By : Sanasam Umananda 12/6/2007 1:22:54 AM
The year 1949 not only evokes intense mental anguish and excruciating heartache to most Manipuris but also conjures up unsavoury images of severe emotional disturbance and psychological upsets which ultimately might have triggered the Maharaja of Manipur to sign the controversial Merger Agreement after his 4-day ordeal at Shillong Rajbari. History was created at 2-30 pm. of 21st September, 1949 but it became a history that invited future troubles to the enchanting land of a valley and nine hills ranges. An important turning point in the 2000 - year old political history of Manipur emerged in its wake which cannot be taken lightly. The seed of Manipur’s merger to India was sown at the said house amidst controversies and it became formally operational on the 15th October, 1949.
To the Indian and local pro-integrationists, it was a day of triumph but to many Manipuri patriots it was a tragedy and as evening descended after the signing of the agreement on that fateful September afternoon, many souls wept at the Rajbari lawn at the sight of the sinking sun equating it with the sinking freedom of Manipur. But a dream came true to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and a wish was fulfilled for Sri Prakasa, the then Governor of Assam and Nari Rustamji, his Advisor even if its smooth execution is suspect. Call it house arrest or internment, but Maharaja Bodhchandra and his men who were kept confined for 4 days at Shillong Rajbari being totally cut off from the rest of the world with acute mental trauma and psychological pain did not easily lose heart and clung to their determination not to yield to the advances of the Indian officials.
The Maharaja resisted and resisted to sign the document as is evidenced by the many letters written to the Governor of Assam by the Maharaja of Manipur. There is no dearth of such written documents. In such accounts of very serious historical importance, to rely on wild conjectures, idle surmises and hearsay reports would prove dangerous and therefore should be avoided.
Two things sometimes bewilder enthusiasts of true merger story.
1) Did the Maharaja of Manipur go to Shillong with the sole object of signing the Merger Agreement?
The answer is “NO”. This is proved by the following letter.
Letter Dated 19.9.1949
From the Maharaja
To Sri Prakasa
Thank your Excellency for your letter just received. I have cancelled my programme of leaving Shillong for to-day. The matter becomes very serious. It appears that the Government of India seems to be rather unkind and unsympathetic to me in giving me such a short period for me to ponder over this major problem and I am also quite unfortunate in not getting from the Government of India even the slightest indication of the subject-matter to be discussed in Shillong and as such I have deprived of the legal advice from my legal Remembrances and the voice of popular Assembly.
If I am compelled to work independently of my people my action will be quite unjustifiable...
Please read again the underlined words which are self-explanatory.
This is again confirmed by the following account:-
At 11AM. of 18th September, 1949 the Maharaja’s party reached Government House, Shillong. The Governor warmly received the Maharaja and led the latter to a room followed by Krishnamurty, (PS to Governor) and the ADC of the Maharaja. But the Private secretary to the Maharaja and the Advisor to the Governor went inside a separate room for a discussion. The former was made to be isolated with the Advisor from the Governor and the Maharaja which was pre-planned. The bolt from the blue came to the Private Secretary to the Maharaja with the sudden revelation by Nari Rustamjee, the Advisor that an Agreement for the Merger of manipur to India had been prepared and Gourhari the Private Secretary would persuade the Maharaja to sign it. The Private Secretary refused and outright rejected the idea. A war of words followed and Gourhari losing patience to hear the words of the Advisor stood up and went out of the room fuming with rage. He entered into the room where the discussion between the Maharaja and the Governor was taking place only to burst out with the words that the Maharaja would not sign the Merger Document as it was very controversial and would invite future troubles in Manipur as was suggested by the ADC, who and the Maharaja were also earlier surprised at the sudden and unexpected handing of the Document to the Maharaja.
2) Another confusion is - Did the Maharaja sign the Merger Agreement without any regard for people’s feelings?
The answer here also is a big “NO. The following letters authenticate it.
Date 18.9.1949.
