Tribal Revolts in Assam & North East India – PART 2: (APSC Assam History Notes)
(Rani Gaidinliu’s Naga Movement, Zeliangsong Movement, Naga Kuki revolt, Lushais and Kharwar rebellion)
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Tribal Revolts in Assam & North East India – PART 2
Rani Gaidinliu’s Naga Movement
Rongmei leader Jadonang came to the fore to bring about social unity and to revitalize the age-old religion by abolishing irrational customs. His aimed to establish a Naga Raj but was captured and hanged on August 29, 1931.
After that the movement was carried on by 17-year-old Gaidinliu, she integrated the tribal movement with the Civil Disobedience movement and preached disobedience to oppressive laws and non-payment of house tax.
The movement tried to link with Indian National Congress but it remained weak as Congress could not enter the hills.
Jadonang’s religious ideas crystallized in the Heraka cult led by Gaidinliu. After the movement was finally suppressed in 1932, it was converted into a peaceful movement with the establishment of tribal various organizations.
Zeliangsong Movement
The Zeliangsong movement among the Nagas of Manipur belonging to Zemi, Liangmei, and Rongmei tribes.
Naga Revolt:
The Nagas revolted against the British in 1849, but was suppressed in 1850-51.
Kuki revolt:
The kukis of the Lushai Hills and nearby hilly regions of Manipur and Tripura attacked the British territories repeatedly in 1829, 1844 and 1849.
- The Kukis had migrated to Manipur in the 18th century.
- The British policy of recruitment for coolie labour during World War – I seriously affected the stability of labour–short Kuki economy in general and their agriculture particularly.
- Guerrilla war under their chiefs went on for two years, fuelled also by other grievances like pothang (tribals being made to carry baggages of official without payment) and government efforts to stop shifting cultivation of jhum.
Lushais:
In 1842 the Lushais raided British territory of Arakan, Sylhet and defeated the British forces. In 1844 the Lushais attacked Manipuri villages and reprisals by the British followed. Sukla, the Lushai leader, was arrested and transported for life. In 1860 the Lushai chief raided Tripura and killed 186 British subjects.
Kharwar rebellion:
The Kharwar rebellion took place in 1870 and in 1882, Sambhudan led a revolt of the Kacha Nagas of Cachar to attacked the whites. Sambhuden who claimed that his magic had made his followers immune to bullets.
Some other tribal movements
- In 1835 the saflas raided British plains subjects and again they revolted in 182-73.
- In 1836 the Mishimis killed a botanist, Griffith and two missionaries.
- Between 1839 and 1842 there was a Khampti uprising in Assam when they attacked and killed British Agent Adam White and 80 other officers and soldiers.
- Between 1860 and 1862 there was a revolt of Syntengs of Jaintia Hills.
Tribal uprisings in Tripura
Tripura witnessed large-scale and agrarian and forest-based movements. The demographic profile of tribals changed from 64% in 1874 to 36% in 1911 because the Raja of Tripura invited Bengalis to settle in Tripura for economic development of the state.
Parikshit Jamatia led a movement against arbitrary rate of house tax in 1863. Bharti Sangh started revolutionary activities in Tripura in mid-1920s. The Reangs under the leadership of Ratnamani rose an armed rebellion in 1942–1943 in the southern sub-division of Tripura and proclaimed independence.
A Ganga Parishad was formed in 1937 similar to the States People’s Conferences in other Princely States.
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