History of Manipur - Merger With India

Merger With India

Meidingu Bodhchandra ascended the throne in 1941, after his father, Churachand, died at Nabadwip in November the same year. Bodhchandra's accession was to mark a new and traumatic period in the history of Manipur. Since the world political scenario had changed, it impacted directly on his administration of the country. In January 1942, he convened the first meeting of the National War Front in the palace and both he and his queen urged the people to support the war effort. In February 1942, Imphal was bombed for the first time. Many people were killed and a large percentage of the population, including most of the administrators and traders, fled from Manipur leaving the Imphal valley temporarily deserted. There was an inevitable escalation in prices, and the destruction of houses and goods. For the first time in the sub-continent, the Indian National flag was raised by Indian National Army General Malik at Moirang in the southern part of the Manipur Valley on 14 April 1944. The old world of feudalism and Brahmanism was passing while the end of colonial power resulted in democratic change in the princely state of Manipur. In January 1946, the council of princes recommended the establishment of popularly elected governments in Indian states. Within Manipur too, this movement was already under way. Hijam Irabot returned to Imphal in March 1946 and quickly reestablished contact with his former political colleagues from the Hindu nationalist Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha, which would be the future political party in Manipur. On 12 December 1946, Meidingu Bodhchandra announced the formation of a committee that would draft the constitution for responsible government in Manipur. After a great deal of effort, the work of the constitution committee was completed by July 1947. On the eve of Indian independence, Bodhchandra issued the order promulgating the interim Manipur State Council. The brother of the Maharajah, M.K. Priyobarta was appointed as the first Chief Minister of Manipur. Thus Bodchandra declared that Manipur was now a sovereign state, linked to India only by the Act of Accession. Eventually, the Pakhangba flag was raised, first in Kangla and subsequently in the palace compound. The first election in Manipur was held in June 1948 with the participation of the Congress Party, Praja Shanti, Krishak Sabha and other alliances. The Praja Shanti were invited to form the government in coalition with Krishak Sabha. The post of Chief Minister was offered to Priyobarta who was the Chief Minister of the outgoing interim government. The democratically elected state government of Manipur was destined to endure for less than a year. On 15 October 1949, the Manipur State Assembly and council were dissolved with the handover ceremony taking place on the polo ground of Manipur. On the same day, Rawal Amar Singh became the first Indian Chief Commissioner of Manipur.