In India, Patriots' Day is a regional public holiday observed exclusively in the state of Manipur on August 13th each year. It is not a national observance. The term, functioning as a proper noun, designates the day of remembrance for the heroes who fought in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. The event commemorates the end of the war, which resulted in the loss of Manipur's sovereignty to the British Empire.
The specific date, August 13, 1891, marks the public execution of the Manipuri prince, Bir Tikendrajit Singh, and General Thangal by the British authorities. They were hanged at Pheida Pung in Imphal, which is now the site of Bir Tikendrajit Park, the central location for the official commemoration. The day is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of these leaders and other Manipuri soldiers who laid down their lives defending their kingdom against British colonial expansion.
This observance is distinct from national holidays like Independence Day (August 15) or Martyrs' Day (Shaheed Diwas), which have different historical contexts and are recognized nationwide. Patriots' Day is a solemn occasion of remembrance specific to Manipuri history and serves as a significant expression of the state's regional identity, history, and patriotism, focusing on a particular chapter of resistance against colonial rule.
