One of the greatest battles during the Anglo Manipuri war took place 25^th April 1891 at Khongjom near the town of Thoubal. Great Manipuri warriors -Major Paona Brajabasi, Chinglen Sana, Khumbong Major, Loitongba Jamadar, Keisa Jamadar, Heirang Khongja and many more rank and files of Manipuri army sacrificed their lives at this battlefield.

It was on 31 March 1891, the British India formally declared war on Manipur, with forces attacking Imphal from Kohima, Silchar and Tamu in Burma. The Tamu column seized the town of Thoubal on this very day. But the resilient Manipuri’s attacked and laid siege on the fort of Thoubal the very next day. The British forces held back the attacks for a period of 9 days and then retreated to join the other forces from Silchar. The reinforced British force reached Thoubal on 21^st April and engaged with the Manipuri forces. On the decisive day the British forces encountered 400 Manipuri soldiers on the Khongjom hillock. 350 infantrymen, 44 cavalry and 2 guns mounted an assault on the remainder of the Manipuri army. Hand-to-hand fighting ensued, 2 British soldiers were killed and 11 were severely injured, while the Manipuri lost over 128 men. This was the last battle in the Anglo Manipuri war which lasted for 26 days. 23 April is now celebrated as the "Khongjom Day", marking the occasion of the battle of Khongjom.

A Memorial to honor the brave Manipuri warriors was built at the site of the battle at Khongjom. The Memorial has three tall columns tapering inwards symbolizes the three pronged attack and a stone monolith in the centre representing the brave Kangeilpak soldiers (name for Manipuri Army). The complex has well laid out garden and a water body at the entrance. The Memorial is at the top of the Khongjom hillock and can be reached by well laid out pathways. Below the complex there are couple of local eateries and car park. The Memorial was inaugurated in 2016.

Khongjom War Memorial