From the Maharaja
To Sri Prakasa
The subject matter under reference involves the fate of future Manipur. I have received a number of representations and resolutions from the people concerning this important affair. I enclose some of the copies in original for Your Excellency’s kind perusal, which may please be returned when done with.
Now that the sovereignty of the state has been vested in the people it would be in the fitness of things to hear the people voice and learn their sentiment so that the time of action may not in any case be unconstitutional.
Letter dated 20.9.1949
From the Maharaja
To Sri Prakasa
I thank Your Excellency for your letter of 19.9.1949.
The subject for discussion was thought to be of internal affairs of the state. But your Excellency in spite of my prior request for an opportunity of hearing me first, has disclosed the decision of India Government to (be) the topic. Unfortunately, therefore, for me it has rather unhinged me.
Direct dealing with me was feasible when sovereignty was vested in me but after the introduction of the State Constitution Act, the sovereignty and administration of the State has been shifted to the people.
Under Rule No. 28 (ii) of the Manipur Admin. Rules now in force in the State as approved by the Governor of Assam, HH. The Maharaja of Manipur and the Council of Ministers have joint responsibility for such matters.
I am merely a constitutional head of a full responsible Government under the Constitution Act approved by the Government of India and as such the voice of the Majority is my voice and it shall be constitutionally and legally binding on me, not otherwise.
The question of Tripura and Cooch Bihar and that of Manipur are different in as much as the admin. and responsibility of the former bay solely in the hands of the Rulers whereas in the case of of Manipur, by virtue of the Constitution Act, Administration Rules and other agreements between the Govt. of India and the Manipur State responsibility and admin. is vested in the people based on full responsible government with a fully elected House on adult suffrage and joint electorate...
Our common end is dependent on the voluntary and conscientious co-operation of the people. I am for the people and the government in my state is the people’s government for the people by the people.
Please examine the underline words. The Maharaja did the right thing and strongly advocated for people’s will and democracy. The Maharaja also sought the kind permission of the Governor to release the full text of the correspondences between himself and the Governor to the press which the latter did not comply with.
From the correspondences it is crystal clear that Manipur’s journey to democracy on its own initiative received a severe jolt in 1949. The Maharaja’s regard and respect for people’s feeling and will are amply shown by the letters.
These letters, though outwardly show polite formalities and are replete with royal niceties and subtleties, but they also contain valuable revelations of the Maharaja mind who strongly resist the advances of the Government of India.
More than twenty letters were exchanged wherein the Maharaja asked for permission to leave Shillong for Manipur to consult the people. But he was not allowed to do so being guarded by securitymen in civilian dresses which makes one to believe that the Maharaja and his men were kept under House Arrest. This is a very high-handed gesture of the Government of India which flout all norms of democratic approaches. This sullies the great image of India which has earned universal respect for her great regard of non-violence democratic functioning and respect for popular will.
But the irony is that inspite of Maharaja’s entreaties to go to Manipur for consultation with the people’s representatives and the people, the Indian officials flatly refused it.
Lastly, came the Dasgupta episode which completely unhinged the Maharaja’s mind. Dasgupta’s mesmeric theatrics brain-washed the Maharaja by saying that a new king would be appointed in his place and Manipur would thus be surely merged to India. The purpose for which Maharaja steadfastly stood would not be served. He was made to feel that Manipur’s merger became a certainty and he would not be able to withstand it. This could not be dismissed easily as false because in an earlier letter written to him by the Governor it was hinted that if the Maharaja did not co-operate ex-parte decision would be taken.
Dasgupta won the day. The four-day house arrest and psychological pressures weakened the Maharaja and his firm stand ultimately gave way and the controversial turning point of Manipur’s history came about.
Conclusion: It would do well if the Govt. of India, even though belatedly, could settle the matter based on people’s likes and dislikes which was the cherished wish of the late Maharaja who died a broken-hearted monarch.
