4th April, 1891, the Manipuris released 51 arrested Hindustani sepoys (Indian sepoys in the British Army) giving them Rs. 5 each for their journey to respective places. Therefore, the disposition of the Manipuri masses towards the Hindustani sepoys of the British Army was different. Earlier, in the First War of Indian Independence-1857, the Manipuri masses were also psychologically on the side of the Hindustani rebels. After the events of the 24th March, the British Indian Government sent three powerful British Armies to Manipur from the side of Kohima,Tamu and Silchar and continued the war.
The Battle of Khongjom was the greatest battle of the Anglo-Manipur War. Great freedom fighters-Major Paona Brajabasi, Chinglen Sana, Khumbong Major, Loitongba Jamadar, Keisa Jamadar, Heirang Khongja and many more rank and files of Manipuri warriors sacrificed their lives at this battlefield.
