Celebrating Bicentenary of Treaty of Yandaboo (1826)

Ref No: 20260224PS                                                                                          Date: 24/02/2026

PRESS STATEMENT

On the occasion of the bicentenary of the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo on 24 February 1826, the Meitei Alliance remembers and pays tribute to all those who dedicated their lives to defending Manipur—and to those who continue to uphold its dignity and security today. The treaty compelled the King of Ava (Burma/Myanmar) to recognize Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba (Gambheer Singh) as the rightful King of Manipur, thereby formally bringing to an end the seven years of Burmese occupation and devastation (1819–1826).

The liberation of Manipur was achieved through the selfless dedication of the Manipur Levy, formed around 1824 under the leadership of Gambheer Singh and Chingthanglen Pamheiba (Nara Singh). Yet, it is equally important to remember that between 1819 and 1824, countless patriots of Manipur had already fought a series of resolute battles against Burmese rule, thereby laying the foundation for the eventual liberation.

While commemorating the bicentenary of the treaty, one must not lose sight of the historical failures that led to Manipur’s defeat in 1819. The absence of a professional standing army, the lack of sophisticated arms and ammunition, technology, knowledge, and skill to win war and insufficient economic resources to sustain prolonged warfare left Manipur vulnerable to Burmese imperial expansion. Moreover, internal power struggles among the ruling princes—culminating in certain factions aligning with external forces—further weakened the kingdom’s unity and its capacity to resist invasion.

Victory over Burmese occupation was achieved under strategic leadership that skilfully leveraged the Anglo-Burmese imperial rivalry to forge an alliance with the British, who in turn provided political and military support. Equally crucial was the leadership’s ability to consolidate a dedicated force of patriots, who were subsequently trained in warfare. The Manipur Levy gained a decisive military advantage when the Burmese left their forces in Manipur vulnerable by shifting the bulk of their troops to Lower Burma (Rangoon and along the Irrawaddy River) to confront the main British amphibious assault.

Today, as we commemorate the Treaty of Yandaboo, it is essential to critically assess the present situation of Manipur, including the factors contributing to dependency, underdevelopment, inequality, unrest, and terrorism. Over the past 200 years since 1826, Manipur’s historical trajectory reflects a persistent lack of both the objective and subjective conditions necessary to secure a respected place in the comity of nations or states. The historical failures that led to Manipur’s defeat in 1819 have, in many ways, been perpetuated, and the presence of strategic leadership capable of overcoming these challenges has been largely absent.

The Meitei Alliance, therefore, urges the people of Manipur to learn from both the past and the present, and to take responsibility for fostering strategic leadership—an essential foundation for building a prosperous and progressive Manipur.

Issued by:
Convenor, Meitei Alliance