Khongjom, Manipur: 1891 battle and war memorial guide

Khongjom, in Thoubal district, Manipur, is where the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 reached its last decisive battle. On 23 April 1891, Major Paona Brajabashi and a small Manipuri force made their final stand against an advancing British column on the low hill of Kheba Ching, about 36 km south-east of Imphal on the road towards Myanmar. Today the Khongjom War Memorial complex marks the battlefield, and the state remembers the fallen here each year. This guide covers the history, the memorial, and how to plan a respectful visit.

Khongjom is a historic 1891 battlefield and war-memorial site about 36 km south-east of Imphal, Manipur, on the Indo-Myanmar road. On 23 April 1891 Major Paona Brajabashi and Manipuri forces made their last stand here against the British. The Khongjom War Memorial on Kheba Ching hill, with a tall sword statue and a museum, marks the spot today.

About Khongjom: quick facts

Khongjom is a village and historic battlefield in Thoubal district, Manipur, on the route that runs south-east from Imphal towards Moreh and the Myanmar border. It is best known as the place where the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 ended in its last major engagement. The war memorial here stands on Kheba Ching (Kheba hillock), a low rise beside the highway.

The Thoubal district administration places the memorial just over 10 km south of Thoubal town and about 32 km from Imphal; Incredible India gives the distance from Imphal as about 36 km. Both figures describe the same short drive along the plains south-east of the capital.

The 1891 battle and Paona Brajabashi’s last stand

The Battle of Khongjom, fought on 23 April 1891, was the last decisive engagement of the Anglo-Manipuri War, and it is the battle that Manipur commemorates each year on Khongjom Day. After a palace crisis in Imphal in March 1891, the British declared war and sent three columns into Manipur: a northern column from Kohima, a western column from Silchar, and a southern column that advanced from Tamu, in what is now Myanmar.

The Tamu column met its stiffest resistance at Khongjom. News On Air, the government broadcaster, describes a British force of about 350 infantry with two guns opening fire on the Manipuri position on the hillock, first shelling it and then advancing with small arms. The defenders held their ground, and the fighting closed to hand-to-hand combat before the British, better armed and more numerous, carried the position.

Major Paona Brajabashi led the Manipuri defence and fell in the battle. Incredible India lists him among the heroes who died at Khongjom, alongside Chinglen Sana, Khumbong Major, Loitongba Jamadar, Keisa Jamadar and Heirang Khongja. Accounts of troop numbers and of Paona’s final moments differ between sources, so the figures above are best read as approximate; what is not disputed is that his stand became the defining act of the war. Within days the three columns converged on Imphal, and Manipur’s independence ended.

The aftermath was severe. According to the account on the Government of India’s MyGov blog, Yubraj Tikendrajit and Thangal General were publicly hanged on 13 August 1891, Tikendrajit at Pheidabung, the site now known as Bir Tikendrajit park in Imphal. The Manipur chapter of the wider story of Indian resistance to colonial rule is set out in our wider Manipur travel guide.

The Khongjom War Memorial complex on Kheba Ching

The Khongjom War Memorial complex is a state memorial on Kheba Ching hill marking the 1891 battlefield, built around a tall sword monument, a statue of Major Paona Brajabashi and a museum. Visitors enter through what Incredible India describes as a 30-foot gateway, and the grounds take in the hillock, a lake and the surrounding valley.

The centrepiece is a sword monument that Incredible India calls the world’s tallest sword statue; a widely cited planning estimate puts the sword at around 32 feet, though we found no official height figure, so treat that number as approximate. The memorial honours Paona Brajabashi and the other Manipuri fighters who died on the hill, and a museum within the complex holds material on the war and the battle.

The Thoubal district administration notes that an eight-bedded tourist home has operated at the site since 1988, a reminder that the memorial has long been treated as a place of pilgrimage as much as a monument. Plan the visit as a quiet, reflective stop rather than a long excursion; an hour to an hour and a half is enough to walk the grounds, see the statue and the museum, and read the inscriptions.

Khongjom Day: how 23 April is marked

Khongjom Day is observed at the memorial every year on 23 April to honour the Manipuri heroes who died in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891. The date is seasonal and fixed, so a visit on 23 April means a full state ceremony rather than an ordinary day at a quiet monument.

According to News On Air, the observance opens with a Sankirtan, after which the state government leads floral tributes at the war memorial and at the statue of Major Paona Brajabashi, and a traditional tarpan (a ritual offering to the departed) is held near the Khongjom river. Senior officials and large numbers of the public attend, and the state has in past years arranged special transport for visitors on the day.

If you want to witness the commemoration, come on 23 April and expect crowds, road restrictions and a formal programme. If you would rather have the grounds to yourself, any other clear day in the October-to-March season is calmer. Either way, dress and behave as you would at any war memorial.

