Revisiting the Battle of Imphal at Maibam Lokpaching

During the Second World War or World War II (September 1939 to September 1945), two battles took place on Indian soil, putting India on the World War II map. The 1944 Battle of Imphal and Battle of Kohima are the two battles that put India on the World War II map.

Also read: Pretty pictures from Manipur to inspire travel

Around the same time when Japan attacked the US naval base in Pearl Harbour in 1941, it had a pretty good grip on China and the rest of South East Asia. But Japan started to feel the heat when the US retaliated and China too resisted fiercely. To tackle the Chinese problem, Japan needed to cut off the war supplies that were coming in from the Brahmaputra region of India. To the Japanese, the city of Imphal, the present-day capital of Manipur, seemed like an ideal place to bring to fruition the above mentioned plan.



The obvious retaliation from the British Army led to one of the bloodiest battles ever fought on Indian soil. Just 16 km from Imphal, a fierce battle, now known as the Battle of Imphal, was fought on a small hillock. The site is now known as Maibam Lokpaching or the Red Hill.


Why the name Red Hill? Take a guess.


Somehow, during all this, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose convinced the Indian National Army to join hands with the Japanese, with hopes of chasing the British Army from Indian soil. Japan intended to use the Indian National Army only as reconnaissance. But they (INA) did fight, and eventually lost.




Today, when you visit Maibam Lokpaching or the Red Hill, you will come across a small and barren hillock, a rusty old cannon and a peace memorial nearby, all painful reminders of the bloody Battle of Imphal.


The India Peace Memorial was constructed by the Japanese government in 1994 to mark the 50th anni­versary of the Battle of Imphal.

1. Where was Battle of Imphal fought?
   Battle of Imphal was fought in Maibam Lokpaching, just 16 km from the city of Imphal.
2. Is the India Peace Memorial open to visitors?
   Yes, the India Peace Memorial is open to visitors.
3. When is the best time to visit Imphal?
   September to April is the best time to visit Imphal.