Massacres Perpetrated By the Kukis During the British Rule in India – I

PRIOR TO 1889, the interior of the tract of the country known as the Chin-Lushai Hills, was a terra incognita i.e., an unexplored land comprising impenetrable jungles and rugged, tall mountain ranges, never visited by outsiders [Reid 1893:pp.1]. The Government of India under the British used the generic word ‘Kuki’ to denote the various tribes who had successively been driven out from the Chin-Lushai Hills into the neighbouring country to the north and west i.e. the present India and Bangladesh; they considered the words ‘Kuki’ and ‘Chin’ as being synonymous [Grierson 1904:pp.1-2]. The British administrators considered the Kukis, the Chins, and the Lushais as being of the same race [Shakespear 1912:pp.8].According to Thomas H. Lewin, the word ‘Lushai’ probably means ‘the decapitators,’ being derived from ‘lu’ a head and ‘sha’ or ‘shat’ to cut ; and it was undoubtedly the custom among Lushai people in the olden days to carry off as trophies the heads of enemies slain in battle [Lewin 1874: pp.3]. Mr. Lewin categorised and included “The Kookis or Lhoosai” as one of the wild races of South-Eastern India [Lewin 1870: pp.246].

The origin of the word ‘Kuki’ was not known to the administrators of British India [Shaw, 1929: pp.11]. Recently, the Royal Anthropological Institute, U.K. has reported that the word  “Kuci or Kuchi” is an Afghan Persian word meaning “nomads or those who go on migrations” [Tapper 2008: pp.97].The term ‘Chin’ is a derogatory Burmese word meaning ‘Basket Carriers’[Suantak 2010: pp.18]. The name ‘Chin’ became legalized as the official term by The Chin Hills Regulation in 1896 [Sakhong 2005: pp.5].The Kachin and Shan still called the Chin as ‘Khyan’ or ‘Khiang’ or ‘Chiang’ [Sakhong 2005: pp.3].

According to G.E. Fryer, ‘Khyengs’ (now called Chins or Kukis) have a tradition that they came down many years ago from the sources of the Kyendweng (now called Chindwin) river [Fryer 1875: pp.46]. Historian D.G.E. Hall confirms that the Shans drove out the Chins from the Chindwin valley into the Chin hills (Sakhong 2005: pp.16). Daniel Thangkholun Lhungdim (known as T. Daniel), the author of “Israel Lhiove (We are descendants of Israelites)” opined that “after having migrated from Israel our forefathers reached Afghanistan and there they were identified as ‘Kuchi’ meaning nomadic or migratory.” (Suantak, 2012, pp.96).

Carey and Tuck expressed their conviction by writing: “Without pretending to speak with authority on the subject, we think we may reasonably accept the theory that the Kukis of Manipur, the Lushais of Bengal and Assam, and the Chins originally lived in what we now as Thibet and are of one and the same stock.” (Carey & Tuck, 1896, pp.2).

Based on the above historical accounts of migration, it may be inferred that the Chin-Kuki-Lushai tribes had travelled for centuries through various countries, including Israel, Persia, Afghanistan, Tibet, China until they finally came down to the Chindwin River belt from where they were, subsequently, driven out into the Chin Hills by the Shans.

The village system among the Kukis is a series of petty dictatorial State each under a hereditary Dictator or Chief (Called Lal) who can call upon his people to furnish him with everything that he requires. A chief’s son, on attaining manhood, does not, in general, remain with his father, but sets up a separate village of his own [Hunter 1876: pp.60]. A Kuki Chief is the absolute owner of the village under his jurisdiction and he has supreme authority with executive, judicial and military power. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the village army. In times of war, the Chief is supposed to lead the army. His words are law within his Chiefdom and his decisions are final [Baite 2024: pp.4080].

The Kukis are remarkable for their extreme softness of voice and the euphonic sweetness of their language, when not spoken under great excitement [Pemberton 1835: pp.17]. The Kuki chiefs are experts in the art of diplomacy. Even the British officer like Major-General Sir James Johnstone expressed his admiration in the diplomacy of some Kuki chiefs who came to see him [MAR 1879:pp.11].

