The conflict began with a palace coup staged by the general (Senapati) of Manipur, ousting its reigning king, and installing a half-brother, the heir-apparent, in his place.

[10][11] In the First Anglo-Burmese War, the British helped prince Gambhir Singh regain his kingdom of Manipur, which had been heretofore occupied by the Burmese.

[22] Historian Jangkhomang Guite states the British annexation of Upper Burma reduced the strategic importance of Manipur.

[16] The Maharaja had given the impression that he was abdicating the throne but, after reaching the British territory in the neighbouring Assam Province, he recanted and wanted return to the state.

The plan was to hold a Darbar in the residency with the erstwhile jubraj Kulachandra Singh (now regarded as the Regent) attending along with all the nobles, where a demand would be made to surrender the senapati.

[22][d] According to later accounts, Quinton had proposed to Kulachandra Singh a cessation of all hostilities and his return to Kohima (in Naga Hills to the north of Manipur).

[16] On 27 March 1891, news of the executions reached the British forces stationed at Tamu (a Burmese town on the border with Manipur).

Lieutenant Charles James William Grant took the initiative to lead a contingent of 50 soldiers of the 12th (Burma) Madras Infantry and 35 members of the 43rd Gurkha Regiment, to handle the situation.

On 1 April, 2,000 Manipuri soldiers accompanied by two guns laid siege to the village, Grant's troops repelled numerous attacks during the course of nine days.

Manipur forces suffered heavy casualties during the engagement at Thoubal while the British lost one soldier dead and four wounded.

[4][31] While the Tamu column was engaged in Thoubal, orders were sent to Kohima (in Naga Hills) and Silchar (in Cachar) to send expeditionary forces to Manipur.

[4][5][34] Hand-to-hand fighting ensued, 2 British soldiers were killed and 11 were severely injured, while the Manipuri lost over 128 men including the death of high-ranking officials such as Major Paona Brajabasi, Heirang Kongja and Chinglensana.

[35][better source needed] On 27 April 1891, the Silchar, Tamu and Kohima columns united, capturing Imphal after finding it deserted.

[16] British participants of the Manipuri expedition received the North East Frontier clasp for the India General Service Medal.

[38] 13 August is commemorated yearly as "Patriots Day" in Manipur, with remarks to honour the Manipuri soldiers that lost their lives during the war.