Thread by @JShakurB

1️⃣"The Manipur Outrage,1891." Or "Anglo Manipuri war"as documented by British Colonial records.
To steer clear of potential Repercussions & in the interest of factual & historical precision,I shall draw exclusively & rely solely on official transcripts from British Parliament.
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2️⃣What triggered the Outrage?
Marquis of Ripon:
"As political agent of Manipur,Mr. Grimwood tells us,it was a quarrel b/w the 2 brothers—Pucca Sena & the Senapatti(Tikendrajit,Maharaja's Youngest bro). The immediate cause was a very trifling matter. that is admitted by all sides"

3️⃣"On the night of 22nd Sept 1890,a domestic quarell in the palace took place,an attack was made upon the Maharajah by his brothers,Shots were fired inside the Palace;The Maharajah seized with great alarm fled to the protection of British Political Agent,Mr. Grimwood."

3️⃣A Revolt against British Rule?
Sir W.harcourt:
"It was not a political revolution; not a revolution of the people,nor a revolution against English Raj or against British authority. It had no element of that kind at all; it was a mere quarrel in the Palace between the brothers."

4️⃣Duke of Argyll:
"At all events,this is a very trivial case indeed to found upon for any great or considerable or organic change in the Govt of India. It is a mere accident—a deplorable accident—an accident owing mainly to the villainy of one man (Tikendrajit)."

5️⃣What were the Circumstances that led to the Capture,Torture & beheading of Political Agent of Manipur, Mr Grimwood, Assam Chief Commissioner JW Quinton & three other British Officers inside the Manipur's Palace on 24th March,1891? Treachery? Betrayal? Or outright Cowardice?

6️⃣Tikendrajit was requested to attend a durbar,to be presided over by Quinton,representing the Queen. The durbar was agreed upon honourably by both parties when Tikendrajit went to meet& greet Quinton upon his arrival in Manipur,few miles outside Imphal 2days before his beheading

7️⃣SIR J. GORST:
"If the British Commissioner intended a treacherous arrest, there was his opportunity to effect the arrest 4 miles from Manipur. The Senapatti knew perfectly well that a durbar was called for the purpose of declaring his removal from Manipur & arresting him there"

8️⃣"It is apparent there was no treachery & that everything was honourable between the parties. I do not believe that anybody acquainted with the facts can entertain the idea that Mr. Quinton contemplated any underhand and treacherous conduct, of which, indeed, he was incapable."

9️⃣Mr Curzon:
"A durbar is an open Court convened by the paramount power,presided over by the officer representing the Queen. It was on this occasion,a Court to which the Jubraj & his brothers were called as feudatories of British Crown& in that capacity they were bound to attend"

🔟"The whole evidence goes to prove that Tikendrajit knew very well what he was up to. He assumed illness & this convenient illness lasted over 2 days,during which time he was collecting his troops,issuing arms,issuing ammunition,& planting the guns"

1️⃣1️⃣It bears noting that both Grimwood & Quinton were strongly opposed to arresting Tikendrajit. In fact, Mrs.Grimwood went so far as to plead against it.
They would often keep each other's company during occasional hunting trips,the last being 3 days before Grimwood's death.

1️⃣2️⃣Tikendrajit's refusal to heed the durbar summons twice prompted Grimwood & Quinton to move forward with his arrest which went awry as violence erupted. Quinton sought truce & he along with Grimson went inside Kangla,unarmed & unescorted to discuss about terms of a Ceasefire.

1️⃣3️⃣As discussion about the truce yielded no positive outcome,The british officers headed back to the gate but 6000 strong Meitei soldiers & an even larger mob overwhelmed them, Grimwood was speared to death immediately, Lt.Simson was mortally wounded. The rest were taken hostage

1️⃣4️⃣The hostages were summarily executed & beheaded without the benefit or semblance of a trial. The circumstances regarding which are still debated,with conflicting accounts of who ordered the execution-Thangal or Tikendrajit. This was The immediate cause of "Manipur outrage."

1️⃣5️⃣British Justification:
Mr curzon:
"Manipur is not an independent State; it is a protected State, subordinate to the British Crown. Treaties &negotiations entered into betwen the two Govts for the space of over 60 years have shown that...

1️⃣6️⃣..."During that time we have not only saved Manipur from absorption by its neighbours but they have saved the ruling dynusty of Manipur from being upset at times by popular out-break,therefore,it will not be doubted that Manipur was in no respect an independent State.."

1️⃣7️⃣Sir R Temple:
This little State,so statistically insignificant,was about to be eaten up by its neighbouring & aggressive Power.
The Maharajah threw himself upon British protection. It was granted to him for the time,& Manipur was saved until the beginning of the this century"

1️⃣8️⃣"Then came the first war between Burma, in which the State of Manipur again fell into danger, so much so that when we made our first Treaty with Burma we stipulated specifically for the freedom & safety of Manipur."

1️⃣9️⃣Secretary of state for India viscount cross:
"Manipur State is practically our own creation. In 1826,we first recognised as a ruling Sovereign the Rajah of Manipur,We've always interfered with its internal affairs&the State has always acknowledged our suzerainty& sovereignty"

api.parliament.uk/historic-hansa…

api.parliament.uk/historic-hansa…