William Shaw said that the Kukis are very obstinate and willful [Shaw 1929: pp.21].According to B.S. Carey, “Kukis are notoriously treacherous and not to trust their promises”and this observation made by Carey is contained in a letter dated 4^thJanuary 1918 from W.F. Rice, Chief Secretary of Burma to the Chief Secretary of Assam [Rice’s letter 1918].

The noted British ethnographer, E.T. Dalton described the Kukis as a nation of wild hunters and warriors being ruled by their principal hereditary chiefs or rajahs, but divided into clans, each under its own chief. When engaged in hostile expeditions, they can sleep at night in hammocks swung in trees [Dalton 1872: pp.44].Regarding the tacticality of the Kukis, Pemberton observed: “The plunder of property is less the object of the marauders than the acquisition of heads, which are considered essential to the due performance of the funeral rites of their village chieftains, and to obtain which, they will undertake long and difficult journeys, and remain concealed for days together in the jungle bordering on the different lines of communication, between distant villages ; they spring on the unwary traveller, decapitate him in an instant, and plunging into the forests, are far on their way home, before the murder becomes known in the village of the miserable victim. Among the Kookees, success in these expeditions establishes a claim to the highest distinctions the tribe can confer, and their approaches are made with such secrecy, that the yell of death is almost always the first intimation the villagers receive of their danger”[Pemberton 1835: pp.18].

Regarding the barbarity of the Kukis, John Rawlins wrote: “If a Cuci assails the house of an enemy, and can kill a woman with child, so that he may bring two heads, he acquires honour and celebrity in his tribe, as the destroyer of two foes at once”[Rawlins 1792: pp.188].

According to MacCulloch, “The Kukis are great hunters and are passionately fond of the sport, looking upon it, next to war, as the noblest exercise for man. They kill tigers, deer and small game by means of poisoned arrows” [MacCulloch 1859: pp. 62]. The Kukis are very skilful in making weaponry. The effectiveness of the poison is unmatched; even a lion hit by a poisonous arrow cannot move more than five feet away. Even if it does not penetrate into the skin, the object does not escape death if it ever causes bruise in the skin with or without bloodshed [Haokip 2017: pp.206].

Way back in 1904, G.A. Grierson reported: “The Lushai Chief Lalluln began, about the year 1810, to move northwards, and the Thados were gradually expelled from the Lushai Hills, and settled down in Cachar somewhere between 1840 and 1850. About the same time the Thados of the Chin Hills were conquered by the Soktes under their chief Kantum, and weredriven towards the north into Manipur, where they settled down in the hills to the south.”[Grierson, 1904: pp.59].

The Manipuris (Meiteis) considered the Soktes or Kamhow Kuki tribe inhabiting the Chin Hills as a much more formidable one than the Lushai Kuki tribe; they were courageous and were even provided with better firearms [MAR 1874: pp.9]. A.O. Hume described the Soktes or Kamhow as ‘a fierce Kuki tribe who invariably killed everyone they came across’[Hume 1880: pp.462].

J. Guite writes “ In their opposition to despotism and control, large numbers of hillmen fled to Lushai Hills and Manipur against the rising rajahs of the Chin Hills. The Lusheis fled to the Lushai Hills in about 1810, although its advance guard, especially Rokums and Zadengs might have reached there much earlier. After procuring firearms, the Lushei chiefs too, especially those of the Lallul’s family, were soon to become ‘formidable’ to other tribes from 1830 onward. Lushei’s expansionist policy also forced many of the earlier inhabitants to escape to Tipperah, Cachar and Manipur. First the ‘Old Kukis’ were obliged by the ‘New Kukis’ (Lhangums, Changsans and Thadous) to flee while the latter in their turn were pressed by the advancing ‘Luchyes’ (Lusheis). Thus, within a span of 20 years, the Lushei rajahs swept over the whole part of the Lushai Hills and ‘nearly every village’ was founded to be ruled by a rajah of Sailo, Thanglua and Pallian.” [Guite 2011: pp.353].

