Bir Tikendrajit was one of the unforgettable heroes of Manipur. With the inborn patriotic nature, he courageously defied the belligerent acts of the British imperialist power. Tikendrajit was against colonialism and imperialism. He was called the ‘Lion of Manipur’ because of his fearless acts against the British.
Tikendrajit Singh was the fourth son to Maharaja Chandrakriti Singh and Chongtham Chanu Kouseswari Devi. He was popularly known as Koireng and used to love freedom since his childhood. After the death of Maharaja on May 20, 1886, his eldest brother Surchandra Singh ascended the throne of Manipuri Kingdom. Bir Tikendrajit became ‘Senapati’, the General of the Army.
Manipur had enjoyed sovereign status until it was occupied by the British in 1891.
Through a long historical process, the British imperialists had established a strong foothold in Manipur. The internal crises and the seven years of its wreckage (1819-1826) at the hands of Burma, caused the British to intervene in Manipur.
After an internal crisis in the royal family and the consecutive seven years of its wreckage due to Burma, British got chance to intervene in Manipur. For two years (1824 – 1826), the first Anglo-Burmese War was a symbol of alliance between the British and Manipur Kingdom. Prince Gambhir Singh became the king of Manipur. It was the end of the royal family crisis and also, the state recovered from the devastation.
But, this had also transferred the effective powers to the hands of the British Kingdom. Earlier, British interference was more pronounced in external matters. Late on, their interference increased and the British conquest of Manipur despite a strong resistance put up by its people and the active struggle of Tikendrajit, Paona Brajabasi and others.
Manipur was finally occupied by the British in 1891.
On September 22, 1890, Tikendrajit along with two other princes revolted against the sitting king, Surchandra Singh and overthrew him. The king fled from the palace and took refuge in the residence of the British. This incident is known as ‘Palace Revolt’ in Manipur history. The former ruler Surchandra Singh reached Calcutta and asked the British Government for help in restoring his throne in Manipur. British Viceroy of India Lord Landsdowne decided that Tikendrajit must be removed from Manipur and Kullachandra should be recognised as the Maharaja of Manipur. The British Kingdom appointed its own chief commissioner in Manipur who announced the decision.
On March 22, 1891, Chief Commissioner reached Manipur with a secret plan to arrest Tikendrajit but the secret got leaked and the plan failed. On the failure of their plan, Grimwood, the then British political agent in Manipur pressured him to hand over the heir-apparent to them. Ultimately, the English decided to use force as the king declined. Two days later, on the evening of March 24, the British troops attacked the residence of Tikendrajit in Palace Compound and killed many civilians, women and children who were watching a programme on Ramlila. The Manipuri soldiers fought back and succeeded in their offensive struggle. Five officers- Quinton, Grimwood, Lt. Col. Simpson, Cossins and a bugler had to take shelter in the cellar. But the feeling of revenge among the people, whose children, wives and relatives had been killed, grew so high that they executed the five Britishers. Revenge always comes with the destroying fire and this also resulted in the Anglo-Manipuri War in 1891. Yes, it was the annexation of Manipur by the British.
On April 27, the Kangla Palace was taken over by the British and Major Maxwell became the chief political agent. Later, Churachand Singh, a minor was given the throne as Manipur turned into a princely state, while Tikendrajit along with some other leaders went underground. The British Indian Government constituted a special court formed under Lieutenant Colonel John Mitchell for the trials and the court commenced on May 11. Tikendrajit, Kullachandra and Thangal General were found guilty and were sentenced to death. Queen Victoria made efforts to save Tikendrajit but failed. Despite her wish and strong protest of the people, he and Thangal General were hanged in an open place before the general public on August 13, 1891.
This place was later named as Bir Tikendrajit Park and to remember his heroic deeds. The State of Manipur celebrates this day, August 13, as Patriot’s Day to remember their role in the freedom struggle. In the pages of Manipur history and also, in the history of Indian freedom struggle, his name is written in golden words.

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