New Delhi: The Independence of India from the yoke of British rule came after a long struggle of almost 200 years. Thousands of freedom fighters were martyred during the freedom struggle, and on August 15, 1947, the Tricolour the raised at the Red Fort in Delhi, signalling the start of our ‘tryst with destiny’. While the Flag of India was hoisted in the country for the first time in the South Point area of Andaman’s Port Blair in December 1943, it was hoisted for the first time on mainland India in the next year. In this article, we will learn about the when and where of this historic moment.
Moirang: Where the Tricolour was hoisted for the first time on mainland India
Moirang is a quaint town in Manipur. Notably, the town has the Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area (KLCA) which covers Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), the only floating national park in the world, along with the Loktak Lake and Pumlen Pat which act as buffers and have been added in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
When was the Indian flag hoisted there?
During World War II, the Indian National Army (INA) led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose made Moirang its headquarters. At that time, it was an ally of Imperial Japan which was a participant in the war on behalf of the Axis powers that included Nazi Germany and Italy.
During the war, the Battle of Imphal took place around Imphal, Manipur’s capital, as the INA and the Japanese army tried to destroy the Allied forces at the city and invade India. However, the British forces proved to be superior and inflicted heavy losses on them, driving the INA and the Japanese army back into Burma. The Battle of Kohima also took place at the same time and both wars proved to be turning points in the stage of World War II in South-East Asia. The Japanese army, especially suffered its heaviest loss and many died from starvation, disease and exhaustion. In 2013, the Battle of Imphal was voted Britain’s Greatest Battle in a poll conducted by the British National Army Museum.
Since Moirang was INA’s headquarters, on April 14, 1944, Colonel Shaukat Malik hoisted the Tricolour for the first time on the Indian mainland in Moirang with the help of Manipuris like Shri Mairembam Koireng Singh and other INA members.
Why is Moirang famous today?
Apart from the above-mentioned historic moment, Moirang is famous as the place of origin of the ancient epic legend of Khamba and Thoibi important in Meitei mythology. Also, it has the INA War Museum in the INA Martyrs’ Memorial Complex, where the Tricolour was hoisted.
During World War II, the Indian National Army (INA) led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose made Moirang its headquaters. At that time, it was an ally of the Imperial Japan which as a participant of the war. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