Guite continued to write: “Those Kukis, especially the Thadous, who fled from the Chin Hills and Lushai Hills soon became formidable against other tribes in the hills of Manipur where, by 1870s, one could see at least five dominant Kuki chiefs viz., Kudingma (Khotinmang), Hawkip (Chassad Haokip), Mombi (Mangvung Haokip), Chongput (Chongphut Haokip) and Sumti.” (Guite of Mawlpi)” [Guite, 2011: pp.354].

Immediately after the Anglo-Manipuri war, which was concluded on 27^th April 1891, the British troops disarmed the entire population residing in the Manipur valley and over 4000 firearms recovered from the Manipuris (Meiteis) were confiscated and broken up. However,the British troops did not recover about 1000 firearms from the Kukis as the latter did not participate in the Manipur war of 1891 [MAR 1892: Para 5]. On 29^thApril 1892, the British abolished the aged old “Lallup System” which was instrumental for commissioning of Manipuri youths to Manipuri Army[Lal Dena 2015: pp.95].

Taking advantage of the disturbed condition in the Manipur Valley and the absence of Manipuri Army posts in the Hills post the Manipur war, the armed Kukis carried out serious attacks on some Naga villages in the Hills massacring a number of Nagas. Further, during the Kuki Rebellion (1917-1919), the revolting Kukis raided on a number of unarmed villages with about 1,000 persons(mostly Nagas) being killed, many missing, many taken away as captives, and many villages burnt.

In what follows a series of massacres perpetrated by the Kukisin the North-East including Manipur, during the British rule in India, is being revisited based on authoritative historical records:

1. On the night of April 16, 1844, under the instruction of Paite chief, Lalchukla, about 200 Kukis armed with muskets and other weapons descended from the hills to swoop upon the Manipuri (Meitei) village of Kachubari, in Pertabgur (Sylhet). The villagers were taken by surprise and found no time to fly or offer any effective resistance. The raiders continued the attack mercilessly throughout the whole night and destroyed the village altogether. The raiders killed a large number of villagers, taking 20 heads and carrying off six into captivity including a minor girl. The heads of the slain Manipuris were offered in the burial function of Lalchukla’s father (Laroo). This tragic incident was known as Kachubari Massacre[Chatterjee 1985: pp.13].
2. In 1847, Colonel MacCulloch, the then Political Agent in Manipur reported that between 200 to 300 villagers inhabiting in Manipur were killed or captured by the Lushai Kukis[Mackenzie 1884:pp.290].
3. In June 1847, the then Magistrate of Sylhet reported that a series of massacres were carried out by the Lushei Kukis in the British territory killing more than 150 persons[Mackenzie 1884:pp.290].
4. In November1849, the then Magistrate of Sylhet reported that the Lushai Kukis raided Seyahpow village, situated at ten miles south of Silchar, killing 29 persons and taking 42 captives[Mackenzie 1884: pp.291].
5. In 1854, the then Chittagong Superintendent of Police reported that there occurred 19 raids in the Chittagong frontiers during ‘the past seventeen years’, in which 107 people were killed, 15 wounded and 186 taken into captivity[Mackenzie 1884:pp.338].
6. In 1857,the Sukte (Kamhow) Kukis raided Chasadkilling 8 menand carried off the Chasad Raja’s wife, named Toonghoolmah, with her two boys (Toonghool andYakapow) and one girl[MAR 1876:pp.6].
7. In 1859  Sukte (Kamhow) raided Hankeep village near Shugnu and burned the village taking 15 heads and carrying off 45 captives including women and children. They also burned Saitol village but no one was killed or captured [Mackenzie 1884:pp.164].
8. On the 31^st January, 1860 a large body of Lushai Kukis under chief Rutton Poes, numbering 400 or 500, after sweeping down the course of the River Fenny, burst into the plains of Tipperah at Chagulneyah, burned or plundered 15 villages, killed 185 persons, and carried off about 100 captives[Mackenzie 1884:pp.342].

