Manipur came under the British rule as a princely state after the state’s defeat in the first Anglo Manipuri war of 1891. In this war, many great heroes of Manipur laid down their lives.

Major General Paona Brajabashi died fighting the British Army in the battle of Khongjom. The British then captured Imphal and had General Thangal and Yuvraj(Prince) Tekendrajit hanged.

When India became independent in 1947, the Manipur Constitution Act of 1947 was passed due to which Manipur had the democratic form of Government with Maharaja as an executive head and an elected legislature.

The state of Manipur was merged with the Indian union on October 15, 1949. On 21 January, 1972 Manipur became a full fledged state of India.