Maharaja Bodhchandra died on this day, 5th December, in 1955, six years after the signing of the Merger Agreement.
http://ifp.co.in/ArticleFull.asp?ArticleID=198
The year 1949 not only evokes intense mental anguish and excruciating heartache to most Manipuris but also conjures up unsavoury images of severe emotional disturbance and psychological upsets which ultimately might have triggered the Maharaja of Manipur to sign the controversial Merger Agreement after his 4-day ordeal at Shillong Rajbari. History was created at 2-30 pm. of 21st September, 1949 but it became a history that invited future troubles to the enchanting land of a valley and nine hills ranges. An important turning point in the 2000 - year old political history of Manipur emerged in its wake which cannot be taken lightly. The seed of Manipur’s merger to India was sown at the said house amidst controversies and it became formally operational on the 15th October, 1949.
To the Indian and local pro-integrationists, it was a day of triumph but to many Manipuri patriots it was a tragedy and as evening descended after the signing of the agreement on that fateful September afternoon, many souls wept at the Rajbari lawn at the sight of the sinking sun equating it with the sinking freedom of Manipur. But a dream came true to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and a wish was fulfilled for Sri Prakasa, the then Governor of Assam and Nari Rustamji, his Advisor even if its smooth execution is suspect. Call it house arrest or internment, but Maharaja Bodhchandra and his men who were kept confined for 4 days at Shillong Rajbari being totally cut off from the rest of the world with acute mental trauma and psychological pain did not easily lose heart and clung to their determination not to yield to the advances of the Indian officials.
The Maharaja resisted and resisted to sign the document as is evidenced by the many letters written to the Governor of Assam by the Maharaja of Manipur. There is no dearth of such written documents. In such accounts of very serious historical importance, to rely on wild conjectures, idle surmises and hearsay reports would prove dangerous and therefore should be avoided.
Two things sometimes bewilder enthusiasts of true merger story.
1) Did the Maharaja of Manipur go to Shillong with the sole object of signing the Merger Agreement?
The answer is “NO”. This is proved by the following letter.
Letter Dated 19.9.1949
From the Maharaja
To Sri Prakasa
Thank your Excellency for your letter just received. I have cancelled my programme of leaving Shillong for to-day. The matter becomes very serious. It appears that the Government of India seems to be rather unkind and unsympathetic to me in giving me such a short period for me to ponder over this major problem and I am also quite unfortunate in not getting from the Government of India even the slightest indication of the subject-matter to be discussed in Shillong and as such I have deprived of the legal advice from my legal Remembrances and the voice of popular Assembly.
If I am compelled to work independently of my people my action will be quite unjustifiable...
Please read again the underlined words which are self-explanatory.
This is again confirmed by the following account:-
At 11AM. of 18th September, 1949 the Maharaja’s party reached Government House, Shillong. The Governor warmly received the Maharaja and led the latter to a room followed by Krishnamurty, (PS to Governor) and the ADC of the Maharaja. But the Private secretary to the Maharaja and the Advisor to the Governor went inside a separate room for a discussion. The former was made to be isolated with the Advisor from the Governor and the Maharaja which was pre-planned. The bolt from the blue came to the Private Secretary to the Maharaja with the sudden revelation by Nari Rustamjee, the Advisor that an Agreement for the Merger of manipur to India had been prepared and Gourhari the Private Secretary would persuade the Maharaja to sign it. The Private Secretary refused and outright rejected the idea. A war of words followed and Gourhari losing patience to hear the words of the Advisor stood up and went out of the room fuming with rage. He entered into the room where the discussion between the Maharaja and the Governor was taking place only to burst out with the words that the Maharaja would not sign the Merger Document as it was very controversial and would invite future troubles in Manipur as was suggested by the ADC, who and the Maharaja were also earlier surprised at the sudden and unexpected handing of the Document to the Maharaja.
2) Another confusion is - Did the Maharaja sign the Merger Agreement without any regard for people’s feelings?
The answer here also is a big “NO. The following letters authenticate it.
Date 18.9.1949.