• In early 1861, a body of Kukis made fierce attacks on three populous villages and a wealthy mart in hill Tipperah near Odoypore (Udaipur) where they killed 150 people and took 200 into captivity[Guite2011:pp.340].
• In January 1862, three villages viz., (i) Ramdulal’s Bari (ii) Rammuhon’s Bari, and (iii) Chundraipara in the jurisdiction of Rajnugger Thana, Sylhet were burnt by the Lushai Kukis and a large number of the inhabitants massacred or carried off. These villages lie close together, about eight miles from Adumpore and the incident came to be known as the Adumpore massacre[Mackenzie 1884: pp.297].
• Between 1863 and 1869 there were 30 separate raids in the Arakan Hill Tracts supposedly carried out by Chins and Lushais.  In those raids 65 persons were killed and 268 carried into slavery [Carey & Tuck 1896: pp.17].
• In 1865, the Sukte (Kamhow) Kukis  destroyed Chengbolekhool, a village in Manipur territory with 29 men being killed[MAR 1876:pp.6].
• In 1869, the Sukte (Kamhow) Kukis  raided Bombdang, a village in Manipur territory, killed 11 menand took 11 captives[MAR 1876:pp.6].
• In 1871, the Sukte (Kamhow) Kukis raided two villages of Fukloway (Numfow) in Manipur territory with one man being killed and seven captives carried off[MAR 1876:pp.6].
• In 1871, a party of at least 2,000 Sukte Kukis, two-thirds of them armed with muskets committed raids upon Teebeekung, Tooyel, and Nagan villages killing 11 persons and taking 67 persons as captives[MAR 1876:pp.7].
• On the morning of 23^rd January, 1871 the Cacharee Punjee of Ainerkhal in IheHylakandy Sub-Division of  Cachar  was attacked by a party of Lushai numbering about 200. The village was burnt, 25 persons killed and 37 taken captives. On the same day the tea garden of Alexandrapore was destroyed with Mr. Winchester, the planter being killed, and his child Mary, a girl of six years carried off.[Mackenzie 1884:pp.305; Carey & Tuck 1896: pp.15].
• On the 27^th January, 1871 a party of Lushai Kukis attacked Nugdigram garden in IheHylakandy Sub-Division of  Cachar killing 11 personsand carrying off 3 persons[Mackenzie 1884:pp.306].
• On the 23^rd January, 1871 a village named Cacharipara in Sylhet was almost entirely burnt, more than 20 persons being killed, and some young women carried off [Mackenzie 1884:pp.307].
• In the latter half of January, 1871 a party of Lushais made their appearance in Tipperah Hill, burning villages and killing and wounding the villagers. The Tipperah Hills recorded around 85 deaths including 6 policemen. These raiders were also reported to have carried off at least 64 captives[Guite2011:pp.341].
• On the night of 15^th February, 1871 a village in the hills, in the south-east of Manipur Valley was attacked ferociously by a party of raiders suspected to be Lushai Kukis. The village was destroyed, 40 persons decapitated, and about 20 captives carried off[Mackenzie 1884: pp.307].
• In 1873, a savage party of Sukte (Kamhow)Kukis numbering about 200, led by their chiefs Yatol andKooding raided Chantheng village in Manipur territory and burned the village with 12 persons being killed and 56 taken captives[MAR 1875:pp.3].
• In 1874, a force of about 300 of Sukte (Kamhow) Kukis, many of whom were armed with muskets suddenly attacked Kumsol (Anal) village in Manipur territory so that no one could escape whereby killing 11 persons and taking 34 captives including women, children and village Khullakpa (Headman)[MAR 1876:pp.10].
• In October 1874, the Suktes (Kamhows) attacked two Anal (Numfow) villages, Kumsol and Mukong, in Manipur territory to the south of Manipur Valley and killed 17 men and carried off 78 captives including women, and children[Mackenzie 1884:pp.168].
• In February 1875, a party of Khongjai Kukis allegedly from Manipur attacked Namphee, a village situated in the northern boundary of the Kabo Valley and killed 45 men, women and children[Mackenzie 1884: pp.193].
