The Braveheart of Manipur: Paona Brajabashi
A long time ago, in the lush green hills of Manipur , there lived a fearless warrior named Paona Brajabashi . Born in 1833, he was known for his loyalty, courage, and deep love for his motherland. From a young age, Paona trained as a soldier and grew up with a strong sense of duty towards his kingdom. Back then, Manipur was a small but proud kingdom, trying to maintain its independence while the mighty British Empire was expanding its control across India. The British wanted Manipur under their rule, but the Manipuris were not ready to bow down without a fight. In 1891 , a major clash known as the Anglo-Manipur War broke out. Paona, now a seasoned commander, led a battalion of Manipuri soldiers at the battle of Khongjom , one of the fiercest battles in Manipur’s history. The British forces were larger and had more advanced weapons, but Paona and his men stood their ground bravely. As the battle raged on, many of his fellow soldiers fell, but Paona kept fig...