From the Maharaja
To Sri Prakasa
The subject matter under reference involves the fate of future Manipur. I have received a number of representations and resolutions from the people concerning this important affair. I enclose some of the copies in original for Your Excellency’s kind perusal, which may please be returned when done with.
Now that the sovereignty of the state has been vested in the people it would be in the fitness of things to hear the people voice and learn their sentiment so that the time of action may not in any case be unconstitutional.
Letter dated 20.9.1949
From the Maharaja
To Sri Prakasa
I thank Your Excellency for your letter of 19.9.1949.
The subject for discussion was thought to be of internal affairs of the state. But your Excellency in spite of my prior request for an opportunity of hearing me first, has disclosed the decision of India Government to (be) the topic. Unfortunately, therefore, for me it has rather unhinged me.
Direct dealing with me was feasible when sovereignty was vested in me but after the introduction of the State Constitution Act, the sovereignty and administration of the State has been shifted to the people.
Under Rule No. 28 (ii) of the Manipur Admin. Rules now in force in the State as approved by the Governor of Assam, HH. The Maharaja of Manipur and the Council of Ministers have joint responsibility for such matters.
I am merely a constitutional head of a full responsible Government under the Constitution Act approved by the Government of India and as such the voice of the Majority is my voice and it shall be constitutionally and legally binding on me, not otherwise.
The question of Tripura and Cooch Bihar and that of Manipur are different in as much as the admin. and responsibility of the former bay solely in the hands of the Rulers whereas in the case of of Manipur, by virtue of the Constitution Act, Administration Rules and other agreements between the Govt. of India and the Manipur State responsibility and admin. is vested in the people based on full responsible government with a fully elected House on adult suffrage and joint electorate...
Our common end is dependent on the voluntary and conscientious co-operation of the people. I am for the people and the government in my state is the people’s government for the people by the people.
Please examine the underline words. The Maharaja did the right thing and strongly advocated for people’s will and democracy. The Maharaja also sought the kind permission of the Governor to release the full text of the correspondences between himself and the Governor to the press which the latter did not comply with.
From the correspondences it is crystal clear that Manipur’s journey to democracy on its own initiative received a severe jolt in 1949. The Maharaja’s regard and respect for people’s feeling and will are amply shown by the letters.
These letters, though outwardly show polite formalities and are replete with royal niceties and subtleties, but they also contain valuable revelations of the Maharaja mind who strongly resist the advances of the Government of India.
More than twenty letters were exchanged wherein the Maharaja asked for permission to leave Shillong for Manipur to consult the people. But he was not allowed to do so being guarded by securitymen in civilian dresses which makes one to believe that the Maharaja and his men were kept under House Arrest. This is a very high-handed gesture of the Government of India which flout all norms of democratic approaches. This sullies the great image of India which has earned universal respect for her great regard of non-violence democratic functioning and respect for popular will.
But the irony is that inspite of Maharaja’s entreaties to go to Manipur for consultation with the people’s representatives and the people, the Indian officials flatly refused it.
Lastly, came the Dasgupta episode which completely unhinged the Maharaja’s mind. Dasgupta’s mesmeric theatrics brain-washed the Maharaja by saying that a new king would be appointed in his place and Manipur would thus be surely merged to India. The purpose for which Maharaja steadfastly stood would not be served. He was made to feel that Manipur’s merger became a certainty and he would not be able to withstand it. This could not be dismissed easily as false because in an earlier letter written to him by the Governor it was hinted that if the Maharaja did not co-operate ex-parte decision would be taken.
Dasgupta won the day. The four-day house arrest and psychological pressures weakened the Maharaja and his firm stand ultimately gave way and the controversial turning point of Manipur’s history came about.
Conclusion: It would do well if the Govt. of India, even though belatedly, could settle the matter based on people’s likes and dislikes which was the cherished wish of the late Maharaja who died a broken-hearted monarch.
Maharaja Bodhchandra died on this day, 5th December, in 1955, six years after the signing of the Merger Agreement.
http://ifp.co.in/ArticleFull.asp?ArticleID=198
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