Paona Brajabasi

Paona Brajabasi was a Manipuri military officer. He was born in 1833 and later entered the military of the Manipur Kingdom, reaching the rank of major by 1891. The same year he fought in the Anglo-Manipur War against the British Empire. Following the defeat of his troops in a skirmish with the British, his adversaries offered to spare Brajabasi's life if he entered their service. Brajabasi refused and was subsequently executed. This act entered Manipur's popular imagination and Brajabasi has since been commemorated by a statue.

Quotes

• Here is a conversation between the British commander and Paona Brajabashi in the battlefield after he was caught. British commander: We shall reward you with a big post if you join the British Army. And if you refuse, you will be executed. Paona Brajabashi: Death is more welcome than treason. Saying this, the brave Manipuri warrior took off his protective cloth wrapped as headgear and offered his head. “I refuse your offer. Behead me,” he said.
  • Paona Brajabasi quoted in Rawal M. S. & Rawal Y. S. (2019). Saffron swords. Garuda Prakashan.