A History of Assam c20.34

c20.34

The primary object in view, *viz.*, the expulsion of the Burmese from Manipur was, however, achieved by Gambhir Singh, who had accompanied the troops with an irregular levy of five hundred Manipuris and Kachāris. These men had been provided with arms by the British commander, but they were wholly undisciplined, and it was only at Gambhir Singh’s urgent request, that he was permitted to advance with them to Manipur. He left Sylhet on the 17th May accompanied by Lieutenant Pemberton, who had volunteered for the expedition, and who was afterwards so well-known on this frontier. After a march of great difficulty and privation, often through torrents of rain, he emerged in the valley of Manipur on the 10th June. The Burmese thereupon retreated from the town of Imphal and the adjoining villages to a place called Undra, about ten miles to the south. But here too they made no stand; and, as soon as the advance was continued, they again fled, and left the State altogether.