uler of a
native Eastern state to celebrate his accession to the throne by
slaughtering his brothers and uncles. This drastic measure reduced the
possibilities of the new ruler being deposed, and was considered by the
majority of the natives a wise precaution. The Maharajah of Manipur
was more humane than many rulers, and although he had seven brothers,
he refrained from killing any of them.

For several years the brothers lived on friendly terms with each other,
but eventually quarrels arose through two of them wanting to marry the
same woman. The eight brothers divided into two parties, and
quarrelled so incessantly, that the maharajah deemed it wise to
abdicate and leave the country. Mr. Grimwood the British Political
Agent, did his utmost to dissuade the maharajah from abdicating, but
without success. He departed, and one of his brothers became ruler.

Mr. Grimwood and his wife had lived for three years in Manipur when the
maharajah abdicated, and during that time the natives had always been
friendly towards them. Even the royal brothers, while quarrelling
among themselves, maintained their usual friendly relations with them.

Manipur is an out-of-the-way place, lying in the heart of the
mountainous region, which is bordered on the north by the Assam Valley,
on the east and south by Burma, and on the west by the Cachar district.
During the greater portion of their stay in Manipur Mr. and Mrs.
Grimwood were the only white people in the place, and consequently the
news that the Chief Commissioner was on his way to hold a durbar at the
Residency afforded them much pleasure. But the information that his
excellency was accompanied by 400 men of the 42nd and 44th Ghurkhas,
made it clear that some political event of considerable importance was
about to take place. The Chief Commissioner had, in fact, decided to
arrest the jubraj, the maharajah's brother, at the durbar which was
fixed for eight o'clock in the morning of March 23, 1891.

But the jubraj had his suspicions aroused by the military force which
accompanied the Chief Commissioner. He did not attend the durbar, but
sent a message to say that he was too unwell to be present. Four hours
later, Mr. Grimwood was sent to the palace to inform the jubraj that he
was to be arrested and banished, and to persuade him to surrender
peacefully. This the jubraj refused to do, and consequently it was
decided to storm the palace and capture him.

Fighting began on