• In February 1880, the Chasad Kukis carried out a ferocious raid on the Chingsao village in Manipur, wherein 45 people were slain, 3 carried off into captivity and half of village burnt. Col. Johnstone, then Political Agent in Manipur,  who  had investigated the raid, said:  “The next day I investigated the case, and found that, as reported, twenty males and twenty-five females had been murdered. I saw the fresh graves and dug up one as evidence, the bodies contained in it were those of a mother and child, and presented a frightful spectacle with half of the heads cut off, including the scalp, and both in an advanced state of decomposition. It appeared that a demand has been made by Tonghoo, the Chussad Chief, that the Chingsow Nagas should submit to him and pay tribute, but they, of course, refused as subjects of Manipur. They heard of nothing more till they were attacked on the morning of the fatal day. The people had just begun to stir, and some had lighted their fires, when suddenly they heard the fire of musketry at the entrance of the village. They ran out of their houses, and the Chussads fell upon them, and the massacre commenced. The assailants were about fifty in number, and the people in their terror were driven in all directions, and slaughtered, some being shot and others being cut down by daos”[Johnstone 1896:pp.184].
• In January 1881, Mooling,  a Tangkhul village on the west of Chattik was attacked by the Kukis, 15 persons being killed and 5 carried off[FD-EA 1882: pp.7].
• On 3^rd February 1888, a party of Kukis led by a Shendu chief made a surprise raid on a survey party under Lieutenant J.F.Stewart at a place only 18 miles from Rangamati, near the Saichul Range, killing 3 Europeans (including Stewart) and one sepoy.Mr. Stewart apparently had not the smallest idea that any danger threatened and took no precautions whatsoever for the safety of himself or his party [Reid 1942: pp.1].
• On 15^th February 1888, a raid was perpetrated by Shendu Kukison the village of RoazoPrenkhynMro in the Chema Valley, inwhich 6 persons were killed, 2 wounded, and 23 prisoners taken[Reid 1942: pp.1].
• On 8th January 1889, a party of about 600 men led by Lenypunga (or Lianphunga) and his brother Zarok [Zahrawka], sons of Silkpila1 [Suakpuilala] had descended on the valley which lay on the Chittagong Frontier and within 2 marches of Rangamati, burnt 24 villages, killed 101 persons and carried off 91 captives[Reid 1942: pp.8]. 
• On the 13th December, 1888  an attack, characterised by unusual ferocity, was made by the Lushai Kukis under  three Sylu chiefs, Nikama, Lungliena, and Kairuma,  on a village in Demagiri belonging to chieftainess Pakuma Rani. The Rani and 21 of her subjects were slain and 15 were carried off as captives. Neither age nor sex was spared, and, to complete their work of destruction, the raiders set fire to the village containing the headless corpses of their unfortunate victims[Reid 1893:pp.45-46].
• In 1889, between 8^th and 10th January, the Lushai Kukis numbering about 400 under Sylo chiefs Lalpunga and Zaroka, carried out raids in 24 villages in the Upper Chengri Valley, about 43 miles north-west of Rangamatti. They destroyed the villages, killed 101 persons and took 91 persons as captives[Reid 1893:pp.46]
• In July 1891, six men of Atteng, a Kabui Naga village near the Manipur-Cachar Road, went to meet the chief of a group of Kuki villages (viz., Phalpi, Changchin, Multan Paipijung, Laipimul, Bhum Kattan & Thangchung) for delivering the tusks of an elephant killed by the Nagas. The Kukis killed five of the Nagas, and the sixth man escaped badly wounded, but before he had time to reach the village, the Kukis raided it, and killed 52 persons including women and children, while losing two of their own men in action. A small boy was taken away as captive [AAR 1891-92:pp.165].
• In June 1891, the Kukis of Pakop and Sylim came to Makui Naga village near Keithelmanbi on the Manipur-Kohima road asking for some of the dhan from the State granary. When the custodians refused, they were attacked by the Kukis and three were killed. Later the Kukis expressed regret to the Makui villagers, and in order to show contrition and a desire for forgiveness, invited the Nagas to a feast at a stream halfway between the two villages. When the dinner was in progress, the Kukis turned on their guests, and murdered 17[AAR 1891-92:pp.165].
• In April, 1893, a band of Kukis led by Toki, chief of Nungtam Kuki village fell upon the Koirau Naga village at Swemi (Chingjurai) in the gray light of the early morning when the people of the village were still sleeping in their houses. Taken unawares, they could not flight, and there was no time to fly; 286 people including 187 women and children were killed. Because of the occurrence of this massacre known as the Swemi Massacre, the population of Swemi village was reduced to about 120 from its earlier figure of more than 400 [Allen 1905: 40 & FD-EA 1894: pp.7].
