1st Edition
The Battlefields of Imphal The Second World War and North East India
List of Illustrations. Foreword Hugo Slim. Preface. Acknowledgements. Introduction: A Truly Forgotten Tale 1. North East India: The Canvas to the Second World War 2. Manipur: On the Frontlines 3. Imphal 1944: The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Armies Clash 4. The Battlefields: Hub and Spokes 5. Battlefield Tourism – Ideas For The Future Conclusion – The ‘Greatest’ Battle Appendix Bibliography Index
Biography
Hemant Singh Katoch is an independent scholar based in New Delhi. His research has focused on the Battles of Imphal and Kohima of 1944, and he has designed and conducted battlefield tours around them, the first of their kind in India. He conceived of the original idea to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal and helped organise a series of remembrance events in 2014. In the past he has worked for a Swiss foundation in Geneva, the United Nations in Timor-Leste, and the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was an Honorary Visiting Fellow at the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research at Jamia Millia Islamia in 2013 and is a donor member of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.
‘This excellent book is . . . detailed yet with an engaging narrative flow, and beautifully written . . . drawing in so many authentic Manipuri voices to the narrative . . . [I]t shines a new light on this significant part of India’s modern history.’ — Robert Lyman, Fellow, Royal Historical Society, UK
‘An overlooked patch of history brilliantly brought to life! A magnificent tribute to Manipur and the gallant soldiers of a forgotten front.’ — Lt. Gen. P.C. Bhardwaj (Retd.), Former Vice Chief of Army Staff of India
‘[A]n invaluable guide in any effort to build WWII tourism in Manipur, Nagaland and the Northeast region.’ — Pradip Phanjoubam, Editor, Imphal Free Press, India
