Imphal War Cemetery — Attraction in Manipur

Here’s a look at the Imphal War Cemetery, a serene and dignified memorial site located in Imphal, Manipur.

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🕊️ About Imphal War Cemetery • Historical Significance: This site commemorates the Allied forces, including soldiers from the British Commonwealth, who died during the Battle of Imphal and the broader Burma Campaign in World War II. Together with the Kohima campaign, this battle marked one of the turning points in the war in Southeast Asia.   • Burials: The cemetery holds around 1,600 Commonwealth war graves — primarily from the UK, but also India, East and West Africa, Canada, Australia, and Burma. Approximately 140 graves remain unidentified. 

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📍 Location & Layout • Setting: Situated in the Dewlahland locality, about 10 km from Imphal International Airport, just off NH‑39. A branch road near DM College leads into the site.  • Design: Modeled as a Mughal-inspired garden, it features geometrical layouts, water elements, manicured lawns, and rows of headstones to convey tranquility and reverence. A prominent white Cross of Sacrifice (brass cross with a sword) stands at the center. 

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🕉️ Cremation Memorial • Separate Section: The Imphal Indian Army War Cemetery serves predominantly Muslim servicemen (about 828 identified graves). • Cremation Memorial: Located at the southern end, honours 868 Hindu and Sikh soldiers and airmen who were cremated per their religious customs.  

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🕰️ Visiting Details • Timings: • March–September: 09:00 AM–04:30 PM • October–February: 09:00 AM–04:00 PM  • Entry: Free of charge. Photography is generally allowed. No dedicated parking inside the site.  • Best Time: Visit between October and March, preferably in the early morning or late afternoon for cool weather and fewer crowds. 

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🧭 Why Visit? • Reflective Space: A peaceful, well-maintained space to honor fallen soldiers and reflect on the high human cost of war.  • Educational Value: Offers insight into the intensity of the Battle of Imphal, which together with Kohima was known as the “Normandy of the East.”  • Remembrance: The grounds carry name plaques, epitaphs, and a solemn message: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.” 

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📝 Quick Facts

Feature Details Distance from Imphal ~10 km (off NH‑39 via Dewlahland) Number of Burials Approximately 1,600 (incl. ~140 unidentified graves) Cemetery Sections Main Commonwealth graves + separate Muslim and Hindu/Sikh memorials Architect Colin St Clair Oakes (Indo‑British garden style) Admission Free, open during daylight hours Ideal Visit Period October to March; early morning or late afternoon preferred

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🔗 Nearby Historical Sites • Khongjom War Memorial Complex (~35 km southeast): Honours martyrs of the Anglo‑Manipur War of 1891, with the iconic 32-ft Sword Monument.     • Maibam Lotpa Ching (Red Hills) (~17 km south of Imphal): Site of fierce World War II battles with the Japanese; features the India Peace Memorial and a war museum.  • INA Martyrs’ Memorial Complex at Moirang (~45 km south): Dedicated to the Indian National Army, with museum, library, and statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. 

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Exploring the Imphal War Cemetery offers not just a walk through history, but a solemn tribute to those who fought in one of World War II’s lesser-known yet pivotal campaigns. It’s a must-visit for history buffs, remembrance pilgrims, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Manipur’s role in...

The War Cemetery at Kabo Leikai, Imphal is maintained by the Common Wealth War Graves Commission. There are 1600 graves( as recorded by the Commission) and each plaque on the graves is engraved with name,age, date of decease, name of the battalion and rank of the soldier with a few sweet and lovely words. Some plaques are found engraved with "A Soldier Of 1939 -1945 War" that is an "unknown soldier".It is possible that their bodies were either burnt or mutilated beyond recognition by bombardment and shelling.It seems to me that all the soldiers were peace loving,God fearing and dutiful citizens. It is true that every plaque on the graves telling the sad stories of world war 2 particularly the fierce battle of Imphal. Dates back to 1942, It was Sunday ,the 10th day of May,1942, people of Imphal heard a loud sound of Siren wailed from the base camp of 4th Assam Rifles at Kangla, after a few minutes, people saw flights of Japanese bombers in the sky , innocent children were clapping happily to see the flying objects ,on the next moment loud sounds of bombardments were heard at many places in Imphal. Hundreds of allied soldiers and civilians were killed, several houses and Government installations were burnt down to ashes. Thousands of people left home in search of safe places, after that subsequent war days began in Manipur. Fighting between Allied and Japanese force started at several places of Imphal and other places , battle of Imphal was the fierce battle in the South East Asian theatre of World War2. Thousands of innocent peoples died of injury, hunger and epidemic, about 60 thousand Allied and Japanese soldiers died in that battles(according to the opinion of some historians the number of deaths is about 75 thousand,God knows the actual number/ figures ). People of Manipur had witnessed the most dreaded and hateful face of war 75 years ago. Inscription carved on a plaque reads " peacefully sleeping ,free from pain ,in Good's own time,we shall...

Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Imphal War Cemetery is a resting place for those souls who died in the battle of Imphal from 1939 to 1945. Tourists coming to visit Imphal from across the globe surely makes a visit to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemeteries. On visiting, one can witness how well the area is maintained and the names on the grave is still a reminder to those souls who fought here. The tourist will come across the beautiful flowers and trees that surround the cemetery. Other than this, that tourist attraction has now become a cool hangout place for locals living in Imphal as well as those coming from outside.

HOW TO REACH?

Tourists can avail the public transport facility to make it to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemeteries.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The Commonwealth War Graves Cemeteries can be visited at any time of the year. Consider visiting between October and March when the weather remains favorable making it convenient for the tourists to...