• In April 1909, the Aishan Kukis shot dead one man and a woman from Temimi, a British village. In the same month, the Kukis from Kanzang and Pang villages raided on three hamlets at Kongai, Wakhong, Rachai villages within the Manipur State territory and carried away two men and some agricultural implements [FD-EA 1909: pp.1].
• In the past few years preceding 1910, the Aishan Kukis living in about 160 houses took 258 heads from neighbouring from Naga villages in the Naga Hills as per the following break-up: (i) Karami Naga village (150 heads taken), (ii) Photsomi Naga village (26 heads taken), (iii) Techunasami Naga (37 heads taken), (iv) Niyemi Naga village (35 heads taken), and (v) Thonami Naga village (10 heads taken). B.C. Allen, then Officiating Secretary to the Government of Eastern Bengal and Assam reported to the higher authority that the Kukis were blood- thirsty savages who did not even spare the lives of women and children in their raids. After obtaining sanction from the Government of India, a punitive expedition led bythe then Deputy Commissioner, Naga Hills was sent against the Aishan Kukis and 76 guns were collected from 11 Kuki villages.[FD-EA 1910: pp.10-11].
• In July, 1914, a party of 400 followers of Komyang, a chief of Somra tract, raided Konkailon Khunao, a Tangkhul village and took 5 heads of Tangkhul villagers walking on the road[FD-EA 1914: pp.4].
• In September, 1914, the Chasad Kukis raided Konkailon Kulel, a Tangkhul village with 70 to 150 persons being killed and 5 taken as captives[FD-EA 1914: pp.4].
• In October, 1914, a party Pasche Kukis raided Konkailon Khunao Tangkhul village and took 9 heads[FD-EA 1914: pp.4].
• In the first three months of 1918 (i.e., January to March), the Kukis carried out a large number of brutal raids on unarmed villages in the hills loyal to the Manipur Maharaja, with 193 persons being killed and 21 missing. The following villages suffered worst in the raids: (i) Kasom Tangkhul village (4 heads taken), (ii) Landangmai Chiru Naga village (35 persons killed& 4 prisoners taken), (iii) NgariyalKabui Naga village (4 persons killed), (iv) KhongakhulKabuiNaga village (26 persons killed& 13 missing), (v) PalemKharam Naga village (35 persons killed), (vi) Pungsang ChingmaiKhunow Kabui Naga village (21 persons killed), (vii) Kwakta Muslim village (6 persons killed) and (viii) Mahom & Tushem, two Kom villages lying close together (10 persons killed)[MAR 1918-19: pp.2]
• 41. In the latter half of the month of May 1918, the Kukis made serious raids on friendly Naga villages in Manipur, with nearly 100 persons being killed or missing.  The most seriously affected villages were: (i) Pangang Chingmai Chiru village was raided on 18^th May, 1918, with21 persons being killedand 5 missing, (ii) Khongakhul Kabui village was raided on 22^nd May, 26 persons being killed and 13 missing, (iii) Chalau village was looted on 22^nd May, but no lives lost, (iv) The suspension bridge over the Thoubal river on the Imphal-Ukhrul bridle path was burnt, (v) Kasom Tangkhul village of 17 houses was raided with heavy loss of life, 30 dead bodies were found and only 4 could escape[Webster 1918].
• In October 1918, a party of Kukis led by Layang village Kuki chief, Tindong brutally attacked 20 Kabui villages, and massacred hundreds of Kabuis. The most seriously affected villages were: (i) Makoi village (70 persons killed), (ii) Dailong village (10 persons killed), (iii) Akhui village (10 persons killed), (iv) Lungchum village (Many killed), (v) Rangkhung village (Many killed), (vi) Makan village (All villagers including women and children killed),(vii) Mongjarong village (39 persons killed), (viii) Kharam village (250 persons killed), and (ix) Goitang village (176 persons killed) [Haomi 2024: pp.127].

To be concluded

(The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ukhrul Times. Ukhrul Times values and encourages diverse perspectives. The author is former Acting Vice Chancellor, Manipur University. The author can be reached at yugindro361@gmail.com)