With excavation work ongoing, experts believe more military artefacts may emerge in the coming days — offering a rare and tangible glimpse into a chapter of history that shaped not only Manipur, but the entire course of the Second World War in Asia.
TFM Report
In a stunning reminder of Manipur’s wartime past, a cache of World War II-era military relics was unearthed on Tuesday morning during excavation work for a construction project in Langthabal, Imphal West district, triggering excitement among historians, archaeologists, and local residents.
Labourers digging approximately four feet below the surface stumbled upon a collection of rusted ammunition casings, a hand grenade, water bottles, spades, tin cans, and several unidentified military supplies. Officials were immediately alerted, and the area was cordoned off for further investigation.
According to initial assessments, the relics are believed to be remnants of the Allied forces stationed in Manipur during the pivotal Battle of Imphal in 1944 — one of the fiercest and most consequential military campaigns in Southeast Asia during World War II.
The discovery site, located near the Canchipur hills, is known to have hosted a significant Allied military camp during the war. “This appears to be one of the many scattered remnants of World War II in the Imphal valley,” a local observer noted, adding that the items are likely linked to British and Indian troops who defended the region against the Japanese offensive.
In response to the discovery, local authorities have launched additional excavation efforts to determine the full extent of the buried cache. There are plans to bring in military historians and archaeologists to properly document, verify, and preserve the artefacts.
The Battle of Imphal, fought in tandem with the Battle of Kohima, was a defining moment in the Allied resistance against Japanese expansion into India. Between March and July 1944, Japanese forces, aided by Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), made a bold attempt to breach British India via Manipur. The effort ultimately failed, resulting in over 54,000 Japanese casualties and more than 12,000 Allied losses.
The intense fighting turned areas like Langthabal into strategic strongholds, many of which still hold untouched wartime debris buried beneath the soil. As a result, such finds have become increasingly valuable in reconstructing the historical landscape of the region.
The unearthed relics have sparked renewed interest in preserving Manipur’s wartime heritage. Officials are reportedly considering transferring the artefacts to the Imphal War Museum, where they could become part of a dedicated exhibit highlighting Manipur’s critical role in WWII.
With excavation work ongoing, experts believe more military artefacts may emerge in the coming days — offering a rare and tangible glimpse into a chapter of history that shaped not only Manipur, but the entire course of the Second World War in Asia.