After the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War, the British took over the Kangla Palace, and Sana Konung was built as the new royal residence, first occupied by Maharaja Churachand Singh in 1908.
The abolition of privy purses by the Government of India in 1971 caused loss of income to the-then titular king Okendrajit Singh, and led him to sell off much of the land surrounding the palace.
The Government of Manipur argued that high-rise buildings had gotten constructed in the area, causing it to lose its traditional character.
[1][3][2][4] At present, under titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba, Manipur's "independence day" on 14 August is celebrated by hoisting the red flag decorated with the image of Pakhangba (the legendary ancestor and a Meitei deity).
[5] The palace serves as the centre of celebrations of traditional Meitei festival Mera Hou Chongba.