Why Khongjom matters to Manipuri identity

Khongjom matters because it is the place where Manipur’s long independence ended in open resistance rather than surrender, and Paona Brajabashi’s stand has become a lasting symbol of Manipuri courage. The battle is taught, sung and commemorated across the state, and Khongjom Day is one of the most widely observed days in the Manipuri calendar.

The memory is kept alive in more than ceremony. The epic ballad “Khongjom Parva”, performed to drum and cymbal, retells the battle and Paona’s sacrifice, and it remains a living folk form in Manipur. For many Manipuris the hill is less a tourist site than a place of remembrance, which is why visitors are asked to treat it with the respect due to a war grave.

Best time to visit Khongjom

The best time to visit Khongjom is October to March, the cool, dry stretch when the Manipur valley is comfortable for sightseeing and the roads are reliable. The monsoon, roughly June to September, brings heavy rain to the hills around the valley, and the pre-monsoon months of April and May turn hot and humid.

The one exception is 23 April, Khongjom Day, which falls just outside the ideal window but is the single day the battlefield comes fully to life with its commemoration. Decide which experience you want before you fix a date.

How to reach Khongjom

Khongjom is reached by road, about 32-36 km south-east of Imphal along National Highway 102, the Imphal-Moreh road towards the Myanmar border. There is no rail or air link at Khongjom itself; you fly or drive to Imphal and continue by taxi or shared vehicle, which takes roughly an hour from the city.

By air, the nearest airport is Bir Tikendrajit International Airport at Imphal (also called Tulihal), with connections usually routed through Guwahati from Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and other cities. By rail, there is no working railhead in Manipur yet: the Jiribam-Imphal line was still under construction as of October 2026, with the Northeast Frontier Railway targeting completion later this decade, so the Thoubal district administration lists Dimapur in Nagaland, about 230 km away, as the nearest railway station. Most travellers combine a flight to Imphal with a road trip to the memorial.

What to see and do

The main things to see at Khongjom are the sword monument, the statue of Paona Brajabashi and the museum within the memorial complex, all on Kheba Ching hill. The site is compact and best walked slowly, reading the inscriptions and taking in the view over the valley where the battle was fought.

• The sword monument – the tall central memorial, which Incredible India calls the world’s tallest sword statue; the focal point of the complex.
• Statue of Major Paona Brajabashi – the memorial to the commander who led and fell in the 1891 last stand; the focus of the Khongjom Day tributes.
• The museum – holds material on the Anglo-Manipuri War and the battle; ask at the complex about current opening hours.
• The hillock and grounds – the battlefield itself, with a lake and valley views; a quiet place to understand the lay of the land.

A suggested day plan

Khongjom works best as a half-day trip from Imphal, paired with another stop in the valley. A simple plan:

• Morning: Leave Imphal after breakfast and drive about an hour down NH-102 to the memorial. Arrive for opening, walk the grounds, see the sword monument, the Paona Brajabashi statue and the museum.
• Midday: Continue a short way to Thoubal town for lunch, or turn back towards Imphal.
• Afternoon: Combine the trip with Kakching or, on a longer loop, with Moirang and Loktak Lake to the west, then return to Imphal by evening.

With two days, base yourself in Imphal, give the first day to the city’s war history and the second to Khongjom and Loktak. Our Manipur travel guide sets out a longer valley itinerary.

Where to stay

There is no significant hotel cluster at Khongjom itself, so most visitors stay in Imphal, about an hour away, and day-trip to the memorial. Thoubal town, just over 10 km from the site, has basic lodging for those who want to be closer.

Imphal offers the widest choice, from budget lodges through mid-range hotels to a few higher-end properties. As a planning guide only (indicative, as of October 2026; reconfirm when booking), budget rooms in Imphal commonly run from about ₹1,000-₹2,000, mid-range hotels roughly ₹2,500-₹5,000, and the better hotels upwards of ₹6,000 a night. At Khongjom, the Thoubal district administration notes an eight-bedded tourist home has operated at the memorial since 1988; check its current status locally before relying on it. Book ahead around Khongjom Day and in the October-to-March peak.

Food to try

Eating near Khongjom means Manipuri Meitei food, best found in Imphal and Thoubal rather than at the memorial itself, so carry water and a snack for the visit. Manipuri cooking is light, uses little oil, and leans on fermented fish and local herbs.

• Eromba (a mash of boiled vegetables with fermented fish and chillies) – a Meitei staple.
• Chak-hao kheer (pudding made from black sticky rice) – the best-known Manipuri dessert.
• Ngari (fermented fish) – the flavour base of many dishes; an acquired taste.
• Singju (a spicy salad of raw vegetables and herbs) – fresh and sharp.
• Kangshoi (a simple vegetable stew) – everyday comfort food.

