UKHURL: The Zeliangrong Welfare Association Delhi (ZWAD) solemnly commemorated the 33rd death anniversary of Rani Gaidinliu, paying tribute to the indomitable freedom fighter and spiritual-political leader who dedicated her life to the liberation, dignity, and unity of the Zeliangrong people and to India’s independence movement.
Born on January 26, 1915, at Nungkao (Luangkao) village in present-day Tamenglong district of Manipur, Rani Gaidinliu joined the freedom struggle at the age of 13 under the guidance of her cousin and visionary leader, Haipou Jadonang. Following Jadonang’s execution by the British in 1931, she assumed leadership of the Heraka movement and intensified resistance against colonial rule.
Under her leadership, the movement opposed oppressive taxation, forced labour, and cultural suppression. In March 1932, her followers confronted British forces in the historic Hangrum attack, demonstrating remarkable courage despite limited resources. Pursued relentlessly, she took shelter in remote jungle hideouts, including caves in the Mount Kisha area of Magulong, sustained by the support of her people.
She was eventually captured on October 17, 1932, at Poilwa and sentenced to life imprisonment at just 17 years of age. She spent 14 years in British prisons. Deeply moved by her bravery, Jawaharlal Nehru conferred upon her the title “Rani” in 1937, a name that remains inseparable from her legacy. She was released in 1947 following India’s independence.
Even after independence, Rani Gaidinliu continued to advocate for the unity of the Zeliangrong communities — Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Inpui within the constitutional framework of India. In the 1960s, she again went underground to defend the cultural and spiritual foundations of the Heraka faith and to safeguard her people’s identity.
Throughout her life, she remained a steadfast voice against injustice and marginalisation, warning against administrative divisions that fragmented Zeliangrong-inhabited areas across Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland. In recognition of her contributions, the Government of India honoured her with the Tamrapatra Freedom Fighter Award in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 1982, among other accolades.
ALSO READ: Higher Secondary Examination Began Peacefully in Ukhrul
Rani Gaidinliu passed away on February 17, 1993, in her native village Luangkao at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and cultural pride.
On the occasion of her 33rd death anniversary, ZWAD called upon the Zeliangrong community, well-wishers, and citizens across the country to remember her not only as a regional icon but as a national hero whose life embodied resistance, self-determination, and constitutional integration. The association emphasized that her ideals — freedom from injustice, preservation of identity, unity, and inclusive development remain deeply relevant today.