Budget breakdown

A visit to Khongjom is inexpensive once you are in Manipur, because the memorial has no published entry fee and the main cost is reaching it from Imphal. The table below is a planning estimate per person for a one-day trip from Imphal, assuming a shared taxi and a modest lunch; it excludes flights to Imphal and your accommodation.

Permits and rules

Most Indian travellers from other states need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Manipur, not a special permit for Khongjom itself. According to the Government of Manipur’s official ILP portal, the ILP system took effect on 1 January 2020; domestic visitors can apply online at manipurilponline.mn.gov.in or use the self-service kiosks the portal lists at Imphal airport, Mao Gate and Jiribam Gate, and the permit can be delivered to a mobile phone.

Foreign nationals are not covered by the ILP and travel under separate rules, so foreigners should check the current Protected Area Permit position with official sources before planning. At the memorial, treat the site as a war grave: dress modestly, keep quiet, and ask before photographing any ceremony, especially on Khongjom Day. Carry out your litter and follow any on-site signage.

Practical tips

• Carry your ILP: keep a copy of your Inner Line Permit, applied for via the official Manipur portal, with you; reconfirm the current rules before travel.
• Cash and UPI: Imphal has ATMs and widening UPI acceptance, but carry some cash for the drive to Khongjom and small purchases in Thoubal.
• Network: mobile coverage is generally fine along the NH-102 corridor; download offline maps as a backup.
• Health: the nearest sizeable hospitals are in Imphal; carry any personal medicines. There is no altitude concern here – the Imphal valley sits low.
• Safety: check current local advisories before you travel, as Manipur has at times seen unrest; plan the drive for daylight hours.
• Solo women: the memorial is a public, well-visited site; standard precautions apply, and travelling by daylight is sensible.
• Packing: light cottons for October-March days with a layer for the morning; rain gear in the monsoon; sun protection and water year-round.

Nearby places

Khongjom pairs easily with the rest of the Imphal valley, from the war history of the capital to the floating lake at Loktak. The table lists the main options and roughly how far they lie.

For how these fit a full Manipur trip, see our Manipur travel guide.

Frequently asked questions

What happened at Khongjom in 1891?

Khongjom, in Thoubal district, Manipur, was the site of the last decisive battle of the Anglo-Manipuri War, fought on 23 April 1891. Major Paona Brajabashi and a small Manipuri force made their final stand on Kheba Ching hill against an advancing British column. The defenders were overwhelmed, and within days Manipur’s independence ended.

Who was Paona Brajabashi?

Major Paona Brajabashi was the Manipuri commander who led the defence at Khongjom and died there on 23 April 1891. His last stand against the British became the defining act of the Anglo-Manipuri War and a lasting symbol of Manipuri courage, remembered each year on Khongjom Day and in the folk ballad “Khongjom Parva”.

What is the Khongjom War Memorial?

The Khongjom War Memorial is a state memorial on Kheba Ching hill marking the 1891 battlefield in Thoubal district, Manipur. It is built around a tall sword monument that Incredible India calls the world’s tallest sword statue, with a statue of Paona Brajabashi and a museum on the war, entered through a 30-foot gateway.

When is Khongjom Day?

Khongjom Day falls on 23 April every year, the anniversary of the 1891 battle. According to News On Air, the state holds a commemoration at the memorial with a Sankirtan, floral tributes at the war memorial and the Paona Brajabashi statue, and a traditional tarpan offering near the Khongjom river. Expect crowds and a formal programme on the day.

How do I reach Khongjom from Imphal?

Khongjom is about 32-36 km south-east of Imphal along National Highway 102, the Imphal-Moreh road, roughly an hour by taxi. There is no rail or air link at Khongjom; fly to Bir Tikendrajit International Airport at Imphal and continue by road. The nearest working railhead is Dimapur, Nagaland, about 230 km away.

Do I need a permit to visit Khongjom?

Indian travellers from other states need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Manipur, not a separate permit for Khongjom. The Government of Manipur’s official portal lets domestic visitors apply online or at kiosks at Imphal airport, Mao Gate and Jiribam Gate. Foreign nationals travel under separate rules and should check official sources first.

Last updated and sources

Khongjom suits travellers drawn to history and quiet remembrance, best combined with Imphal and Loktak on a wider Manipur trip. Come between October and March for comfortable weather, or on 23 April for Khongjom Day itself.

Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change – reconfirm with official sources before you travel.

Sources: Incredible India, “Khongjom War Memorial Complex” (incredibleindia.gov.in); Thoubal District Administration, Government of Manipur, “Khongjom War Memorial Complex” and “How to Reach” (thoubal.nic.in); News On Air, “Manipur to commemorate Khongjom Day at War Memorial Complex” (newsonair.gov.in); Government of India MyGov blog, “Patriots’ Day: Remembering the Fallen Heroes of Anglo-Manipuri War” (blog.mygov.in); Government of Manipur ILP portal (manipurilponline.mn.gov.in). Accessed October 2026.